A Collection of Postcards and Letters from, and relating to, Edmund Blunden

US$845.00

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[Japan, England, ca. 1923-1930]. In manuscript.

A collection of two letters and two postcards from Edmund Blunden to English bookseller J.S. Billingham, along with four postcards from Blunden's Japanese students to the same bookseller, and two blank postcards sent to Billingham by Blunden. Blunden was the Professor of English at the University of Tokyo from 1924 to 1927, and the letters and postcards in this collection were written between 1923 and 1930. Blunden's letters (written from Kikufuji Hotel) and postcards to Billingham include mentions of his daughter (who died at an early age), Nikko, Tokyo, the shamisen, fishing, Japanese customs, his contract (for the post of Professor of English at the University of Tokyo), Chaplin, orders from the bookseller's catalogue, and so on. He makes numerous complaints about Japan, although compliments the country in other places. A particularly interesting mention is of T.J. Wise, the famed bibliophile and forgerer. One of the postcards from Blunden to Billingham, and two others which appear to have been sent blank to Billingham from him, have been beautifully colour woodblock-printed. Three of the postcards from Blunden's students were written by Nishizaki Ichirō, with whom Blunden would later write the ‘Adventures Among Books’ series.

Ten items. There are some scrapes and creases to one of the postcards, and a little browning to others, but overall the collection is in near fine condition. Postcards measure approx. 9 x 14 cm, letters measure 22.4 x 14 cm and 25.3 x 20 cm. Text in English.

A Collection of Postcards and Letters from, and relating to, Edmund Blunden
Price: $845.00 (USD)