Publication InformationWashington, Feb. 28, 1874

My Dear Mr Marsh.

In writing to you a short time ago I forgot one point that was in my mind at the time. Lucy has become extremely interested in Ceramics, & is collecting samples of the characteristic varieties of ancient & modern porcelain & pottery with all the zeal that her opportunities & slender purse will admit. She is also a fanatic in reference to matters of Classical archaeology, & her imagination has been fired by accounts, occasionally seen in the papers, of recent discoveries in Rome. She is particularly anxious to have access to the Archaeological Bulletin, published by the City Government. I therefore write to ask whether you cannot negotiate for an exchange for this work, from the beginning if possible, with the publications of the Smithsonian Institution, in behalf of any library or institution in Rome. We shall be very glad indeed to send the Annual Reports, & perhaps even the Contributions, if the magnitude of the exchange will warrant it.

Yours Very truly & Sincerely,Spencer F Baird

Hon. Geo. P. Marsh.
U.S. Minister,
Rome,
Italy.

References in this letter:

Lucy Hunter Baird, 1848-1913, the only child of Spencer Fullerton and Mary Helen Churchill Baird. She shared her father's interests in the natural world. As a child, Lucy had, as a pet, a large black snake, whose tail touched the ground when held by Lucy, sitting on her father's shoulders. It was her memoirs and reminisces which formed the majority of the William H. Dall biography of her father.

Archaeological Bulletin of the Muncipality of Rome Rome. Commissione Archeologica. Bulletino: 1872-1920.

Beginning in 1846, annual reports were submitted to Congress by the Smithsonian Institution. Originally limited to the business of the Board of Regents, they developed into a series of reports on research and lectures in different branches of knowledge. They were published as goverment documents and distributed to learned societies.

In 1847 Joseph Henry proposed a publishing program for the Smithsonian Institution to honor Smithson's bequest for the increase and diffusion of knowledge. In 1849, the first volume, edited by Marsh, was published in a series called "Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge." This volume was distributed to 173 foreign institutions and marked the beginning of the Smithsonian's exchange network. Subsequent monographs were based on original scientific work sponsored by the Smithsonian and on Smithsonian collections. The series was apparently conceived as part of a larger series called "Transactions of the Institution."