Rare Book Week
About Rare Book Week
Rare Book Week is an annual, Melbourne-wide program of free talks and events that celebrate the importance of books, literacy and literature in our lives. It has been a key event in literary Melbourne’s calendar since 2012.
The Library supports and actively participates in Rare Book Week through free public events held at the Library. Continue reading to learn more about these events and rare books at the Library.
Rare books at the Library
Detail from Robert Thornton's Temple of Flora, printed by T Bensley, London, 1807
What is it that makes a book a rare book? A book may designated 'rare' because it is old or valuable, beautifully produced, a famous work, or all of these.
The Library's Rare Book Collection places particular emphasis on the history of the book, and includes many works that showcase the art and design of book illustration and production techniques. While the majority of the books in the collection are old, we also collect recently published books that show new trends in publishing, such as graphic novels and zines, and books handmade by artists.
Learn more about the Rare Books Collection.
World of the Book
Chart the rise and restyling of the beloved book in this one-of-a-kind exhibition on the history of book design, production and illustration, from the Middle Ages to today.
World of the Book features more than 300 rare, remarkable, historically significant items in the State Collection, uncovering the unique stories they tell and celebrating the unique place books have in our hearts and minds.
Support the Rare Books Collection
Image three: Dictionaries on display, World of the Book
Support the Rare Books Collection by assisting the Library to acquire rare and significant books that will build on its unique and extraordinary holdings, ranging from medieval manuscripts and early printed books, through to 20th century modernist literature and contemporary artists books.
Rare Book Club
Le città continue, Angela Cavalieri. Melbourne, La Bella Press, 2009.
In this show-and-tell video series we explore, inspect and marvel at some of the unique and extraordinary rare books in the Library’s collection.
Ranging from medieval manuscripts and early printed books, through to 20th century modernist literature and contemporary artist books, the Rare Books Collection is full of fascinating holdings just waiting to be shared.
Mystery Box: embroidered book bindings from the 17th century
Small copy of the Eikon Basilike
Watch the Library's Principal Librarian of History of the Book & Arts Anna Welch unbox two exquisite items from our rare books collection with detailed embroidered bindings and mysterious backstories.
Charting the Heavens – The Transit of Venus, James Cook and Astronomy
Historian and author Shane Carmody will reveal how astronomical books and tools were used on the voyage of the Endeavour, and the role they played in the international effort to chart the Transit of Venus and establish accurate longitude.
Saturday 22 July 2023, 2:00-3:30pm
First Glimpses of the Antarctic
Join author and reference librarian Andrew McConville to discover the history of Antarctic exploration and view documents chronicling the first recorded landing and exploratory expedition.
Monday 24 July, 10:00-10.45am
Treasures of the John Emmerson Collection
The John Emmerson Collection of rare books includes more than 5000 items bound in 3500 volumes. The collection has a particular emphasis on the reign of King Charles I and the English Civil War, fought during the 1640s. Join Anna Welch, the Library’s Principal Librarian of History of the Book & Arts, in an exclusive viewing of a selection of the most beautiful and remarkable books from the collection and learn more about the fascinating stories they tell.
Wednesday 26 July 2023, 2:00-2:45pm
World of the Book Curator Tour
Join the curators of World of the Book for a special tour of the rare, sacred, iconic and historically significant books within the Library’s most popular exhibition.
Friday 28 July 2023, 11:00-11:45am
Introducing the John Emmerson Collection
Books in the John Emmerson Collection.
The John Emmerson Collection of rare books includes more than 5000 items bound in 3500 volumes. One of the world’s largest collections of rare British printed works, it features books and pamphlets from the 15th to 18th centuries, mostly produced in England.
In this video, Anna Welch, Principal Librarian, History of the Book and Arts, introduces this significant collection of rare books.