Acquisitions

The Lambert album to his art, the education and the University’s already strong Susan Millard discipline acquired in passing holdings of special press books. ‘The approaching retirement of through the various grades of his Mr Lambert from the stage has profession in the mother country, The Press begotten a wish on the part of many a diligent study of the best The Gregynog Press is the most to possess some graphic and models and the inheritance of significant and well-known private permanent memorial of an actor who those stage traditions which press in Wales. Gregynog itself is a has delighted them so often.’1 embody the accumulated country mansion in Montgomeryshire, Special Collections in the Baillieu experience, invention and acquired by two sisters, Gwendoline Library recently acquired The Lambert proficiency of generations of and Margaret Davies, in 1919. They album. This important item is one of great actors, have combined to lived there for many years with their the earliest ever photographic books render Mr Lambert a finished former governess and companion, produced in Melbourne, containing artist. Miss Blaker, whose brother Hugh, actual mounted photographs. It is artist and poet, stimulated the sisters’ believed to be one of only three copies Joseph Charles Lambert was born in interest in the arts. issued, according to James Smith, a England in about 1818 and came to Originally the sisters had thought theatre critic who is assumed to be Australia in the mid-1850s. His last to make Gregynog a centre for the the author of the introduction to the performance in Melbourne was in promotion of a variety of crafts. Such album.2 James Smith’s own copy is February 1868. He then returned to a venture needed a manager and held in the Mitchell Library in England where he died in 1875. Robert Maynard, an artist and a Sydney,3 and the third is in the State friend of Hugh Blaker, was employed. Library of Victoria. The album Susan Millard is Deputy Curator of Special In preparation for this new challenge, Collections in the Baillieu Library, University of contains 17 albumen silver Melbourne. Maynard travelled to London to photographs, 16 of them depicting study contemporary arts and crafts, the actor J.C. Lambert in two poses, but ended up spending most of his each as characters in his best-known Gregynog Press time at the Central School of Arts comedic roles in the Melbourne Pam Pryde and Crafts learning how to print and theatre, which included Sir Peter In 2009 the University acquired for how to design and execute wood Teazle in School for scandal, Justice Baillieu Library Special Collections a engravings. Shallow in Henry IV, part 2, and Sir complete set of the books published In mid-1922 Maynard took up John Falstaff in Henry IV, part 1. It by the Gregynog Press between 1922 residence at Gregynog, where fine was photographed at the establishment and 1940, all except two in special printing and bookmaking quickly of Batchelder & Co. in Collins Street bindings (the finely hand-crafted and became the focus of the East. The introduction states: decorated leather bindings created for establishment, shaping the beginnings a small portion of each edition). This of a private press. Shortly after, Forty years of steadfast devotion is a major acquisition and builds on bookbinder John Mason joined the

42 University of Melbourne Collections, Issue 6, June 2010 Opposite: J.C. Lambert in the role of Lord Ogleby in Clandestine marriage, from Batchelder & Co., The Lambert album: Comprising sixteen character portraits of Mr J.C. Lambert, Melbourne: Batchelder & Co., 1866. Special Collections, Baillieu Library, University of Melbourne.

Below: The fables of Esope, translated out of Frensshe in to Englysshe by William Caxton; with engravings on wood by Agnes Miller Parker, Newtown, Montgomeryshire, [Wales]: Gregynog Press, 1931 [actually published 1932]. The University’s copy is no. 3, bound in original pale brown Levant morocco, with tooling and gilt ornamentation. Special Collections, Baillieu Library, University of Melbourne.

