Los Angeles herald., 1910-03-09
MUSEUM GETS
RARE LIBRARY
DR.. J. A. MUNK DONATES VALU-
ABLE BOOKS
COMPLETE WORKS ON ARIZONA
ARE PRESENTED
Head of Local Medical College Fol-
lows Example of Lummis and
Makes Gift to Ina
stitution

DR. 7. A. Munk, head of the Eclectic
College of Medicine of Los Angeles
has presented to the Southwest mu-
scum his entire library or Arlzoniana.
It seems singularly fitting that on the
eve of the great reciprocity excursion
to Arizona, one for long leading cit
izen of both commemorative should
thus demonstrate his loyalty TO poth'
II was in 1884 that DR.. Munk first
visited Arizona on a voyage of inspec-
ton to the cattle ranch that he ana
his brother, Judge Munk, had estab-
lished at Railroad pass. The spirit or
freedom and exaltation of that great
neighbor state of ours seized hlm, as
it does all-whether laymen or men OF
science-and from that time he became
a student. an enthusiastic seeker after
information concerning that region.
On his return to Topeka, where he
was then living, he commenced TO
gather about him books treating OF
that enchanted land, and for twenty
six years he has been continuing the
quest, without count of cost or time,
buying everything published that
touches on Arizona. The result IS the
unique collection of Arizoniana which
bears DR.. Munl's name and which at
this time is recognized as the most
complete in existence.
some IOuT thousand DuohSt maps
monographs. magazines, aliases and
newspapers are included in this re-
markable aggregation. There are no
duplicates and the doctor is just as
keen on the hunt today as he was
quarter of century ago, so that few
priced rarities escape his Yigilant eye
This remarkable collection was
pledged to the Southwest museum
some time ago. Increasing demands
aUqitahla fO the
public have induced the donor to pre-
sent it to the institution now, so that
scholars and students may be able TO
make use of it. AS soon as installed in
the rooms of the museum in the Ham
burger Office building 1t will be open TO
all those desirous of knowing more of
the marvels of that wonderland-where
to spend a month in the forest of Flag
staff, a week at the Grand Canyon or
in the painted desert is but to create
a hunger to again enjoy Its cloudless
skies and overpowering fascinations.
Many friends and former associates
of DR.. Munk's, as well as state Off
cia1s, have attempted to secure the
Munk collection for some city of the
territory; but having once pledged it
to Los Angeles. the doctor felt that
he could make no other disposition of
It: he also knew that Southern Cali
fornia, being the playground IS well
as the commercial emporium Of Ari
zona, more people from there annually
visit Los Angeles than are contained
in its largest metropolis. So that in
presenting his library to this city, not
only does Dr. Munk place 1t within
reach of those who do not know Arl-
zona, but makes ii available for a
greater number of It's own cultured
citizens.
The books really cover a wider field
than Arizona, since that territory was
once a part of New Mexico-and a part
of old Mexico as well--and often vol
umes dealing with other states make
mention of Arizona. In 1908 DR.. Munk,
with the methodic sense of the true
collector, issued a second edition of his
ARIZONA Bibliography," containing a
brief catalogue of the titles and au-
thors, which, Notwithstanding its
brevity, covers some ninety-eight
pages.
with abundant frankness DR.. Munk
in his foreword wrote: at has been my