Notable Purchases, 1961-1961
 

ROLAND BAUGHiMAN
 

Friends^ Book Account.

Toward the close of the year 1961, the Friends of the Columbia
Libraries—established a "Friends' Book Account", to be used at
the discretion of the Director of Libraries for the purchase of
unusual books and manuscripts "which come on the market from
time to time and which cannot normally be purchased from funds
in the Libraries' budget." The monies in the account were donated
by individual members for the specific purpose or Avere transferred
by the Council from the operating funds of the Friends.

The availability of such a fund has pro\'ed its value many times
in the ensuing months. A number of unique items have been ac¬
quired by means of it, including three important letters by Hector
Berlioz and a lot of six 16th-century manuscripts by the Italian
humanist, Gabutius de Montalbodio; but the most notable acqui¬
sition was a collection (in two separate groups) of nearly two
hundred letters, notes, and telegrams from Nikola Tesla to his
close friend, Robert Underwood Johnson (see Library Columns,
May, 1962). It was, in fact, the availability of these letters, and
the difficulty we faced in obtaining them through rhc use of
regular funds, that stimulated the establishment of this special
account.

Hereafter we shall report in each issue of Library Cohmivs the
use, if any, that has been made of the funds thus contributed by
the Friends, both as individuals and as an organization.

Book manuscripts.

Five book manuscripts were acquired by purchase during the
year, all of prime significance. The earliest (mid-14th century) is
a translation into Italian of Sallust's Conspiracy of Catiline and
 

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