[Perry, Matthew C.]: Hawks, Francis L., compiler:

$3,500 · Offered by William Reese Company

NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION OF AN AMERICAN SQUADRON TO THE CHINA SEAS AND JAPAN, PERFORMED IN THE YEARS 1852, 1853, AND 1854, UNDER THE COMMAND OF COMMODORE M.C. PERRY, UNITED STATES NAVY, BY ORDER ... In 1852, Perry was appointed head of a naval expedition charged with inducing the Japanese government to establish diplomatic relations with the United States. In 1853 the Japanese were finally forced to accept a treaty demanding better treatment of shipwrecked seamen and which allowed American ships to dock at two Japanese ports to purchase fuel and supplies. "The most important result, however, was that the visit contributed to the collapse of the feudal regime and to the modernization of Japan" - Hill. The lovely plates depict the country, Japanese natives, and their customs. "In this valuable scientific work the first successful attempt at producing a coloured lithograph, in imitation of drawing, is introduced" - Sabin.

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