Special Collections

Special Collections Access

Rare Books Collection (closed access)

Rare Books finding aid (coming soon)

The Library of Bishop Thomas, an English scholar and the first Bishop of Goulburn, forms the nucleus of the collection. In 1892, after the death of Bishop Thomas, his wife Mary Thomas donated his library to the diocese. This collection was subsequently donated to St Mark's Anglican National Memorial Library.

The collection was then enriched by Bishop Burgmann's library, and items from the personal libraries of Bishops Barlow, Chalmers, Chynoweth  and Garnsey and Archdeacon Murchison.

Prominent Australians have also contributed to this collection.

 

The collection includes books:

published in Australia pre-1850; published in other countries and languages pre-1800; editions limited to 50 copies; of special interest; fine binding; end papers; subject or authors of particular interest to the geographical area of the diocese; gifts by visiting VIPs to Australian Prime Ministers.

Of particular Interest

  • Common Prayer Book, Glove Edition (To be carried in the finger of a lady's glove)
  • Finger BibleMite Bible RB 641
  • English Bible, published 1607, The Breeches Bible RB q 80
  • English Bible, published 1572, The Treacle Bible RB q 38
  • A curious Hieroglyphic Bible RB 1220
  • Our oldest rare book  is "Provinciale sen constitutiones Anglie cum sumariis" by William Lyndewode published in Paris in 1501 RB q 14