The Rare Books and Fine Printing Collection reflects the diversity of Alexander Turnbull’s own collecting interests and forms part of the Turnbull Library collections.
The world-renowned John Milton Collection, begun by Alexander Turnbull in 1892, is found here. Other collections and collecting areas include:
- Sir Arthur Howard Bible Collection
- Bible Society in New Zealand Collection
- Carter Observatory Collection (early astronomical texts)
- Wellington District Law Society Collection (17th and 18th century legal reports)
- General Assembly Library of New Zealand Rare Book Collection
- Society of Mary and Archdiocese of Wellington Rare Book Collection
- Fletcher Broadside Collection
- Fine Printing Collection
- Fine and trade bindings
- Voyages and travels
- English Collection
- European Collections and Incunabula
- Medieval and other early manuscripts
- 18th- and 19th-century English periodicals and newspapers
- a research collection of children's literature which includes over 500 titles dating from 1799 to 2000
- Music scores.
- Ephemeral items
Related material in other formats, such as unbound early maps and prints, are held in other Alexander Turnbull Library collections.
Access items in the Rare Books and Fine Printing Collection
This collection is available at Archives New Zealand for the duration of the building redevelopment.
Most items are now listed on the National Library Catalogue. Records for the remaining titles are being added every week and all new acquisitions are catalogued online soon after arrival in the Library.
You can also access items in the Rare Books and Fine Printing Collection using the following.
- Card catalogue - provides access to items catalogued before 1963.
- Microfiche catalogue - provides partial access up to 1984.
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Printed sources - Early imprints in New Zealand libraries: a finding list of books printed before 1801 held in libraries in the Wellington region, 1995; A descriptive catalogue of the Milton collection in the Alexander Turnbull Library by Kathleen Coleridge, 1980.
For books in English or books printed in England, you can search the British Library's English Short Title Catalogue by library name 'Alexander Turnbull Library' to find descriptions of items in the Rare Book Collection.
English Short Title Catalogue - British Library website
The Library’s building redevelopment
The Library building in Wellington is closed for redevelopment, and due to reopen in August 2012. During the relocation period, some collections are available in two temporary locations: Archives New Zealand and a reading room at 77 Thorndon Quay, Wellington.
More about collection access through the Wellington building redevelopment period
Borrow items in this collection
You can borrow full-text microforms from the collection by interloan through your local library. Titles available include Incunabula (European books 1450 - 1500); Early English books 1473 - 1700; The eighteenth century: English books 1701 - 1800; Printed music before 1800; and others. We do not lend original items from the collection.
Get copies from items in this collection
You can order digital photographs and microfilm copies of items in this collection. To call up all records with digital images attached, first limit your search to Alexander Turnbull Rare Books and Fine Printing, then type in the search terms: digital "national library"
Photocopies are possible under certain circumstances, depending upon the age and physical condition of the item. All photocopying requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Curator, and are carried out by Rare Book staff.
More about copyright and usage
Get help
We can answer your enquiries in person, by letter, phone or email. For access to uncatalogued material, contact the Curator, Rare Books and Fine Printing.
A list of answer to frequently asked questions about rare and old books is available on the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) website.
A glossary of terms and acronyms used in relation to rare and old books is available on the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA) website.
Frequently asked questions about rare books - ACRL website
Glossary of book terms - ABAA website
Contact the Alexander Turnbull Library
Significant New Additions to the Rare Books and Fine Printing Collection
Notable works recently added to the Collection.
