Reads: “No. __, The Library Company of Philadelphia, Purchased from James Cox, Artist of the City of Philadelphia, Communiter Bona Profundere Deum Est.”
Collection of seventeen Japanese bookplates owned by Eiichi Hirose. Sixteen bookplates were designed and created by Yumimaro Ohmori, and one was created by Koson Nakayama. The bookplates depict scenes of Japanese landscapes, flowers, insects and animals, and people, including a person on a bridge over water and looking at a mountain; a man leading a horse; two people at a camp fire; a Japanese woman attired in a kimono; a young man farmer riding backwards on an ox; a potted plant; cherry blossoms; dragonflies; and a bird flying over bamboo. Two type-written letters are included describing some of the bookplate designs and gifting the bookplates to the Library Company of Philadelphia., Title supplied by cataloger., Date from letter of gift., Partial transcript of letter accompanying the gift: I enclosed my ex-libris in use, designed and engraved by Yumimaro Ohmori, a graduate of the Tokyo College of Fine Arts, and would be glad to make an exchange of ex-libris with you. Because of my great interest in which I have been collecting ex-libris for three years, I shall appreciate very much if you can favor me with some of your specimens. I desire to extend this collection all over the world, and any information in this connection will be deeply appreciated. With best wishes, I am yours very truly, Eiichi Hirose. Oct. 8th, 1935., Text of accompanying letter: The design of this ex-libris represents a tombstone characteristic of 12th century Japan. This plate is designed and used by Koson Nakayama of Tokyo. The design of this plate is symbolical of dramatic art, the three colors, perhaps of curtains, representing the three largest theatres that existed in Yedo (present Tokyo). This plate is used by Shuzan E. Hirose. The design show a youthful farmer rising an ox. From this one may infer that the owner (Hirose) is a collector of books on agriculture and rural problems.
Creator
Ohmori, Yumimaro, artist
Date
[ca. 1935]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare LCP Records MSS 00270 Series 4B Bookplates Box 23, Folder 10 [12126.Q.10]
