New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-19
GENEROUS GIFT TO THEMUSEUM.
ADDITION TO THE orrY's COLLECTIONS.
MRS JOHN CROSBY BROWN PRESENTS VALUABLE

MRS. JOHN CROSBY BROWN PRESENTS Valuable
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS TO THE PEOPLE.
At the first quarterly meeting yesterday OF the
trustees of the Metropolitan Museum Of
uenrv G. Marquand, reported another hand
come addition to the treasures Of the museum. This
was The gift of Mrs. John Crosby Brown, OF this
citv OF her large collection Of musical Instruments
The collection Is the largest private collection IN this
country and With that of Joseph W. Drexel winch
the museum already possesses. will make this DEPART
uent one Of the most complete and valuable In eH-
lstenee. ~, 3
The collection is particularly important from its
wide historical and archaeological interest Recently
Mrs Brown, with theg aid of her son. William A.
Brown published catalogue of the instrumental
They number altogether go pieces, and the catalogue
was enriched with series Of pen drawings by Mr..
Brown Of many Of the most important pieces Of
The collection They are catalogued under the heads
Of the different countries in which the various pieces
had their origin or development, and when they
are placed in the museum 1t is the intention TO ar
range them as nearly as possible in this manner.
making the evolution Of many forms apparent to the
observer
In this manner the three strnged guitar of China the
either and the mouth-organ are grouped together.
Japan is represented by instrument Of thirteen silk
strings and many minor instruments TO be seen there
today Corea and India fully represented. SIAM
esq Burmese, Arabia, Africa Persia AgIers, Turkey
and Palestine have special group In the collection
The Egyptian collection gives many Of the older forms
of musical instruments. Under the head Of North
America are included the rattle Of the Indian medicine
man. the horn Of the Sioux, the drum Of the Esldmos
and the marimba used by the Guatemala negroes
and said to have been introduced by them from Africa
Mrs. Brown became interested IN this subject some
years ago and her has shown in the volume pub
shed large amount of information relating TO tho
history Of the many pieces in the collection. The
National Museum In Washington has the largest col
lection In the country outside Of the Metropolitan
Museum, and there is smaller collection in Boston
While the European cities have also large colecuons,
the only one which Is as complete as thai OF tho
Metropolitan will now be is in the South Kensington
Museum, England Mrs. Browns only request In con-
necton with the gift that she be permitted 10 mako
such additions to 1t from time 20 time as she desired
The trustees accepted the gift in an appropriate
resolution. The collection is now az Mrs. Browns
country home in Orange, and 1t will be brought 10
the museum in a few days and arranged with the
Drexe collection The value Of the gift Il not known,
but IL estimated 30 have cost upwards Of $50 600
General d Cesnola announced also the gift OF three
handsome pieces OF lace TO the collection of laces.
The trustees elected the executive committee OF the
trustees for the year. IL includes W. NJ Andrews,
Heber r.. Bishop, Robert Hoe, ID. o. NILS, S. p.
Avery, ]. Q. A. Ward, f. W. Rhineander, Daniel
Huntington, Salem II. Wales, W. @. Prime and Henry
G. Marquand.