Letters Of Life And Anti-Semitism From An American Abroad In Early 20th Century Japan

a) TLS. 2pg. 8 ¼” x 10”. July 15, 1920. Yokohama, Japan. A typed letter signed “Neil” laced with anti-Semitic sentiment. In part: “Went out calling last night with the bunch of fellows across the street. The host and his side partner are N.Y. Jews but sort of decent people. The wife is very nice but the husband is a regular East Sider. He is always talking about ‘not that I mind the expense of the house here but the servant is always telling about the money she needs for this and that and I can’t see where it goes to.’ You know just about what kind of a guy he is better than I do, no doubt, and you haven’t seen him. Anyway it was sort of a pleasant evening, as he left the States in March and brought a lot of the new songs with him. He is a very good piano player and I had a fine time listening to him. One of the songs he played and ‘tried to sing’ just like John was ‘Pal of Mine’ you know how nice it was in comparison to the real singer and this Jew did the same stunt of turning to his wife too, as John does to his wife when she sits up in the box. The husband was just a regular N.Y. smart alex Jew.” Typed on letterhead from Yokohama’s Grand Hotel, which famously burned down as a result of the devastating 1923 Great Kanto earthquake, the letter is in very fine condition, with light toning throughout and a few handwritten corrections not affecting legibility. b) TLS. 3pg. 8 ¼” x 10”. July 19, 1920. Yokohama, Japan. A typed letter signed “Neil” regarding work and life as an American abroad in early 20th century Japan. In part: “There isn’t much doing as for excitement but just hang around and do nothing. I really think I am gaining weight on the job. I met a fellow here who deals in all sorts of dress goods from Boston and I am getting on the right side of him as he gets all his stuff from here and I may be able to get some things for you people wholesale when you need them. He is one of us (you get me) being from Boston and a very fine chap. Eleanor will have nothing on me then getting things wholesale. About the only thing we need now wholesale is to get a bank to give us more money on our checks when we cash in. I am thinking of buying a kimono for Connors in the office for his wife, as they are married in the Fall. He is a nice fellow and I thought for his trouble in calling up and the like I would bring him back one. I am not sure about it as yet but I think I will.” Typed on letterhead from Yokohama’s Grand Hotel, which famously burned down as a result of the devastating 1923 Great Kanto earthquake, the letter is in very fine condition, with light toning throughout and a few handwritten corrections not affecting legibility.