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Up for sale is a stunning, authentic late 19th-century (Meiji Period) Japanese tourist souvenir photography album. This impressive oversized folio features 50 large-format (approx. 10\" x 8\") hand-colored albumen photographs mounted recto/verso across 25 thick cardboard pages.
The album showcases a premier curation of historic Japanese landmarks and intimate cultural studio portraits, closely matching the style of celebrated studios of the era like Kozaburo Tamamura. Documented scenes include Nagoya Castle, \"278 MOONTEMPLE MAYASAN\" (Kobe), traditional samurai armor/cultural displays, and beautifully staged portraits of Japanese women (including a group labeled \"F55 SINGERS\").
Dimensions:
• Album Overall: Approx. 14” x 11” x 2”
• Individual Photographs: Approx. 10” x 8”
Condition Report (Please Read Carefully Before offerding):
This album is being sold as-is for restoration or print salvage.
• The Photographs: Excellent/Good condition. The hand-colored albumen prints are clean, vibrant, completely intact, and have been exceptionally well-preserved over the last 130+ years. Many original protective translucent tissue paper guards remain intact between the pages.
• The Covers: The stunning, authentic red lacquer covers feature a detailed hand-painted design of a crane and blossoming branches. The front and back covers are completely detached from the main text block binding. The covers themselves are structurally in two separate pieces, but the face design remains bright and visually beautiful.
• The Pages: The heavy cardboard backing pages show wear consistent with age, including chipping and broken corners on several leaves. The photographs themselves on these pages remain unaffected and secure.
This is a phenomenal candidate for a professional bookbinding restoration, or an incredible estate find for a photography dealer looking to salvage 50 premium, large-format Meiji-era prints for individual framing.
Shipping & Handling:
Will be packed with extreme care using professional archival handling standards (wrapped securely to prevent shifting or further damage to the detached covers and corners) and shipped fully insured with tracking.
