National Library of Australia  - Gateways

ISSN 1443-0568 | no. 72 | December 2004


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

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]
 

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.

All England v. Australia (reverse) Sydney: Gibbs, Shallard, and Co., [c.1900]. greeting card; 13.5 x 17.5 cm. Ephemera Collection (Cricket)

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]
 

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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