small team. The studio comprised a which he cast Garamond, Poliphilus was attracting wide acclaim and converted stable at the back of the and Blado, amongst other fonts, and flourished during the second half of house, which housed a folio Albion over time, this use of different the 1920s. The plays of Euripides—a hand press, related printing typefaces became one of the two-volume translation by Professor equipment and several fonts of distinctive features of the Press. As Gilbert Murray—marked the end of Kennerley type. The Press began by the work at the Press expanded, this period, when Robert Maynard printing small jobs, in time building another local boy, Idris Jones, was and Horace Bray moved to London the experience and expertise necessary taken on and trained as a compositor in 1930 to establish the Raven Press. to face the challenge of printing its to free John Mason’s time so he could In the meantime, bookbinder George first book, a selection of poems by concentrate on the binding side of the Fisher had taken over John Mason’s George Herbert, published in 1923. production. Idris was soon joined in role at the Press, remaining there for For this new challenge, a Victoria the composing room by his younger the next 20 years, and working on platen (jobbing) press was acquired, brother Idwal, and shortly thereafter beyond the life of the Press. J. Ewart and John Mason set the type while R.O. Jones and Herbert Hodgson Bowen was employed as the bindery’s Robert Maynard engraved the wood also joined the Press as compositors. apprentice. The bindery also block illustrations. Once the printing John Mason left the Press in 1926, employed a number of local girls, was completed, the two-man team set during the production of the press’s including Idris and Idwal Jones’ sister, about binding the volumes, 257 fourth work, Detholiad o ganiadau by Gwen Edwards. copies in grey marbled paper with a T. Gwynn Jones. The Press, now In 1931, management of the Press cloth spine, and 43 copies in a special under a Maynard-Bray partnership, was taken over by William McCance, binding of crimson Levant morocco. A second book of poetry followed, then a book in Welsh. To cope with this new challenge, local Welshman John Jones was apprenticed and trained up as a compositor; and not long after Robert Maynard invited another colleague to join the team— artist Horace Bray, who assisted Robert with the wood block illustrations. Around this time, Robert Maynard decided to investigate fonts other than Kennerley; after looking at what was available he decided to invest in a monotype caster, from

University of Melbourne Collections, Issue 6, June 2010 43 Agnes Miller Parker, illustration from The fables of Esope. Special Collections, Baillieu Library, University of Melbourne.

with Blair Hughes-Stanton as such as Alfred Fairbank, R.J. at the family home until now. Apart designer, together with their wives Beedham, Reynolds Stone and from the first two books, they are all Agnes Parker and Gertrude Hermes, Berthold Wolpe. Hand-coloured numbered ‘3’, which is the next copy both of whom were engravers, and illustrations were completed by the after the sisters’ own copies, and one later book illustrators in their own girls working in the bindery. of the books—the 3rd book off the right. This next period in the Press’s The Davies sisters were extremely Press, Caneuon Ceiriog detholiad—is in existence lasted three years, and wealthy, and no expense was spared a unique binding by George Fisher heralded an improvement in the on time spent or quality of materials done especially for Mrs Davies, with quality of the illustrations, and in the used to make a book as perfect as her name on the upper cover. The skill of the pressmen, in particular possible. By 1940, 42 books only two volumes not in special Herbert Hodgson, who was capable comprising some 12,000 copies had bindings are The revelation of St John of bringing out the finest lines of been published. All but nine of the the Divine and The poems of Henry Hughes-Stanton’s engravings. During books were illustrated; seven books Vaughan, which form part of the those three years Blair Hughes- were printed in Welsh, one work is larger ordinary edition. Stanton cut between 200 and 300 bilingual and eleven others, although Such an opportunity to acquire a wood blocks; also during this period printed in English, were by Welsh set is unlikely to come up again, as the book considered the gem of the authors or had Welsh connections. this was the last set still in family Gregynog Press was created, The The outbreak of war in 1939 hands. A total of 15 full sets of the fables of Esope, containing delicate signalled the end of the Press as the special bindings is possible, but five wood engravings of wild animals from men joined the armed forces, with sets are held in institutions in the UK, illustrations made by Agnes Parker. only George Fisher remaining to four are known to be in private hands, McCance and Hughes-Stanton complete outstanding bindings, a task and apart from this set, all other left the Press in 1933, and in 1934 an which kept him at Gregynog until known sets are thought to have been American, Lloyd Haberley, took over 1945.4 dispersed. The purchase also as manager and employed a large new The set of books purchased by the complements the Library’s existing typeface for his production of Eros University has an excellent holdings of 14 Gregynog Press titles and Psyche. Unfortunately it was provenance, having come from the in ordinary edition bindings. much criticised and hardly ever used Davies family home in Plas Dinam again, and within two years Haberley where the two owners of the press, The University of Melbourne’s resigned and management of the Margaret and Gwendoline Davies, private press collection Press was taken over by James lived with their stepmother, Mrs A great strength of the University of Wardrop of the Victoria and Albert Edward Davies (1853–1942), prior to Melbourne’s Special Collections in Museum. The finest volume their move to Gregynog. This the Baillieu Library is works published during this period was the collection is Mrs Edward Davies’ published by private presses, building History of St Louis which drew on the personal set, purchased for her by on the original donation of his talents of a number of famous people Margaret and Gwendoline, and kept collection by Dr J. Orde Poynton in

