The Rare Books and Fine Printing Collection includes many fine and trade bindings of English and European origin dating from the 15th century to the present day. Nineteenth- and early 20th-century binders such as Zaehnsdorf, Riviere, Sangorski & Sutcliffe, Ramage, and Bedford are strongly represented. Other named binders include Kalthoeber, Payne, Staggemeier, and the New Zealand binder Edgar Mansfield.
In addition to the main covering materials of calf, goat, sheep, pigskin, textile, and vellum, there are a number of other covering materials including original paper wrappers and embroidered bindings. There are also examples of gauffering, fore-edge paintings, armorial bindings, silk and leather doublures, and medieval manuscript fragments used as binding material.
Some examples can be viewed on Flickr
Access these items
These items are available at Archives New Zealand for the duration of the building redevelopment.
Images of bindings are being added to catalogue records on the National Library Catalogue. To call up a list of records with images attached:
- Go to the National Library Catalogue
- Limit location to 'Alexander Turnbull Rare Books and Fine Printing'
- Enter the term 'digital image' in the 'Search for' box
- Select required record and then scroll down to find the red link to the archived copy.
Many other bindings are uncatalogued. For access to uncatalogued material, contact the Curator of the Rare Books and Fine Printing.
Contact details, and information about accessing, borrowing, and making copies from this Collection
Image
Brown goatskin binding with gold-tooled dentelle border and central armorial device of Alexander H. Turnbull. Bound by Zaehnsdorf. Upper cover of The bride's tragedy, by Thomas Lovell Beddoes (London: Printed for F.C. & J. Rivington ..., 1822). Rare English Collection, Rare Books and Fine Printing Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library.
