Library tourney semi #1: rare atlas vs. book on NW marine mammals

After starting with 16 entries, after completing eight first-round and four quarterfinal "games," the Library Jewels tourney has reached the long-awaited semifinals. Last week’s quarterfinals featured three blowouts and one close matchup: The nearly 500-year-old rare atlas crushed the 1910 photo album of northwestern Washington 69 percent to 31 percent. The 1874 book on marine mammals of the Northwest coast edged the Washington territorial censuses 52 percent to 48 percent. The J.W. Thompson photo collection of Washington cruised past the 1784 chart of the Northwest coast 58 percent to 42 percent. And the Dr. Seuss World War II booklet on malaria knocked off the Asahel Curtis photo collection 61 percent to 39 percent. Today’s first semifinal matches the rare atlas against the 1874 book on Northwest marine mammals. You have until Tuesday at 9 a.m. to vote for your favorite using the online poll below. Happy voting! Rare, historic atlas nearly 500 years old