Hishikawa MORONOBU ( c 1618 – 1694 )



A superb and important book by an unrivalled illustrator in depicting street life and views of the Yoshiwara and the theatre. One volume complete, Tsukinami no asobi, “ Months in the Eastern [ Edo] Capital.” One page preface and 19 double page illustrations plus one page colophon. Shows the inhabitants of Edo engaged in various activities from pleasure to devotion as well as street markets and daimyo processions. Published by Urokogata-ya of Odenba-cho, Edo, Genroku 4, 4th month, 1691. Beautiful contemporary hand colouring. Ex collection Walter von Scheven, 1878 – 1950, and purchased by him from Karl W. Hiersemann, Leipzig, in 1924. Extremely rare. Listed by Mrs Brown in Block Printing and Book Illustration in Japan, p. 48.

Original salmon pink covers with embossed pattern and original title slip. Minor soil and marks but otherwise extremely good condition for a book of this period.

status: available

Email Image to a Friend                                Email Image to a Friend                                    Email Image to a Friend

Email Image to a Friend                                     Email Image to a Friend                                      Email Image to a Friend  

           Email Image to a Friend                             Email Image to a Friend

Kawamura BUMPO ( 1779 - 1821 )



One volume complete Kimpaen gafu " A Book of Paintings by Kimpaen [ Bumpo ]." Published Bunsei 3, 1820, by Hishiya Magobei. Bumpo's major book of kacho-e. The better impressions ( as here ) do best justice to what Jack Hillier called the "boneless" technique ( without outline ).

Original covers with an indented mushroom design and title slip. Minor thumbing and other minor marks, otherwise very good condition.

status: available

Email Image to a Friend                               Email Image to a Friend                              Email Image to a Friend             

 Email Image to a Friend                                                        Email Image to a Friend

Kitao MASAYOSHI ( 1764 - 1824 )



One volume complete Choju ryakugashiki, "Simplified Forms of Drawing Birds and Flowers." Published Kwansei 9, 1797, by Suharaya Ichibei. Illustrated by Kuwagata Keisai ( Masayoshi ). These influential books of Masayoshi's were popular and were reprinted many times.

Fine early copy. Original title slip and lemon-yellow covers ( some wear ). Some thumbing at bottom especially towards front, and other minor marks, otherwise good condition. Unidentified collectors' seals at end and small annotation on back cover of a previous (?) collector: L. de la Bedollier.

status: available

Email Image to a Friend                               Email Image to a Friend                                Email Image to a Friend           

Email Image to a Friend                                Email Image to a Friend

Teisai HOKUBA ( 1771 - 1844 )



One volume complete Kyoka sumidagawa meisho zue, " Humorous Poems on Famous Views of the Sumida River." Colophon dated Bunsei 6, 1823, published by Shunsuien. Extremely rare.

Original covers with a printed design of chidori. Original title slip. Very good condition.

status: available
        

Email Image to a Friend                       Email Image to a Friend                             Email Image to a Friend                                 Email Image to a Friend            

Nishimura NANTEI ( 1775 - 1834 )



One volume complete Nantei gafu kohen, "A Book of Drawings by Nantei, Second Part." Also published as Jimbutsu gafu. Published by Bunchodo ( Yoshida Shimbei ), Bunsei 9 ( 1826 ), the preface dated Bunsei 6 ( 1823 ). Fine designs of everyday life in the Kyoto area.
 

Original light orange covers and brown title slip. Some wear to covers. Slight thumbing to lower corners, otherwise a nice copy.

status: available
        

Email Image to a Friend                                     Email Image to a Friend                                   Email Image to a Friend

Email Image to a Friend                                                   Email Image to a Friend

Various SHIJO ARTISTS ( Compiler Bunshodo Fuji Mokyo )



One volume complete Keijo Gaen, "An Album of Pictures by Kyoto Artists." One of the finest of the Shijo anthologies. Published by Yoshida Shimbei, Bunka 9 ( 1812 ). The colophon dated Bunka 11 ( 1814 ). Twenty-six double-page illustrations by Goshun, Soken, Roshu, Hironari, Toyohiko, Shiba Kokan, Zaimei, Shoin, Toyo, Ozui, Keibun, Gito, Shodo, Hakuei, Gantei, Kokei, Nangaku, Gyokorin, Bummei, Kiho, Kosen, Minwa, Chikudo, Koshu, Geppo and Ozui ( in that order ). There are also copies known with twenty-five illustrations. Ex collection Hayashi ( small red seal ).

