Kottō

£250 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

The first state of the first printing is distinguished by the illustrator's name inverted in the upper right-hand corner of the title-page. The ornamental background of the title-page is also printed upside down. The artist Genjiro Yeto made a successful career for himself in the United States, through the late 1890s and early 1900s. His training as a watercolourist marks him out as one particularly attuned to the sensitive nature of Hearn's prose. In 1900 Yeto was invited to act as consultant to the original Broadway production of the play Madam Butterfly, written by David Belasco. First edition, first state of the first printing; 8vo (21 x 14.5 cm); intricately engraved illustrations in red by Genjiro, torn final leaf of ads; publisher's olive-green cloth, lettered and ornamented in gilt to upper-cover and spine, top-edge gilt, others uncut, lacking dust-jacket, extremities a little rubbed, the odd stain, otherwise a lovely copy, very good indeed; [vii], [3], 251pp, [1], [2]ads.

• Printing: first
• Binding: Hardcover

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