Bible collection transferred to St Mark's Library, Canberra

Reverend Dr John Harris
Bible Society's translation consultant

The Bible Society in Australia's 'Memorial Library of Historic Bibles' is a very significant collection of historically and nationally important Scriptures. Now, with the sale of the Memorial Bible House in Canberra, the whole collection is in the process of being transferred to the care of St Mark's Library in Canberra under a joint arrangement between the two organisations.

The first bible library in Australia was opened by the Bible Society in Sydney in 1817 and some of the original volumes remain in the collection. The collection contains rare copies of printed bibles dating from the late 15th century until today, including Tyndale, Geneva and other historic English bibles as well as bibles from the same early era in German, Dutch, French and other European Languages.

Indicative of the Bible Society's vision of scriptures for the whole world, the collection contains first editions in many Asian languages as well as historic scriptures from Africa and the Americas. In particular, there are very substantial holdings in Australian Aboriginal languages and in languages of Australia's near neighbours in the Pacific and Papua New Guinea.

A particularly interesting facet of the collection are volumes which were associated with important times in Australian history including copies which belonged to famous Australians such as the explorer John Oxley, governors Macquarie and Hunter and the first governor general, Lord Hopetoun.

It is hoped that the new arrangement between the Bible Society and St Mark's will benefit both organisations, that there will be better opportunities for access to the collection and that the books will be better cared for and preserved as part of Australia's heritage.

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