REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 93 



collection. The most interesting addition was a "plioto-autocopyist" 

 outfit, illustrating a method of printing from gelatinized parchment. 

 Fifty-nine specimens were received during the year, most of these hav- 

 ing been obtained by the curator during his recent trip to Europe. 

 Eighteen specimens of half-tone work in black and in colors were pre- 

 sented by Messrs. John Swain & Son, London. Mr. N. S. Amstutz, 

 who during the preceding year presented a number of copies of photo- 

 graphs transmitted by means of electricity, has otfered to donate some 

 models of machinery used by himself. 

 Regarding the condition of the collection the curator says: 



The specimens on exhibition speak for themselves. They present the l)e8t illus- 

 tration of the technical development of the reproductive or multiplying arts to bo 

 found on exhibition anywhere, whether here or in Europe. It is not intended to 

 imply, however, that the collection is complete. The division illustrating the 

 various methods of drawing and painting is still very incomplete, although full 

 of interest even in its present state. In the division illustrating the application of 

 printing to the industrial arts, only a beginning has been made. 



A "study series" hardly exists, the specimens in the storage cases being mostly of 

 a kind similar to those on exhibition. The collection of patents might be made use- 

 ful to students, or rather to seekers of information of a practical kind, but it has 

 been almost abandoned, for tlie present at least, and under the prevailing condition 

 of things it is inaccessible to the public. 



The collection has now reached such a stage that, according to the 

 curator, it is impossible to make satisfactory progress without the 

 expenditure of considerable money in the purchase of specimens ; and 

 even if funds were available for this purpose, lack of room would seri- 

 ously hamper the eftbrts of the curator. 



Mr. Koehler refers to this matter in the following language: 



The section of graphic arts has reached a point where it must rest, unless it is 

 supplied more liberally with money. The ground to be covered is as well covered 

 as the facilities so far furnished will permit. The collections need piecing out in 

 many places, and it is very desirable, also, that some of the specimens now on exhi- 

 bition should be replaced by better ones. But this can be done only by the aid of 

 money. 



The above applies more especially to the illustrations of the reproductive or mul- 

 tiplying arts. The development of the collection illustrating the methods of draw- 

 ing and painting must be left to the future. To make it what it might be or ought 

 to be, would cost altogether too much money to allow it to be thought of at present. 



Whether it is worth while to continue the effort to illustrate the applications of 

 painting in the industrial arts may remain an open question. With a proper expen- 

 diture of time and of money, much interesting material could probably be obtained 

 for this department from manufacturers. But as there is no room to exhibit the 

 specimens that might be thus obtained, it would be useless to make further efforts 

 in this direction, even if the money needed were available, until the erection of a 

 new building will permit of an enlargement of the section of graphic arts. 



After the reconstruction above outlined, of the division embracing the reproduc- 

 tive or multiplying arts, which is and will probably always remain the main division 

 of the section, the preparation of a handbook will be in order. Several beginnings 

 toward such a handbook have been made, but they had to be abandoned, as the col- 

 lections were too incomplete and the changes in them too rapid to make it likely 

 that a handbook fitting them would have, permanent value. 



