tot de Dierkunde 58 1-6 - 1988 Bijdragen , (1):

Editorial

The first 150 years of “Artis” and the Artis Library

This the of scientific year, 1988, Royal Zoological Society periodicals grew steadily. Of

“Natura Artis abbreviated Westerman also members Magistra” (usually course, encouraged

is its 150th the His to “Artis”) celebrating anniversary. to donate books to Society. success is

all the attention evident from the During festivities, hardly any long lists of donations to the

has been the fact that its also recorded in the paid to library was library Society's yearbooks

founded in 1838. In order to this M. Westerman Son his rectify this, published by & (i.e.,

editorial briefly reviews the history of the Artis father and himself) between 1852 and 1875.

Library and its superb collection. The above-mentioned incunabulum by Bar-

It is known that from the tholomaeus is listed in the 1868 very beginning Anglicus year-

books donated the for were to Society; instance book, together with 76 other famous works, as

Buffon edition in a complete was acquired the a substantial gift of the Ladies G. and J. M.

first of the existence. little Radink from year Society’s Very Amsterdam.

has been published on the early history of the Furthermore, at auctions of libraries and col-

much relevant infor- lections Society’s library, although of private collectors, apart from zoo-

mation be found in the “Artis” archives can logical material, also many books, periodicals,

in animal (now deposited the Amsterdam municipal and even collections of portraits were

archives). bought. A large collection of drawings and

From in the 1860 in 1866 the auction a lithograph Society's year- engravings was acquired at

book is evident that extensive col- (fig. 1) it an of books of Professor Th. G. van Lidt dejeude.

lection, containing many great folio volumes, Through the Society's curator, R. T.

had been assembled fast This at a rate. rapid Maitland, the library acquired his "Atlas

initial of the collection due growth was mainly Zoologique", which was inserted in the so-

to the incorporation, in 1856, of the private called "Iconographia Zoologica", in which

of Gerard Frederik Westerman illustrations of animal known library (1807- every species at

who of the founders of the the time This col- 1890), was one were gathered systematically.

and became its second in 1843. Society director lection was considerably augmented by

Westerman had been bookseller and Maitland himself his collec- a publisher by inserting own

and hence he was particularly interested in the tion in the "Iconographia Zoologica" Without Westerman's library. contribution, (Maitland, 1888: 22). Especially in the 19th,

the Artis would have still in Library never grown to but the 20th century, the "Iconographia

become such valuable collection of and a general, Zoologica" has been supplemented con-

zoological and related works, the oldest of sulted regularly. The collection is kept in which Dutch edition (a of "De Proprietatibus wooden boxes and is still extant in the Artis

Rerum" Bartholomaeus by Anglicus) dates Library, but the drawings, watercolours, etc.

from 1485. For Westerman had have been removed best instance, to guarantee the possi-

subscribed the folio works of ble The to ornithological preservation. latter part of the collec-

that in instalments tion contains of such John Gould, were published several treasures art, as

the time. These later at subscriptions were con- original drawings of Joseph Wolf, Maria tinued by the Society. In 1848 Westerman Aart and Sibylla Merian, Schouman, many founded the tot de others. Some of these periodical "Bijdragen drawings are very impor- Dierkunde" this with other and, by exchanging tant for zoological studies, since they either scientific societies and the number extinct academies, represent type-specimens or species

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1. The in 1860. Emrik after 121 Fig. library Lithograph by & Binger an anonymous drawing (164 x mm), reproduced from the frontispiece in: Jaarboekje van het Koninklijk Zoölogisch Genootschap Natura Artis Magistra, 1860 (M.

Westerman & Zoon, Amsterdam).

After 1868 the and in (see, e.g., Tuijn, 1969; Tuijn & Van der Feen, library grew steadily

and 1881 1969; Pieters, 1980). the first catalogue was published, com-

In 1868 the moved the librarian library to a new building piled by first officially appointed

for in eclectic whose is known Mr. G. In especially designed it, style, by name to us, Janse.* the well-known entries Dutch architect Gerlof Bar- this catalogue (Janse, 1881) 4381 are tholomeus Salm the in with (1831-1897). Nowadays arranged systematic sequence an library is still housed there, at Plantage Mid- alphabetic index. In the jubilee volume of denlaan Zoo In 1869 de Dierkunde" the 45A, next to the (fig. 2). "Bijdragen tot published on and in the 1870's the occasion of the 50th of the early library building was anniversary Society, appreciably extended, in two phases, to house Maitland (1888: 23) mentions that the library several of the than Society's museum collections. collection was housed on more 1200

This "fauna so-called building" of which the metres of shelving.

is the has right-hand part * occupied by library, Before arrival in the the Janse's library, following per- been placed on the monument list of the of city sons have incidentally acted as librarian: G. F. Wester- Amsterdam. man himself, R. T. Maitland, and P. H. Witkamp.

