Early English Books Held By Library

Press, Volume C, Issue 29518, 20 May 1961, Page 12

Early English Books Held By Library

As a result of the work of a small band of enthusiasts led by Dr. W. J. Cameron, of the English department. University of Auckland, and Mr D. Esplin, University of Otago library, a systematic search had been made throughout the main libraries of New Zealand and Australia to ascertain what they held of English editions Published up to 1700. Mr R N O’Reilly, the City Librarian said in a report to the City Council.

Dr Cameron had been able to demonstrate that much original research in English literature was possible without scholars having to gig to England or America to consult the original editions. “By this means alone it is now possible for our universities to achieve higher standards of scholarship, and New Zealand as a whole cannot but benefit as a result,’’ Mr O'Reilly said. Mr Esplin had made a special trip to Christchurch to identify and record the holdings of Chris'church libraries. Though few in number, they were not unworthy of attention. Mr O’Reilly said. They had been brought together and were having labelled boxes made to identify them without excessive handling The earliest of the books in Christchurch was printed in 1548 ft is. “the first tome or volume of the Paraphrase of Erasmus unon the Newe Testaments, Enpriented at

London in Fletestrete at the signe of the sunne by Edwarde Whitchurch* the last daie-of Januarie Anno Domine 1548.”

Two books by Martin Luther are held by the library. One “A commentarle vpon the epistle of S. Pavl to the Galathians." was printed by Richfield. “dwelling in Great Woodstreete” in 1616, and “a commentarle vpon the fifteene psalmes." translated “out of Latine into English by Henry Bvll.” was the work of the same printer a year earlier. The library also has books printed in 1831, 1632, and 1638. the last-mentioned being one of Francis Bacon’s. “The wonderful and most deplorable history of the latter times of the Jews." by the Jewish historian of A.D. 34-100, was printed in London in 1662

The Canterbury library has 14 books printed before 1700