REPORT OF NATIOISTAL, MUSEUM, 1921. 127 



published one. This is especially evident from the careful study of 

 the plate itself. The expression " plate destroyed " does not mean 

 that the plate has been actually destroyed but that the plate is dis- 

 figured so that print-s from it have no artistic or commercial value. 

 It also insures the commercial value of the published prints. 



Mr. Walter Tittle, of New York, has contributed two of his fine 

 dry-point etchings of President Harding, taken from life. The divi- 

 sion needs more contemporary work of the artists. 



The specimens contributed by Mr. Howard Levy, of Philadelphia, 

 are the work of the Overton Engraving Co., and show how the open- 

 ing in the diaphragm of the camera affects the form of the halftone 

 dot in the finished product. The effect is truly remarkable. 



Examples of two-color printing on both sides of the paper and 

 four-color printing on one side only were received from the Curtis 

 Publishing Co., of Philadelphia ; the paper going through the press 

 but once. By this method of wet printing a different effect from dry 

 printing is obtained. The ink being wet mixes and mellows, giving 

 good results, but with not quite the brilliance of dry printing. 



Max Levy presented an etched master screen, 150 lines to the inch, 

 for rotary intaglio photogravure. From this master screen photo- 

 graphic copies are made on glass or film, and such copies are used for 

 photo printing on carbon tissue. 



Mr. Paul Brockett contributed a three-color print, 133 lines to the 

 inch is shown, and the same picture printed seven lines to the inch. 

 It is the work of the Trichromatic Engraving Co., and shows clearly 

 the formation of the halftone dot in color work. 



Nearly all the accessions received this year deserve comment, each 

 one having particular qualities which are of interest. 



The total number of specimens received was 1,963, about four times 

 as many as last year, making a total of 15,983 in the division June 

 30, 1921. These figures do not take into account the photographic 

 collections in the section of photography. Mr. A. J. Olmsted, custo- 

 dian of that section, makes the following report as to the collections 

 under his charge. 



SECTION OF PHOTOGEAPHY. 



On July 1, 1920, the section of photography, as a part of the 

 di\'ision of graphic arts, was transferred from anthropology to 

 the department of arts and industries. Only one accession had been 

 received since the death of Mr. Thomas W. Smillie, in 1917, to 

 whom the Museum owes a great debt for his untiring efforts, knowl- 

 edge, and foresight in collecting the historical material now in the 

 section of photography. It would be practically impossible at this 

 time to duplicate it. Mr. Smillie began collecting as early as 1886, 

 and even then realized that the historical specimens were fast dis- 

 appearing. 



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