patton emily sophia (2 Ergebnisse)

First and only edition, presentation copy, inscribed on the first page to "Mr William Abbs, from Mrs Patton, 1909". This is a beautiful example of the work of the publisher Takejiro Hasegawa, whose signature crepe paper books remain highly prized today. Institutional records note only one copy of Japanese Topsyturvy-Dom in the UK (University of Cambridge), with copies correspondingly scarce in commerce. Hasegawa (1853-1938) began his publishing business in 1884, specialising in attractive English-language books made using crepe paper. Their appeal to foreign audiences lay in Hasegawa's ingenious combination of Western book culture - for example reading left to right - with seemingly exotic Japanese elements such as woodblock printing and fine paper. "The crepe paper editions were especially prized by Hasegawa's foreign clientele as being uniquely Japanese, a feature which, together with their superior quality woodblock-print illustrations, elevated them to a collectable art form. The books can be seen in parallel with the international Arts and Crafts movement, which was simultaneously occurring on both sides of the Atlantic and epitomised in the revival of the art of the book as a symbol of idealised craftsmanship" (O'Connell, p. 61). In Japanese Topsyturvy-Dom, Emily Sophia Patton (1831-1912) describes the differences between Japanese and Western culture and customs, all the while gently satirising those Europeans who proclaim the superiority of the Western way of life. For example, discussing "Food, and Table Etiquette", she writes that, "It is also taken as a delicate compliment to the host, and a recognition of the good cheer he has provided, if the guest eructate [sic] audibly during the repast; and it is not considered any evidence of ill-breeding, if the acts of mastication and drinking are performed noisily, and not silently as with us" (p. 13). The British-born Patton was a naturalized Australian musician who introduced the Tonic Sol-fa sight-singing method into Japan and China through her successful singing conservatories. Described as one of the 19th century's "outstanding figures in music education" (Stevens, p. 40), she was also an experienced author and traveller, journeying to remote areas of Japan and visiting several cities in China. "As an author, a journalist and a social chronicler, she provided valuable insights - from a European perspective - into the life, customs and events in Japan, China and other neighbouring countries at that time" (ibid., pp. 47-48). Rogala 894 ("one of Hasegawa's best crepe paper productions"). Allison O'Connell, "Takejir Hasegawa's Fairy Tale Series: Japanese crepe paper books", The La Trobe Journal, no. 105 (September 2020), pp. 58-71. Square octavo, pp. 36. Original illustrated chirimen (crepe paper) wrappers, silver silk thread musubi toji binding, tan silk backstrip, front cover lettered in purple and black. Woodblock colour illustrations throughout. Wrappers bright with light foxing and inevitable creasing, just a little spotting to text, more pronounced on pp. 33-34 but never detracting from the illustrations. A very good copy indeed.

First edition, first printing, presentation copy, inscribed on the front free endpaper "To Mr William Abbs, With Mrs Patton's Best regards, April 1909". A long-time Yokohama resident, Emily Sophia Patton wrote the text for this attractive collaboration with the talented local artist Minnie Agnes Schwabe. WorldCat and Library Hub record only around a dozen copies including two in the UK (British Library and Victoria & Albert Museum), and examples are correspondingly rare in commerce. Japanese Types includes lively drawings of thirty different characters from the rich tapestry of Japanese society, including flower sellers, travellers, soldiers, carpenters and "Two Japanese Dudes". Facing each illustration is a page of Patton's commentary, typically a mixture of anecdote, description and broader context. Both writer and artist demonstrate more sympathy and understanding of Japanese culture than was typical among Europeans at the time, and it was this outlook that established Patton's reputation for providing "valuable insights - from a European perspective - into the [sic] life, customs and events in Japan, China and other neighbouring countries at that time" (Stevens, pp. 47-48). The British-born Patton (1831-1912), later to naturalize in Australia, was an experienced author and traveller, journeying to remote areas of Japan and visiting several cities in China. In addition to her travelling and journalism, she introduced the Tonic Sol-fa sight-singing method into East Asia through her successful singing conservatories. Today, she is remembered as one of the 19th century's "outstanding figures in music education" (ibid., p. 40). Schwabe (1877-1918) was born in Yokohama to the British insurance agent Robert Stephan Schwabe. After being educated abroad, she returned to Japan in 1902 and began working for Sale & Frazar, Trade and Insurance Agents. Following the success of the present work, Schwabe was chosen to design and illuminate addresses from the British Navy League in Yokohama to Admiral Togo, and from Yokohama's foreign community to Prince Arthur of Connaught. Two variant bindings of the present work were produced by Kelly & Walsh, differentiated by red or blue embossed designs on the front cover. Copies have no clear priority. Robin S. Stevens, "Emily Patton: An Australian Pioneer of Tonic Sol-fa in Japan", Research Studies in Music Education, Number 14 (2000), pp. 40-49. Quarto (272 x 212 mm). Original tan boards, silver thread musubi toji binding, front cover embossed in red, gatherings backed with tan cloth. With 30 illustrations after sketches by Schwabe, vignettes on title page. Imprint page in Japanese. Binding thread well-preserved, boards lightly foxed and soiled with a little wear, embossing bright, losses at head and foot of cloth backstrip, internally clean. A very good copy.