TREASURES IN LIBRARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15482, 13 December 1913, Page 5

TREASURES IN LIBRARY.

GREY AND SHAW ANNEXE. OPENING CEREMONY. RARE BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS.

Tire formal opening of the new annexe in the Public Library containing the Grey and Shaw collections took place yesterday afternoon. Invitations were issued, in response to which a number of ladies and gentlemen were present, and an interesting gathering, presided over by the .Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr), was the result. The guests assembled, in the first instance, ill the reference library, where appropriate addresses were delivered The Mayor said that in the joint collection of Sir George Grey and Mr Henry Shaw the city had one the equal of which did not exist in the Southern Hemisphere. Indeed, no municipal library in the world had such a collection of literary treasures. The value of Sir George Grey's gifts to the library had not been fully appreciated before. It might be asked where these books had been lodged for the last 25 years. The answer was simple. Want of funds, and perhaps a lack of enterprise, led to the collection being put away in odd places in the library, and until now the public had had no opportunity of looking upon them. A little over a year ago the matter was brought before the City Council by the Library Committee and himself. The council gave him a free hand to proceed, and the result was the erection of the brick and fireproof annexe they were assembled to open that day, and which, though not large, would adequately house the two collections. Referring briefly to the Grey collection, the Mayor said it was unique in many respects. It contained a continuous history of bookmaking. exemplified, for 10 centuries down. There were volumes of great rarity, historical interest, and of a literary value difficult to estimate. Amongst the old books were many of most remarkable design, gilding, illustration, and perfection of writing. Three books were included which came from the fust printing press in England, that of Wm. Caxton. These were worth to-day thousands of pounds. Another valuable book in the collection was a first folio edition of Shakespere, also a third folio and a fourth folio edition, all of which were worth a great deal of money. Another rare work was a first iolio edition of Spencer's " Faery Queen," and Ren Jonson's poems. There were books, also, which to historians and students were of considerable interest. Mr. Parr particularly mentioned the documents, both manuscript and printing, referring to Oliver Cromwell and his times. He referred also to a very excellent set of manuscript matter in "the Grey collection concerning Captain Cook and Sir Joseph Ranks. As regards autograph letters, Mr. Parr said there were over 400 C of these, and of signatures of distinguished men and women. Amongst the latter were those of Royalties, including George 111., George IV., William IV., Queen Victoria, and of the present King and Queen. The Mayor went on to say that Mr. Shaw began his collection with the idea of making it supplementary to Sir George Grey's. He had, however, allowed the idea to widen. Mr. Shaw had given the whole of his books to the library. A strong point about the collection was that it contained some of the finest forms of modern printing. There were several editions de luxe, and a large number of handpainted illustrations of high value as specimens of art. "We owe a debt of gratitude to the great pro-consul who is gone," said Mr. Parr, "and to Mr. Shaw, who is living." (Applause.) He concluded by a eulogistic reference to the Library Committee for its assistance in connection with the new annexe, and mentioned that the ex-librarian (Mr. Edward Shillington) and Mr. Shaw were jointly acting as curators of the double collection. Mr. Shaw, who was cordially received, made a few remarks, dwelling particularly on the need for English translations of the many old Maori documents in the Grey collection. Mr. Shaw said the Auckland public library held the distinction of being the finest in the Dominion, and he urged citizens to assist in helping it to maintain its high standard. As to the treasures in tho annexe, he wanted the public to see them, to become familiar with them, and to be proud of them. (Applause.) The Hon. Seymour Thome George, M.L.C., Messrs. J. H. Upton (chairman of the McKelvie Gallery), and T. W. Leys (member of the Library Committee), spoke in interesting fashion upon, Sir George Grey, and upon the treasures in the joint collection. Tho Mayor then opened the door of the annexe and the visitors entered and spent some time in examining the various books and manuscripts. These will in future be open to the inspection of- the public.