The American Diary of a Japanese Girl (1912)
The 1912 edition of what is considered to be the first English-language novel published in the United States by a Japanese writer. The text first appeared in 1901 serialized in two parts in Illustrated Monthly and was first published in book form in 1902 by Frederick A. Stokes. Marketed as the authentic diary of a young Japanese girl visiting the states, it was actually written by the prominent (male) Japanese author of fiction, poetry, and literary criticism Yonejir (Yone) Noguchi, also the father of the famous contemporary sculptor Isamu Noguchi. With a beautiful color woodblock gatefold frontispiece, in fine condition, by Yeiho Hiresaki.
Related to and/or from the collection of W.B. Chase, who was a music critic and editor at the New York Times and the New York Sun during the years 1896-1935. His obituary notes travels in Japan and China, and a love of books. Written in pencil on the front flyleaf is "Lavina (or Lavinia) B. Chase, from Japan, Oct. 24, 1915". Item #1556.
Condition: Good+, foxing/spotting to text blocks with scattered foxing/spotting on some pages; light spotting to covers; 1.5" half-circle moisture stain visible on last eight pages at top corner; wear and rubbing to case with the spine side of case detached (see detail photo); color gatefold in fine condition.
Price: $275.00