Posted by Willie (71.89.1.88) on January 31, 2012 at 01:58:02:
While I'm at it I have a question concerning a Hiroshige print. The print is "Bizen Yugayama' from the series "Wrestling Matches Between Mountains and Seas". It seems generally accepted that the "first edition" printing of the series, and of this design, was published by Yamadaya in 1858. Wile researching this print I found three references to the design published by Marujin instead of Yamadaya. One is the image on the "Hiroshige.org.uk" website and another is a print sold by Sotheby's (December 16, 2010, lot #410, Paris). (These two may refer to the same print.) The third is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (acc# JP2468). Further confusion comes from Edward F. Strange in "The Colour prints of Hiroshige" where he lists the prints of this series. He states the publisher as Yamadaya but adds a note next to the title of a different print in the series, "Etchu Tateyama", saying "This one only was published by Marujin". Any images of "Etchu Tateyama" I have been able to find were published by Yamadaya. Does anyone have any thoughts or information about these two publishers each producing the same design? The only reason I can think of is that Marujin acquired the blocks after Yamadaya closed shop (ca. 1866, A. Marks) and continued to print this design until this shop closed (ca. 1872, A. Marks). Does this seem likely?
Again, any thought any of you may have would be greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks,
Willie Howard