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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, July 1924-April 1927

ARCH.2003.23, Rendition: 795098

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This is an image of a newspaper clipping from the "Crimson," dated March 20, 1925. It discusses the Second Fogg Museum Expedition preparing to embark on a journey to Western China, with the aim of uncovering treasures of Gobi Art and exploring regions that Marco Polo visited. The article mentions the previous expedition, which ended in May 1923, and highlights the work of Langdon Warner and H. H. F. Jayne who conducted preliminary scouting in China. The expedition involved traveling by cart and camel and spent a month in Pekin making preparations before heading into the interior of China. The expedition discovered a cave-chapel with carved elephants and frescoes, which is described as an important find. The article also touches on the challenges and uncertainties of archaeological work, as well as the significance of the finds to the study of Chinese art. At the bottom of the page, there is a partial article about the "First Fogg Museum Exhibition," but it is cut off and not fully visible.

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This image shows a page from a scrapbook or a collection of newspaper clippings. The page is dated March 20, 1925, and contains several articles and a photograph.

The main article is titled "Second Fogg Museum Expedition Now Preparing in Pekin--First Yielded Treasures of Gobi Art, Seen by Marco Polo." It discusses the preparation for a second Fogg Museum archaeological expedition to Western China. The article mentions that the first expedition, a preliminary scouting trip, ended in May of the previous year and that the findings of the first expedition will be published by the Fogg Museum within the next few years. The article also describes the route of the expedition from Pekin through various provinces and into the Gobi desert.

Accompanying the article is a photograph labeled "FOGG EXPEDITION IN CAMP AT EDZINA." The photograph shows a desert scene with a group of people and tents set up near a large structure, possibly a building or a ruin.

To the left of the main article, there are two smaller articles. The first one is titled "EGYPTOLOGIST TO SPEAK RECEPTION IN FOGG" and discusses a reception in honor of George A. Reisner, a professor of Egyptology at the University. The second article is titled "UNCERTAINTY OF SUCCESS FASCINATES DR. REISNER" and discusses the uncertainty and challenges faced by the expedition.

The page appears to be part of a larger collection, as there are other clippings and notes visible at the edges of the page. The paper has a yellowed, aged appearance, indicating it is from the early 20th century.

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This image shows a single, aged page from a newspaper, likely the Crimson, dated March 20, 1925. The paper has yellowed significantly with time, and its edges are worn and slightly frayed, indicating its age and handling.

The page features several news articles from that period, with the most prominent headline being:


“Second Fogg Museum Expedition Now Preparing in Pekin--
First Yielded Treasures of Gobi Art, Seen by Marco Polo”

This article details the preparations for a second archaeological expedition by the Fogg Museum to Western China, specifically Pekin (now Beijing). It recounts that the first expedition, led by Langdon Warner in 1923, made groundbreaking discoveries of Gobi art — including ancient murals, frescoes, pottery, and artifacts — in Edzina (Kara-Khoja, near Turpan) and Dunhuang. The article notes these findings were “first seen by Marco Polo,” linking them to the famed Venetian traveler’s historical accounts. It also mentions Warner’s departure from Philadelphia to China and his planned journey through Henan province and into the Gobi desert, culminating in visits to Tun Huang (Dunhuang) and the Mogao Caves.

A small photo on the right side of the article, captioned “—Courtesy Alumni Bulletin,” shows a group of men in early 20th-century attire, possibly expedition members in camp at Edzina. Below this photo, a short sidebar reads: “FOGG EXPEDITION IN CAMP AT EDZINA”.


Other notable articles on the page include:

  • “EGYPTOLOGIST TO SPEAK RECEPTION IN FOGG”

    • Announces that Professor George A. Reisner (of Harvard and the Fogg Museum) will speak on his experiences in Egypt and give a lecture on “Room of the Museum” at the Fogg Art Museum on March 23.
  • “UNCERTAINTY OF SUCH FASCINATES DR. REISNER”

    • A follow-up piece quoting Dr. Reisner on the “uncertainty of success” in archaeology. He discusses his work on the Tomb of the Great Pyramid of Gizeh, noting that despite the challenges and unpleasantness of the work, the thrill of discovery and uncovering history — including finds from the Bronze Age — is what drives him. He reflects philosophically on the work of the artist who created the Sphinx and the meaning behind ancient artifacts.

The layout is typical of early 20th-century newspapers: multiple columns of dense text, with bold headline blocks and small, unembellished photographs. The typography and article structure reflect the academic and cultural interests of the time, particularly Harvard’s involvement in archaeology and museum studies.

Overall, this page offers a fascinating snapshot of 1925 archaeological exploration, academic culture, and the public’s fascination with ancient civilizations and the pioneering expeditions to uncover them — most notably through the eyes of the Fogg Museum and figures like Dr. Reisner and Langdon Warner.

