Page:Library Administration, 1898.djvu/218

 national library possesses scores of books represented, as far as is known, by those single copies only, which must always be exposed, at least in some small degree, to risks of fire, whereby they would be entirely lost to the studious world. The reproduction of facsimiles of such books is in the highest degree desirable. The advantages of photography again are enormous for the bibliographer, especially for the study of types and illustrations. Any one who has been engaged in tracing the development of early book-illustrations knows the exasperation that ensues on finding a perfectly familiar cut in an unexpected place, and being unable to refer to it in its original position. Measurements and descriptions may be made, but form poor substitutes for a reproduction of the cut itself. Photography may be employed for the reproduction of leaves worn out by use, as has been done at the British Museum in the case of the "Key to Poole's Index," and for the reproduction of catalogues that have gone out of print. In some great libraries the pressure of these needs has brought forth good results. The University of Oxford has established a photographic department in connection with the Bodleian Library, and has the additional advantage of a University Press at which to print the facsimiles. At the Vatican Library photographic reproduction is permitted, and even encouraged. At the British Museum the facilities afforded for taking photographs are made use of with ever-increasing