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R Brashear (Smithsonian Libraries)
The history of astronomy has long been presented to audiences via the written word. Another alternative has been to use astronomical books themselves in exhibitions to illustrate the history of the field. Early attempts at exhibitions tended to rely on the "greatest works" to portray the highlights of astronomical discovery, but more recent developments have concentrated on more coherent themes and utilize a wider range of historical works. This paper will explore the development of the astronomical book exhibition as well as how new technologies are allowing the rare books to enter innovative public arenas.
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