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, original three-quarter teal morocco, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, raised bands, marbled boards and endpapers, top edges gilt, uncut and unopened. $4500.

Okuma edition, number 31 of only 100 sets, of Brinkley’s comprehensive and finely illustrated studies of Chinese and Japanese art, history and culture, with 12 handpainted silk watercolor frontispieces, 13 woodblock prints, 7 watercolor paintings of Japanese birds, and richly illustrated with more than 200 full-page plates, including photogravures (many tinted and color-finished by hand), and color-printed plates.

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. This deluxe edition contains many illustrations not included in the trade editions of this title. With the bookplates of industrialist and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and his wife Abby Aldrich Rockefeller.

Interiors fine, spines evenly toned, Volume I with expert repairs to joints. A beautiful set with notable provenance.