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Fig. 2. The library building in 1868. Lithograph by Emrik & Binger, W. Hekking del. (161 x 114 mm), reproduced from the frontispiece in: Jaarboekje van het Koninklijk Zoölogisch Genootschap Natura Artis Magistra, 1868 (M.

Westerman & Zoon, Amsterdam).

listed in Librarian Janse was succeeded by Johanna this catalogue. In her foreword, Schef-

Scholten in who in succeeded fer attention the 1912, turn was by (1939: 115) pays special to

Mrs. G. A. Jonges in 1920. Her successor, splendid collection of Linnaeana (works by or

Johanna Scheffer, stayed from 1926 until 1954. related to Linnaeus). The growth of this collec-

These in the tion resulted from exhibitions were hard times for the library: two organized by crisis had the the first the occasion of the years many subscriptions to journals Society, on

100th to be cancelled and funds for acquiring books anniversary of Linnaeus's death in 1878

limited. that and the other were extremely However, during (Coster & Janse, 1878) during the

the dona- Botanical in timethere was one positive note, viz., 6th International Congress tion of the private library of the famous Amsterdam in 1935 (Mac Gillavry, 1935).** zoologist Professor Max Wilhelm Carl Weber

in the 1930's. On the occasion of the 100th ** In 1967 the Linnaeana collection has been extended

the anniversary of Society, Johanna Scheffer considerably by the acquisition of the Linnaeana collec-

exhibition of the tion ofthe F. C. Fischer with organized an most interesting entomologist J. (1902-1973)

financial aid from the Prins Bernhard Fund. Since of the its then, treasures library; catalogue was pub- the Linnaeana collection in the University of Amsterdam lished in vol. 27 of "Bijdragen tot de (including the Linnaeana in the University Library and in Dierkunde" The most famous (Scheffer, 1939). the library of the Netherlands' Entomological Society)

works and of the third printed most unique manu- seems to be in the world, after those in London and

in scripts and drawings present the library are in Uppsala.

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The and In 1939 the Society was saved from bank- malacological ichthyological collec-

tions ruptcy by the transference of the ownership of of the Zoological Museum, which all for the live two-thirds "fauna its possessions, except animals, to occupied the other of the the city of Amsterdam. From then onward the building", have recently (1988) been moved to

Society's library and its "dead" zoological col- other University premises at the nearby lections have been incorporated in the Univer- Mauritskade and Salm's building with its large

Amsterdam. In 19th with balustrade sity of fact this was a logical century reading room (fig.

the has been declared State step, as greater part of the zoological collec- 3) a monument. The tions of the Society had already been curated by remainder of the building will be adapted to the staff of the Zoological Museum of the lodge two other libraries: that of the Zoological

University since 1892. Professor Max Weber Museum and the Library ofthe Foundation for

the first Scientific in Surinam was director of the Zoological Mu- Research and the

He Professor Lieven Antilles. in Salm's seum. was succeeded by Netherlands Thus, 1988,

Ferdinand de Beaufort in 1922 and by Professor intention that the whole "fauna building"

Hendrik in 1950. would one be destined for Engel day library purposes

Since then, the catalogue of the library had to has been fulfilled. As a matter of fact, the be incorporated within the catalogue of the building is also notable for the white marble

task that in the with University Library, a lengthy was plates set fagade on both sides,

in 1958. with completed Furthermore, a new library engraved names heightened gold (see fig.

The board was established and since its transition to 4). names are: the University, the library has been under the On the street side: On the Zoo side: of the so-called "Artis supervision Library ARISTOTELES T. PENNANT

Committee". from the this Apart librarian, PLINIUS J.R. FORSTER committee consists of the director of the Artis C. GESNER P.S. PALLAS

P. BELON LAMARCK Zoo, the University Librarian, and two Univer- J.B. DE

J- RAIJ F. DE AZARA sity professors of zoology. The University A. v. LEEUWENHOEK J.F. BLUMENBACH Librarian excepted, this committee also func- J.F. GRONOVIUS F. LEVAILLANT tions as the editorial board of "Bijdragen tot de J. SWAMMERDAM A. WILSON Dierkunde" since 1959. M.S. MERIAN A. VON HUMBOLDT

After Scheffer's death after Johanna (shortly A. SEBA G. CUVIER her in retirement) 1954, several library G. EDWARDS J.F. NAUMANN

of the assistents University Library came once R.A.F. DE REAUMUR C.J. TEMMINCK

twice week maintain the Artis P. ARTEDI M.H.K. LICHTENSTEIN or a to Library.

