Scope and Contents
The collection is comprised of twelve large numbered green box-files of monochrome photographs (the majority mounted on boards) of Japan and the Pacific islands. Around eighty percent of the photographs were taken during the voyage of the 'Marchesa'; the remainder probably date from the late 1870s, including photographs purchased by Guillemard, which include many of the smaller images in the collection. The name of Dr Guillemard and the place are recorded on the outside of the boxes. Pasted to the inside cover of each box is a typescript index numbering the photographs and recording (or summarising) the titles written on the back of the boards. Some boxes include additional items that are not listed in the index, including sketches by H.C. Seppings Wright. The photographs of Japan were taken by Usui Shuzaburo, a professional photographer probably born between 1834 and 1841, who was active as a photographer up to around 1893. He was employed by Guillemard during the latter's time in Japan. The photographs in the collection may include some images taken by Usui before the arrival of the 'Marchesa'. In this catalogue the photographs are mounted unless otherwise indicated.
Dates
- Creation: c. 1875-1886
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Biographical / Historical
Guillemard was part of the crew of the schooner yacht 'Marchesa', which left England in January 1882 on a voyage to eastern Asia. The crew travelled through Ceylon [Sri Lanka], Singapore and Formosa [Taiwan], before visiting Ryukyu (Okinawa) during June 1882. They proceeded to Japan (July-August 1882); Kamschatka, including Bering Island (August-September 1882); Japan, for a second visit (October 1882-January 1883); and China and Hong Kong (February-March 1883). From the Philippines, they spent the rest of the year travelling between the different Pacific islands, visiting the Sulu Islands, including Cagayan Sulu and Sulu Island (Jolo Island); British North Borneo (Sabau), including Sandakan, Kudat, Labuan, Brunei and Sarawak; Malacca; Batavia; Sumbawa; Celebes, including Macassar (Makassar) and Gorontalo; The Moluccas (Maluku Islands), including Ternate, Batchian, Amboina (Ambon), Banda and the Aru Islands; and New Guinea. The crew voyaged home during the early months of 1884, passing through Singapore, Penang and Colombo, before reaching Southampton on 14 April 1884. Guillemard recorded his experiences in 'The Cruise of the Marchesa to Kamschatka and New Guinea, with Notices of Formosa, Liu-Kiu, and Various Islands of the Malay Archipelago', but chose to omit his time in Japan from the account, preferring to focus on less-known lands and islands.
Extent
1 collection (12 box files of photographs)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The titles of the photographs in this catalogue are taken from the box indexes, with some additional information drawn from the notes on the back of the boards. Some items were also identified from engravings in the 'The Cruise of the Marchesa'. Some original captions may include language which is offensive, inaccurate or inappropriate. The original captions have been retained to reflect the context of their creation. In the instances where the photograph does not have a title, one has been supplied by the cataloguer in square brackets. Most of the photographs are undated, and the dates in the catalogue have been estimated by using the journals in MSS Add.7783 and Guillemard's 'The Cruise of the Marchesa'.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Transferred from the Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, circa 1960s/1970s.
Bibliography
Geographic
Topical
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository
Cambridge University Library
West Road
Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom
Map Dept enquiries: maps@lib.cam.ac.uk
all other enquiries: mss@lib.cam.ac.uk