31 b-w. silver gelatine prints, mostly measuring ca. 26,5x20cm, English descriptions on tissue guards. Presentation inscription: "to thee Right=Hon. The Earl of Airlie M. C. With the sincere compliments of Hochi Shimbun. N. Okuma". Oblong folio (38x27cm), original silk-covered boards, some wear to edges, but overall in very good condition. a.e.g. [Tokyo], n.d. [ca, 1930.
The album opens with two images of the Showa Emperor and Empress of Japan, followed by a wedding portrait of Prince and Princess Chichibu. Both are official portraits supplied by the Imperial Household Agency (Kunaicho). The rest of the album features scenic views of Tokyo, Nikko, Mt. Fuji, Nara and Kyoto while the last image shows the offices and the president of the Hochi Shimbunsha.
Okuma Nobutsune (1871-1947) was the adopted son of the famous politician and founder of the Hochi newspaper, Okuma Shigenobu (1838-1922). Upon Shigenobu's death, he inherited the title of Marquis and became a member of the House of Peers. In the following year, he became the Honorary President of Waseda University. He also served as the president of the Hochi Shimbun newspaper from 1927 to 1930. The present album was presented to David Ogilvie (1893-1968), the 12th Earle of Airlie. We have not been able to establish how they made acquaintance.