Original blue covers with impressed pattern. Original brown title slip. Minor marks and wormage, but generally good condition.

status: available

Email Image to a Friend                           Email Image to a Friend                               Email Image to a Friend

Email Image to a Friend                                     Email Image to a Friend                                   Email Image to a Friend

Kitao MASAYOSHI ( 1764 - 1824 )



One volume complete Sansui ryakuga shiki, "Landscapes in the Cursive Picture Style." Published by Suwaraya Ichibei, Kansei 12 ( 1800 ). This is the first edition. It was reprinted in 1813. I fine book and one of a series of influential books that he published using abbreviated images with a limited palette. Ex Hayashi collection ( large red seal ). Signed Keisai fude.

A fine copy with original pale blue covers and white title slip.

status: available        

Email Image to a Friend                            Email Image to a Friend                                       Email Image to a Friend

Email Image to a Friend                                     Email Image to a Friend                                   Email Image to a Friend

status: available

Utagawa KUNIYOSHI ( 1797 – 1861 )

 

One volume complete Ichiyu gafu, “Drawings by Ichiyu [Kuniyoshi ].” Sumi and light colour. Some fine designs showing heroes and legends. This is the first edition, dated Bunsei 13 ( 1830 ). It was reissued in 1846.

Original covers and title slip. Minor wormage, otherwise fine condition.

Email Image to a Friend                           Email Image to a Friend                               Email Image to a Friend                           Email Image to a Friend

status: sold

Yamaguchi SOKEN ( 1759 – 1834 )



Yamato jimbutsu gafu, “An Album of Japanese Figure Drawings.” Three volumes, first series, bound as one, complete. One of the great Maruyama/Shijo ehon showing 105pp of sumizuri-e scenes from daily life in Kyoto. The compositions owe as much to what is left out as what is present with everyday activities imbued with insight and humour. Without first preface ( as is often the case ); second preface dated Kansei 12 ( 1800 ). Colophon signed Yamaguchi Soken and dated Kansei 11 ( 1799 ). Each section starts with a single page showing plum blossom, pine and bamboo. The book was reissued in 1802 and then reprinted together with the second series in 1804. This is an early edition on thin paper. Opaque paper was used in the reprints and a title was added on each illustration.

Original covers and title slip ( ? ), somewhat worn, giving it as one volume. Some minor marks and soil, otherwise good condition.

 Email Image to a Friend                                 Email Image to a Friend                               Email Image to a Friend

Email Image to a Friend                                Email Image to a Friend                               Email Image to a Friend

status: sold

Email Image to a Friend

Hosoda EISHI ( 1756 – 1829 ) and Katsushika HOKUSAI ( 1760 – 1849 )



One volume complete Nishikizuri onna sanjurokkasen, “The Thirty-Six Women Poets in Brocade Prints” published by Eijudo Nishimuraya Yohachi and dated on last postscript Kansei 9 hinoto mi “ Kansei 9 [ 1797 ] mid-Winter” and stating that the calligraphy was written by thirty-six young girls, none over the age of fifteen. Date of publication Spring 1801 ( Kansei 13 kanoto tori haru ). Two prefaces followed by a double-page frontispiece by Hokusai and thirty-six double-page prints with a poetess at left and a poem in shikishi at right decorated with colour patterns. Two postfaces with colophon giving artist as Hosoi Chobunsai, with seals Hosoi and Chobunsai. Rare complete and as Jack Hillier wrote in The Art of the Japanese Book, Sotheby’s, vol. 1, p. 454: “The other book with colour prints by Eishi is one of the major masterpieces of the colour-printer’s art.” Provenance: Ex Hayashi collection ( large and small seals ) and Edmond de Goncourt with an annotation by him at end of second preface where he states that he purchased it from Hayashi in 1888 for 200 francs ( and sold, lot 1499, in Goncourt sale, 10/3/1897, Hotel Drouot, Paris ). There is also a small oval seal with a capital “G” running through the book. This appears to be another collector as it does not tally with Goncourt’s seals.

