114 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1925 



As the Museum is almost wholly dependent upon the generosity of 

 friends for contributions, its growth must naturally be slow, particu- 

 larly in a field like graphic arts, where prints by the master workers 

 in the various mediums are of great intrinsic value. 



In the Division of History the present condition of the collec- 

 tions is satisfactory only in a limited sense. This priceless aggre- 

 gation of historical material is receiving all the care and attention 

 possible in view of the crowded condition of exhibition and storage 

 space. The wide separation of the various historical units detracts 

 from the appearance of the historical collections as a whole but can 

 not be remedied until another building is provided. Installation 

 in parts of three buildings necessitates a considerable loss of time 

 in connection with the care of the collections. 



The Museum collections in art, industry and history have for 

 some years outgrown their quarters. It is hoped, however, that 

 this condition will not much longer continue. The Board of Regents 

 of the Smithsonian Institution went on record at its annual meeting 

 on December 11, 1924, as being in sympathy with the movement 

 undertaken by the engineering societies of the country looking to- 

 wards the establishment of a National Museum of Engineering and 

 Industry as a branch of the Smithsonian Institution, controlled by 

 the Regents, and with such funds as may be raised for its operation 

 and maintenance deposited as an endowment to be administered by 

 the Institution for commemorating and perpetuating the records 

 and achievements of the engineering profession. This scheme in- 

 cludes the erection of an adequate modern building for housing the 

 engineering collections. 



Special exhibitions.— TYio, Division of Graphic Arts and the Sec- 

 tion of Photography arranged 14 special exhibitions during the year, 

 all of which were of a high standard and well worthy of the 

 Museum. It is planned to continue to hold similar exhibitions in 

 the future as they are in themselves very instructive and interesting, 

 and attract many visitors. The subjects covered by these special 

 attractions were as follows : ^ 



In Smithsonian Building. — September 15 to October 11, 1924. Sixty ex- 

 amples of American typographical printing. Gift of tlie American Printer. 



October 1 to 28. American wood-block prints. Courtesy of the American 

 Federation of Arts. 



October 29 to November 28. Eighty-one etchings by George Elbert Burr, of 

 Phoenix, Ariz. Lent by Mr. Burr. 



November 29, 1924, to January 2, 1925. Etchings by members of the Chi- 

 cago Society of Etchers. Lent by the society. 



January 3 to 30. Etchings and drawings by Roi Partridge, of California. 

 Lent by Mr. Partridge. 



