“Historic Census Maps and Manuscripts” Exhibit

This exhibit features a copy of the first National Atlas of the United States, published in 1874, which presents maps based on census statistics. Also on exhibit is an original copy of the Boston Weekly Messenger from March 6, 1812, which was the first publication of the map that served as the inspiration for the term “Gerrymander.” Copies of local historical manuscript census schedules also display the residences during the early 20th century of Providence-born author H.P. Lovecraft.

“Using the Census for Research” Exhibit

This exhibit presents an overview of the U.S. decennial census, its Constitutional authority, and how the enumeration has changed over the years. Also featured are examples of how census data are used by students, faculty, and other researchers to examine a wide variety of topics and interests.

Come to visit the East Asian Book Art Exhibition in the North Gallery of the John Hay Library. The exhibit will last through March 19, 2010. The items are selected from East Asian Collection in the Rock Library, which probably is the first exhibition of its kind in the country.
East Asian Book Art Exhibition
North Gallery of the John Hay Library, Brown University
Dec. 16, 2009 – March 19, 2010
East Asian countries, China, Japan, and Korea, are not only proud of their long history of paper production and book printing, but also of their development of wonderful book design and binding art. China especially now produces more books than any other country in the world, and has witnessed an increasing growth of newly designed books in recent years. We think it´s time to introduce this new trend of book art to our library patrons.
Combining the best of traditional design with modern colors and patterns, these books often use various “real” materials, such as painted porcelains, embroidery, coins, stamps, wood, leather, and special paper, to bring the readers into close touch with both culture and nature. The designs and shapes of the books and book covers/cases are also varied and vivid. In terms of content, the historical range covers nearly 5,000 years. The subject fields include East Asian history, literature, philosophy, religion, military art, fine art, calligraphy, and folk arts. Themes range from ancient bamboo slips to modern music CDs; from Confucian classics to Chairman Mao´s “Little Red Book”; from the printed Buddhist canon of Korea to Japanese ukiyo-e art; and from woodblock printing to Peking opera makeup. All these reflect the essence of the rich and colorful East Asian cultures.
The exhibition is in the North Gallery of the John Hay Library. There are also two large pictures of the Gardner Room in the Rockefeller Library posted on the wall of the exhibition room. The Gardner Room´s traditional Chinese bookcases are unique in North America.
Hope you will stop by the exhibition and enjoy the book art!

Windows into Early Science and Craft: Selections from the Persian Manuscripts of the Minassian Collection
Curated by Dr. Elaheh Kheirandish, Harvard University
Main Gallery, John Hay Library
20 Prospect Street, Providence, RI 02912
Open to the Public
March 12 – April 5, 2010
Hours

This exhibit presents the subject of early science and craft through a selection of Persian manuscripts from the Minassian Collection, a rich treasury of artistic and textual items donated to Brown University by Adrienne Minassian, the daughter of Kirkor Minassian, the active art collector and dealer of Central Asian origin. Two themes predominate in the selections: the science of the stars and the technology and craft of warfare. In this they mirror several of the other major collections of the John Hay Library dealing with the history of science and the military. Here we see these themes examined in the context of medieval Persian book arts with its traditions of manuscript calligraphy and miniature paintings. The display includes a number of folios from the famous Persian epic, the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi, also known as the “Book of Kings.”

The cataloging of the Minassian manuscripts was undertaken in 1999 by the present curator of this exhibit in collaboration with the late Professor David Pingree of Brown University as part of a project sponsored by the American Committee for South Asian Manuscripts (ACSAM). This exhibit is the first display of any part of the vast and rich Persian manuscript collection, and is presented in conjunction with courses in Comparative Literature and Medieval Studies. Several of the contributors to text of the exhibit are by area students.
For more on the Minassian collection and its collection of Persian, Indian and Moghul miniatures see:
http://dl.lib.brown.edu/minassian/

A volume of John James Audubon’s master work, The Birds of America, is on display on the main floor of the John Hay Library. Each plate will be on display for only one month. This month’s bird is the “Reddish Egret”.
This elephant folio edition of The Birds of America, bound in six volumes, was presented by Albert E. Lownes to the Library on the occasion of his 50th class reunion in 1970.
For more information please contact hay@brown.edu