19th century American needlepoint
litany of movements would flower, in the 20th century,
in Abstract Expressionism and photography as fine art.
To visit these collections is to know the antecedents. It
would also, in fits and starts, with plenty of prejudice and
resistance to go round, result in a society, which from the
beginning was built on diverse streams of immigration.
Remarkably, Dallas Platt would assemble a uniquely
important collection of early maps with concentration on
those involving the discovery and exploration of the New
World. Fittingly, the collection is anchored by the first
map ever printed. A letter from Columbus to his patron,
Queen Isabella of Castile, refers to "islands in the Indian
Sea," which he recently discovered. Of course, he was
referring to what would be named as America.
HYLAND
