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Illustration
of the platypus
Reproduced from Bilderbuch für
Kinder: Enthaltend eine angenehme
Sammlung von Thieren, Pflanzen,
Blumen, Früchten … 12 vols
Weimar, Germany: im Verlage des
Landes-Industrie-Comptoirs, 1798–1830
RBRS N 500.83 B595
[CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE]
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Building
a National Collection
Part 2: Auctions/Internet
The National Library aims to preserve Australia’s
documentary heritage. One of the ways this is achieved is by collecting
rare books, ephemera and, occasionally, objects relating to Australia.
Known collectively as ‘Australiana’, these items reflect many aspects
of Australian life and range from souvenirs of sporting events to early
handbills and war memorabilia. How some of these items come into the Library’s
collection provides an insight into the many ways we collect. Building
a National Collection, Part 2, discusses the way in which auctions
and the Internet have had an impact on the collecting activities of the
Library.
The vast resources of the Internet have had a major influence on collecting
activities, with many items now being sourced via this medium. The Internet
has been invaluable as a tool for retrospective acquisitions, enabling
the Library to locate material from all corners of the globe. For more
recent material the Internet is also a valuable source, particularly in
acquiring material from organisations and/or those publications which
are often not available through the usual commercial channels.
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All
England v. Australia (reverse)
Sydney: Gibbs, Shallard, and Co., [c.1900]
greeting card; 13.5 x 17.5 cm
Ephemera Collection (Cricket)
[CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE]
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A major acquisition acquired from the Internet was Friedrich Bertuch’s
Bilderbuch fur Kinder (Weimar, 1798–1830). Bilderbuch
is a children’s encyclopaedia of essentially natural history, published
in 237 parts over nearly 40 years in Germany.
It contains approximately 60 references to Australian flora and fauna,
including the earliest published description, illustration and classification
of the platypus. An example of a very recent Internet acquisition is that
of The Shell Fairy Calendar, 1924/25 (Melbourne, 1923?). This calendar
is beautifully illustrated by the renowned Australian artist Ida Rentoul
Outhwaite. It is remarkable that something as ephemeral as a calendar
has survived in such excellent condition.
Auctions, both in Australia
and overseas, are another regular source for collection material, providing
access to both old and new items. Material acquired via auction ranges
from historical items of early Australiana to the more ephemeral items
such as programs for sporting events, theatre performances, posters and
broadsides. Auctions are a slightly less reliable avenue for acquisitions
due to the uncertain nature of auctions—the ‘mood’ of the market or the
particular auction has an impact on success. One interesting piece of
cricketing ephemera acquired at an auction in the United Kingdom is that
of a small greeting card entitled All England v. Australia (Sydney,
1900) produced for the Australian cricket tour to England in 1900. As
well as the image, the card also includes an interesting poem on the contest
between the Australian and English cricket teams.
Rosalind McDonald, Australian Collection
Development
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