A Visit to India, China, and Japan, in the Year 1853 [Bayard Taylor's Travels Vol. 5]

New York, NY: G. P. Putnam, 1855. First of this edition. Hardcover. Good. Putnam, 1855. First of this edition. No indication of a series except on spine, which reads, as noted, "Bayard Taylor's Travels Vol. 5 India China and Japan". Fine brown linen, embossed border on boards. 539 pages. Engraved frontis and (extra) title page. A very nice copy. Front hinge starting but sound. Appears that some letters on inside front board, are erased. Taylor -- American poet, literary critic, translator, travel author, and diplomat -- accompanied Commodore Perry to Japan, China, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Canton in 1853 aboard the U.S.S Susquehanna. This is important source material for that historic mission. The author was appointed personal clerk to Capt. Buchanan on the U.S.S. Susquehanna. This ship became Commodore Matthew Perry's flagship and entered Tokyo Bay with his squadron on 8 July 1853. After Perry had presented his requests to the Japanese Government, the American warships departed on 17 July. On 12 February 1854, Susquehanna returned with the squadron to Japan to receive the signed treaty. The frigate departed Japanese waters on 24 March; and, after operating on the China coast, headed home via the Indian Ocean and the Cape of Good Hope.