Melbourne Rare Book Week Friday 25 July 2025

There were five events on Friday. I was at two of them.

I did not get to sketch this event, as I was presenting. I will be recording this presentation in the next week or so.

The First Catalogue of the Supreme Court Library of Victoria (1861)

The Law Library Victoria

Speaker: Alissa Duke

Reference librarian Alissa Duke will explore some of the unique and noteworthy titles acquired during the early years of the Supreme Court Library, after it was established by Redmond Barry in 1853. These early acquisitions by the Library highlight and reflect the interests and needs of Victorians and the Victorian legal profession at that time, and encompass rare and specialised subject matter. Interestingly, a number of these early acquisitions continue to be published, and are purchased and used by the legal profession

Setting up the day before. Book Pillows out to display : some non-legal books

• BENTHAM’S Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, new edition 1823
• CABALA, sive Scrinia sacra : mysteries of state and government in letters of illustrious persons 1663
• PUFFENDORFS Law of nature of Nations 1749
• DOCTOR and student by Muchall 1815
• BURKE’S A Genealogical and heraldic dictionary of the peerage and baronetage of the British Empire. 1860
• CATALOGUE of the London traders, tavern, and coffee-house tokens current in the seventeenth century   Burn, Jacob Henry.  London : printed for the use of the members of the Corporation of the City of London, 1855.
• POGONOLOGIA: Or A Philosophical And Historical Essay On Beards 1786

and some legal books – we have been purchaseinf McGregor on Damages soince 1812 and still purchase the current 2024 edition, We do not discard books. so have every edition. I had them out on display

The Enigmatic Mr Pepys

Royal United Services Institute of Victoria

Speaker: Major General (Ret’d) Michael O’Brien

Samuel Pepys was a keen observer of daily life in Restoration England. Rake, book collector, Fellow of the Royal Society and father of the Royal Navy, his legacy lasts to this day. Through his diary – first printed 200 years ago – millions of readers have relived the Restoration, the Fire of London, the Plague, and other important events of the period. Aside from historical events, Pepys’ diaries reveal life and manners, costume and song, court intrigues, food and drink and the tangible atmosphere of multi – layered London. Join Mike O’Brien as he explores this enigmatic polymath and book collector.

Presented by: Royal United Institute Services Victoria