Temporary

05 March 2015

'The Book Beautiful' at the Alexander Turnbull Library

[Guest post by Ruth Lightbourne, Curator of Rare Books and Fine Printing, Alexander Turnbull Library]

A new exhibition 'The Book Beautiful' opens in the Turnbull Gallery on Monday 2nd March. This promises to be a feast for the eyes and is something not to be missed: http://natlib.govt.nz/visiting/wellington/the-turnbull-gallery.

A number of events are hosted in conjunction with the exhibition.

The first related events:
On Tuesday 3rd March 5.30-6.30pm in the Te Ahumairangi rooms on the Ground Floor at the National Library, Dr Claire Bolton will give a talk 'Imperfect impressions: clues to 15th century printing practices'. Her talk will be accompanied by colourful slides. All are welcome. Dr Bolton, who teaches printing and this year tutored a course on 15th century books at the London Rare Book School, also ran the Alembric Press in Oxford, England, for over 45 years. For more information, see http://natlib.govt.nz/events/imperfect-impressions.

On Saturday 7th March 2-3pm, Alison Furminger will be giving a class in beginners calligraphy in the Te Ahumairangi rooms on the Ground Floor at the National Library. This event is limited to 20 participants, and booking is required. See the National Library website for details on how to book http://natlib.govt.nz/events/beginners-calligraphy-mar-7. The class will be repeated on Saturday 21 March. 

Other events:
~ Visit to the Waiteata Press (a working hand press) http://natlib.govt.nz/events/letterpress-rules-mar-13
~ Trip to the printing department at Massey to observe printmaking
~ A visit to the National Library conservation lab to watch the Library's conservators at work http://natlib.govt.nz/events/conservation-and-the-book-beautiful
~ Readings from old and middle English by Emeritus Professor Robert Easting http://natlib.govt.nz/events/some-changes-in-the-english-language-chaucer-in-the-middle

Several talks on the arts of the book will be held over the course of the next few months. Some of these events are limited in numbers and booking will be required. Keep an eye out for new additions as there are other events still being finalised http://natlib.govt.nz/events.