Photo Albums and Scrapbook of Frank O. Stuart Important record of pre-1923 earthquake expat life in Japan
[Japan] An extraordinary find. Three personal photo albums and one scrapbook owned by Frank O. Stuart (1876-1965), who first came to Japan to work for William Strachan & Co. in Yokohama. He went on to become Chairman of the British Association in Yokohama, President of the Yokohama Country & Athletic Club, and even Greek Consul in Tokyo. The four items date from 1917-1923 and contain hundreds of photos of Stuart's private life in Japan including sporting events, trips to Nikko, Zushi (where he had a second house near the beach), Kamakura, driving trips and so on. Thankfully, almost all the photos are captioned so we know the names of the people in them. Stuart, as chairman of the British Association, made a welcome speech when Prince Arthur of Connaught visited Japan in 1918. There are also photos of long-term Yokohama residents such as Dr. Edwin Wheeler, who died in the 1923 earthquake. In the scrapbook we find numerous newspaper cuttings, letters (both handwritten and typed), programmes, first-hand accounts of the earthquake, and other documents. An amazing copy of an 1894 letter from Lafcadio Hearn to Basil Hall Chamberlain is also in the scrapbook where Hearn clearly states, 'I hate and detest the Japanese'. For more information, please inquire. So much was lost in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, it is amazing that these albums have survived because Stuart was also in Yokohama when it occurred.
Each album approx. 35.7 x 26.7cm.
All in very good condition. Minor age wear. One page with photos removed. Otherwise very good. p34061212
