Large Format Photo of the Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Alfred) in Yokohama Taken to commemorate a bowling match
[Japan] An extremely important, historical photograph. This is believed to be the only known photo showing the Duke of Edinburgh (1844-1900) during his almost one-month stay in Japan in 1869. He was the first royal of any nation to visit Japan in the Meiji era and is shown with members of his crew of HMS Galatea (in uniform) and a group of eight 'gentlemen of Yokohama' before or after a bowling match held at the Yokohama United Club on Sep. 15, 1869. The Japan Times' Overland Mail of Sep. 18, 1869, mentions the match and identifies the crew who played on the Duke's team as Messrs. Royle, Griffiths, Dowdell, Garbett, Burney, Fanshawe, and Gongh. The Yokohama gentlemen are named as [Edward] Geogehan, Hagen, [Henry] Barlow, [Rudolf Adriaan] Mees, [Fitzgerald Fowler] Gibson, [Thomas Klenworthy] Shaw, [John Julius] Dare, and [John] Hudson. The Duke's team won. The Duke arrived in Yokohama on Aug. 29, 1869, went to Yedo (Tokyo) on Sep. 1, met the Meiji Emperor on Sep. 4, and was back in Yokohama on Sep. 9. He left Yokohama on Sep. 16 for Kobe and spent just half a day in Osaka. He left Kobe on Sep. 20 and arrrived in Nagasaki Sep. 24. He left Nagasaki on Sep. 27 for China. The Duke apparently enjoyed spending time at the Yokohama United Club. Although it is recorded that photos were taken of the Duke's Japan visit, according to The Royal Collection Trust, any photos or photo albums related to his trip to Japan have disappeared. Captioned below on the mount, 'A Bowling Match. H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh & officers of H.M.S. "Galatea" versus the gentlemen of Yokohama.'
Photographer unknown. Possibly Beato. [Sept. 1869]. 27.1 x 17.3cm.
In very good condition. There is some minor loss of contrast. The photo was originally folded and probably affixed at corners to the mount later. The photo is loose from the mount. 'Duke of Edinburgh' and 'J.J.Dare' are written in pencil on the rear. p34031133
