Australian Library of Art showcase

The Australian Library of Art showcase on level 4 provides an opportunity to discover and explore the collections of the Australian Library of Art, and learn how these collections document fine book arts in Australia and around the world.

Current display: A is for Ox

The Australian Library of Art showcase displays rare items curated from State Library's collections.

Our current display, A is for Ox, focuses on the art and history of typography.

Did you know that the capital letter A, from our modern Latin alphabet, started as a picture of an ox head? If you turn it upside-down you can still see its horns.The Ancient Greeks adopted it for their phonetic alphabet, turned it onto its head, and there it has remained.

Generations of typographers and book artists have since exercised their skills on the letters of the alphabet, turning those symbols representing sounds back into art again.

This display roams through the collections of the Australian Library of Art – from the typewriter art of Henry Greenhow’s Ziggurats and the word art of Richard Tipping to the glorious typographic books of Alan Loney.

Free Curator's Tours are held monthly. Join one of our specialist librarians to discover the hidden gems of the Australian Library of Art collections.

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Sukie's ABC, 1968. Artists' book by Robert E. Massman, Helene E. Shermann and Eloise Massmann.

Sukie's ABC, 1968. Robert E. Massman (typographer, binder), Helene E. Shermann (illustrator), Eloise Massmann (hand-colourist). Limited edition of 300. Call no. RBSM 099 1968. History and Art of the Book Collection, Australian Library of Art, State Library of Queensland.

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Artists' Book Collection

Artists' books are artworks that use the form or the concept of the book.

The History and the Art of the Book Collection

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

Mr Pat Corrigan AM presenting Lindsay family letters and correspondence to the State Library of Queensland, Queensland Club, 7 October 1997. Premier of Queensland, Rob Borbidge and Deputy Premier Joan Sheldon accepted the gift which was one of the largest donations presented to an Australian library by an individual at the time.

The Lindsay Collection of Pat Corrigan

This collection relates to the Lindsay family of artists and writers.

The Australian Art Research Collection

The focus is on exhibition quality items providing exceptional examples of the book as objects.