Asia and the Pacific Rim in Early Prints and Photographs

The technology of photography was introduced into Asian countries soon after its invention in various forms in Europe. The first daguerreotype camera was imported into Japan in 1848 (the patent dates to 1839). These images provide a rich resource for the understanding of the political, social, economic, and artistic history of Asia from the 1870s to the early 20th century.

See more images at NYPL.