Antiquarian editions and popular culture on display

A Rare Books exhibition at the Sir Louis Matheson Library at the Clayton campus displays material acquired over the last two years including leather-bound volumes donated on behalf of the late Professor Harold Love. A virtual exhibition provides a preview of the exhibition.

Professor Max King, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research & Research Training, opened the display at a function attended by staff and postgraduate students, Friends of the Library, and members of the Love family.

Professor Love was one of the most active members of the Monash University English Department. As part of his bequest to Monash he left instructions that his antiquarian books be given to the Rare Books Collection. The Library is grateful to his widow, Rosaleen Love, for her generosity and support.

Professor Love’s main field was the literature of the Restoration, and he was a keen collector of books and pamphlets from the period. His library was well-known to contain several copies of Matthew Prior’s 1718 edition of Poems on several occasions. Editing texts was one of Harold’s specialisations and he knew the importance of comparing as many copies as possible, impressing upon his students that no two copies of a book from the hand-press period are ever identical.

Other new acquisitions displayed include material from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, reflecting current trends in scholarship at Monash. Popular culture, Australian history and literature and children’s books and games are some of the areas in focus.

Recent Acquisitions 5 runs in the Exhibitions area, 1st floor, ISB wing of the Sir Louis Matheson Library until 31st May 2009.

3 April 2009

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Sample from a specimen book of children's games dated 1929 which is currently displayed in an exhibition at the Matheson Library