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The image shows a spread from a newspaper with two articles. The first article, titled "Second Fogg Museum Expedition Now Preparing in Peking--First Yielded Treasures of Gobi Art, Seen by Marco Polo," discusses the preparations for a second expedition by the Fogg Museum to Western China. It mentions that the expedition is logistically challenging and that the team will be traveling by cart and camel. The article also includes a photo of an expedition camp in the Gobi Desert, showing people in the background. The second article, titled "Uncertainty of Success Fascinates Dr. Reff," discusses the challenges and uncertainties faced by archaeologists, particularly in the context of excavations in Egypt. It mentions the work of Dr. George A. Reisner, an Egyptologist, and the difficulties of archaeological work, such as the need to remove hard rock and the potential for discovering unexpected artifacts.

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The image is a photograph of a page from a newspaper or magazine, likely from the early 20th century, given the style and typography. The page is slightly aged, with visible creases and yellowing of the paper.

The page contains several articles and a photograph. The main article at the top of the page is titled "Second Fogg Museum Expedition Now Preparing in Peking—First Yielded Treasures of Gobi Art, Seen by Marco Polo." The article discusses an archaeological expedition to Western China, focusing on the Gobi Desert. It mentions the preparation of the second Fogg Museum expedition in Peking (Beijing) and highlights the treasures of Gobi art that were discovered during the first expedition. The article is accompanied by a photograph showing a group of people in a desert setting, possibly archaeologists or explorers, with tents and equipment visible in the background.

Below the main article, there are two smaller articles. The first one is titled "UNCERTAINTY OF SUCCESS FASCINATES DR. RE—SAYS PYRAMIDS WERE NOT BY ARCHITECTS" and discusses the work of an archaeologist named Dr. Re, who is fascinated by the uncertainty of success in archaeological endeavors. The article suggests that Dr. Re believes the pyramids were not built by architects but rather by a combination of workers and engineers.

The second smaller article is titled "NO ARTISTS MADE SPHINX" and argues that the Sphinx was not created by artists but rather by craftsmen who worked for their king out of loyalty. The article suggests that the images made by the king were the future life of the king, and that was the balled in those days.

The layout of the page is typical of early 20th-century newspapers, with columns of text and a single large photograph. The typography is serif, and the articles are written in a formal, journalistic style. The photograph is in black and white, which was common for the period. The page is well-organized, with clear headings and subheadings to guide the reader through the content.

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The image depicts an open book or newspaper spread featuring two articles from the Cambridge Tribune, dated March 20, 1925. The layout includes text and accompanying illustrations, providing historical context about archaeological and expeditionary activities.

Left Article:

  • Title: "Second Fogg Museum Expedition Now Preparing in Pekin—First Yielded Treasures of Gobi Art, Seen by Marco Polo"
  • Content:
    • The article discusses the Fogg Museum's second expedition to Pekin (Beijing), which is preparing for a journey to the Gobi Desert.
    • It highlights that the first expedition yielded significant treasures of Gobi art, some of which were reportedly seen by Marco Polo during his travels.
    • The article mentions Dr. George Arthur Plimpton, a professor at Harvard University, who is leading the expedition.
    • It describes the Harvard-Yenching Institute and its collaboration with the Fogg Art Museum, noting that the expedition aims to gather artifacts and study the region's history.
    • The article also references the University of Pennsylvania Museum and its role in supporting the expedition, as well as the American Academy in Rome.

Right Article:

  • Title: "FOGG EXPEDITION IN CAMP AT EDZINA"
  • Content:
    • This article provides a first-hand account of the Fogg Museum's expedition at Edzina, a location in Mongolia.
    • It describes the camp setup, including a pillar that serves as a landmark due to its unique position.
    • The article mentions the trade route from India to China, passing through regions such as Tibet and Kansu, and notes the trade route's historical significance.
    • It discusses the archaeological findings at Edzina, including broken pottery and other artifacts.
    • The article also references Alex Sandor, a trader who guided the expedition, and mentions the Kansu province and its historical importance.
    • There is a mention of Tum Huang, who spent ten days studying the site.

Visual Elements:

  • Text Layout:
    • The articles are formatted in a classic newspaper style, with clear headings, subheadings, and body text.
    • The left article is more detailed and narrative, while the right article appears to be a first-person account or field report.
  • Illustrations:
    • The right article includes an illustration labeled "Courtesy Alumni Bulletin", depicting a camp scene at Edzina. The illustration shows a rugged, mountainous landscape with a structure that resembles a tent or shelter, suggesting the expedition's remote and challenging environment.
  • Typography:
    • The text is printed in a serif font typical of early 20th-century newspapers, with clear spacing and alignment.

Overall Context:

The image captures a historical moment in archaeological exploration, detailing the Fogg Museum's expeditions into the Gobi Desert and Mongolia. The articles provide insights into the scientific, logistical, and cultural aspects of these expeditions, emphasizing the discovery of ancient artifacts and the challenges of fieldwork in remote regions. The inclusion of Marco Polo's reference adds a layer of historical intrigue, linking modern archaeological efforts with ancient travel accounts. The illustration enhances the narrative by visually representing the expedition's setting.