44 University of Melbourne Collections, Issue 6, June 2010 the 1950s. Special Collections has Collections shortly before his Woods Hole, USA. He is editor-in- complete holdings of the Kelmscott retirement to discuss an idea he chief of the journal Marine and Press, Eragny Press, Golden Cockerel wanted to develop; he knew the Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology Press, Fleece Press and the Book Department would like to give him a and a member of the International Club of California Press. In addition, memento on his retirement, and his Neuroethology Society, Society for we have strong holdings of many thoughts were that he didn’t want a Experimental Biology, Australian other presses, such as the Strawberry memento that would ‘sit at home and Marine Science Association and other Hill Press, Ashdene Press, Doves deteriorate and disappear’. The national and international scientific Press, Franfrolico Press, Vale Press, traditional parting gift in Zoology is a bodies. He is also a member of the Beaumont Press, Birmingham School book or a print, and while Professor advisory board of the Special of Printing Press, Riccardi Press, Macmillan has a particular love of Research Centre for Environmental Nonesuch Press, Roycroft Press, books—and of history—sadly he lost Stress and Adaptation Research. His Rampant Lions Press, Argonaut Press his eyesight in recent years, so he most recent research at Melbourne and Scholartis Press, as well as needed to think creatively around the examines a range of issues on the modest holdings in dozens more anticipated gift. With the support of interface between behaviour and presses, including Australian presses his wife Wilna Macmillan, a senior physiology, concentrating on such as the Hawthorn Press. librarian at Monash University, David invertebrate animals, mostly aquatic. There is only a smattering of came up with the idea of donating to To find a suitable book reflecting Gregynog Press titles held in libraries the University of Melbourne Library Professor Macmillan’s scientific across Australia, including what an early text in his area of research— interests, Special Collections staff appears to be only one special neuroethology, particularly of aquatic contacted several local booksellers. binding, and no other institution has organisms. The following title caught Professor a complete set of the Gregynog Press. Professor Macmillan studied for Macmillan’s attention: A number of titles are not held in any his BSc (Hons) degree at Monash other Australian library. University and his PhD at the Bacon (Francis) NOVUM University of Oregon. His post- ORGANUM SCIENTIARUM. doctoral and other research was Editio Secunda. Pp. [xxiv]+404, A gift from a zoologist undertaken at the Gatty Marine engraved emblematic title page, a Pam Pryde Laboratory in St Andrews, Scotland; few small decorative initials; Special Collections in the Baillieu the Max Planck Institute for [bound with] DE AUGMENTIS Library recently received a very Comparative Physiology in SCIENTIARUM. Pp. [xx]+607+ special donation on the retirement of Seewiesen, Austria; the University of [67](index), engraved title page, a Professor David L. Macmillan, head Regensburg in Germany; the CNRS couple of decorative headpieces, of the Department of Zoology in the Comparative Neurobiology and a few small decorative Faculty of Science. Professor Laboratory in Arcachon, France; and initials; f’cap. 12mo; Macmillan contacted Special the Marine Biological Laboratory in contemporary full vellum, spine

University of Melbourne Collections, Issue 6, June 2010 45 Francis Bacon, Franc. Baconis de Verulamio, Summi Angliae Cancellarij, Novum organum scientiarum, 2nd edition, Amsterdam: Joannis Ravesteinij, 1660. Gift of Professor David Macmillan and the Department of Zoology, Special Collections, Baillieu Library, University of Melbourne.

titled by hand ... Joannis stuffing a chicken with snow in Afterwards Professor Macmillan Ravestein, Amsterdam, 1660; order to observe the effects of observed that he was ‘very pleased 1662. *Novum Organum (the ‘new cold on the preservation of flesh). with the book and with the positive instrument’), was the book in The printer of this edition, and warm reception from the which Bacon set forth his theory Johann van Ravestein (1618– Zoology staff when they learned what of scientific method for acquiring 1681) was a leading Amsterdam I had done with their donations’. true knowledge. The pictorial bookseller, active between 1650 Pam Pryde is Curator of Special Collections in the title page depicts a ship in full and 1678. Baillieu Library, University of Melbourne. sail, passing through the Pillars of Hercules from the old world to Professor Macmillan knew this book the new. ‘It symbolizes the vision would cost more than the Gift of rare maps from of its author whose ambitious Department of Zoology could former curator proposal was “a total contribute, so he proposed that the David Jones reconstruction of sciences, arts purchase be achieved through the In December 2009 the Map and all human knowledge ... to combined efforts of the Department Collection of the University Library extend the power and dominion of Zoology, his own (substantial) received a generous donation of a of the human race ... over the personal donation and the University large part of the personal collection of universe”.’ First published in Library. maps of Mrs Dorothy F. Prescott 1620, it was intended as the first At his farewell, Professor OAM. Mrs Prescott’s gift of several part of a much larger Macmillan told his colleagues, ‘Your hundred items includes both sheet philosophical work (which was assistance in purchasing Novum maps and books. Of particular also to include De Augmentis organum scientarium by Francis Bacon significance is the large number of Scientiarum, in which he was the best gift I could have British Admiralty navigation charts addresses the classification of received. It will sit in the Rare Book from around the globe. Some of these knowledge). ... The full project collection at the University to remind date back more than a century; they was never completed, but the us of our time together long after I are no longer in print and few copies influence of Bacon’s work was am gone; indeed, to inform others exist in Australia. Now used for a profound. The inductive and who follow of our association long variety of research purposes including empirical method of investigating after we are all gone. I will not be environmental research, they are an nature he propounded in the disappearing from the University or important record of our planet. Also Novum Organum set the model Zoology just yet. I will continue to included in the gift is a large number for modern experimental contribute wherever you perceive that of topographical maps comprising scientific method. (Ironically, I can help. Indeed, and still: The modern and historical examples from Bacon’s death was a direct result woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I around the world. Many of these are of following his own method: he have promises to keep, and miles to go also out of print and difficult to died of a chill caught while before I sleep. Robert Frost.’ obtain. Library staff are now

