Japan, 19th century, 11" diagonal measure. The provenance is: by descent through the family of Franklin Blake (1837-1871). A native of Massachusetts, Franklin Blake was the brother of a Worcester mayor and had attended school in Newton before going east to China in 1859. He became head of the firm Augustine Heard & Co. in Bangkok, and ten years later went to Yokohama in the same capacity. Finally settling in Higo and its port Kobe. According to a newspaper obituary, he was one of the men responsible for the opening of Kobe to foreigners. According to family tradition, after his death, his belongings were returned to Massachusetts, and this artifact was among them. Made popular by P.T. Barnum in the 19th century, as circus sideshow attractions. They came along with tales of seafarers who traveled to the four corners of the earth and brought back strange and wonderful artifacts and stories. There is an old hand-written note with it saying "This beautiful creature, a genuine Japanese mermaid, is said to have been caught in the Northeast side of the bay of Yeddo, on the coast of Japan about 23-1/2 miles from the capital and brought in by some poor fishermen who had it finely preserved as will be seen by its fresh and lifelike appearance". Generally excellent condition, custom mounted, and with an old wooden storage box. A fun item and a great conversation piece.

From an Arte Primitivo Gallery catalog, December 1, 2003. Used with permission of Howard S. Rose.

All the items shown on this gallery are very old examples of Mermaids and Postcards. If you have an antique Mermaid or Postcard and wish to sell or trade, please contact me at Mr.Juan_Cabana@yahoo.com as I will make a very good offer. Thank you for visiting!