An official guide to eastern Asia. Trans-continental connections between Europe and Asia.

1913. EAST ASIA. An Official Guide to Eastern Asia. Trans-Continental Connections between Europe and Asia. Vol. I: Manchuria & Chosen. Vol. II: South-Western Japan. Vol. III: North-Eastern Japan. Vol. IV: China. Vol. V: East Indies. Five volumes. I: [2], LXXXVI, 350 pp., illustrated with 17 colour folding maps, 16 black and white photographic plates, plus a folding map in rear pastedown pocket. II: [2], CCIV, 370 pp., illustrated with a colour reproduction of woodcut by Shimbi Shoin, 15 colour maps (of which 10 folding), and 5 black and white photographic plates. III: [2], X, 488 pp., illustrated with a colour reproduction of a woodcut by Shimbi Shoin, 27 colour maps (25 folding), and 5 black and white photographic plates. IV: [2], xviii, CXXIV, 414 pp., illustrated with a colour reproduction of unidentified woodcut, 22 colour maps (21 folding), 8 black and white photographic plates, plus a folding map in rear pastedown pocket. V: xxx, 519 pp., illustrated with 20 colour maps (14 folding), 6 black and white photographic plates, plus folding map in rear pastedown pocket. All volumes with additional photographic illustrations throughout text. 8vo., 105 x 158 mm, bound in publisher's terracotta limp cloth, title gilt on front cover and spine, top edge gilt, map endpapers. Tokyo: The Imperial Japanese Government Railways, 1913-1915, 1917. First Editions, a complete set. A series of thorough guide books in English printed at the Tokyo Tsukiji Type Foundry for travelers from Europe and America, tourists as well as "business men and capitalists" (Preface, vol. I). A newly opened trans-continental passage via Siberian and Manchurian Railways paved the way for this guide book series, which began in 1908 with dispatches of "experts" to Chosen, China, Manchuria, India, and the South Sea Islands to gather information. The guide books are filled with practical information; large folding maps; historical notes; directions from various locations like Australia, North America, and Suez; useful phrases in English, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese; and many illustrations of sites. Fifth volume ex-library with neat markings on spine, library bookplate, stamp on title-page and first page of Preface, and library card at back. Hinge cracked in vol. IV yet a fine set. PROVENANCE: Inscribed in vol. I, "Jan. 23, 1917/ To Roy from Earl, wishing him a very happy birthday/ Oakland, Calif." and with ownership signature on title-page of vol. III.