FOREWORD The prints included in this sale were collected by a distinguished Frenchman, who began to gather them more than thirty years ago. As with most of the French collectors his first consideration was the artistic quality of the designs, and in consequence, though some of the prints are not in perfect condition, an unusually large number of them are of the kind that make a strong appeal to people of taste. Among the nearly seven hundred are many of those that collectors speak of as

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... " To specify all of these in a brief foreword is hardly possible. It will be sufficient to indicate in a general way the scope of the collection. Because of widespread criticism of recent sale catalogues, buvers complaining that they were misled by statements that prints were in fine condition when in fact they were trimmed down or otherwise damaged, an attempt has been made in this catalogue to give dependable information so far as is possible in a few words. It should be understood, however, that the phrases "good condition" and "fine condition" do not necessarily connote entire freedom from minor defects, such, for instance as a few small moth-holes which collectors look upon as of no importance unless they are placed where they distinctly mar the appearance of the prints in which they occur. Very few of the prints that have survived to our time are entirely free from these holes, but in most cases the holes if small are easily patched so as not to show without close scrutiny. And wrinkles in the paper, if it is not soiled, are readily smoothed out. Therefore it has not been thought necessary to mention these slight blemishes in every instance. In all cases where prints have been trimmed more than the merest trifle, the aim has been to note the fact, but, as the original sizes are not always ascertainable, some instances of trimming ma}^have been unintentionally overlooked. For many, though by no means all of the Ukiyoe prints, sheets of paper measuring about 15x10 inches were used; and in the case of the smaller prints a common practice was to engrave two or more upon one block. This will serve in a general way as a guide by which the reader can judge of the extent of the trimming, the measurements here given being in each instance the size of the paper (to the nearest % inch) and therefore including the margins if any. Because a print has been somewhat trimmed it does not necessarily follow that it has been seriously harmed. The resulting damage is often so slight as to be negligible; but, as opinions regarding this may differ widely, the buyer in each instance must be the judge. And in general it may be said that the condition of prints varies so greatly and in so many ways that opinions may likewise differ as to the accuracy of the phrases used in describing them. Therefore, while the writer of this catalogue has tried to make the descriptions reliable, buyers should note that the conditions of the sale are such that the usual rule of caveat emptor must apply. While the prints are sold without guaranty, they have all been subjected to careful scrutiny and in the opinion of the writer there is not a modern reprint among them, or one that has been revamped by overprinting.