Japan Journal The Private Notes of Gervaise Purcell 1874-1880
Purcell, Gervaise.

Place Published: Alhambra CA
Publisher: Meiji Art
Date Published: 1975

Description: 64 p., map, 6 b/w photos, index. First & only edition limited to 1500 copies. Purcell was a British civil engineer & surveyor, who worked on the layout and development of Japan's railways in 1874. He was engaged by the Railroad Division of the Japanese Ministry of Engineering, and as a deputy Construction Engineer. He worked on the Kamaishi Mine, Coal Transport and Harbor Railway, between Ohashi & Kamaishi. This project was completed in February 1880. This autobiographical work was not written for publication, but was transcribed by his grandson, who brought this work to print. Purcell worked in Northern Japan under quite rough conditions. In most instances, he had to provide his own food, and hunted the game of the area. He worked doing his own calculations and measurements, keeping careful records. Written in a diary form, his daily entries are lucid and informative, covering the foreign and Japanese people he met, many of whom were quite well known. With a useful chronology, this is a fascinating primary source book.

Edition: First edition
Binding: Paperback
Condition: Near Fine

Book Id: 2672

Price: $25.00

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