This handsome book celebrates the rich variety and depth of the Special Collections of the Auckland City Central Library. These amazing collections are full of rare, valuable and wonderful items that are not widely known. One hundred treasures are featured each pictured in full colour with and an accompanying text written by Iain Sharp and grouped in sections such as Auckland, book arts, travel, literature, science etc. Among the treasures shown are a First Folio of Shakespeare, a six-page catechism - the first work printed in New Zealand, illuminated manuscripts, maps of early Auckland, avant garde private press productions, Maori-language manuscripts, Isaac Newton's Opticks, letters from Florence Nightingale to Sir George Grey, records of Limbs and Mercury Theatre. At the heart of the collection is the Sir George Grey donation which was the foundation of the library in 1887; an iconic item from the Grey Manuscripts, for example, is the score and lyrics of 'God Defend New Zealand'. The lively and informative text and the stunning pictures make this book a treasure in itself.

Author Biography

IAIN SHARP is a well-known and respected writer, journalist, librarian, and poet. HARU SAMESHIMA is an award-winning freelance and art photographer.