Old brocade covers and title slip, probably not original. Very fine impressions and colour. Minor backed wormage on preface and colophon, otherwise very good condition.

 Email Image to a Friend                                 Email Image to a Friend                               Email Image to a Friend

 Email Image to a Friend                                 Email Image to a Friend                               Email Image to a Friend

status: sold

Nakamura HOCHU ( fl. late 18th to early 19th c. )



The rarest of rare books: Korin gafu, “An Album of Pictures by Korin.” The first of the major Rimpa books and “… must be numbered among the most exceptional picture-books in the world.” ( Hillier, The Art of the Japanese Book, volume two, p. 657.) The illustrations copied by Hochu from Korin. Two volumes incomplete: Missing 4½ pages. Volume one: One double page preface plus 13 double page illustrations; volume two: 7 ½ double page illustrations with one double page postscript plus one double page colophon. This is the extremely rare first edition published by Omiya Yohei, colophon dated Kyowa mizunoe inu no toshi ( Dog year 1802 ). With de-luxe hand-colouring and yellow covers. There are few extant examples and they show considerable variation ( a complete copy being in the Beres collection, Paris ). The book was reprinted in 1826 ( with blue covers and lacking hand-colouring ) and then copied in the late 19th century.

Volume one ( ken ):

One double page preface/ One double page Cranes/Turtles/Plum Tree/6 Immortal poets/ Peonies/2 Taoist immortals/Dandelion and blue flowers/3 puppies/Poets in boat/Hollyhocks/3 rats/7 Sages of the bamboo grove/Fuji ( this illustration normally in volume two ).

Volume two ( kon):

One double page Musicians and No dancer/One half page Noblemen crossing bridge/Chrysanthemum/Morning glory and red flower/Jo and Uba/ 4 Deer/Blind man’s buff/Daikoku and Ebisu/One double page postscript/One double page colophon.

Original yellow covers with title slips. Minor toning, wormage and marks, but generally very good. Ex Biedermann collection ( seal inside slip case and another unidentified seal in slip case and colophon ).

status: sold

Ikeno TAIGA ( 1723 – 1776 )



An important shunga book Daito keigo. One volume complete with preface and nine double page illustrations. This actual copy is discussed by Jack Hillier, The Art of the Japanese Book, Sothebys, 1987, volume two, pages 908-909, and illustrations ( from this copy ) nos 606 and 607. The images are thought to be based on Ikeno Taiga’s original paintings. Wonderful broad, almost abstract images using what Jack Hillier called a “dragged brush line.” This actual copy offered here was the earliest that Hillier had traced ( dated 1814 ). Ex Biedermann collection. It was reissued in 1867 with text by Shibata Roshu.

Original covers. Some minor marks, but surprisingly good condition. A sumi drawing inside front cover of a Dutchman with a fish. Biedermann seal.
 

status: available

Katsushika HOKUSAI ( 1760 – 1849 )



One volume complete Ehon Suikoden, “ A Picture Book of the Suikoden”, published by Kadomaruya Jinsuke, Bunsei 12, 1829 showing 108 Chinese brigands. Some fine designs. Signed Katsushika Zen Hokusai I-itsu fude.

Fine impressions. Original covers lacking title slip. Some slight foxing and minor marks.

status: sold

Sakai HOITSU ( 1761-1828)

One volume complete of Oson gafu, “The Drawing Book of Oson. “ ( This being one of the artist’s names taken from the village Uguisu-mura where he lived in retirement. ) Original yellow covers with karazuri decoration. Dated Hinoe ne ( 1816 ) but an early and very careful reprint of this famous book. Published by Owari Toheki do.

A very nice clean copy with original covers and title slip. In chitsu.

status: sold

Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

Two volumes complete: Toto shokei ichiran ( alternative title: Toto meisho ichiran ), “Fine Views of the Eastern Capital at a Glance.” The first of three important works showing the sights of Edo in colour prints. ( See this website for examples of the other two. ) Published Kansai 12 ( 1800 ) by Suwaraya Mohei,  Suwaraya Ihachi and Tsutaya Jusaburo, Edo.

