The Rex Nan Kivell Collection of pictures, books, manuscripts, maps and objects is one of the finest collections held in the Library. Sir Rex Nan Kivell built up a personal collection of material relating to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific while a director of the Redfern Gallery in London. The transfer of his collection to the Library began in 1948 and formal transfer of ownership took place in 1959, with consignments continuing throughout his lifetime.