New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-01
THE H[SPANIC MUSEUM,
FOR STUDY OF SPAIN.
Library Endo1oed by Archer Hunt
angt0n Nay Open IN Fall.

Inc Work OF cataIoguing the collection of art
ana historical objects and books In the library and
museum Of the Hispanic Society of America IN
Audubon Park. 156th street near Broadway is he
ing pushed as rapidly possible, and the library
may be open TO the public In the fall But so ex-
tehsVe is the work that 1t is impossible now to
say within two OF three months exactly when the
opening will take place Some of the thorough
ness with which this cataloguIng is being carried
on and the labor connected with II may be gained
from the fact that some Of the books in the library
have as many as one thousand cards referring to
them 1t is the object OF the librarian and the
society to have the oss-references as complete
as possible. There are over fifty thousand volumes
IN the library on both ancient and modern Spanish
and Portuguese subjects
The collection in the museum was made nv
Archer NJ Huntington. who endowed the HispanIo
Society and gave It the land upon which the mu-
scum stands. 1t is the purpose of the society and
Mr. Huntington to make the museum and library
as useful as possible 10 students and literary men,
The museum is an adjunct TO the library.
student in the library reading of pottery OF the
fourteenth century, for instance, may go upstairs
and there find on exhibition example OF the very
thing of which he has read. He may study the
thing from life"
Among the most interesting objects in the mti-
scum to students OF Hispanc subjects is a pair OF
bronze Arabic doors, which flank the main
trance. These doors from Cairo mosque.
They were built. according TO data In Mr.. Hunting
tons possession. by a Mameluke general. Barkok
in 1881 Authorities the subject say they are
interesting as showing the character of Arabic
art before the influence OF Christianity began to
be felt There is not a bit of life In the whole
intricate design OF their massive twelve feet. In
the centre of each is a tremendous knocker and
the design composed chiefly of raised shields and
carved weapon forms. radiates from these
CHANGES IN ART TRACED
1t Is possible. say students of the subject to
trace the changes in the character of Spanish.
moorish and Arabic art from these doors through
one OF the largest collections in existence of Span
ish tiles from the fifteenth to the eighteenth con-
fury. These tiles called IN Spanish azuletos
from azul meaning blue. The old Spanish tile
makers used much blue in their decoration
Included in the collection IN the museum are ex-
amples OF pottery from the fifth century before
Christ TO the present time, textiles. coins medals
silver. sixteenth century carvings wood and
marble. and Ironwork. All these examples are
said to be as good any IN existence
Among the carvings in wood IL one which has
mystAed more than one student It represents a
body lying bier. 1t is clothed In arr1or and
the bier IS heavily draped. Standing about II in
martial array are many soldiers, with their pixies
and lances. Fitting about the room and alightng
on the body and bier numerous butterflies or
bees. The whole group is inclosed in a spiked
fencelike structure
II has been tho endeavor Of Mr.. Huntington IN
making the collection have # typical rather than
elaborate. Thus there are few duplicates Itigoes
jects. both artistcally and historically.
THE HIsPANIC SOCIETY
The Hspanic Society of America is composed of
one hundred members. II Is endowed society
and the members pay dues They all men
who have accomplished something IN the work OF
research in Spanish history and literature. They
scattered all over the world and working
in the interests Of the society.
The society publishes books pamphlets and maps
on Hispanic subjects. and this. II Is expected to-
gether with the endowment will make 1t and its
museum and library self-sustainnE.
1T is the intention OF the society" said Mans
field l. Hhouse. the society's secretary in speak
ing Of the museum 70 a Tribune reporter yester-
day. ito make Il possible here IN New York TO
study the history. language literature and art OF
the Spanish and Portuguese. At the present time
the Spanish and English peoples do not under
stand each other. II ~ purpose do away
with this misunderstanding.
interest from a commercial poin; OF vicw as well
as from that OF art and literature. For instance.
began importing from North Africa. or TO come
here when We are open and ind book which win
tell him what he wants 10 know. Then. perhaps,
representation Of It. This is simply illustration
and must not be taken as meaning that that very
Besides being secretary Of the Hspanic Society
lean Numismotlc Society, which is building a
home on ground given by, Mr.. Huntington. next
70 the Hispanic library and museum.
MONEY NEEDED FOR NUMIsMATICs
About $25 900 Is needed complete the home for
the Numismatc Society and Mr.. Hillhouse. n
member of the building committee has sent out
circulars not only TO members OF the society. but
also bankers and financial all the
country.
II is Mr. Hnlhouse's idea that bankers and men
Of finance generally should be interested In col |
lecting coins they in collecting coin Ac- |
cord!ngy, he has pointed out 70 thousands all
the country that the Numsmatic Society during !
the Atty years OF It's existence has collected $1,000
coins, making probably the largest collection in |
this country and one OF the largest in the world
Besides this. there viii be available really part
OF the same collection. 10000 Spanish and Portu- |
guese coins belonging to the Hispanlc Society.
Then, too, Mr.. Hillhouse points out, there are |
many large individual collections about the city !
which the owners might be glad 10 place in |
the hands Of the Numlsmatc Society when It's
new building is completed. The building will be |
ireproof and would insure the collections against
all danger from this Many bankers have |
large private collections. and It is thought that
some OF them would b5 Interested enough in the |
society's work TO aid II by contributions
There are six thousand nunismatic col |
lectors In the world. Mr.. Hillhouse has sent re-
turn postal cards 70 about fourteen hundred OF |
these 10 find out what is being done by them and !
of lust what their collections consist.
rvDTpTYrE TN NTnp0 WHITE J