Commo Perry Meeting the
Imperial Commissioners at Yokuhama (Type I)
Click the picture for image
of complete lithograph
The Emperor of Japan died soon after Commodore Perry delivered his letter from President Fillmore. Through the Dutch, the Japanese authorities had requested that Perry not return at the time he had promised. Perry declined the request. Perry arrived off the coast of Japan on the 12th of February, 1854, and began assembling his squadron which now consisted of three steamers and four others ships. Just as promised, he returned with more ships than on the initial visit. The visit with the Emperor's Commissioners was then planned and negotiated.
After much delay and negotiation, the meeting with the Commissioners at Yokohama (spelled Yokuhama in the Narrative) was scheduled for March 8. This lithograph shows Commodore Perry and his staff approaching the meeting building. US Marines and Sailors are formed to the left in military formation presenting arms to the passing United States Flag and Commodore Perry. Two samari/soldiers are seen in the foreground and the Commissioners are to the right sitting inside the meeting building.
The treaty was formally executed on March 31, 1854. It is commonly referred to as "US - Japan Treaty of Kanagawa (1854)." Here is the text of The Kanagawa Treaty of 1854.
This is by no means the most expensive Perry expedition lithograph. It is, in my opinion, the most recognized. It is often the picture used on covers and dust jackets for books about the expedition. To me, this lithograph captures the essence of the entire expedition which was a persistent and powerful effort (sometimes referred to as "gunboat diplomacy") to engage the Japanese in negotiations with the goal of protecting and promoting United States interests in that country. All the efforts from departure in November of 1852 to that date in March of 1854 were focused down to the very moment this lithograph captures.
There is an open question as to the artist of the image in this lithograph. Some prints (Type I) attribute the work to W.T. Peters. Others (Type IA) list Heine as the artist.
The titles/lettering read:
- From nature by W.T. Peters (Type I)
- From Nature by Heine (Type IA)
- Lith of Sarony & Co. New York (Type I)
- Lith of SARONY & Co. N. York (Type IA)
- COMMO PERRY MEETING THE IMPERIAL COMMISSIONERS AT YOKUHAMA
Condition. Lithograph is clean and well centered. There is a chipped area in the upper margin.
Page Size (cm): 29x22.9cm
Image Size (cm): Width-24.2, Height-16.8, Diagonal-29.5
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