The Library's summer opening hours are in place from Monday 23 December 2024 until Wednesday 1 January 2025 (inclusive). Before planning your visit, check our opening hours and temporary changes to collection access.
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.
A collection of manuscript material relating to Captain Cook, his widow and his family. One letter, signed by James Cook, from the Resolution at Deptford, dated April 2, 1776, to the Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy asking for a supply of clothing to the ship. Nine letters to Mrs. F. McAllister, cousin of Captain Cook, including one from Elizabeth Cook, concerning Cook family affairs. Other letters of later date are those of John McAllister, Mrs. McAllister's son, who actively sought letters and relics of his famous cousin. Copy of letters from Cook to Sir Joseph Banks; Biographical note on Cook; newspaper cuttings concerning Cook, 1858-1926; extract from parish register relating to baptism of James Cook; Frances McAllister's Book of Common Prayer with inscription; Bronze medal in memory of Captain Cook: Letter from Phyllis Mander Jones to Rex Nan Kivell; Christies auction house catalogue.
Includes broadsheet, 24 May 1797 describing horse stolen, copy of Margaret Catchpole's confession, 27 May 1797, brief for the prosecution 1797, and 5 letters by Margaret Catchpole from Sydney, 1803-1811.
Series of 8 letters from Richard Bowler of Brill, a transportee to Tasmania, 1st June 1835 to 24th April 1843, to his brother (John Bowler) in Brill, Bucks., England.
Letter, 31st May, 1836, to his father, written for Birkby by William Hutchinson - re (a) Voyage to Port Jackson, 1834. (b) His work with the Surveyor-General, as overseer at the Surveyor's farm at Cataract and Nepean Rivers, and as overseer of a farm in Sydney (c) Description of conditions of employment in the Colony, wages, the price of provisions, tobacco, clothing and livestock. He describes the country, its insects, birds and reptiles. He devotes several paragraphs to the treatment of the convicts and lists their allowances of clothing and food.