The de Beer Gallery

Special Collections comprises a number of collections containing rare, valuable, and historically significant works that are quite remarkable in New Zealand. These include:

de Beer Collection
Named after Dr Esmond de Beer and his sisters, Dora and Mary. Strengths include: European civilization and culture from the Renaissance to the end of the 18th century.

Brasch Collection
The library of Dr Charles Orwell Brasch (1909 - 1973), poet and founder of Landfall. Strengths include: 20th century poetry and New Zealand literature.

Shoults Collection
The library of Canon William Arderne Shoults (1839 - 1887) of England. Strengths include: European history, theology, Greek and Roman literature.

Hogg Collection
Works associated with James Hogg (1770 - 1835), the Scottish poet and Ettrick Shepherd. He
was recruited by William Blackwood for Blackwood’s Magazine. Hogg’s best known book is The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner.

McGlashan Collection
Volumes from the library of John McGlashan (1802 - 1864), an early Otago politician, lawyer
and educationalist.

Mellor Collection
Contains reprints or articles, manuscripts and books from the library of Joseph William Mellor
(1869 - 1938), the eminent chemist and pioneer in clay technology.

Post-1800 Stack Collection
A collection of largely 19th and 20th century works including: private presses, illustrated books, and selective modern editions.

Pulp Fiction Collection
Strengths include: Australian pulp fiction publications.

Each year, four quarterly exhibitions are mounted in the de Beer Gallery, Special Collections, on the first floor of the University of Otago Central Library.

library.otago.ac.nz/SpecialCollections

Hours of opening: Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.00pm
Location: 65 Albany Street
Phone: 64 3 479 8330
Email: special.collections@library.otago.ac.nz