Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-08
LIBRARY ACQUISITION
VALUABLE COLLECTION OF
BOOKS, LARGELY AS GIFT.
Owner Parts With Works Now at
Krasnoiarsk for a Nomi-
nal Sum.

Library of Congress, in referring today to
the valuable collection of books recently
acquired by the library, mention of which
has been made in The Star said:
TT is true that the library has acquired
a large collection of books now at Kras-
noiarsk, Siberia, and the acquisition ranks
| as a purchase but il is still more gift, as
the owner practically presents two-thirds
Of 1t, that is to say. nearly two-thirds Of
what he himself actually paid for it.
THE owner is Mr. G. v. Yudin. His bust
ness interests are in mires, but he is an
| accomplished photographer, and has pub
lished three volumes Of a photograph of
Russian literature. He has travelled much,
and has spent over twenty years In &C.
quiring this collection, which now num-
bers some 5000 volumes.
The printed material Is Russica and
Siberica. The collection is strong in Rus
sian history, Russian literature, Russian
art and archaeology; it has many serial
publications, including files of newspapers,
and many important documents difficult to
obtain. 1t is also strong in Siberian ftera-
ture very difficult to acquire. 1t includes
some 200 manuscripts relating to early
Alaska before the American occupation.
Arranging for Shipment.
1.-The collection was seen by representa-
tive of the library three years ago. 1t has
That representative, Mr.. Alexis V. Babine,
a native Russian, left the library service
temporarily last year to take a position
with the Associated Press in st. Peters,
burg. He relinquished that position this
summer. and is now at Krasnoiarsk ar
ranging for the shipment of the collection.
Mr.. Yudin is now somewhat advanced in
years, and appears to desire to see his col
lection placed where 1t will be useful and
gain distinction. The idea that 1t should
be here in our national library was strong
inducement to him, which showed itself In
his liberality and his willingness to con-
tribute to the transfer considerably more
than that paid. lie believes that here the
collection would not merely be practically
useful, but would promote a better under
standing of Russia and her institutions.
THE library rarely purchases collections
en- bloc. but strong inducement in TINS
cas-, was that the collection is not merely
large but a well balanced one; that 1t Is In
a field In which the library and American
libraries generally have rs yet done little;
| and that 1t would bring to American schol-
ars the resources for the study of Russia
and her institutions such as otherwise they
cannot get short of Europe, and ossibly
short of Russia herself
Circumstances Unusual.
'T have been asked what the library did
pay for the collection said Mr.. Putnam.
THE circumstances are so unusual that to
full You are free. however. to state that
the sum given by the library for the entire
collection was no more than has been paid
by a collector for single book.
1.-The motive and spirit of the owner ap-
pear in extracts from two of his letters.
One reads: I had the honor to receive
your letter of December 8. 1903. only on the
Sd of February, 1904, N. s. 1t made deep
impression upon me by it's great courtesy
and by bringing to my mind what l knew
from the printed materials in my posses
sion about the grandeur Of your building
and the exemplary order governing the in
stitution under your charge, an institution
where the establishment of Russian sec
ton is contemplated If had sufficient
financial means at my disposal and my
affairs were in their former fiourishfng con-
dition 1 would in my declining years give
my books. after Russian custom, to one
of our public institutions present them
to the Library of Congress with the sole
idea of establishing closer relations between
the two nations 1t is to be regretted that
/ cannot do so in spite of all my
Happy Beyond Expression.
"'Then. If we come to an agreement and
God preserves my days. 1 will consider
myself happy beyond expression when the
Library Of Congress sends me some copies
of the catalogue of my collections collec-
ton separately kept, put in perfect order,
accessible to every one interested in Rus
sian literature and progress
Another sets forth: Thanks to the ar
rival of Mr. Babine at Krasnoiarsk, 1 have
at last the opportunity to learn the con-
tents Of your valued letter Of September
4, 1905 This letter and your telegram of
yesterday to Babine give me the hope of
possible realization of our mutual desire
to make it possible for my library to be
accessible to the world of science. 1 do not
know a more honored place for it than the
American National Library. and on my
part shall do everything in my power to
see it there