Decade Autographs (1 results)

Two concertina-bound autograph books. Fan-shaped concertina-bound autograph book, 13 x 20cm (widest point), 30 thick cream leaves, with approx 160 manuscript autographs, gilt-flecked endpapers, gold-patterned brocade cover, with a linen label, all edges gilt, enclosed in a linen fan-shaped sleeve, with toggle closures and paper label, binder's stamp to the inside cover; the linen worn and faded, and the album split at two openings, but in very good condition. Small concertina-bound autograph book, 12 x 9cm, approx 25 thick paper leaves, 5 red temple stamps and 4 pencilled autographs, sable silk-covered boards, chipped paper label, in very good condition. Two autograph books, dating from 1933-1940, which belonged to the Australian Japan expert, author and broadcaster George Caiger (1903-1991). In 1930, after teaching in England and Australia, Caiger moved to Japan where he taught English at Musashi Koto Gakko, a private school in Tokyo, and later also lectured at the Peers' School in Tokyo. Caiger wrote numerous essays and books on Japan and developed friendships with some leading figures in Japanese society and politics. He returned to Australia in 1940 and later became an intelligence officer and translator for the Australian military during World War II, before joining the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. His beautiful fan-shaped Japanese autograph book contains a collection of signatures, messages and some ink sketches. The earliest of these date to 1933-1934, and include farewell messages from friends written in May 1934, when Caiger and his wife Margaret returned for a short period to Australia. Others date from 1939-1940 and include farewells from the time when the Caigers left Japan for good in late 1939. An interesting set of signatures on the last page includes the annotation "SS Atuta Maru, 00.01am, 1st January 1940, Arafura Sea?", clearly written as passengers celebrated a rather uncertain New Year on their voyage home from Japan. There are also two charming ink sketches - one of Mt. Fuji - drawn by a friend named Y. Nakatsuka shortly before the Caigers' departure from Japan. Autographs include those of Australian diplomat H. R. Sawbridge and Christian missionary Clarence Gillett (who later worked with Japanese internees in the US during WWII). A second smaller concertina-folded autograph book is mostly blank, but contains a few pencilled-in names on the first page, and some souvenir ink-stamps, including one labelled "Daibustu, Nara, 1.1.33" in the rear. Fascinating autograph realia from the Imperial Japanese period, collected by a well-known Australian broadcaster.