Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, the Brontë sisters and more will feature in Australia’s largest rare book exhibition, World of the Book. Back for its 21st year, this exhibition at State Library Victoria will feature over 400 rare and historically significant items, from around 2000BCE to today. Many of them will be on public display for the very first time. This exhibition will also be the Library’s largest ever tribute to women writers, with over 120 titles on display. World of the Book will reopen on Saturday, July 4. It’s free to attend.
World of the Book exhibition at State Library Victoria
After welcoming almost one million visitors last year, this rare book exhibition is back in Melbourne for more remarkable displays. Venture up to Level 4, where you’ll look out over the famous La Trobe Reading Room, then discover hundreds of incredible Australian and international works.
One highlight is a first edition of Emma (1816) by Jane Austen, in its original Regency-period binding. This item features a dedication to the Prince Regent, who was rumoured to be her biggest fan. This notable piece will sit alongside other rare editions, including Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion.
Over 120 titles from beloved female authors were acquired by the Library’s Women Writers Fund. Now in its fifth year, this Fund was established to address the historical gender imbalance in the State Collection.
“The Fund’s first ever purchase, A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf, will be displayed in a space
intentionally designed to celebrate extraordinary women writers,” said State Library Victoria Director of Collections and Chief Librarian Roxanne Missingham. “Renowned authors such as Jane
Austen, Octavia Butler and Charlotte and Emily Brontë will also be on show, alongside women in
science, philosophy, politics, and literature.”
Other items on display include:
- Melbourne’s first international blockbuster, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab. Published in 1886, this book outsold Sherlock Holmes.
- A cuneiform tablet over 4000 years old
- A tribute to Agatha Christie, marking 50 years since her passing
- Moveable books, ‘blow’ books and miniature books, including the smallest book in the Library’s collection
- The Hyakumantō Darani of Japan, one of the oldest printed texts in the world
- The discovery of dinosaurs in the Victorian era by Charles Darwin’s rival, Richard Owen
Throughout the exhibition, you’ll also see pulp fiction, medieval manuscripts, artists books, talismans, amulets and much more.
Go at your own pace, or book yourself in for a free guided tour at 11am or 2pm on select days.
Learn more about the exhibition here.
Key details
📅July 4 to May 2027
🕒10am to 6pm
🎫Free!
📍Level 4, State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000
