REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1912. 27 



A complete revision of the collections of the division, a large part 

 of which had been in storage, was started at the beginning of the 

 year, but owing to the overcrowded condition of the northeast court 

 in the older building, which had long been utilized for this subject, 

 the work was commenced in the gallery of the south hall. Later in 

 the year, however, the entire division, with the exception of the sec- 

 tion of photography, was moved to the Smithsonian building, where 

 the exhibition series are being installed in the central and two western 

 halls on the main floor. Wliile the final arrangement of the collec- 

 tions is retarded by the necessity of awaiting better case provisions, 

 this has not prevented the admission of the public. The classification 

 comprehends a historical and a technical series of engravings of all 

 kinds, illustrations of bookbinding, and the history of printing. 

 The division is in charge of Mr. Paul Brockett, assistant librarian 

 of the Smithsonian Institution, as custodian. 



The installation of the collection illustrating the history, methods, 

 and achievements of photography in the gallery of the northwest 

 court of the older building was continued with good progress dur- 

 ing the year, JNir. Thomas W. Smillie, custodian of the section and 

 photographer of the Museum, giving such time to it as could be 

 spared from his other duties. As explained in the report of last 

 year, the collection is of exceptional value and interest, being un- 

 equaled by any other of a similar character in public or private 

 possession. 



History. — The division of history was richly favored during last 

 year, and it is gratifying to note that an unusually large proportion 

 of the accessions were permanent. Standing conspicuously in the lead 

 was the transfer to the National Museum of all the essential parts 

 of the extensive collections composing the widely-known museum of 

 the Post Office Department. The most important feature of this 

 notable acquisition is the practically unrivaled series of postage 

 stamps, stamped envelopes, and post cards, representing essentially 

 every issue of the United States and foreign countries since the 

 commencement of the present postal system, about the middle of 

 the nineteenth century. Besides these are many paintings, photo- 

 graphs, models, etc., relating to the history of mail transportation 

 and of the postal system in this country, and about 1,000 objects 

 from the Dead Letter Office, illustrating the great variety of articles 

 which, through misdirection or other cause, fail to reach their in- 

 tended destination. 



Of exceptional interest is a collection of memorials of Peter Ganse- 

 voort, jr., brigadier general, United States Army ; of his eldest son, 

 Herman Gansevoort, colonel. Sixty-third Kegiment, New York State 

 Militia ; and of his grandson, Henry S. Gansevoort, brevet brigadier 



