Rare Books & Arts

A modernist pastiche: Matisse’s etchings for Joyce

A modernist pastiche: Matisse’s etchings for Joyce

September 13, 2021

New books, Rare Books & Arts, Visual arts:

Read about an audacious collaboration between Henri Matisse and James Joyce for the Limited Editions Club.

Journey through the collection: swinging ‘60s Melbourne through the lens of Henry Talbot

Journey through the collection: swinging ‘60s Melbourne through the lens of Henry Talbot

September 10, 2021

Collection spotlights, Photography, Visual arts:

Muse over the iconic, mid-century photographs of Henry Talbot. Featuring the fashion and advertising world of 1950s and 60s Melbourne.

Journey through the collection: Rick Amor

Journey through the collection: Rick Amor

September 3, 2021

Collection spotlights, Painting:

These works by Rick Amor depict a quiet Port Phillip Bay, where constructions stand among nature, bearing the stains of passing time.

Bat-Man unmasks fears of moral corruption

Bat-Man unmasks fears of moral corruption

August 31, 2021

Comic books, Our stories, Rare Books & Arts:

In the early hours of Monday the 26th of May 1952, a conspicuous-looking sedan is found patrolling Melbourne’s Bourke Street. To the front and rear of the car, two long aerials are poised ready to intercept any incoming police chatter. The radiator holds a makeshift flag… Read More ›

Portrait of Margaret Bourke taken in Kobe, Japan, in 1998 when her team finished second in the Pacific Asian Bridge Federation Women's Team Championship event.

Vale Margaret Bourke (1945–2021)

August 16, 2021

Announcements, News, Rare Books & Arts:

Des Cowley, Principal Librarian, History of the Book and Arts, shares the story of the unique and treasured Margaret and Tim Bourke Bridge collection.

The Smith Trams and Trains Collection

The Smith Trams and Trains Collection

August 6, 2020

Buildings & streets, Photography, Such was life:

The Library has recently digitised hundreds of images of Victorian trams and trains captured by a visiting enthusiast in the 1960s.

Jazz Head, 2016

New Sights and Sounds in Arts

April 6, 2020

classical music, Dance, Film, jazz, Music, Musicals, opera, Popular music, Rare Books & Arts, rock:

Some great new arrivals include recent releases and acquisitions in popular, rock, musical theatre and film music, classical, jazz, chamber, ballet and opera on CD and Blu-Ray.  All CDs listed… Read More ›

Charmaine Matyson, RIP 1986-2019

Charmaine Matyson, RIP 1986-2019

December 25, 2019

Rare Books & Arts:

State Library Victoria, and specifically the History of the Book and Arts Collections here, lost a rare treasure earlier this month. On the night of Sunday 8th December 2019, volunteer… Read More ›

New Sights & Sounds : Summer highlights

New Sights & Sounds : Summer highlights

December 19, 2019

classical music, country music, Dance, Film, jazz, Music, Musicals, Popular music, Rare Books & Arts, rock:

Some great new arrivals for Summer, include recent releases and acquisitions in popular, rock and country music, musical theatre, jazz, ballet, classical and film music on CD, DVD and Blu-Ray. … Read More ›

Pop music ephemera is pop music

October 25, 2019

Music, Rare Books & Arts:

There has been an amazing new collection that has received a steady stream of attention here in the SLV Arts Collection, and it’s more obscure than you might immediately guess:… Read More ›