154 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1890. 



way the Berlin collections, of much more Tecent origin, date from the purchase for 

 the state in 1835, by order of the King of Prussia, of the von Nagler collection for the 

 sum of 92,333 thalers, which included, however, a number of ceramic and other ob- 

 jects. But Wessely is quite right when he says, likewise in 1875 (in his book " Die 

 Kupferstich-Sammlung," etc.), that the prints alone of the von Nagler collection were 

 then worth at least ten times the sum paid for the collection as a whole ; and again, 

 in view of the further appreciation in prices since this statement was made, the pres- 

 ent value is much greater than that assumed by Wessely. Compared with the Ma- 

 rolles and the von Nagler collections the Sewall collection naturally appears quite in- 

 significant and the price asked comparatively high. But it must be recollected that 

 the times have changed, and the chances for acquiring collections approaching any- 

 thing like comparative completeness are growing less and less. Quite likely, iudeed, 

 if the present occasion should be allowed to pass by unused, a similar one will never 

 offer again. But as it is absolutely certain that at some ti me or other the United States 

 will feel the necessity of organizing a national print collection, it may be accepted as 

 equally certain that the prices which will then have to be paid will be much greater 

 for much less material. It is the experience of the Sibylline books over again. 



It may be said, however, that what others have doue is not necessarily a standard 

 of action for the United States, and that we must follow paths laid out by ourselves. 

 If the question involved were merely one of fashion or of taste, the objection would 

 be well taken. It is a question, however, of educational facilities, from which will 

 flow permanent advantages to the material and intellectual welfare of the nation, 

 and seen in this light it will appear that the matter is peculiarly well fitted to be 

 taken in hand by an institution for the dissemination of knowledge, like the Smith- 

 sonian. The uses of a print collection seem still to be misunderstood by the majority 

 of people. Although such a collection may be made to minister exclusively, and 

 always will minister to a certain extent, to the aesthetic delight of connoisseurs, this 

 aspect of it is yet very far from being its only or even its most important one. Nat- 

 urally enough the student of the history of art will derive great benefit from such a 

 collection, more especially in a country like ours, which can not possibly hope ever 

 to possess in sufficient quantity the originals interpreted in prints. But, aside from 

 the history of art, there is hardly a branch of human knowledge or human activity 

 that is not represented in a print collection, for whatever man has aspired to, either 

 intellectually or in the practical pursuits of life, he has sought to shape visibly in 

 pictures, and ever since the invention of the reproductive arts it has been the endea- 

 vor of the engravers to multiply these pictures and to disseminate them broadcast. 

 For the general historian, therefore, as well as for the students of the exacter sciences, 

 a print collection, provided that it is well classified and catalogued, aud liberally 

 administered, is a perfect storehouse of information, supplementing and sometimes 

 even excelling the library, since it presents immediately to the eye, that which words 

 upon the printed page call up only dimly to the mind. Even the classes last named, 

 however, do not exhaust the ranks of those benefited by a print collection. There 

 is still to be considered the vast army of artisans, designers, and others engaged in 

 the various industrial pursuits, to whom a print collection offers sources of informa- 

 tion and inspiration which can not possibly be found elsewhere. The value of this 

 aid to producers has been so thoroughly recognized in Europe, that iu some of the 

 leading capitals — in Vienna and in Berliu, for instance — special print collections 

 have been organized, alongside of the general collections, the sole aim of which is 

 to assist practical workers in the industrial arts. 



These are the reasons which induced me to recommend that an appeal be made to 

 Congress for a special appropriation for the purchase of the Sewall Collection, and I 

 beg leave to reiterate this recommendation herewith. 

 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours, 



S. R. Koeiilek, 

 Curator of the Section of Grttjihie Arts, 



