Vol. 11 / Issue 04 Director’s Note Editorial & We welcome 2016 with a new exhibition titled “From the Stacks: Highlights of the Production National Library”. Taking place from 30 January to 28 August at level 10 of the National Managing Editor Library Building, the exhibition curates over 100 unique items that many people have Francis Dorai likely never seen before. Editor These rare materials – books, manuscripts, letters, photographs, maps and Veronica Chee newspapers that have been painstakingly collected and preserved for nearly a century and a half – weave a colourful tapestry of Singapore’s short but intriguing history. Editorial Support Masamah Ahmad Largely drawn from the National Library’s 11,000-strong Rare Materials Collec- Stephanie Pee tion, the exhibits cover a diverse range of material, from politics, history, sociology, language and religion to current affairs, nature, travel and food. Several of the items Design and Print on display at the exhibition predate the founding of Singapore, with the earliest, an Oxygen Studio Designs Pte Ltd English-Malay dictionary written by an unlikely Englishman, dating back to 1701. It is appropriate that this issue of Contributors BiblioAsia turns the spotlight on 50 highlights of the Rare Materials Collection, many of which are on display at the exhibition. Each Ang Seow Leng Gracie Lee article, researched and written by a librarian, contains a detailed description of the Lee Meiyu rare item as well as interesting information on its history and provenance. Irene Lim Rounding off this issue are three additional features that relate to the exhibition. Lim Tin Seng Genine Loo Curator Chung Sang Hong explains why the exhibition is called “From the Stacks” Mazelan Anuar (in case you’re wondering) and tells why you should pencil in this must-visit event Nor-Afidah Abdul Rahman in your diary. Ong Eng Chuan Timothy Pwee There are 26 Public Libraries in Singapore, and chances are most people Sundari Balasubramaniam are familiar with the one in their neighbourhood. Few are aware that the National Bonny Tan Library has a different set of responsibilities, one of which is the collection and Tan Huism preservation of materials relating to Singapore’s history and heritage. Be sure to read Please direct all Senior Librarian Ong Eng Chuan’s overview of the National Library’s Rare Materials correspondence to: Collection. The National Library has been acquiring rare and important items since National Library Board 1874, in the days when it was known as the Raffles Library and Museum. 100 Victoria Street #14-01 National Library Building Yet another special function of the National Library is Legal Deposit, which Singapore 188064 has been in place since 1958. Ivy Lee explains what Legal Deposit is about and how Tel: +65 6332 3255 pivotal it has become in preserving Singapore’s published heritage. Email: [email protected]. gov.sg Finally, since we are on the subject of books, Amelia Tan tells you about the Website: www.nlb.gov.sg SG50 Gift of Books initiative, through which Singapore’s published heritage has been shared with some 40 libraries all over the world. On the cover: The Rare Materials 2016 also marks the beginning of an exciting journey for me as the new Director Collection poster at the of the National Library. It is a privilege to be leading such an august institution, and Rare Materials Collection I am particularly pleased that BiblioAsia has provided this opportunity to showcase Gallery on level 13 of the some of our work. National Library Building. We hope you enjoy reading this special edition of BiblioAsia as much as we did in putting it together for you. All rights reserved. National Library Board, Singapore, 2016. Mrs Wai Yin Pryke ISSN 0219-8126 (print) Director ISSN 1793-9968 (online) National Library The views of writers and con- tributors do not reflect the views of the Publisher. No part of this publication may be re- produced in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the Publisher and copyright owner(s). Whilst reasonable care is tak- en to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publica- tion, the Publisher accepts no legal liabilities whatsoever for the contents of this magazine. BiblioAsia is a free quarterly publication produced by the National Library Board. It features articles on the history, culture and heritage of Singapore within the larger Asian context, and has a strong focus on the collections and services of the National Library. BiblioAsia is distributed to local and international libraries, academic institutions, government ministries and agencies, as well as members of the public. The online edition of BiblioAsia is available at: http://www.nlb.gov.sg/Browse/ BiblioAsia.aspx 01 BIblIOASIA JAN–MAR 2016 Vol. 11 / Issue 04 (Below left) The front and back wooden covers of the Loyalty Address – created in homage to Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh – are A TRIBUTE FIT intricately handcarved with phoenixes. All rights reserved, National Library Board, Singapore. (Below) Portrait of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, by the German painter Franz Xaver Winterhalter, 1865. All rights reserved, Ormond, R., & Blackett-Ord, C. (1987). Franz Xaver Winterhalter and the Courts of Europe 1830–70. FOR A PRINCE London: National Portrait Gallery Publications. