Koshi no kagami [Examples of ancient papers].

First edition, no.252 of 300 copies. 2vols. 363 paper samples across two volumes, tipped in, and numerous photographic illustrations. Folio, measuring 370 by 263mm. Original mustard cloth covered boards with blind embossing to upper and silver letting to spine, both volumes housed in a brown cloth covered card chitsu folding case with printed title slip, lacking cardboard shipping box, overall a fine copy. 189; 345pp. Tokyo, Koshi no kagami, Showa 52 [i.e.  A handsome set, which visually explains the history of paper in Japan with handmade paper samples dating as far back as the 8th century. A rare opportunity to handle original paper samples spanning over 1,200 years.   The author, Seki Yoshikuni (1892-1979) was a highly regarded scholar of Japanese paper-making history, and an active member of the pulp and paper industry. He held executive positions at the Mitsubishi Paper Mills Ltd. (Mitsubishi Seishi Kabushiki-gaisha) and served as the first vice president of the Oji Paper Museum when it opened in 1950. During his long career, he collected paper samples ? not just from Japan ? and amassed a highly impressive collection of fragments, sheets, sample books and more. Some of his collection (about 4,000 items) now lives in the Paper Museum.    The present book contains over 300 samples from Seki's collection. He was especially keen for the precious papers he collected to be handled and used as a teaching resource so that more people could appreciate their unique and varied qualities. While it may seem sacrilegious, he cut samples from his collection to produce limited editions of books that would allow readers to see with their own eyes how papers vary from as early as 740 AD. Before the present title, Seki had produced other books on a similar theme which analyse the various paper types from his collection.   The academic rigour applied to the explanations of each paper type and the elegant design of the set make it a highly enjoyable handling experience. Smaller, early fragments in the first volume have been carefully pasted onto photographic reproductions of the originals, so the readers can see them in context ? a lovely design detail.   Very rare. OCLC lists 7 copies: three in the US, two in Canada, one in Hong Kong and one in the UK.…