KEPORT OF jSTATIOiSrAL MUSEUM, 1915. 33 



The total number of postage stamps, stamped envelopes and postal 

 cards received for the collection from the Post Office Department 

 and from other som'ces was 8,508. 



Much progress was made in the installation of specimens, especi- 

 ally those recently received, and the work of arranging the smaller 

 objects of the reserve series in alphabetical order by name of donor 

 or lender, in accordance with the plan outlined in the last report, 

 was nearly completed. This classification will greatly simplify the 

 task of locating particular specimens when needed. The larger 

 specimens have also been so disposed as to make them easily acces- 

 sible. The chronological sequence of the exhibition cases and of the 

 specimens in the cases was materially improved. The cases in the 

 north hall and west-north range were partly rearranged and many 

 of them were completely reinstalled. These changes have greatly 

 increased the interest and value of the collections as a whole by ren- 

 dering the general scJieme of classification apparent to even the 

 casual observer. The wall cases in the north hall now contain a 

 noteworthy collection of historical furniture placed as far as possi- 

 ble in chronological order. The series begins with several chairs, 

 a table, and a secretary or combination bureau and desk, formerly 

 owned by Brig. Gen. Eufus Putnam of the Continental Army, fol- 

 lowed by furniture which belonged to Thomas Jefferson, Lafayette, 

 Alexander Hamilton, John Marshall, Peter Gansevoort, John Crop- 

 per, and other men of note in American history. The backs of these 

 cases have been utilized for historical paintings and engravings. 

 The renovation in a permanent manner of the Star-Spangled Banner 

 was completed in accordance with the plan described in the last 

 report, and the flag was restored to its former position in the wall 

 case on the right of the entrance to the north hall. Much of the 

 time of the assistant curator was devoted to preparing for exhibition 

 the collection of ancient Greek and Roman coins which has for a 

 number of j^ears been in storage. 



The preparation of the paper on the Washington relics by the 

 assistant curator, Mr. T. T. Belote, now in course of publication, en- 

 tailed a considerable amount of research work, which resulted in 

 additional information that has been embodied in a new series of 

 exhibition labels. This collection was also almost entirely rein- 

 stalled with a view to securing an arrangement harmonious with 

 that followed in the catalogue. About 800 labels were printed for 

 the various objects recently installed, and copy was prepared for 

 about 2,500 additional labels, largely required for the coin and 

 medal collection. At the close of the previous year the mounting 

 and installation of the postage stamp collection in the exhibition 

 cabinets, arranged by countries, had proceeded as far as the letter 

 12264°— iXAT Mus 1915 3 



