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two books that are open on a white surfacea drawing of a group of people riding on horsesan old book with a picture of a man on itan open book with a picture of a boat in the watera drawing of a group of people with umbrellasa picture of a book with a picture of people on itan old book with a picture of a group of people on itan old book with a drawing of a boat and a boat on the wateran open book with a picture of a woman in a kimono dress and a woman in a kimono dressan old book with a drawing of two women in traditional clothinga picture of a book with a picture of people on boatsa book with a picture of two men fighting each othertwo pictures of a man with a beard and a woman with a moustache and a man with a moustache and a moustachean open book with a picture of a group of men in different outfitsa picture of an open book with a picture of a mountain in the backgroundan old book with a drawing of two men in traditional clothinga book with a picture of boats in the waterthree books are stacked on top of each other on a white surfacea drawing of a coat of arms with two birds on itan open book with a picture of a boat in the wateran open book with a picture of a woman in a kimono kimonoan open book with a picture of a man and a womanan old book with a picture of a man on a horsetwo men standing next to each other in front of an open bookthree books are lined up in a row on a white surfacea book with a picture of two men standing next to each otheran old book with a picture of a man holding a bagtwo men in blue robes standing next to each other
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162 - [JAPAN]. A collection of two works on Japan. Published by Ne…
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Estimate €1,200 - €1,500
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Description
[JAPAN]. A collection of two works on Japan. Published by Nepveu. Japan revealed through images and narrative: two of the finest works devoted to the Land of the Rising Sun in the early 19th century, illustrated with 61 plates finely coloured at the time. A fine set of 6 volumes in 3 books as follows: RICORD (Paul); BRETON de La MARTINIÈRE (Jean-Baptiste Joseph). Japan, or Paul Ricord’s Journey to the Islands of Japan in 1811, 1812 and 1813. Translated by M. Breton. Paris, A. Nepveu, 1822. Set of 2 volumes in 1 volume, in-18 (135 x 84 mm). Well-made binding in light-coloured half-calf, ribbed spine decorated with gilt and blind-stamped bands, with mosaic-patterned title and volume number labels. Contemporary binding. VIII-271-[1] pp; (2)-214-[1] pp. + 10 plates. First edition of the translation from the German of the account of the expeditions by Paul Ricord (Pyotr Ivanovich Rikord), an officer of the Imperial Russian Navy, who set out to rescue Captain Golovnin, held prisoner in Japan.
The first volume describes the expedition and the operations aimed at freeing Golownin. The second volume deals with Japanese culture, daily life, trade and industry, with illustrations of costumes, boats and the Edo Palace.
A complete set of 10 plates (including 7 in colour, 2 maps and one technical plate in black and white), drawn from sketches from the Titsingh collection. Following this: BRETON de La MARTINIÈRE (Jean-Baptiste Joseph) - [GOLOVNIN (Vasilij)]. Japan, or the Manners, Customs and Costumes of the Inhabitants of that Empire; followed by an Account of the Journey and Captivity of the Russian Captain Golownin. [Volume 1: 4]. Paris, A. Nepveu, 1818. Set of 4 volumes in 2 volumes in-18 (135 x 84 mm). A curious feature of the binding is worth noting: the volume numbers on the spine were reversed during binding. Thus, volumes 1 and 2 are contained in the volume marked ‘5-6’, whilst volumes 3 and 4 are in the volume marked ‘3-4’. XXIV-187-[5] pp; (2)-231 pp; (2)-226 pp; (1)-272-[1] pp. + 51 plates. 
First edition of the important overview of Japanese culture by Jean-Baptiste Joseph Breton, known as de La Martinière (1777–1852). Work compiled from the accounts of Krusenstern, Langsdorff, Titsingh and other travellers. Very complete with all 51 engravings, some of which are based on previously unpublished Japanese paintings. Provenance: Sinety family, with heraldic bookplate (azure, a silver swan, its neck passing through an antique-style crown). Motto: Virtute Nitet. A fine copy, in colour, in a uniform binding in excellent condition.
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About the sale Fine antique and collectible books, manuscripts and modern illustrated works
Auction location
Auction time 06/29/2026 at 2:00 PM
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