Speech for the opening of the Monash University Library
Rare Books Collection Exhibition on Coloured Cloth Bindings

by

Alan Dilnot

14^th October 2004.

Ladies and Gentlemen:  A very hearty welcome to this Exhibition of Coloured Cloth Bindings.  Although there are several distinguished examples from outside the Victorian period, the majority of the items on show date from between 1850 and 1900, and so this exhibition, in addition to being a useful survey of the development of Coloured Cloth Covers, is very much a guide to Victorian taste, craftsmanship and artistic skill.  Almost every item, and there are some 151, has something remarkable about it.  The significance of the exhibition is twofold: first, the covers themselves form a compelling subject for those interested in the history of the book.  Secondly, the contents of the books for which the covers are such agreeable signposts remind us of many topics which still await detailed research.

The highways of literature of course are well represented here, but of special interest, I think, are the by-ways, such as the technical and scientific books, now mostly dated as far as their contents are concerned, but of continuing importance for the insight they give us into the age that produced them.  Sports and games, gardening, cookery, etiquette, travel, anthropology, theology: all of these make an appearance.  It is worth remembering too that what is on show here is only a small part of what can be found in the Rare Books Collection.  For example, the Collection is especially rich in books for children, and in reminding you not to miss the display of such books to be found just round the corner I'd also mention that this is an especially valuable resource which could support much in-depth study.  One of my own students is currently writing about the contents of Item No. 36, "Speaking Likenesses" by Christina Rossetti. But with its art work by Arthur Hughes this item is of double importance, as a contribution to the story of the Pre-Raphaelite and Aesthetic movements.  Similar points could be made about other items in this display.

You will all I hope have copies of the splendid catalogue which Richard Overell has prepared.  But you may like to know that an electronic version of the catalogue, with extra illustrations, is available on the Monash University Library website.  Also to be found there is the electronic version of the Yellowbacks exhibition which was first displayed in the Library as long ago as 1991.  It is useful now to be able to study the two in tandem.

I would like to thank those who have leant books to flesh out some aspects of this exhibition.  Especially I would like to thank Dr. Richard Travers for arranging for the loan of the metal dies cast for the cover vignette and title of Item No. 43, Treatise on the royal game of tennis.

Most of all I would like to thank Richard Overell and the staff of the Rare Books Room for putting together this very attractive and informative Exhibition, and Monash University for its continuing generous funding of the Rare Books enterprise.

It is my great pleasure to declare this exhibition, of Coloured Cloth Bindings, open.

Left to right: Alan Dilnot, Brian Gerrard, and Cathrine Harboe-Ree, at the exhibition opening. Background: Richard Overell

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