Evening star., 1948-04-04
Machen Collection

Machen Collection
The appearance Of Washington
during its first century is of in
terest to every one who loves the
city. Just as we cherish early pho
tographs OF some beloved person
Who has reached the age of wrinkles
and craving hair, we enjoy glimpses
OF the infant and adolescent Ma
tions Capital. An outstanding Sc
lection of such records Is on view at
the Arts Club through April 16,
through the courtesy of the Column
bia Historical Society.
This venerable organization pur-
chased last winter from Thomas
Machen Of Baltimore his collection
OF 534 early Washington prints
some Of them Of the utmost rarity.
They range from the early days of
the Republic through the post
Civil War decade. Nearly 100 of
them are being shown at the Arts
Club, including pictures OF the
United States Capitol, the Presi-
dents House, the Monument and
many other outstanding buildings
in various stages Of development.
Valuable old maps dating from 1892
(the first engraved map) to 1857
help to make the city's growth vivid.
This remarkable collection was
assembled during II years of pains
taking effort by Mr.. Machen, whose
r4ch architectural experience enabled
him to select and evaluate the finer
materials from an artists viewpoint,
rather than that wholly Of an anti
quarian or historian.
The Columbia Historical Society is
particularly pleased to have secured
this interesting and valuable collec-
ton for the City of Washington.
because Of the plans now being
made to celebrate in 1850, the 15Oth
anniversary OF the establishment of
the seat of the National Govern
ment here. -.
The Arts Club exhibition appears
to be a good sampling of the COL
lection. 1t includes old engravings,
many Of them hand-colored, rare
old aquatints, woodcuts, lithographs
in black and white and many in
colors dncluding one or two views
on old sheet music, original water
colors and wash drawings. The
latest in date is a woodcut from
Leslies Weekly, March, 1889, illus
trating the Harrison inaugural ball
in the Pension Building.
Celebrity Interview
1t. Col. Irvine Russell, discoverer
Of the German museum MASTER
pieces $1,000 feet underground in
the salt mines near Merkers, Ger
many, in 1945, and John Walker.
chief curator of the National Gallery
Of Art, where 202 of these treasures
are now on view. were questioned at
a celebrity interview" last Monday
In the Palladian Room at the Shore
ham Hotel.
The quiz, sponsored by the Artists
Guild Of Washington, was arranged
by Marjorie Wood. Herman Warner
Williams, jr., director of the Cor
coran Gallery of Art, was chairman.
Other guests were well-known art
lists, museum people and art educa-
tors. Seven representatives Of the
press and art organizations who
questioned 1t. Col. Russell and Mr..
Walker were Thomas c. Parker.
director Of the American Federation
of Arts, publisher of the Magazine
of Art; John Galloway, editor of
American University's Right Angle,
and Elizabeth Benson OF the same
magazine; Jose Gomez Sicre, art
specialist Of the Pan American
Union, and Art Editors Jane Watson
Crane of the Washington Post, vylla
Poe Wilson of the Times Herald
and Florence S. Bergman of The
Sunday Star.
\ -
Creative Arts Club OF Arlington
County is exhibiting members works
at the Alexandria Library through
April II. r