Aquarium

1909 · 54757 — Washington D.C.: W.F. Roberts Co. 1909. Oblong 8vo. 112 pp. Photo frontisp. numerous photo illustrations 10 colour chromolithograph plates by J. Urata numerous text illustrations. Ribbed-green publisher’s cloth gilt fancy Oranda embossed on front cover gilt lettering minor wear & fraying head & foot of spine corners still VG- copy. First edition of this excellent work detailing the cultivation and aquarium keeping of Japanese goldfish species. At the beginning of the 20th century there was an explosion of interest in Japanese goldfish breeds and the leading goldfish breeding center farms were located in Koriyama next to the ancient Japanese capital city of Nara. Over 350 different goldfish breeding operations were supplying millions of exotic goldfish to international markets and the Nara Trading Co. which also dealt imported and distributed Chinese & Japanese pharmaceuticals were well known for their aquarium supplies and goldfish breeds. This well-illustrated handbook details with wonderfully rendered chromolithographs the Wakin Ryukin Ranchu or Maruko Oranda Shishigashira Demkin Deme-Ranchu Shukin and other goldfish varieities. Smith 1865-1941 was a noted ichthyologist and administrator in the US Bureau of Fisheries who wrote this work while leading the scientific expedition aboard the Albatross on her expeditions to the Philippines and South China Sea. See: Hamera Parlor Ponds: The Cultural Work of the American Home Aquarium 1850-1970; Japanese Goldfish Farms The Summary New York State Reformatory at Elmira Vol. 33 June 17 1905 p. 3; Nippon-Jin Sha New York Japanese Address Book 1921. W.F. Roberts Co., hardcover