The Washington herald., 1906-12-07
GETS VALUABLEBOOKS
Library of Congress Acquires
Russian Collection.
ACCESSION LARGELY A GIFT
Volumes, Rich in SIav Literature
and History, and Requiring Twenty
siears TO Collect, Come to America
TO HeI2 Establish Closer Relations
Between the Two Nations.

Eighty housand- Siberian and Russian
books, rich in Russian history. literature.
art, and archaeology, have just been ac-
quired by the Library Of Congress.
The volumes are now at Krasnoiarsk
Siberia. and. according to the announce
ment Of the purchase just made public by
Herbert Putnam, Librarian of Congress,
the acquisition ranks as a purchase but
II is stllI more a gift, as the owner prac-
ucally presents two-thirds Of it,"
The owner is G. Y. Yudin. His business
interests are in mines, but he is an ae-
complished photographer and has pub
lished three volumes Of a photography of
Russian literature He has travelled much
and has spent over twenty years in ac-
quiring this collection.
1t has many serial publications, includ-
ing files of newspapers, and many i'm
portant documents difficult to obtain II
is also strong in Siberian literature very
difficult to acquire. II includes some 200
manuscripts relating to early Alaska be-
fore the American occupation.
How Collection Was Secured.
Librarian Putnam, in his announce
ment, says:
THE collection was seen by a represen-
tative Of the library three years ago. II
has been under consideration since that
time That representative. Alexis V
Babine, a native Russian, left the library
service temporarily last year to take
position in ST. Petersburg He relin-
quished that position this summer. and is
now at Krasnoiarsk arranging for the
shipment OF the collection.
Mr.. Yudin Is now somewhat advanced
in years. and appears to desire to see his
collection placed where it will be useful
and gain distinction. The idea that II
should be here in our National Library
was a strong inducement to him, which
showed itself in his liberality and his
willingness 10 contribute 10 the transfer
considerably more than that paid. He,
believes that here the collection would
not merely be practically useful. but
would promote a better understanding of
Russia and her institutions
The library rarely purchases eollec-
tiOns en- bloc. but a strong inducement in
this case was that the collection is not
merely a large but we'll balanced one;
70
and American libraries generally. has as
yet done little, and that it would bring
to American scholars the resources for
the study Of Russia and her institutions
such as otherwise they cannot get short
of Europe. and possibly short Of Russia
herself"
Owner Explains His Motives.
Mr Putnam also makes public the letter
Of Mr.. Yudin, making his proposition 10
the library. and showing the high motive
which influenced his action in letting the
collection come TO the United states. The
letter follows:
Krasoiarsk 18th January. 1904
Mr.. Herbert Putnam, Librarian Of Congress. Wash
irgton.
Dear Sir: had the honor TO receive your let
ter Of December g. 1905 only the Sd Of February.
l90i. y. : Il made deep impression upon me by
its great courtesy and by bringing to ms mind what
knew from the printed material IN my possession
about the grandeur Of your building and the eX-
emplsry order governing the institution under your
charge, institution where the establishment q
d Russian section Is contemplated.
Il ] had sufficient financial means al my disposal
and ms affairs wcre IN their former fOurshing
diton, I would in nay declining years give my books
after a Russian custom. 20 one Of cur public IN
stitutiors OF present them 70 the Library OF Con
gress With the sole idea u establishing closer r.
lati6us between the tsO nations. II Is to be re-
grctted that / cannot do IL spite Of all my
wishes
Then. we ce1ne 70 an agreement and God pre-
series my DAYS ! VIII consider myself happy be
y0ud expression when the Library q Congress sends
ne some copies Of the catalogue Of my colectun-
a collection separately Kept pat IN perfect order,
accessible 10 every enc interested IN Russian hIera
ture and progress.