PBA Galleries

Two sheets: Signatures of four members of the military delegation, in English and Japanese. On sheet 30.5x26 cm. (12x10"). * Signatures of six members of the civil delegation, in English and Japanese. On letterhead of Excelsior Press Brick Manufacturing Company, 20.5x13 cm. (8¼x5¼").

Signatures of members of the famed Irakawa Mission of Japan, which toured the world to get an idea of Western culture and economic and military prowess. The first with notation at bottom by William Prince, "Frankford Arsenal, Phila., March 27th, 1872. These constitute the Military portion of the Embassy of 1872... The autographs of the rest of the Embassy, on separate sheet were presented by a friend whose works they visited. Both English and Japanese names are autographic in all cases." The entire Irakawa Mission numbered some 100 people, so these may have been a separate vanguard. Provenance: L. Bradford Prince, Governor of New Mexico Territory.