RARE VOLUMES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 135, 10 June 1927, Page 14

RARE VOLUMES.

ADDITIONS TO LIBRARY

FIFTEENTH CENTURY BOOK

The collection of rare volumes in the central library has been increased as the result of two very valuable gifts from the estates of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred. Shaw. One set of books comprises 625 volumes. Among the rareties is a fifteenth century printed book, which will help to increase the collection of incunabula of the institution. A variety of subjects are covered in the collection, special mention being made of a group dealing with English literature— including many first editions —historical, topographical and artistic subjects. During his lifetime Mr. Shaw presented many books to the library, and his combined gifts totalled over 1600 volumes. In size, his benefactions rank next in order to the Sir George Grey collection and the collection presented by Mr. Henry Shaw, a brother of the deceased. Mrs. F. Shaw's gift consisted of over fifty volumes, including a splendid copies of Buller's "Birds of New Zealand" and Mrs. Hetley'3 "Native Flowers of New Zealand."

The City Council decided last evening to acknowledge the gifts, the Mayor (Mr. Geo. Baildon) stating that the name of Shaw was well known to users of the librarv.