he should be given every opportunity possible to use that acquaintance for the best interests of our State Library. The work thus far accomplished, or in progress, the present personnel, and the spirit which permeates the State Library in each of its departments, all indicate that the request to be placed in the exempt class, as provided for in said act, is reasonable, desirable and just. I should very much dislike to have the Connecticut State Library, now in the front rank, come to be looked upon as so many positions to be filled from a fixed waiting list, rather than as an institution doing a great work for our State and country, and aiming at a maximum of efficiency at a reasonable cost. THE JOSEPH C. MITCHELSON COLLECTION. This collection consists of: 1. Coins-Federal, State, Colonial, and Foreign. 2. Bills-Federal, State, Colonial, Confederate and South American. 3. Tokens-Patriotic, Political, Commemorative and Commercial. 4. Medals-Patriotic, Religious, Historical and Biographical. 5. Library-Books, Pamphlets and Manuscripts relating to Numismatics. This collection was made, not purchased, and is the combined result of time, study, money and untiring love and devotion. It was Mr. Mitchelson's hobby. The special vault in Memorial Hall occupied by the collection is one of two planned for this and similar collections. It is fireproof and, through a special appropriation of $2,000, made by the 1911 General Assembly, equipped with the latest electrical protection, known as the Holmes System, and installed by the American District Telegraph Co. The special interior equipment, which is an innovation in method of storage and exhibition, was planned by Mr. Mitchelson and the State Librarian and was built and installed by the Art Metal Construction Co., Jamestown, N. Y. There are 196 safety deposit boxes, accommodating 5 trays each of a standard size. Each tray will hold from 2 to 36 coin boxes according to the size of box used. The vault also has 10 cupboards for the accommodation of the Special Library. A steel easel of special design, which will accommodate 36 trays of coins at a time, and stands just behind the inner plate-glass door of the vault, furnishes both a convenient method of exhibiting the collection in sections, and at the same time being electrically protected it will guard against such burglarious raids as have recently been made on similar treasures of various museums and galleries. As it was Mr. Mitchelson's intention to have this collection serve as a permanent historical collection which shall easily and authoritatively show the evolution and development of our money, a separate coin box substantially made from cardboard and properly labeled with white lead has been provided for each known variety of each date and issue of the several mints, whether he had succeeded in securing a specimen of that variety or not. As a result there appear in the collection several empty boxes properly labeled, which will bear the legend, "Not yet in collection." By this method Mr. Mitchelson thought to show at a glance what, when and where the several coins of our country had been minted. Six sizes of boxes have been used in installing the collection. While we have been led to think of this collection of coins, bills, tokens and medals as being confined to America, it is interesting to note that there have been already classified coins from over one hundred and twenty foreign governments and municipalities. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE JOSEPH C. MITCHELSON COLLECTION. General Assembly, January Session, A. D. 1913. Whereas, the late Joseph C. Mitchelson of Tariffville has given to the State of Connecticut his large collection of colonial, state, federal, and foreign coins; colonial, state, federal, and foreign currency; patriotic, political, commemorative, and commercial tokens; patriotic, historical, religious, and biographical medals; together with his books, pamphlets, and manuscripts relating to these subjects, and Whereas, said collection should be properly installed in the Connecticut State Library and there form a permanent historical exhibit for the benefit of the people of his native state, therefore |