Literature and writing | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Literature and writing

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Collection guide
Pelli Collection

A collection of approximately 1,225 books published in France from the 17th to 20th centuries, including works by major, popular, and lesser-known authors.

Collection guide
Collection guide
Pickering Collection

About 440 books published by William Pickering between 1820 and 1854 including reprints of classics and 17th-century Anglican religious works, plus contemporary writers of his time.

Collection guide
Collection guide
Prance Collection

975 books, including many relating to the essayist and poet Charles Lamb and his circle and books by or relating to the poet Edward Thomas.

Collection guide
Billy Hughes standing next to a car
Public domain 2023

Every year, on 1 January, creative works come out of copyright and into the public domain.

News article
Rare Books Swimming - Roger Lever

Frontispiece and title page of Melchisédech Thévenot, The Art of Swimming. The second edition. London: Printed for John Lever, 1764, nla.cat-vn7756220

Rare book highlights – Swimming in 1764

How is a rare book about swimming connected to an important early European map of Australia and American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin? Find out in this blog.

Blog
The Library A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen

The Library: A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduw

Recommended reads for Library Lovers' Day

Explore these book recommendations from the National Library staff to help library lovers of all ages get in the Library Lovers’ Day spirit!

Blog
Title page of the Margarita Philosophica 1517

Title page of the Margarita Philosophica (1517)

Reisch’s Margarita Philosophica (1517)

The Margarita Philosophica (Pearl of Philosophy) (1517) of German Carthusian monk and prior Gregor Reisch (c. 1467-1525).

Blog
Smiling woman with short black hair and a fringe sitting at a table where several black and white photos of a woman are spread out
Researching a biography of scriptwriter and playwright Eleanor Witcombe

Learn about the fascinating career of Eleanor Witcombe with 2023 National Library Fellow and biographer Eleanor Hogan.

Blog
Muted oil painting of a short dark haired woman wearing a yellow scarf and light blue shirt.

 Rupert Bunny, Portrait of Henry Handel Richardson, (192-?), nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134317179

Richardson Collection

Extensive personal and family papers of Henry Handel Richardson (Pseudonym of Ethel Florence Lindesay Robertson (née Richardson)). The Richardson Collection also includes original manuscripts of the music composed by Richardson for many songs.

Collection guide
Collection guide
Ryan Collection

More than 1,000 comics, mostly published in Australia and including some overseas titles reprinted in Australia, from the 1940s to 1970s, as well as fanzines and personal papers.

Collection guide
Collection guide
Sargent Collection

1,066 Japanese books, nearly all published in the 20th century. They mostly relate to Japanese literature and include a large number of novels and also poetry, plays, essays, biographies of writers, literary history and critical works.

Collection guide
Old book open to page reading 'As You Like It: A comedy'

Nicholas Rowe (editor), The Works of Mr. William Shakespear, 6 volumes, volume 2, London: Printed for Jacob Tonson, 1709–1710, David Nichol Smith Collection, nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1355760

Shakespeare in the Library’s rare books collections

Celebrate William Shakespeare's birthday with Shakespearean gems from the National Library's rare books collections.

Blog

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