Original hand-painted blue-green covers with original title slips. One or two minor marks, otherwise a nice example with perfect colour. In chitsu.

status: sold

Ki BAITEI (1774-1810)

One volume complete: Kyuro gafu, “Kyuro’s Picture Album.” ( Kyuro was one of the art-names of Baitei, a Nanga painter in the Buson manner. ) The first edition of this book is in two volumes with haiku, c 1795. However, there is some confusion on the other issues: Mitchell, Biobibliography Of  Nanga, Maruyama, Shijo Illustrated Books, pages 402-4, lists three examples: “A” ( 2 vol. 1795 ); “B” ( 2 vol. 1799 ), and “C” ( 1 vol. 1797 ). The example offered here does not tally with either of these having preface of 2 pp. with 64 single-page illustrations plus 2 pp. afterward and colophon dated Kansai 11 ( 1799 ) published by Koto Shorin. There are also examples with 62 pp. of illustrations and some lacking forward and or afterward and colophon. A later edition of 1824 is also known. A famous book with impressive, bold and austere images.

Lacking original covers and title slip and with some offsetting, but generally a nice copy. Ex Bing collection. In chitsu.

status: sold

Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

One volume complete: Shuga ichiran, “Excellent Paintings at a Glance.” One of Hokusai’s most undervalued books but at the same time one of his best documented. ( See Hokusa’s Shuga Ichiran, An annotated description of Hokusai’s Shuga Ichiran by C. Ouwehand, Heinz Kaempfer Fund, 1991. Based on the copy in the National Museum of Ethnology, Leiden. ) Two versions are known: A colour printed edition ( as here, and Leiden ) and a monochrome example with title Denshin gakyo. The book is unusual ( and must have been expensive ) as it is partly printed in gold with mica added. There were a number of later reprints of this book. Published by Hishiya Kyubei, Nagoya and five others, c 1818.

Original dark brown burnished covers. Original title slip ( faded ). Front cover nibbled at edge affecting edge of first two sheets of preface. Other minor marks and soil, but generally a nice copy.

status: available

Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

One volume complete: Denshin kaishu-ippitsu gafu, “Drawing Manual – Album of Drawing with one Stroke of the Brush.” Similar to the ryakuga style which was pioneered by Masayoshi. One of the best known and most influential of Hokusai’s books and one which was reprinted and copied many times. Published 1823 by Eirakuya Toshiro, Nagoya.

Original burnished orange covers. Original title slip. A nice early example: This is a difficult book to find without the fugitive pigments being completely washed out. This example has been in the collection of four collectors: Jaeger; Kari and the other two unread ( seals inside front cover ).

status: sold

Yashima GAKUTEI (Fl. c 1786-1868)

One volume complete: Ichiro gafu, “Ichiro’s [ Gakutei’s ] Picture album.” The prints were first issued in a private two volume publication with kyoka poems ( c 1820 ). Published by Gasendo, Edo, 1823.

Original dark brown covers with burnished pattern. Original blue title slip. A nice early copy. This popular book was reprinted many times.

status: sold

Oishi MATORA (1794-1833)

Two large volumes complete: Soga kokufu, “Sketches of National Customs.” A rare work with wonderful images which Vignier, in Odin, described as “Tirage d’une delicatessen remarquable.” Published by Yoshinoye Nimbei, Kyoto; Tsuruya Kiemon, Edo; Kawachiya Kihei and Kawachiya Kichibei, Osaka, 1828.

Original creped and printed covers with original title slips. Two backed wormholes running through two volumes which do not detract from the lovely compositions, otherwise very good.

]             

status: sold

Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

One volume complete: Hokusai soga, “Hokusai’s Free Sketches.” Two versions of this publication are known: Solely printed in sumi and ( as here ) sumi with gradated shading and a pink block. This version also with the colophon. Both are almost certainly contemporaneous. Contain’s some of Hokusai’s best known images and was considered by Jack Hillier to contain “the finest figure prints by Hokusai.” Published 1820 by Eirakuya, Nagoya; Surawaya Mohei and seven others in Edo.

Original light blue burnished covers. Original title slip. Some slight damage to covers, and thumbing on some pages, but overall a very nice copy with fine impressions.

status: sold

Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

Three volumes complete: Kyoka yama-mata-yama, “Kyoka: Range Upon Range of Mountains.” The fanciful title is based on the fact that the views illustrated are located around Yama-no-te, the higher ground situated in the north and north-western part of Edo. The pictures accompanied by kyoka poems. This is one of Hokusai’s most admired works. Published 1804 by Tsutaya Jusaburo.

