A major collection of around 6000 titles in Chinese and Western languages, with strengths in Chinese history, biography, literature and philosophy, especially the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) and 20th century.

Records for much of the Rare Books Collection are in our catalogue, but if you do not find the item you are looking for, please ask for help: the item may not yet be catalogued, or an alternative version may be available

The Deakin Collection includes personal papers, photographs and memorabilia documenting Alfred Deakin’s political career and legacy as a key architect of Federation.

The Dryer Collection includes 2286 titles, mainly monographs but also including manuscripts and music material about the history of Ireland and Australia.

Personal papers of Norman Ellison, pictures, books and other other manuscripts relating to aviation and early aviators. 

The Crome Collection includes papers, photographs, ephemera, aero-philatelic material, objects, books and pamphlets relating to Australian aviation collected by Ernest Alfred Crome.

Around 400 Slavic monographs, 700 pamphlets on the economics and politics of Europe from the 1930s-1970s, and miscellaneous Harvard University departmental reports and academic papers.

Papers, books, pamphlets, maps and ephemera about Ceylon, with an emphasis on the tea industry, collected by Manfred Claasz.

Around 4,000 books and serials on theosophy, Indian philosophy, comparative religion and related topics.

Papers, maps and a large collection of photographs related to Papua New Guinea mainly from the period 1910-1940.

Collections of papers from several significant Australian authors collected by Harry Chaplin.

Photographs of Australian steamships, nine paintings and an unpublished manuscript 'Dictionary of Australian steamships' by Terence Callen.