The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-15

practically u~uprocurable and In itself a
veritable quarry OF suggestive material
for the decorative artists inspiration.
The great work in color on st. Marks at
Venice, published by Oncagna. h another
such treasure, and Of course the library
| has the finest editions of. the works OF
! Raoinet. Owen Jones and Henry Shaw.
There too YOU will find the splendid work
OF SOItikoR on the Henri II. ~falenCe. and
M. Sahzay's famous monograph on the
! pottery OF Bernard Palissy, together with
many other valuable volumes on pottery
and porcelain that will make a study OF the
museums examples in the department OF
ceramics a greater joy and a more profitable
pleasure. Many Of the treasures announced
from time to dime as acquired by the
museum or as destined for u are pictured
I in some of the library's books, since at
some time these same objects have formed
parts Of collections that have been do
scribed in print and illustrated. :" In Ract'the
museum library is particularly rich IN its
collections OF catalogues Of all sortsrCAta"
loeueso Of great public and private collectionss
useful in locating theh home OF some picture,
or art object about which you are in Doubt
and catalogues OF important art Sales
many of them priced, most useful IN trac-
ing the history Of a work OF art. The museum
library contains a complete set OF the sales
catalogues, priced. of Christie's, the famous
art auction rooms in London.
One OF the rarest of the hbraryis cata-
logues is the little thin quartO bound in n
Japanese pattern of white and gold haw-
thorn. II you lift the cover you viii 50.
that il is a o of -Sir Henry Thompson's
Catalogue Of Blue and White Nankin Porce-
lain" which may not interest you in the
least until you read further that it is illus
trated by James Whistler" This was
published early in 1873 and contains many
Autographs by the famous artist Whistler
himself OF blue and white porcelain, all
bearing his characteristic butterfly sigpa-
ture. thoroughly conspicuous in it's position
and all recalling the gentle artists" W
owe for the blue and white. the indulgence
OF which taste threw his effects into the
hands of the constable, on which limb ct.
the law he ever after hung one OF his hest
known and most delightful anecdotes. .
Following along the gallery OF the
museum library, further on in one OF the
cases are a number of remarkable scrap
books containing actual samples Of textile
fabrics from India, cloth of gold. cloth OF
silver. silks, embroidered tuffs linens
and cottOns Of every hue and description.
worth more than a museum full OF speci-
mems behind glass. because from these
samples one may study the fabrics minutely
and examine by touch their strength and
their quality. their weave and their texture
In this department the library has many
comprehensive works on textile fabrics
in general, on laces, embroidered. and
a large number Of important volumes on
costume. Even records Of the art OF the
American Indians have been collected
by the library. which already is rich In
works on the art. archaeology and orna-'
ment Of Egypt. Babylonia. Assyria and OF
Oriental nations.
Along with the artist the artist craftsman
will come to use the museum library more
and more, since here no will have access to
rare works on stained glass, decorative
glass. mosaics, tapestries, furniture,
metal work, gems and gem cutting ,jewelryS
the goldsmith's art, enamelling, ivory work.
ing, medallic art, bookbinding and so on.
In this way il is not impossible hat the
museums library to-day will be extending
aid to som artist craftsman whose work
may some time find recognition in It's oollec-
tons, IA the work OF the master artist crafts
men Of France finds its place in the colleo-
tons Of the Louvre. To facilitate study the
museum library permits tracing to be made
from it's books and drawings and from it's
Photographic. a gelatine undersheet being
required Of course to protect the plate in
use from becoming damaged in any way.
Illustrators will find in the library OF h
museum a collection OF books got together
for their beautiful illustrations; such "a
those containing the work Of Verge, Walter
Crane, Kate GreenRway, Boutet de Monvel1
Aubrey Beardsley, Maxfield Parrish and
others; also books containing reproductions
Of the drawings OF celebrated caricaturists.
This is bound to become one OF the most
helpful departments OF IN library; whichs
by the way, is cpen to the public daily, ex-
cept Sundays and holidays; from 10 to 8
O'Clock.
The labels which the museum puts inside
its books to denote its ownership OF them arc
most attractive. The first one is from q
beautiful plate engraved by e. d. French in
1895, showing a view Of the old Cruger man
sion. Another engraved in the same year
by the same artist depicts the old building
in Central Park. This book plate is used in
all books donated. The third label is an
exquisitely engraved plate by Sidney L.
Smith. bearing a view Of the new museum
building and it 10 used in all books purchased
with income from the Jacob s. Rogers Fund
II is pleasant TO record that very few in
stances OF even slight book vandalism have
occurred within the history OF the museum
library's existence.