Original dark green embossed covers. Original title slips. A very nice clean copy of this famous book. Some slight smudging of pigments and turning of colour on one or two sheets, but otherwise extremely well retained colour, the elusive blue and purple intact.

status: sold

Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

A fine example of the first edition, the “Falcon’s Feather”, of volume one of the Fugaku hyakkei, the “Hundred Views of Mount Fuji.” ( So-called because the title slip is printed in blue with a decorative design of a falcon’s feather – missing on later editions. ) The first volume was published in 3/1834 by the Edo firm of Nishimura Sukezo together with the Nagoya publisher Eirakuya Toshiro and the Edo firms of Kadomaruya Jinsuke and Nishimuraya Yohachi using Hokusai’s favourite engraver, Egawa, amongst others. One of the great and most influential illustrated books. Not just with other Japanese artists, but on European artists of the last century. Full of exquisite compositions, best appreciated in the first or early editions. Due to their popularity, the volumes were reprinted many times. It is also a target for cutting up and separately mounting the pages. Colophon signed: “the old man mad about drawing, formerly Hokusai Iitsu aged 75.”  

Original covers and title slip. One small wormhole on a few pages. Otherwise extremely good condition with only minimal soil.

status: available

Takehara SHUNCHOSAI (Fl. c 1772-1801)

An original wood block for printing four pages for one of his books of famous places published in the 1780s and 1790s. Shows Yamashira Village. Shunchosai, of Osaka, was one of the leading topographical illustrators. Original pictorial blocks as opposed to pure calligraphy are rare. Interestingly, some of the descriptive text has been corrected with new plugs dropped in showing that during the lifetime of the blocks facts needed changing. Sold “as is” with damage, signs of old woodworm, etc. Size: 33.25 x 9 in.; 84.5 x 22.75 cms. A fine addition to a collection of illustrated books.

status: available

Yashima GAKUTEI (1786-1868) and Totoya HOKKEI (1780-1850)

Two vols. kyoka books complete: Ressen retsujo gazoshu, a "Collection of the Portraits of Immortal Men and Women." Twenty eight portraits of Chinese hermits and twenty one portraits of celebrated women in Japanese history. Being a selection of kyoka presented at the meetimg held at Kawachiya of Yanagibashi Ryogoku in Edo, 1st day of the 9th month, Bunsei 7 ( 1824 ). Published by Shinsenyen. Rare.

Original covers and title slips. Minor marks to covers, otherwise very good condition.

 

status: sold

Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)

One volume complete: Shinkoku hyakushoden, "New Edition of the Lives of a Hundred Generals." N.d. ( but 1848 ).  Five double pages of colour illustrations and one hundred b.&w. illustrations of generals. Three page preface signed Kuniyoshi ga. The Pulverer copy ( illustrated, no.253, p.222, Heroes & Ghosts, Hotei Publishing, 1998 ) appears to be a later edition lacking the signature and with only 49 b.&w. illustrations of heroes. Rare.

Original covers and title slip in near perfect condition.

 

status: sold

Aoigaoka HOKKEI (1780-1850)

One volume, black & white, Kyoka suikoden shu, “Picture Book of the Water Margins with Kyoka Poems”. Presumably this is based on the 1829 Kyoka suikoden gazo shu . There were a number of variant editions after it.

Original covers and title slip. Slight wormage, otherwise good condition. Although pages start at 6 ( and go to 23 ) there is no indication of any pages being removed.

 status: sold

Suzuki HARUNOBU (1724-1770)

3 volume complete : Ehon yachiyogusa, “The Plant of Eight Thousand Ages”. Sumi images illustrating old poems with the Sumida River as a central theme. Published Meiwa 5, 1768 by Yamazaki Kinbei.

