State Library of Queensland > Collections > Australian art > History and Art of the Book Collection

HISTORY AND ART OF THE BOOK COLLECTION

Cover of The Baby's bouquet: a fresh bunch of old rhymes & tunes, Walter Crane 1845-1915, London: Frederick Warne and Co., 1878? Chromolithography on paper in matching binding, Call No. RB 784.624 1878

Pages of Morte d'Arthur, Thomas Malory, London: Dent, 1893-94. Text as printed by William Caxton, 1485, Call No. RB 823.2 M/B 1893

The birds of Australia, Gracius J. Broinowski, Melbourne: Charles Stuart, 1890-91, Call No. RB598.0994 1890

"Moss Rose", Plate 69 Curtis's Botanical Magazine, London: printed for W. Curtis, at his botanic-garden, Lambeth-Marsh, Call No. RB 580.5

Falbalas & fanfreluches, Water-colours by Georges Barbier, Paris: Meynial, 1922, Call No. RB 741.94405

The collection showcases and preserves rare and fine books reflecting the art, craft, history and impact of the printed book.

The collection includes works illustrating the development of English colour printing during the 19th century, a representative collection of English and American private presses, examples of fine book production and designer bookbindings, works exhibiting examples of typography, paper-making, marbling, book making technologies and books about bookmaking. The collection also includes books printed before 1801, limited edition Australian art books and a small collection of books on horse racing in Australia.

How do I access items in this collection?

Access at the State Library of Queensland

Find items in the collection via our One Search catalogue.
Browse Levels 2, 3 and 4 or request items from onsite ‘Closed Access’ storage with your e-services card. If you order Closed Access items via the One Search catalogue ahead of your visit, items should be waiting for you when you arrive. You can order up to 3 days in advance. See delivery times for more information.
Use our e-collections computers on level 2 to search the library’s catalogue; to search our databases for electronic journal, magazine and newspaper articles and to view images and manuscripts from our collection. These e-collections computers do not need to be booked and have no time limits on their use.
You can also access our electronic resources via the State Library’s free wireless service if you have a laptop. Check our Info Guide on how to access wireless for details.

Access offsite

You can access selected offsite databases to search for electronic journal, magazine and newspaper articles. You will be prompted to login with your e-services card or QPL account.
Some State Library items are available for loan to other libraries. Contact your local library for information about interlibrary loan and copy services.

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Last updated: 17th May 2012

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