The Book of Secrets

I stopped by the Library of Congress Jefferson Building today to see the Book of Secrets on display. Not a real artifact, like the nearby Gutenberg Bible or Waldseemüller Map, rather it's a prop used in the film National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets. I haven't actually seen this film. I undestand the plot has to do with finding a secret book stored at the Library of Congress. In it, US presidents since George Washington have supposedly inscribed all sorts of national secrets, ranging from buried treasure to the Roswell extraterrestrial encounters. The display is under the caption "Hollywood on the Hill". On display is the Book of Secrets used as a prop in the film and the Diary of John Wilkes Booth, another prop. A video explains how the Library assisted with the filming of the movie (scenes were shot on location in the Main Reading Room) and provided assistance in the preparation of the props (advice on period inks and handwriting styles). I think the exhibit, on display for a limited time, shows the library has a sense of humor!