Original covers but later title slips. One page with sumi marks, otherwise good impressions and condition.

status: sold

Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

Volume 1 only of Ehon Sumidagawa ryogan ichiran, “Panoramic Views Along the Bank of the Sumida River”. Published by Senkakudo c1805/6. Minor marks and wormage, otherwise a fine copy, with perfect colour, of the first edition. Original covers and title slip.

status: sold

Utagawa TOYOKUNI (1769-1825)

Ehon kukuri-zome,  “Tie-Dyed Work”. Two volumes complete. Original covers and one title slip. Published by Izumiya Ichibei, 1794. Shows bijin at famous spots around Edo. Some backed wormage on vol. 2 and some damage to covers, but otherwise good condition with exceptional, pristine colour. Extremely rare. Ex Haviland and Duret collections.

status: sold

Kitao MASAYOSHI (1764-1824)

Choju Ryakugashiki, “Simplified Forms of Drawing Birds and Animals”. Published by Suharaya Ichibei, Kwansei 9 ( 1797 ). One volume complete. First edition. Original covers and title slip. Beautiful condition with perfect colour: The best copy of one of these “simplified” books of Masayoshi’s I have seen. Ex collection Dr E.F.

status: sold

Kitao SHIGEMASA  (1739-1820) and Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792) 

Seiro bijin awase sugata kagami, Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Green Houses, published by Tsutaya Juzaburo, Anei 5, 1776. Complete in three volumes divided into Spring and Summer in volume 1 and Autumn and Winter in volume 2. Considered to be one of the great "choice" colour printed books. Very rare complete.

Lacking title slips. Light sumi affecting 2,5 designs. Minor fading and marks and repaired wormage but generally a very good example of this fine book.

status: sold

Kitagawa UTAMARO (1754-1806)

Two volumes: Momo chidori kyoka awase, “Birds Compared in Humorous Songs” published by Tsutaya Juzaburo in 1790 or 1791. Each double page illustration contains two kyoka poems; eight illustrations in vol.1 and seven illustrations in vol.2, with preface to each volume and an identical colophon in each ( this example lacks one of these ).

Other examples are known with alternative titles which appear to be slightly later. The sequence of the illustrations varies from copy to copy. Of the utmost rarity there appearing to be around thirteen extant copies and considered to be one of the great Japanese illustrated books. Original covers with one original title slip. Covers and title as per B.M. copy. 

Covers slightly worn with slight wormage to one cover. Contents very clean with minimal soil, marks, etc. Lacks one of the two identical colophons, but a fine example of this great rarity.

Utagawa TOYOHIRO (1773-1828)

Two volumes complete of the excessively rare book: Ehon Azuma Warawa, "Picture Book: Children of the East". Shows popular life in Edo during the 12 months and every image is a success. Published by Izumiya Ichibei, Bunkwa 1, 1804. There appear to be only a few complete copies extant of this book and they are in bad condition., Original covers and title slips., Ex Bing collection.

Covers worn. Slight wormage and some thumbing but very fine colour and impression.

status: sold

status: sold

Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

Two volumes complete Toto shokei ichiran "A View of the Famous Sights of the Eastern Capital". Dated Kansei 12 (1800) and published by Tsutaya Jusaburo, Suwaraya Mohei and Suwaraya Ihachi, all of Edo. Original covers, hand-painted with Iris flowers, and title slips. The first edition (probably of 200 copies) was published solely by Tsutaya Jusaburo in 1800 with title Toto meisho ichiran. The example offered here was published shortly afterwards (probably also in 1800). There were also later reprints in 1815 and 1840. One of Hokusai's best known books and featuring his best work of this period. Difficult to find in an early edition. Ex Kegan Paul Gallery.

Good condition: title slips damaged and some thumbing. A little movement of the blue pigment due to dampness, but overall a nice example of this important work. Signed on colophon Hokusai Tatsumasa.

status: sold

Kitagawa UTAMARO (1754-1806)

(Seiro Ehon) Nenju Gyoji, Yoshiwara Events or "Annals of the Green Houses". One of Utamaro's major books showing the annual events in the only government licensed brothel district in the city of Edo (Tokyo). Two volumes complete published Spring 1804 by Kazusaya Chusuke juo. Text by Jippensha Ikku. Original covers and title slips. Very fine copy: Fine impressions with very fine, completely unfaded colours. Slight stain affecting first few pages of text and a small wormhole within binding affecting the first few illustrations. Covers in very good  condition, some rubbing of title slips. Ex collections Theodore Duret (seals on last page of each vol.) and Tadamasa Hayashi (large square seals on first page of each vol.). Catalogue entry (lot 35) pasted onto inside of front cover: "Tres bel exemmplaire en parfait etat". Also labels identifying each scene in French lightly attached in margin of each design. Certainly one of the finest copies extant.