Stereo Photo of Japanese Officials in US One of the earliest photos taken of Japanese people
[Japan] Extremely scarce stereo photo (or stereoview) showing five Japanese men who were part of the first Japanese embassy to the United States. The Kanrin Maru set sail from Uraga for San Francisco under Katsu Kaishū, with Nakahama "John" Manjiro as official translator, carrying 96 Japanese men and an American officer, John M. Brooke on board. The Japanese embassy itself traveled aboard the USS Powhatan, which the Kanrin Maru escorted. The Embassy travelled from Washington DC on June 5th or 6th and arrived in Philadelphia on June 9th after a brief stop in Baltimore, so it is likely that this photo was taken in Baltimore by F. W. & R. King as it has their seller’s stamp on the rear. The view is titled (in pencil) on rear, '1860 Japan Embassy To US. Poss. taken in Baltimore', and below that a note, 'Wood plank floor not like the Fredericks views.' Small stamp reading. 'Porter Collection' at lower right on rear.
Baltimore. F.W. & R. King. 1860.
Card measures 17.2 x 8.4cm.
Overall in very good condition. Mount has some wear and marks. Images themselves are very good with only a minor loss of contrast. p33071001
