Overview: Private collection catalogs, mostly from the 17th and 18th centuries, were selected from the rare book holdings of the National Gallery of Art Library for this multipart exhibition, which explored the lavish volumes documenting collections of precious objects acquired by rulers, nobles, and wealthy merchants. 51 books were displayed in East Building library display cases in two groupings, the first opening on February 5 and extending through April, and the second opening in May and extending through July. 13 books were shown in West Building G21.

Organization: The installation was organized by the National Gallery of Art. Neal Turtell, executive librarian, and Yuri Long, rare book specialist, National Gallery of Art Library, were curators.