Here are two messages concerning the question of what to do with old dealer catalogs. -------Johnnie -------------------------------------- [log in to unmask] Fri Aug 6 17:30:43 EDT 1993 Re: Dealer catalogs Map Div, NYPL keeps most of these catalogs. They are not extensively used, but we feel strongly they are an important part of the historical record of the field of cartography. Our files date from the 1940s or so to the present, with the heaviest files from the 1970s forward. These files have been useful for studies of particular firms and their evolving products over the years. They are useful for price histories. I think they complement the cartographic collections, as a map library is not just a collection of maps. The story behind the maps is important, and if the map librarians don't maintain that story, who does? E.g., where are the General Drafting archives, the Sanborn archives, etc. etc. Sometimes that old catalog from 1948 is the only thing out there...so do think hard before pitching them out. Or think regionally, and keep catalogs for Michigan dealers only...Good luck on this, I know space is at a premium, as it is here, and the time and energy spent on these is not to be ignored, but these ratty little catalogs and lists are part of the cartobibliographic record...sigh, what isn't these days...I'm outta here, it's 5:45 on Friday afternoon, Bye! Alice H. ------------------------------------- Fri, 06 Aug 93 16:32:37 EDT Gwen Curtis <[log in to unmask]> Re: Dealer catalogs Diana: I keep old dealer catalogs because our collection development librarian occasionally asks for examples of significant price increases for various reports he is asked to make. The catalogs make it easy to compare price changes over the years. I keep maybe the last 5 years or so. Gwen Curtis Map Collection University of Kentucky Library Lexington, KY