Meiji era (1868-1912), dated 1896 and 1897 Two albums bounded with a complete set of 50 oban tate-e prints of okubi-e (bust portraits) of beauties, titled Jidai kagami (Mirror of the Ages), documenting the fashions of former times (from the Kenmu to the Meiji era) in chronological order, each sheet with a beautiful woman in sumptuous costume depicted at the lower section and a rectangular panel at the top which makes a reference to the era, some sheets with lacquer and embossed details, published by Matsuki Heikichi, variously dated Meiji 29 and 30 (1896-7), all signed Yoshu Chikanobu, together with two prints indicating the title and showing the table of contents and a single page opening illustration of three ladies; both with blue brocade covers with a title slip, the first volume with a single-page calligraphy and four page preface by Mr Ichi Daiseki, as commissioned by Mr Uemura, owner of the prints, dated Showa 51 (1976); a further signature and seals belonging to Mr Kosugi Hiroshi (likely the subsequent owner) at the end, dated Heisei 5 (1994), the second volume also bearing the signature and seal of Mr Kosugi Hiroshi inside the back cover. Each sheet approx., 36cm x 24cm (14 1/8in x 9½in). (2).