Fair Japan, Pessimistic

Yokohama: Kelly & Walsh, Limited, 1900. Stiff wraps. Very good +. O.A. & O.M. POOLE, negatives. K. OGAWA, colotypes.. 32mo oblong(4 3/8" x 5 ½"); [20pp]; stiff illustrated wrapper printed in grey and yellow, iris flowers to front, crying moon to rear; purple silk cord tie binding; all edges gilt; 8 colotype photographic illustrations in b&w, 3 with tissue guard; light soiling to wrapper; very good plus. One part of a scarce set of two books, the other titled: Fair Japan, Optimistic. A poem by Helmuth (1833-1902) is printed on the first two pages, subsequent pages present an illustration, many of malnourished and naked children, with lines from the poem on the facing page. Truly a Pessimistic look at Japan. William Tod Helmuth was a professor of surgery, dean of the faculty and a trustee of the New York Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. While Dr. Helmuth wrote scientific books, he also published poetry and stories based on his travel.