Antique Japanese Store Ledger (circa 1890)
An antique Japanese store ledger, almost 15 inches long, apparently used to keep accounts for customers with text struck with a line and 0 to indicate that the account has been paid. It has not been professionally translated but the top half (above the strike line) appears to include numbers with text below including words such as "rice" and "vinegar".
With hand-painted, bold sumi ink lettering on the covers, one side apparently being the shop name. Uncut pages throughout, with handwriting on both sides of pages, completely full, with no blank pages. With at least two different authors with differing handwriting styles, one preferring a sepia-colored ink, the other a light blue.
Three sides have cleanly cut edges, the other long side with deckled or perhaps worn edges due to use, or rubbing from the storage method when in use. A unique and beautiful object in itself, with a wonderful patina, and full of stories to be discovered. Item #1488.
Condition: Very Good for age, chips and rubbing to sumi ink lettering on covers; creasing to both covers due to use; edgewear and chips, worn corners and dog ears; some page corner creases.
Price: $195.00