SPLENDID LIMITED EDITION SET OF BRINKLEY’S COMPREHENSIVE WORKS ON JAPAN AND CHINA, BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAVURES, ENGRAVINGS, WOODBLOCK PRINTS AND ORIGINAL WATERCOLORS

BRINKLEY, Capt. Frank. Oriental Series. Japan and China. Boston and Tokyo: J. B. Millet, (1901-02). Twelve volumes. Octavo, contemporary three-quarter teal morocco, raised bands, elaborately gilt-decorated spines with red morocco onlays, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt, uncut and partly unopened. $4500.

Limited "Author's edition," number 724 of 1000 sets of Brinkley’s comprehensive and finely illustrated studies of Chinese and Japanese art, history and culture, richly illustrated with over 200 full-page plates, including photogravures (many tinted and color-finished by hand) and color-printed plates and two large folding maps. A beautifully bound set.

Brinkley's accounts of Japan and China highlight the fascination with which the West viewed the Orient at the end of the 19th century. A resident of Japan for over 40 years and owner/editor of the Japan Mail, Brinkley harnessed his knowledge of Asia to create the voluminous writings that both satisfied and augmented the curiosity of his Western readership. This comprehensive set covers Japanese and Chinese art, history, culture, politics, literature, ceramics, painting, religion, and education. Contains many early photographs of Japan and China. Large folding maps of contemporary Japan in Volume VI (including Formosa, the Ryukyus, and the Kuril islands) and China in Volume XII. This deluxe edition contains many illustrations not included in the trade editions of this title.

Spines mildly and evenly toned. A beautiful set in fine condition.