ABSTRACT
The period 1913–1949 was the most important phase in the development of the Chinese collection in the Library of Congress. This chapter briefs on acquisition policy, financial support, and personal influence, leaving more in-depth presentation to their respective sections. The emphasis or acquiring some particular categories of materials during this period resulted in three strong areas. Systematic acquisitions of Chinese books in the Library of Congress started in 1913 when Herbert Putnam commissioned Dr. Hing Kwai Hung to China to purchase books for the Library. The most important acquisition in 1924 was the donation of 65 works in 1,012 volumes by Nelson Trusler Johnson. The Chinese collection was notably enriched in 1928 by the acquisition of the Oriental collection in the John Crerar Library in Chicago. The major emphasis of Chinese acquisition was primarily on the classic literature before the Luther Evans administration. The chapter concludes with a summary highlighting the various aspects of all development throughout the period obtained.
