C. Csapodi, E. Moravek et al.(szerk.): The Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1826–1961.

III. International Exchange Relations of the Academy

Ill INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE RELATIONS OF THE ACADEMY V X he founders of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences planned and considered exchanges as an important means for communication between the Academies. Soon after the foundation, the organization of international cont racts commenced. In 1832—33 an academician, who had been travelling abroad, established the first exchange relation with the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia. The first volume of the Yearbook of the Academy, that had begun its publication in 1833, was sent to the learned societies listed below by tbe virtue of a decision ofthe General Assembly: Institut Frangais, Royal Society of London and Edinburgh, American Philosophical Society, Bayerische Akademie, Göttingische Akademie, Deutsche Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin, Academy of St. Petersburg. Next year the Academy of Florence, the Archaeological Academy of Rome and the Royal Swedish Academy were entered on the mailing list. These exchange consignments constituted the^beginning of the Library's regular exchange activity. A circular sent with the first exchange material laid down a principle that is valid to this day, that the mutual sending of publications was regarded both as the cooperation of peoples earing for the arts and sciences, and as a device for mutual scientific assistance. Count István Széchenyi, the founder ofthe Academy, in the course of his journeys, made to prepare the way for domestic cultural and economical reforms, also made efforts to establish exchange relations with other foreign Academies. On returning he reported that the exchange copy ofthe Bayerische •24