The First English-Japanese Phrasebook published by a Westerner in Japan by Eugene Van Reed
Lovely copy of Van Reed's pioneering work 和英商話 ('Waei Showa') from the early days of then newly-opened Japan. The preface is actually dated 1861 with 1862 on the Japanese title page/colophon. Van Reed was an interesting character and the preface states, 'I cannot but hope that as the first work published here, its many defects will be overlooked....'
Kanagawa [Yokohama]. Nisshindo. 1862. 92pp. 18 x 12.6cm.
In unusually good condition. Only minor wear to a small area of the front and rear covers.
b32010006
