Excerpt from American Art Directory 1980 When the plan of the American Art Annual was first formulated it seemed to me that there was need of a full, authentic and carefully compiled annual record of the progress of Art and of the more important interests directly connected with Art in America, and letters received from prominent artists, collectors and dealers throughout the country, have proved that this need really exists. The object of the book is to give a concise statement of facts without any attempt at criticism. There have been many difficulties in compiling this initial volume of a series, which it is hoped will come to be regarded as a necessity in the Art world. The thousands of letters sent to artists, directors of museums, dealers, etc., in the Spring of 1898 brought comparatively few responses. To those who sent the information at the time and gave the first encouragement to the work let me here express my thanks. In some cases it took as many as six letters to convince people of the earnestness and sincerity of the purpose. The annual meetings of societies are held at such different periods of the year and reports are published in such various forms that it has caused some confusion in the condensation. The spring meetings are the most satisfactory, and if all societies could be induced to make their fiscal year end in May or June it would, I believe, be of advantage to all concerned. In future volumes the best form will be chosen and all others made to conform to it as much as possible. In many cases there has been difficulty in securing addresses of societies, and some reports were received too late to be included in this issue. There must also be many which are not known to me, and communications from presidents or secretaries of art societies will be gladly received. It Is Requested That All Clubs, Museums, Schools And Societies Shall Send Their Reports. Catalogues, Etc., To The Editor Before September First Of