46 University of Melbourne Collections, Issue 6, June 2010 Mrs Dorothy Prescott OAM and Professor Emeritus Dr Victor Prescott examining a map being scanned for online publication.

cataloguing the donation. see www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/ early 1930s primary school textbooks Dorothy Prescott has a long collections/maps/map-historical.html and a few valuable titles of Chinese association with the University of for more information. poems in oriental bindings. East Melbourne, and particularly with the Asian Collection staff are cataloging Library. As the inaugural curator of David Jones is Information Consultant, Maps the Collection with funding generously maps from 1964 to 1979, she built up Collection, in the University Library. provided by the University’s Asia the collection virtually from scratch, Institute and donors to the 2009 as well as undertaking detailed The Harry Simon Collection University Appeal. cataloguing and documentation. She Bick-har Yeung subsequently took up the position of A recent addition to the East Asian Bick-har Yeung is the East Asian Librarian at the University of Melbourne. map curator at the National Library Rare Books Collection in the Baillieu of Australia, and has held a similar Library is the donation by Professor role at the University College Library Emeritus Harry Felix Simon of his Notes in Ibadan, Nigeria. Mrs Prescott is a Chinese language collection. 1 [ James Smith], ‘Introduction’, in The Lambert leading expert on maps in Australia, Professor Simon, an eminent linguist album: Comprising sixteen character portraits of has advised government and originally from London, was Mr J.C. Lambert, Melbourne: Batchelder & Co., 1866, [pp. v–vi]. Special Collections, commercial organisations and appointed Foundation Professor of Baillieu Library, University of Melbourne. lectured at Melbourne and other Oriental Studies at the University of 2 Robert Holden, Photography in colonial universities. She is an approved valuer Melbourne in 1961. During his term Australia: The mechanical eye and the illustrated book, Potts Point, NSW: Hordern House, of maps for the Commonwealth in office he played an important role 1988, pp. 20–23. See also pp. 143–145. Government’s Cultural Gifts in the establishment of teaching and 3 Wallace Kirsop, ‘A theatrical library in Program, and has many cartographic research in the discipline of oriental nineteenth-century Melbourne and its dispersal: Solving a puzzle’, La Trobe Journal, publications to her name. In 2003 she studies (which later changed its name vol. 10, no. 37, Autumn 1986, p. 6 and note 25. was awarded the Medal of the Order to East Asian studies), including the 4 Dorothy A. Harrop, A history of the Gregynog of Australia for services to map teaching of Chinese and Japanese Press, Pinner, Middlesex: Private Libraries Association, 1980. librarianship and carto-bibliography. languages. He was Dean of Arts in 5 See ‘Mapping a digital future for precious Dorothy and her husband, the the 1970s and also a great supporter collections’, University of Melbourne annual eminent geographer Professor of the Library’s East Asian giving update, April 2010, [p. iv] www.unimelb.edu.au/alumni/giving/annual_ Emeritus Dr Victor Prescott, have Collection. He retired from the giving_update/annual_giving_update_ been active members of the Friends of University in 1988. 2009.pdf. the Baillieu Library for many years, The Harry Simon Collection and are also supporting the comprises 20 boxes of Chinese digitisation of rare maps in the publications dating from the 1900s to collection.5 the 1980s, in the areas of Chinese The Maps Collection is located literature and language, history and on the 4th floor of the ERC Library, the arts. There is an incomplete set of

University of Melbourne Collections, Issue 6, June 2010 47