Maggie Miller, of Grindstone Cattle Company in Daniel, Wyoming, recently donated a
copy of "Native Grasses of the Apache Highlands" by Matilda Essig to the UW Libraries’
Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections, honoring her late husband, James Mickelson Miller
of Big Piney, Wyoming.
Miller studied at UW and this volume bears a heartfelt dedication in his memory.
Dedication to James Mickelson Miller from the copy of "Native Grasses of the Apache Highlands" by Matilda Essig donated by Maggie
Miller to UW Libraries’ Emmet D. Chisum Special Collections
The artwork of grasses contained in this book evoke a story reminiscent of the people
of Wyoming -- one of adaptation and resilience.
Each of the twelve fine art prints print captures the essence of the San Rafael Valley
region's shortgrass prairie, which is the southwestern most intact stand of shortgrass
prairie remaining today. This wild grassland ecosystem, left untouched by cultivation,
holds immense significance from a stewardship perspective.
Essig, the artist, says the frontispiece of a rancher riding among the prairie grass
is an invitation to come, explore and see this natural habitat. She hopes that the
large format of images will allow people to discover that the variation of grasses
mimics the variation in humanity.
A close up view of one of the grasses featured in the "Native Grasses of the Apache
Highlands" by Matilda Essig taken in the Emmet D. Chisum Special Collections Reading
Room
This limited-edition artist's book, one of only 30 copies, finds a home in our collection
alongside just three other esteemed institutions -- The University of Arizona, The
University of Wisconsin-Madison, and UCLA’s Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library.
Cataloging such a unique and rare book requires meticulous attention from our dedicated
team. Our catalogers examined the book carefully to ensure its many details were captured
and accurately recorded. Numerous library employees slowly and safely leafed through
the unbound pages to confirm the contents matched the catalog record.
Amanda Bugbee, Library Specialist, catalogs "Native Grasses of the Apache Highlands"
by Matilda Essig for UW Libraries Special Collections
While all titles in our general collection receive individual barcodes, adhering to
rare book cataloging standards, we opted to preserve the book's integrity by affixing
the barcode to archival-grade paper to be kept with the book, ensuring the book remains
safely stored.
We're thrilled to add this artist's book to our collection and invite all to visit
the Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections reading room to experience its beauty firsthand and contemplate the native grasses
of the prairie.
UW Libraries employees examine the new addition to Special Collections
For more information about the artist, please visit:
Website: Matilda Essig
Instagram: @matilda_essig_studio
Facebook: Matilda Essig Studio
If you are interested in donating Wyomingana-related books to our Special Collections,
please see our Gift Policy.
