T.b. Blow Collection - Need Of Information

[Kurikata]

Hello,

 

Can someone give information on T.B. Blow (Who was he, What did he collect , When did he live, Does collection books exist?)?

 

I tried to goggle his name but with little results......

 

This collector is sometime mentioned at some auctions (http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20790/lot/510/?category=list)

 

Thank you

[John A Stuart]

The only Thomas Bates Blow I could find was a member of the Linnaean Society of London. He is published in their journal referencing collection of Characeae (a type of algae). This makes sense as the society is a biology and taxonomy group. Him? Maybe?? John

[Kurikata]

Thanks John for the information.

 

I come to a conclusion that I'll get some difficulties to know more on this guy..... 

[Kurikata]

I finally found some information (British Museum and Baur Collection) as a photograph of him:

 

 

Bristish Museum: An apiarist whose bee keeping appliance business in Welwyn was known worldwide and provided the funds that allowed him to travel. An antiquarian dealing in Japanese artefacts from his house in Kyoto. And in Japan at least a pioneering motorist who for many years seems to have owned the only car in Kyoto. Also a botanist who collected plants in British Guiana, Ceylon, Japan and Madagascar. Bequeathed 25 Japanese woodblock prints to the Museum (prints accessioned in 1941).

 

 

Alfred BAUR : Son activité de collectionneur se divisa en deux périodes bien distinctes. La première s’étendit de 1907 à 1924, année où il effectua son tour du monde. Durant ces deux décennies, il entretint des relations suivies avec le britannique Thomas Bates Blow (1853-1941), marchand-collectionneur passionné, alors établi à Kyôto, qui lui fournit des « japoneries », tels des lames, des ornements de sabre, des netsukes, des inro, des céramiques dites Satsuma, des cloisonnés, des estampes, des statuettes en ivoire sculpté, des cabinets en laque avec des tiroirs « pour ranger les curios », etc. (salle IV). Mais aussi quelques « chinoiseries » avec des jades, des laques et des flacons à tabac (salle I

[John A Stuart]

A little old beekeeper! Neat! John