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[DESIGN] Sugiura HISUI : KODAKARA

[DESIGN] Sugiura HISUI. KODAKARA. Tokyo: Mitsukoshi Gofukuten, Meiji 45 [1912]. 29 x 23.5 cm., decorated boards and cloth, in decorated dustwrapper and original tied decorated portfolio covers. A lovely package, designed and illustrated by Hisui (1876-1965), the head designer for Mitsukoshi for the first half of the 20th century, and one of the most important commercial designers of his day. Profusely illustrated throughout in color lithographs and relief prints. The text was written by Iwaya Sazanami, this wonderful book was created for the new mothers of the burgeoning middle class who were buying their baby clothes and furnishings at Mitsukoshi. It was meant as a child's diary of development. from birth to the age of seven. Originally published in 1909, this second printing is nearly perfect (there is some spotting to the tied outer covers) and original and, as such, very scarce and desirable. [See pp. 70-71 for more on this book in the Hisui special issue of the magazine, HANGA GEIJUTSU, #140, Summer, 2008.] Near fine., Fine