Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest stunned after hearing the value of Japanese book that she bought for $3 (marketrealist.com)
A lucky “Antiques Roadshow” guest received a shocking appraisal on a book of 17th-century Japanese illustrations. Purchased by her husband for a mere 25 shillings (around $3) in the late 1940s, the 80-page book features the work of renowned artist Toyokuni.
The illustrations, each painstakingly printed using woodblocks and a unique color layering technique, captivated the show’s expert. The guest herself understood the intricate process, explaining how each color was applied separately before a final, single printing. The expert highlighted the impressions left by the woodblocks on the delicate pages, further showcasing the book’s artistry.
Beyond the printing technique, the art itself holds historical significance. Its two-dimensional style, lacking perspective and depth, stood in stark contrast to Western art of the period.
These illustrations, often used as packing material for ceramics shipped to Europe, unexpectedly ignited an artistic revolution. Upon their arrival in France, the discarded prints mesmerized Impressionist painters, inspiring the very birth of the Impressionism movement.
The book’s influence on Western art history drastically elevated its value. Estimated at £20-£30 (approximately $26-$40) per page, the book boasts a total worth between £2,500 and £3,500 (approximately $3,311-$4,646).
The guest, stunned into silence by the appraisal, could only marvel at the incredible return on a $3 investment. The expert aptly summarized the incredible find, stating, “25 shillings has worked into £2,500.
Not a bad buy.”