Guide to the Collections, 1968-1983

Containers:

Box 11-15

Component identifier:

Series 10

Content Summary:

In December 1970 the Council of the National Library decided that after he had retired Burmester should be engaged for three years on a part-time basis to compile a guide to the collections of the Library. It was to be based on a loose-leaf compilation which had been produced by staff in 1967-68 and was to have about 1500 entries. Burmester began work on the Guide in January 1972 and continued until June 1979. Four volumes were published by the Library between 1974 and 1982 and were widely acclaimed for the breadth and diversity of their coverage, the accuracy and erudition of the entries, their readability, and the valuable information about the provenance and acquisition of many of the Library's formed collections.

The series contains a small quantity of letters and official papers, the diaries in which Burmester recorded the time he spent on the project, and typescript drafts of the first two volumes. Correspondents include Sir Rex Nan Kivell, Phyllis Mander-Jones, Jean Whyte and Harold Barraclough.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were donated by C.A. Burmester in many instalments between 1976 and 1989.

Names:

C. A. Burmester

Contents

Access and use