C. v. LINNE A.M.C. DUMERIL Thanks to the efforts of Professor Engel, the BUFFON L. DE J. VAN DER HOEVEN library came under the administration of the L.J.M. DAUBENTON L.C. BONAPARTE Zoological Museum in 1961. More funds then P. CAMPER W. VROLIK became available for the and its staff library, M.J. BRISSON ISID. GEOFFROIJ increased. Drs. the first Johan J. Frieswijk was librarian under the Museum direc- Zoological These are the names of famous scientists whose

and he Drs. Piet of torate, was succeeded by Tuijn works are present in the Artis Library. Many in 1964 and the in 1969. At the these books old like other in by undersigned are very and, ones

the collection present time, library comprises the collection, badly need restoration. There-

2100 of book is metres shelving (about 80,000 fore, a spacious restoration workshop to

The volumes). library is mainly consulted by be established on the ground floor and another

of the will be zoological taxonomists and historians of large part ground floor especially

in the science, although the number of researchers conditioned, so as to prevent acidification of

and of is Tradi- The of Amsterdam history, history art, increasing. woody paper. University tionally, the library is accessible to visitors of realizes the value of this unique library: the Zoo and thus the the to general public. investments have been made to safeguard

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Fig. 3. Reading room of the Artis Library in 1988. The bust on the left represents G. F. Westerman and the one in the middle Charles Darwin (photo: L. A. van der Laan).

Fig. 4. Detail of the facade of the “fauna building” showing some of the marble plates with names of famous scientists

(photo: L. A. van der Laan).

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survival of both the collection and its building D. Mac Gillavry and of "Natura Artis Magistra"

Amsterdam. ofthe ofbooks in the future. Thus, with these promises in In: Catalogue exhibition

to be held in a locality of the Royal Zoological the for mind, prospects our unique library Institution "Natura Artis Magistra": 13-43 (Vlth be favourable. appear to International Botanical Congress, Amsterdam). Florence F. J. M. Pieters MAITLAND, R. T., 1888. Ontstaan, ontwikkeling en bloei

het van Koninklijk Zoologisch Genootschap "Natura

Artis Magistra" te Amsterdam. Bijdr. Dierk., 1888

REFERENCES 1-30, 1 (feest-nummer): map.

PIETERS, F. F. M., 1980. Notes the J. on menagerie and

[COSTER, D. J. & G. JANSE], 1878. Linnaeana, in zoological cabinet of Stadholder William V of

Nederland 10 directed Aernout Vosmaer. Soc. aanwezig. Tentoongesteld op Januari Holland, by J.

1878 in het Koninklijk Zoologisch Genootschap Biblphy. nat. Hist., 9 (4): 539-563.

"Natura Artis Magistra" te Amsterdam: [i-ii], 1-59, SCHEFFER, J., 1939. De tentoonstelling van boeken,

1 2 additional 4 additional andere uit de bibliotheek pi., pages "Nagekomen", teekeningen en voorwerpen

12 additional van het "Natura pages "Aanwijzigen", pages Koninklijk Zoologisch Genootschap

"Plechtige herdenking van Linnaeus' leven en Artis Magistra", ter gelegenheid van het 100-jarig

werken" (Scheltema & Holkema, Amsterdam). bestaan van het Genootschap. Bijdr. Dierk., 27: 115-

[JANSE, G.], 1881. Catalogus der Bibliotheek van het 163, pis. VII-VIII.

Natura Artis Koninklijk Zoologisch Genootschap TUIJN, P., 1969. Notes on the extinct pigeon from

Magistra te Amsterdam: i-xii, 1-563 (Scheltema & Mauritius, Alectroenas nitidissima (Scopoli, 1786).

Holkema, Amsterdam). Beaufortia, 16 (218): 163-170.

1935. & VAN DER MAC GILLAVRY, D., Linnaeana, exhibited on occa- TUIJN, P. P.J. FEEN, 1969. On some eighteenth

of Linne's animal of interest for sion of the bicentenary "Systerna century portraits systematic Naturae", Ed. I (mainly from the collections of Dr. zoology. Bijdr. Dierk., 39: 69-79, figs. 1-17.

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