The First Smithsonian Collection: European Engravings of George Perkins Marsh
submitted by Marvin's Underground Evening Lectures
on 10/07/18
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In her book "The First Smithsonian Collection," author Helena E. Wright discussed the 1849 purchase of the Marsh Collection, a group of European engravings and art books that formed part of the library of Vermont Congressman George Perkins Marsh. It was the first collection acquired by the institution and was the first public print collection in the United States. Speaker Biography: Helena E. Wright is curator of graphic arts at the National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution. Her research focuses on the role of graphic media in expanding visual culture. For transcript and more information, visit www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=7309