This spread serves as a valuable historical document, illustrating the intersection of archaeology, exploration, and academia in the early 20th century.

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The image shows a page from an old book or newspaper, with the title "Second Fogg Museum Expedition Now Preparing in Pekin - First Yielded Treasures of Gobi Art, Seen by Marco Polo" at the top.

  • The page is yellowed and worn, indicating its age.
    • The text is in black ink and appears to be a news article or report.
    • The article discusses the second Fogg Museum expedition to Pekin, China, and the treasures they have uncovered.
    • The article mentions that the expedition is preparing to leave Pekin and that the first yielded treasures include Gobi art seen by Marco Polo.
  • A small photograph is included in the article, showing a group of people standing in front of a large stone structure.
    • The photograph is in black and white and appears to be a historical image.
    • The people in the photograph are dressed in traditional clothing and are standing in front of a large stone wall or monument.
  • The background of the image is a plain gray color, which helps to highlight the details of the page.
    • The gray background also gives the image a sense of simplicity and elegance.

Overall, the image appears to be a historical document or artifact that provides insight into the past. The article and photograph suggest that the Fogg Museum expedition was a significant event in the history of archaeology and art.

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This image presents a page from an old scrapbook or newspaper, featuring a collection of articles and clippings. The page is yellowed with age, indicating its vintage nature.

Article Titles:

  • "Second Fogg Museum Expedition Now Preparing in Pekin--First Yielded Treasures of Gobi Art, Seen by Marco Polo"
  • "Fogg Expedition in Camp at Edzina"
  • "Uncertainty of Success Fascinates Dr. Reisner"

Article Content:

The articles appear to be related to archaeological expeditions, specifically the Fogg Museum Expedition, which is mentioned in two of the titles. The content of the articles is not fully legible due to the yellowing of the page and the presence of other clippings on top of the text.

Additional Features:

  • A handwritten note in the top-left corner reads "George A. Reisner '95, Professor of Egyptology in the University."
  • A small photograph is included in one of the articles, depicting a desert landscape with a few buildings or ruins in the distance.
  • The page has a worn and torn appearance, suggesting that it has been handled extensively over time.

Overall, this image provides a glimpse into the past, showcasing the interests and activities of individuals involved in archaeological expeditions during the early 20th century.

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The image is a scan of a yellowed newspaper page, likely from the early 20th century, with a prominent headline that reads "Second Fogg Museum Expedition Now Preparing in Pekin... First Yielded Treasures of Gobi Art, Seen by Marco Polo." The article is accompanied by a black-and-white photograph of an archaeological expedition in the desert, titled "FOGG EXPEDITION IN CAMP AT EDZINA."

The page appears to be part of a bound collection or scrapbook, as evidenced by the visible binding on the left side. The text is arranged in a traditional newspaper format, with multiple columns and articles.

Key Features:

  • Headline: "Second Fogg Museum Expedition Now Preparing in Pekin... First Yielded Treasures of Gobi Art, Seen by Marco Polo"
  • Photograph: "FOGG EXPEDITION IN CAMP AT EDZINA" (black-and-white)
  • Article Content: Discusses the Fogg Museum's archaeological expedition to the Gobi Desert
  • Page Condition: Yellowed, aged paper with visible binding on the left side
  • Format: Traditional newspaper layout with multiple columns and articles

Overall, the image presents a historical newspaper article and photograph related to an archaeological expedition, providing insight into the activities and discoveries of the Fogg Museum's expedition to the Gobi Desert.

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The image presents a vintage newspaper clipping, yellowed with age, featuring a prominent article about the Fogg Museum Expedition. The clipping is set against a plain gray background.

  • Newspaper Clipping
    • The clipping appears to be from the Cambridge Daily Tribune, dated March 20, 1925.
    • It features a mix of articles and photographs related to the Fogg Museum Expedition.
  • Main Article: "Second Fogg Museum Expedition Now Preparing in Pekin..."
    • The article discusses the upcoming second Fogg Museum expedition to Western China.
    • It mentions that the first expedition yielded treasures of Gobi Art, seen by Marco Polo.
    • The article includes a photograph of the Fogg Expedition in camp at Edzina.
  • Other Articles
    • "Uncertainty of Success Fascinates Dr. Reis"
    • "Fogg Expedition in Camp at Edzina"
  • Photograph
    • A black-and-white photograph shows a desert landscape with a large stone structure in the background.
    • The photograph is accompanied by the caption "Fogg Expedition in Camp at Edzina."

In summary, the image showcases a vintage newspaper clipping from the Cambridge Daily Tribune, dated March 20, 1925, featuring articles and a photograph about the Fogg Museum Expedition to Western China. The clipping provides insight into the expedition's preparations, discoveries, and experiences.