Mangaroa Collection : discovering a forgotten heritage

Abstract

Focuses on the 19th-century component of the Mangaroa Collection at one time part of the General Assembly Library of New Zealand. Backgrounds its recent formation, and its history. Provides an insight into the 19th-century activities of the General Assembly Library, including book ordering and booksellers, binders and bindings, and the readers and what they read. Discusses the value of the current collection and highlights its varied research potential. Considers bookplates, book labels, handwritten inscriptions, private presses, pre-18(X) imprints, illustrative material, and typography and title page layout using examples from the collection. Concludes that this collection is an important part of New Zealand's cultural heritage and should be preserved. Includes a searchable database on disk of all titles mentioned in the project.