REPORT OF N-ATIOITAL MUSEUM, 1919. 59 



illustrate the series of stages through which the most modem color 

 print passes in printing. Dr. Marcus Benjamin's gift of two sets of 

 chrome lithographic progressive i)roofs of Dr. Kunz's Gems and 

 Precious Stones, published in 1890, furnishes interesting material 

 for comparison. The material in both of these accessions is of the 

 best lithogTaphic work of 1890 and 1918. One ancient book binding, 

 gift of Mr. Joseph Stewart, Washington, District of Columbia. This 

 book bears the date of 1604 and was apparently rebound in 1754. 

 Books bound at this time were all done by hand and a gi-eat deal of 

 thought was given to the binding. The leather is remarkable in that 

 it is as strong to-day as it was when first put on. 



The collections of the division are in excellent condition. 



At the suggestion of the Administrative Assistant, Mr. Tolman 

 imdertook the reinstallation of the cases containing the relics of 

 James Smithson. 



The collection of 99 remarkable water-color paintings of native 

 flowers, by Mrs. Charles D. \Yalcott, was placed on exhibition and 

 will remain on view in the main hall of the Smithsonian Building 

 during tlie summer. 



Although the number of accessions to the section of photography 

 for the year is small, it exceeds that of last year in historical value. 

 A bronze statuette. The Genius of Photography, by Lafon de 

 Camarsac, was received as a gift from Thomas W. Smillie, through 

 his sister, Miss Lydia Smillie. Because of its artistic excellence 

 the statuette would merit a place in any art collection, but it was 

 Miss Smillie's desire that it should be placed in the section of pho- 

 tography as a memiorial of her brother, who devoted much of his 

 life to the development of the section. Five specimens of doro- 

 types were accessioned as a gift from the Eastman Kodak Co., of 

 Rochester, New York. These dorotypes are of gi-eat interest, as 

 they represent a modern application of the ambrotype process, 

 one of the earliest developments in photographic processes. 



History. — During the past year this division acquired extensive 

 exhibits of diversified character and great scientific value through 

 the assembling by the Museum of a special collection of material 

 relating to the recent war with Germany. Owing to the essentially 

 historical character of this material the principal work of its se- 

 lection devolved upon the curator of history, Mr. T. T. Belote, and, 

 through the courtesy of the War Department, Capt. J. J. Hittinger, 

 Quartermaster Corps, was detailed, in addition to his other duties, 

 to assist the Museum authorities in connection with the acquire- 

 ment and installation of the collection which is known officially as 

 the "War Collection." More than half of the accessions received 

 by the division of history during the past year relate to this coUec- 



