2 (of 3) volumes. Compiled by Francis L. Hawks. xvii, [1], 537; [6], [2], 414, [4], 14, xi, [2]. Vol. I illustrated with approximately 90 lithograph plates, many color, including 3 "facsimiles" of Japanese woodblock prints, 2 folding; 6 maps and charts; numerous woodcuts in the text. Vol. II with 4 color lithographs of Chinese scenes; 2 uncolored natural history engraved plates; 6 hand-colored lithographs of birds; 10 hand-colored steel-engravings of fish; 5 lithographs of shells, 2 hand-colored; 16 diagram plates of winds and currents; 14-page facsimile of Japanese language version of the U.S.-Japan treaty; 15 (of 17) folding charts on 14 sheets; numerous woodcuts in the text. (4to) 29x22 cm (11¼x8¾"), volume one with original boards re-backed with modern cloth, volume two with original boards re-backed with cloth, most of original spine strip laid down. First Edition, House Issue.
Detailed and profusely illustrated account of Perry's expedition to open Japan to the West; "In January 1852 [Perry] was selected to undertake the most important diplomatic mission ever entrusted to an American naval officer, the negotiation of a treaty with Japan, a country at this time sealed against intercourse with the Occidental powers" (DAB). By March 31, 1854, the treaty granting the U.S. trading rights had been signed by the Japanese. Upon his return to the U.S., his chief duty for the following year was to compile his reports of the expedition, aided by Francis Hawks. The first volume has the account of the voyage and lithographs of the travel; the second volume has the natural history reports by D.S. Green and others and includes hand-colored plates of Japanese fishes and shells. In addition to the artist W. Heine, from whose drawings a great number of the lithographs were made, the daguerreotypist E. Brown, Jr., went on the expedition, taking what were undoubtedly the earliest photographic images of Japan, many of them reproduced lithographically in this work. The bathing plate is not present in this copy. Hill 1332; Sabin 30968.
Condition:
Wear, soiling and rubbing to boards, corners worn; volumes a bit shaken, vol. 2 lacking two maps at rear, early gift inscription on front free endpaper of vol. 1; repairs made to some page edges, toning and scattered foxing affecting some plates, occasional plate detached but present, some tears, chips and tape repairs to folding mpas at end of vol. 2; good or better.