Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-19
BOOKS, PRINTS AND MAPS
INTER ESTING COLLECTION EXHIBIT-
ED AT LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
Output of the Local Press in the
Early Days of WashingtOn-
Some Manuscripts.

AS far as the Library of Congress is con-
cerned, the celebration of the centennial
anniversary of the removal of the seat of
government to the District of Columbia has
already begun. In the northeast pavilion
OF the library building, where the print de-
partment. in charge of Mr. A. j. Parsons is
located. is now on exhibition most inter-
esting collection of books, prints and maps
relating to that early period in the history
Of the District, when the general govern
inent first located here.
The period covered extends each way
from the centennial year of 1900, and the
display illustrates not only the character of
the output of the local press, but contains
the contemporary maps and prints. Under
the direction of Mr.. Spofford the material
was brought together from the different
departments of the library and represents
in part, what is in the library relating to
the District.
The arrangement in cases has been done
under the supervision of Mr.. Parsons, and
the method adopted will contribute to the
convenience of those who wish to make a
study of this phase of the development of
the District. Near each article shown Is
label stating what it is. so that those
who do not wish to study out an old-time
ttle page. for example, will find the labels
an expeditions method of ascertaining what
the cases contain.
Books Interesting.
The books shown are of special interest.
they are specimens of the early press
beginning in the year 1892. Here may be
seen products of the Aurora and Apollo
presses and also books and pamphlets
from the office of Samuel Harrison Smith
the proprietor of the National 1ntelligencer.
There are also imDrints of Alexandria,
which was then a part of the District and
al SDecimenS from the in
CT orgetown. The output of the District
press in those early days shows a skill IN
typography and press work as well, as III
birding that is highly creditab!e, and COM
pares favorably with similar work of the
times in other parts of the country.
Some of the books displayed will attract
attention. not only because of the early
imprints but for the contents. The stores
of material of this kind in the library have
not been exhausted in making this exhibit
and if the interest seemed to demand II an
increase in the number could easily be
made.
Prints and Maps.
The display of prints will probably appeal
more to the popular taste than the books
as a number of not only rare but really
curious representations of the city and the
buildings are to be seen. AS this is the
first time these prints have been made
available for general inspection. some of
them which are extremely scarce will be
objects of much curiosity.
In this section may also be found the
dra wings of William Thornton, the de-
signer Of the first plan of the Capitol, with
the plans of Stephen Hallett and also those
of the later architect of the building, Mr..
Latrobe.
The display of maps Is full, as it begins
with the first map. known the Boston
plate. printed in 1892. There is also the
Philadelphia plate, of the same year, and
then those pXtrpmply early ranro5nctjOpS
of these plates as found in the Massachu-
setts Magazine of May, 1892, and in the
Universal Magazine of July 1893.
There are also some manuscripts, notably
the minutes of the first school established
in the District, of which Thomas Jefferson
was a member.