The Alexander Turnbull Library has 92 incunabula in 87 volumes, two of which are duplicates. The earliest publication is 1471.
The collection includes many fine examples of the art of the earliest typographers, illustrators and binders. Branches of knowledge represented are theology, literature, law and science.
More about the Special Printed Collections
History of the collection
Since the foundation of the Turnbull Library in 1918, 26 titles in 26 volumes have been added to the collection by donation or bequest, and 40 titles in 36 volumes added by purchase. The remainder are believed to have been in the personal collection of Alexander H. Turnbull (1868-1918).
Active purchasing of incunabula stopped in the 1960s, but in 2009 an auction in Wellington provided the opportunity to add two further titles to the collection. Donations and bequests have provided a more steady stream of new additions. The most recent donation was received into the Library in 2001. With one exception, all donations came from New Zealand collectors.
New Zealand donors and year of donation or bequest:
- 1936 – Sir Joseph Kinsey
- 1953 – Percy Watts Rule
- 1959 – Laura Harper
- 1962 – Thomas L. Seddon
- 1978 – Bible Society in New Zealand
- 1998 – General Assembly Library of New Zealand
- 2001 – Society of Mary and Archdiocese of Wellington.
Most purchases were made overseas, but five New Zealand vendors were:
- 1941 and 1955 – Bethune & Co, Wellington auctioneers
- 1945 – Olga Mackie
- 1952 – Sir John Moody Ilott
- 1958 – James Sharon Watson
- 2009 – Dunbar Sloane, Wellington auctioneers
Further information about the collection and its earlier New Zealand collectors can be found in '"Where did they come from?" Incunabula in the Special Printed Collections of the Alexander Turnbull Library' by Ruth Lightbourne, Turnbull Library Record 41 (2008), pp 11-35.
Planned changes to collection access
Our collections will be relocated while the Library building in Wellington is being redeveloped. This collection will continue to be available at Archives New Zealand. However there will be a temporary closure while it is packed and moved.
We expect to finalise the dates of the relocation later in 2009. We will give you at least one month's notice of collection access changes and closures.
For more information email atl@natlib.govt.nz
Find out more about planned changes to collection access
Access items in this collection
Items can be viewed onsite in the manuscripts reading room on the first floor of the Library on weekdays. Please make prior arrangement with the Curator by phone or email so that the items you require will be ready for you.
Search for items in the collection using the National Library Catalogue.
Borrow items in this collection
Original items from this collection cannot be borrowed.
The Turnbull Library holds the full text microfiche series Incunabula: the printing revolution in Europe, 1455-1500. The microfiche are available for interloan through your local library. Filming of further titles for this series is ongoing.
You can check if a fiche exists for a particular title using the online database, available on the British Library website.
Incunabula Short Title Catalogue – British Library website
Get copies from items in this collection
You can order digital photographs and microfilm copies of items in this collection. Photocopying is not permitted.
More about copyright and usage
Get help
We can answer your enquiries in person, by letter, phone or email.
Image
Illuminated initial S, in blue, green, yellow, pink and gold. De imagine mundi, by Honorius of Autun ([1472?]). Rare Incunabula Collection, Special Printed Collections, Alexander Turnbull Library.
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