Special Collections, Baillieu Library

Special Collections contains printed and manuscript material which, for reasons of rarity, fragility, monetary value, unusual format, or historical and bibliographical importance, requires supervised access.
The acquisition policy is broadly one of building on existing strengths and supporting existing or developing research directions of the University.  All works purchased are, wherever possible, acquired in original editions and contemporary bindings.

Special Collections is divided into pre-1920 Australiana (AX) and pre-1880 non-Australiana (BX).  The collections are housed over several locations, with the Rare Book Room housing a miscellany of rare and expensive material, including original editions of Greek and Roman classics and a small number of medieval manuscripts.  This room functions as a ‘museum of the book’ in that it also houses specimens of many of the important printers from the 15th century and many of the important books from that period.  Books in the Rare Book Room are housed in a ‘fixed shelf’ location.

The strongest author collections in the Rare Book Room are the Horace and Catullus collections: there are 81 editions of Horace’s works, dating from 1509 (Aldus Manutius) to 1926 (London: Peter Davis. Limited edition of 500 copies, set by hand in type designed by Rudolph Koch).  The collection contains 25 editions of Catallus’ works, ranging in date from 1491 (Venice: Bonetus Locatellus) to 1924 (A selection of Catallus translated into English in a limited edition of 200 copies).

 European printers of note in the collection include Aldus Manutius (24 of a possible 134 titles) and the Estiennes (44 of several hundred Greek and Roman classics published before 1600), while Baskerville and Foulis are the best represented English printers.  Of Baskerville, we have 18 titles, and of the classics nine are held in more than one copy (which is particularly important for Baskervill books because of the large number of variants).  Of the Foulis Press, 55 titles are held.  The Aldines and Estiennes represent an important venture into the dissemination of printing and are useful for Renaissance studies, studies into Humanism, classics, book production and book binding history.

The Australiana collection was significantly enhanced in 1976 with the acquisition of the personal library of Mr Ian McLaren. An enthusiastic bibliographer and former member of Parliament of Victoria, Mr McLaren assembled a large library which reflected his interests in the active world of politics. Initially numbering some 34,000 books, serials, newspapers, pamphlets, parliamentary papers and ephemera, the collection has grown to about 50,000 volumes through generous donations from Mr McLaren and purchases by the library.

A number of other ‘named’ Australiana collections add areas of strength to the collection, such as the Grimwade Collection, belonging to Sir Russell and Lady Grimwade, was bequeathed to the University in 1973.  Numbering about 1,000 volumes, the collection consists mainly of works of history, voyages, exploration, anthropology and natural history relating to Australia. It also includes significant late 18th to early 19th century editions of fine early plate books.

Special Collections also includes the Print Collection, Baillieu Library, which comprises some 7,000 individual prints and volumes from the 16th to early 20th centuries. It covers many printmaking techniques including woodcuts, wood engravings, copper plates, steel engravings, etchings, mezzotints, aquatints, lithographs and chromolithographs.

Several other library branches at the University of Melbourne include rare books and other special and rare historical materials, covering topics such as architecture, law, maps, and music. For information and contact details see: http://www.unimelb.edu.au/culturalcollections/

Items from Special Collections can be accessed through:
Cultural Collections Reading Room
3rd floor, Baillieu Library
Professors Walk, University of Melbourne VIC 3010
Pedestrian access: Royal Parade, Gate 13

Postal address:
Special Collections
Information Services
Baillieu Library
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Australia
Telephone: (03) 8344 5380
Email:special-collections@unimelb.edu.au
http://www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/collections/special/location.html  

Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday: 9.30am - 5.30pm
Wednesday: 9.30am - 7.30pm
Closed weekends and some public holidays

 

 

 

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