1. Diósy (Arthur, writer and lecturer on the Far East, 1856-1923) Archive of material relating to his life and work, including a manuscript lecture "In Memory of Will Adams, the first Englishman in Japan", 1904, a manuscript short story "The Bratenwursters and the Puffertzheimers, A westphalian Small-beer chronicle, Lippstadt", 1871, letters to Diósy, sketch-book, cartoons (printed), menus (including 5 vol. Meeting of Ye Sette of Odd Volumes), certificates (including one made out to his father, Martin Diósy making him a freemason), a few financial records (including Martion Diosy's will), photographs (including 2 by Lafayette), and a quantity of letters and photographs relating to his ?grandson Brigadier R.J. Wilkins, v.s., v.d. [c. 1865-1950]. (QTY)
est. £300 – £400
Arthur Diósy was born in London in 1856, the son of Martin Diósy (1818-92), a Hungarian patriot and secretary to Lajos Kossuth (1802-94). Kossuth, a dynamic political reformer rose briefly to prominence in the revolution against Austria of 1848-49 (which led to the formation of the dual monarchy of 1867), it would seem that Diósy came to Britain shortly afterwards as a political refugee. Diósy was educated in England and Germany and at the age of 10 could speak fluently four European languages, which ultimately led to his life long interest in Japan. In 1891 he founded the Japan Society of London and travelled extensively in Asia and the Far East. He published in 1898 The New Far East, 1898 (a copy is included in this sale), contributed numerous articles and lectured widely on Japan. Although not well known (he is not listed in DNB), Diósy must at least be considered as a minor but respectable player in the company of Arthur Waley and Lafcadio Hearn for the role he played in bringing a better appreciation of Japan to the West.