Frankenstein, the laws of Physics, and a Feline Friend: World of the Book returns for 2023

Invaluable works by the most important women in physics and literature will be on show at State Library Victoria when World of the Book: the rare, the sacred and the iconic returns on 1st April 2023.

In this free exhibition, the first illustrated edition of Mary Shelley’s science-fiction masterpiece Frankenstein, or, The modern Prometheus (1832) makes its debut appearance at the Library. Printed during the author’s lifetime, it is the first edition to contain a preface where Shelley recounts the now famous story of the novel’s inception: on the shores of Lake Geneva during a violent thunderstorm where Mary, her husband Percy Shelley and Lord Byron competed to tell the best ghost story.

Émilie du Châtelet’s most recognised achievement, her French translation of Isaac Newton’s 1687 work, Principia Mathematica, will also be displayed for the first time, alongside her own work Institutions de Physique (1740). A mathematician and natural philosopher, du Châtelet not only translated Newton’s work, but also tested and proved his theories. Her ideas were championed by other leading figures of the French Enlightenment, including Voltaire.

Frankenstein, Principia Mathematica and Institutions de Physique were acquired by the Library’s Women Writers Fund which was established to redress gender imbalance in the State collection.

They are on display alongside almost 340 other items, including:

• Proof that cats have been sitting on our desks and taking part in our work lives for centuries before the pandemic introduced us all to working from home. The Library has discovered mysterious paw prints within the pages of Philip Sidney’s The Countess of Pembrokes Arcadia (1605). Museum Victoria’s mammal curator confirmed that the paw prints on the 400-year-old book belonged to a domestic cat who stepped into an inkwell and then marched across the open book, making a special contribution to history.  

• An examination of the impact of colonialism on Egypt in the 19^th and 20^th centuries, and the Western discovery of Tutankhamen’s Tomb just over 100 years ago. Howard Carter’s account of his stunning discovery in the Valley of the Kings and the 19^th century book that cracked the code of the hieroglyphs, will sit alongside the works of visionary Egyptian writers Tawfiq al-Hakim and Najīb Mahfuz, the first Arabic winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Other exhibition highlights include books on shadowgraphy; astronomy; medieval manuscripts and early-printed books; John Ruskin’s Chess Set alongside Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-glass and What Alice Found There; books with embroidered bindings; books that can’t be opened or read; and a feature display of the Moomins.

State Library Victoria Senior Librarian, History of the Book and Arts, and exhibition co-curator Daniel Wee is excited to share collection treasures with Victorians.

“World of the Book tells the story of how the book as an object has evolved over time and across cultures. From the cuneiform tablet, to manuscripts, incunables and Tibetan palm leaves, to shadow books, graphic novels – even books that were never meant to be read – this exhibition explores the materiality of the book, and how ideas have been communicated and preserved for centuries.”

State Library Victoria CEO Paul Duldig said that World of the Book showcases the best of the State Collection, and points to the future of exhibitions.

“World of the Book is one of the largest rare book exhibitions in the world, right here at the State Library. We are delighted to display works by Emilie Du Chatelet and Mary Shelley with the assistance of the Women Writers Fund for the enjoyment of all Victorians.

“We are also excited to share a preview of a major cutting-edge digital exhibition opening later this year which allows visitors to get closer than ever to the Library’s Rare Books collection.”

World of the Book: the rare, the sacred and the iconic has five themes: Books & Ideas, Books & Imagination, Exploring the World, Art & Nature, and Artists & Books. The exhibition has been running since 2005 and each year attracts around 500,000 visitors, making it the longest running and most popular book exhibition in Australia. This is the 17th iteration of the exhibition, which is completely refreshed each year with a brand-new display of highlights from the Library’s Rare Books collection.

Running from 1 April 2023 – May 2024, World of the Book is located at Dome Galleries, Level 4, State Library Victoria. Virtual tours are also available.

For more information go to slv.vic.gov.au/world-of-the-book

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