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Title: Address to Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh by the Singapore Chinese Merchants on the Occasion of His Visit to Singapore in 1869 Creator: Unknown Year created: 25 November 1869 Language: English and Chinese Type: Manuscript; double-sided folded sheet with carved wooden front and back covers Location: Call no.: RRARE 959.5703 ADD Donated by: Geoffrey Edwards Singapore has never hesitated to roll out the red carpet for visiting dignitar- ies, and this is exactly what a British royal experienced when he sailed into Singapore nearly 150 years ago. The Address is suitably grand for a s In December 1869, Prince Alfred, royal recipient, with the message written Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Victoria’s on six panels of fuchsia-coloured silk, second son, paid a visit to Singapore on folded into a single sheet and with front the HMS Galatea.1 As his tour marked and back covers made of carved wood. the first time a member of the British Phoenixes were carved into the wooden royal family was to set foot in Malaya,2 panels such that when the document is officials and merchants scrambled to opened they appear to be facing each other prepare for his arrival with a suitably across the expanse of silk. The reverse grand programme of entertainment.3 side of the Address is a panorama of Sin- The Chinese community in particular gapore viewed from Telok Ayer, executed was anxious not to be outdone. More than on cream-coloured silk and inspired by 80 leading members of the upper crust of an oil painting by the English artist Percy Chinese society came together to sign a Carpenter (1820-95). Loyalty Address to Prince Alfred, taking Written in gold Chinese charac- advantage of the opportunity to showcase ters and with an accompanying Eng- the community’s prosperity and display lish translation, the rather overblown their political allegiance to the Queen.4 Address reads: Among the group were men who were considered as the colony’s leading lights of We the Singapore Chinese mer- industry: Tan Kim Ching, the eldest son of chants, Inhabitants & Public with Tan Tock Seng; Seah Eu Chin, who helped purity of heart and Sincerity collec- set up Ngee Ann Kongsi; businessman tively approach in humble attitude to and philanthropist Cheang Hong Lim; present this address. Tan Seng Poh, the first Chinese person To The 2nd Prince of the Illus- appointed as a Municipal Commissioner trious Queen of Great Britain in Singapore; and Hoo Ah Kay (Whampoa), and Ireland, a wealthy businessman.5 Alfred Duke of Edinburgh On 3 December 1869, the very day K.G.K.T. the prince landed in Singapore, likely at & c. & c. Johnston’s Pier near Fullerton Square, the Loyalty Address – dated 25 November May it Please Your Royal Highness. 1869 – was presented to him as a symbol We who have been living under of the Straits Chinese community’s loyalty the British protection and just rule with and gratitude.6 happiness, prosperity and security 02 03 feel deeply grateful for the copious great renown will reach the (Left) The message on the Loyalty Address was written in gold ink benefits therefrom derived and four quarters of the universe, on six panels of fuchsia-coloured silk folded into a single sheet. All References highly conscious of having received and that your High name may rights reserved, National Library Board, Singapore. these benefits and favours solely shine endlessly. (Below) The reverse side of the Loyalty Address features a painting of 1 Gibbney, H. J. (1972). Edinburgh, Duke of (1844– 5 The Straits Times, 4 December 1869, p. 1. Singapore viewed from Telok Ayer by an unknown artist. 1900). In Australian Dictionary of Biography, 6 Official reception of the Duke of Edinburgh. (1869, due to good government and pros- These are our united respect- National Centre of Biography. Retrieved from December 7). Straits Times Overland Journal, perous reign; our inability humbly ful humble prayers grateful, The scene portrayed is inspired by the 1856 oil painting “Singapore from Mount Wallich” by the English artist Percy Carpenter but drawn Australian National University website. p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; The Straits to approach your Royal Mother the for the beneficial rule of your from a higher vantage point. All rights reserved, National Library 2 The prince at Johore. (1869, December 11). The Times, 4 Dec 1869, p. 1. Illustrious Queen of Great Britain Royal Mother.