38                     Notable Purchases, i$S^-i$)9

rant Hai fang tang in nine volumes, containing photo-reproduc¬
tions of original government documents related to Chinese mari¬
time defense during the 1860-1911 period. This indispensable
source material was edited and published by Academia Sinica in
Taipei, currently directed by Dr. Hu Shih. Two other purchases
of note were the mainland-purchased volume of fine reproduc¬
tions of Sung Dynasty paintings in the Palace Museum collections,
and a collection of 200 volumes of books and 2,100 periodical
issues published in China in the 1930's and now extremely difficult
to acquire.

So in many respects the year 1958-1959 has seen the strength
of the Columbia Libraries increased by the purchase of unique or
very rare and precious materials. But—as it was pointed out a year
ago in these pages—it must not be forgotten that many of these
additions, too, represent gifts, for their acquisition has been made
possible by gift, bequest, and endowment funds that have stemmed
from the generosity of those who wish Columbia well.