Smithsonian Libraries

Mark Catesby's America

David Elliott, Nancy Gwinn, Leslie Overstreet,
and Cynthia Neal
2008-06-09-dscn4174
Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Smithsonian Libraries presented "Mark Catesby's America: Symposium and Panel Discussion" on June 9, 2008.

The symposium featured Dr. Storrs Olson (National Museum of Natural History), D. Therese O'Malley (National Gallery of Art), and Leslie Overstreet (Curator of Natural History Rare Books, Smithsonian Institution Libraries).

Dr. Alan Feduccia, professor of Biology and Department Chair at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, presented the keynote address, "Mark Catesby and his Natural History of Carolina ... : an Introduction and perspective."

The event, held at the Freer Gallery of Art, was attended by over 150 guests.

Following the symposium, the audience was treated to the Washington premier of The Curious Mr. Catesby. The documentary film, introduced by producers David J. Elliott and Cynthia Neal. The film, an excellent overview to the life and work of Catesby, features Leslie Overstreet and the Cullman Library.

A reception followed at the Freer Gallery of Art.

View images from the Smithsonian Libraries' copy of Catesby's Natural History.

Panama Canal Zone Post Office Finding Aid

We have also created a finding aid for the Panama Canal Zone Post Office collection -

• Which consists of correspondence, newspaper and journal articles, government documents, stamp design files, photographs and other illustrations. The files cover the history of the Panama Canal Zone Post Office from 1904 to 1999.

Please look at the finding aid - http://www.sil.si.edu/digitalcollections/NPM/ - and post your comments in the comment box below.

General and Stamp Design Files of the 3rd. Assist. Postmaster General

The National Postal Museum Library is one of the largest and most important research facilities for the study of philately and the history of postal services in the world. Supplementing the collection of publications on philately and postal history are major document collections including:

• General files of the Third Assistant Postmaster General - contain documentation on the stamp design and production process, covering issues such as paper, inks, engraving and printing methods, production numbers, and public reaction to the stamp designs.
• Stamp design files of the Third Assistant Postmaster General - especially strong from 1920 to 1970, the files are arranged by Scott number and type, including regular issue, commemorative, and airmail stamps.

Please take a look at the finding aids - http://www.sil.si.edu/digitalcollections/NPM/

and let us know your reaction in the comment box below.