308 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1889. 



tbe V. S. National Museum, to be there deposited iu the section of 

 graphic arts, aud that all similar matter henceforth received be simi- 

 larly divided between the Congressional Library and the U. 8. National 

 Museum. 



Another need of the section of graphic arts is a special library. 

 Even in the present embryonic condition of its collections, books of 

 reference are often wanted which ought to be at hand for immediate 

 use if they are to be of any use at all. The Marsh collection again 

 offers a nucleus of great value, and I would venture the further sug- 

 gestion that the books belonging to it be turned over to this section. 

 Thus placed they will do good service, whereas at present they do lit- 

 tle or none. The attention given to such a special library ought not, 

 however, to stop here. In accordance with the original aim of the 

 section, it is quite indispensable that it should collect all technical aud 

 historical treatises relating to the graphic arts, and more especially the 

 former. So far as American productions of this kind are concerned, 

 the direct aid of Congress might again be invoked here. It is desirable 

 also, and indeed necessary, that a number at least of the journals 

 dealing with the graphic arts should be kept, including those in which 

 the developments of the modem photo-mechanical processes are 

 recorded. 



It stands to reason that the plans for the future so far outlined can 

 not be carried out, unless considerably more room can be devoted to the 

 collections, and unless the service can be provided which will make it 

 possible to throw them open for the use of students. It will be quite 

 impossible, and, indeed, would not be desirable if it were possible, to 

 exhibit all the material collected and to be collected. Hooms will, there- 

 fore, have to be set apart in which the portfolios aud cases containing 

 the reserves can be kept, with the possibility of expansion in the future, 

 and providing also the necessary space for tables for visitors, and, in 

 connection with these, public rooms, special Workrooms not accessible 

 to ordinary visitors, in which mounting, restoring, classifying, etc., can 

 be carried on. Before a definite plan is adopted for the arrangement of 

 these rooms, it would of course be necessary to make a thorough study 

 of similar institutions iu Europe, so as to assure the adoption of the 

 system which actual experieuce has shown to be the best. 



That such collections, liberally administered, might be made of the 

 greatest use, both educationally and practically, does not admit of the 

 slightest doubt. Their educational value has already been dwelled 

 upon, and I may, therefore, confine myself to a few closing remarks upon 

 their practical use to the busy portion of mankind to whom art really 

 is an industry. To these workers the section of graphic arts might 

 easily be made a central bureau of reference. It is already beginning 

 to assume the character of an archive, in which are deposited the 

 records of the labors of inventors within its sphere. Thus it has in its 

 keeping the original Saxtou engraving machine, and its collections com- 



