Shohei Ga Collection Appraisal

名作障屏畫集 (Meisaku Shōhei Gashū)

This item is a historical Japanese book titled "名作障屏畫集" (Meisaku Shōhei Gashū), which translates to "Collection of Masterpiece Screen Paintings." The cover features a two-tone design, with the majority of the cover in a muted, reddish-pink (possibly faded peach or light terracotta) color, and a prominent vertical green strip running down the center. The title is inscribed in white or very light-colored Japanese characters on this central green strip, rendered in an elegant, stylized calligraphic font. To the right of the title, several names are listed vertically in smaller Japanese characters, indicating contributors or artists featured in the collection: "春山武松" (Haruyama Takematsu), "田邊孝治" (Tanabe Kōji), and "脇本樂之軒" (Wakimoto Rakushiken), followed by "(外十一名執筆)" which means "(eleven others contributed/authored)". To the left of the title strip, in the reddish-pink section, the publisher and location are printed vertically: "東京" (Tokyo) and "平凡社版" (Heibonsha Publishing). The physical condition shows signs of age and handling; the reddish-pink paper exhibits visible foxing, discoloration, and some scuffing, particularly towards the edges and corners, indicating wear consistent with an older publication. The green strip appears more preserved in color but also shows some minor surface wear. The overall aesthetic suggests an early to mid-20th-century publication, likely a scholarly or art historical compilation of traditional Japanese screen paintings. The quality of the printing and paper seems robust for its age, typical of a well-produced art book. No major tears or significant structural damage are immediately visible, but the surface wear is noticeable and expected for an item of this presumed age and material.