The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-06-30

But the most interesting story of all in
nection with the presentation of this unique pag-
cant is the story of the worldwide search for
the pictures which went into it. 1t is the story
of adventure in American history, roman
tic an adventure in many Of its aspects as any
incident which is recorded in school his
tories. For it is the story of nine-year search
through private collections and those of gov.
ernmental bodies. historical societies. Libraries,
museums, art galleries, learned societies and
Institutes and religious and educational institu-
tons not only in this country but in foreign
countries as well. 1t is the story of some fine
detective work" in following clews some Of
which ended successfully and some Gnsuccess-
fully, of persistence and perseverance in the
face Of battling problems and seemingly fnsuper-
able obstacles-all in the name Of historical ac-
curacy! But out of it all came total of more
than 10000 authenticated pictures the basis
for what is now recognized the first and thus
far the only real source book of Pictorial Amer
icana. incidentally, when the work was COM
pleted it represented the expenditure for cap
ital account of more than S3S2,OO0 probably the
largest spent for single piece of
historical research but a very modest amount
when compared to the value and Importance Of
the results obtained.
In considering the task before the Yale au-
thorities it must be remembered that American
history began long, long, before there were
cameras to record historic incidents they
recorded today. So the only pictorial record
we have of some events of the greatest his
torical Importance made by artists
equipped only with the crudest sort of instru-
ments and materials for their work. But the
Importance of their accomplishment lies in the
fact that they furnished contemporary rec
ords' and the modern camera can be used for
copying their work.
And here again comes in the matter of cost
in producing 1.-The Pageant Of America" for in
many cases the cost of securing copy of some
individual picture ranged anywhere from 500
up to $3.50. In two of the volumes of the series
are II fullpage Illustrations (such is shown
above) which reproduce in colors the uniforms
worn by participants in the various American
wars. These pictures were made by a distin-
guished historical artist who devoted two and
a half years to the work and the II pages rep
resent a preliminary cost of more than $4,000
or an average of $3.50 EACH Another costly
feature the special picture maps of a de-
sign which makes it easier for the reader to
visualize the topography which certain
military campaigns were conducted or over
which certain trade routes or emigration routes
ran. The copy for many of these maps cost as
much $3.50.
The search for authentic paintings, daguerreo-
types, Autographs and engravings of contem-
porary events and for charters commissions
and other documents preserved in official ar
chives took the Research staff Of "The Pageant
of America" into many strange places. 1t was
recognized at the start that the discovery Of
America was only an incident in the discovery
Of Asia and that to Illustrate the background
Of the beginnings of American history it would
be necessary to find pictures which would show
the influences in Europe as far back as the
time Of Carpini and Marco Polo. which led ul-
timately to Columbus attempt to find the route
to Asia by sailing west. So the earliest dated
picture in the Pageant" il a page from the