REPORT ON THE DIVISION OF GRAPHIC ARTS. 

 By R. P. ToLMAN, Assistant Curator. 



On July 1, 1920, this division was transferred from the depart- 

 ment of anthropology to the department of arts and industries, and 

 Mr. R. P. Tolman jilaced in charge, with title of assistant curator. 



Plans were formulated for complete rearrangement of the series 

 in a logical sequence so as to bring both historical and technical 

 material of a kind together in a chronological order. This plan 

 has been carried out only in a small part, but it promises to be a 

 great improvement and will be followed carefully and should be 

 comj^leted in the next fiscal year. 



The year has been devoted largely to preparation of card cata- 

 logues in both the division of graphic arts and the section of photog- 

 raphy and with the collection of material for the completion of the 

 exhibition series. A number of gaps in the exhibition series have 

 been filled. As an illustration, the exhibit of handmade paper and 

 watermarks is one of a series showing the materials used in graphic 

 arts. Printing ink has been installed for several years. An ex- 

 hibit showing the steps in designing and making of type is the 

 next in the series, and Dard Hunter has promised to send the Museum 

 the materials, tools, etc., used by him for cutting the punches, cast- 

 ing the type, etc., for the two books made entirely by him. This 

 will show the hand methods of early times. An exhibit showing 

 modern methods is being planned. 



The definite scientific value of an accession is hard to determine 

 with such varying material as was received this year. The following 

 deserve to be mentioned : 



The exhibit of handmade paper and watermarking of handmade 

 paper consists of 90 specimens beginning with the rags from which 

 the paper is made, photographs of machines used to beat the rags, 

 four sizes of hand molds, on which the paper is made showing the 

 various kinds of watermarks, the ordinary wire marks, and the beau- 

 tiful light and shade watermarks with method of hoAv the mold is 

 wired or embossed, together with photographs showing the interior 

 of a French handmade paper mill, and the model of the paper mill 

 in the Science Museum, London. Samples of laid paper made about 

 1480, 1570, 1660, and 1V80 with attention called to the differences in 

 the paper of various dates, especially noticeable in the even texture 



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