Reflections of the Event – Presented by Erin Mollenhauer, Senior Archivist & Special Collections Librarian
During Sydney Rare Book Week, the Donald Robinson Library hosted “500 Years of Books,” an evening that allowed attendees to handle and closely examine significant works from the library’s rare books collection. The response in the room was remarkable. As each volume was introduced, guests leaned forward, eager to see the fine details, bindings, illustrations, marginal notes, early type, and the physical evidence of centuries of use. Many found themselves leaving their seats repeatedly, drawn toward the tables to observe the craftsmanship up close.
“The book binding and illustrations were so beautifully and thoughtfully created. It made me think about how God equips artisans for their work, like in Exodus. You can really see their devotion to God through their craft”. – Attendee
The event demonstrated how deeply people respond to the material history of books. The precision of early type, the grain of oak boards, the intricacy of gilt tooling, the texture of parchment, and the careful work of printers, binders, translators, and readers all tell stories of devotion, skill, and technological change. These books survive today because generations of owners, clergy, collectors, and librarians preserved them, recognising their enduring value.
For those who were unable to attend, the selection below presents several of the works shown during the event, together with brief summaries of their place within the history of Christian scholarship and bookmaking.
The evening began with a high-quality facsimile of the Codex Vaticanus, one of the earliest surviving Greek manuscripts of the Bible. Handling the volume allowed guests to observe features typical of ancient codices: ruled pages, script layout, parchment quality, and early binding structures. This transition from scroll to codex shaped how Scripture was read and referenced throughout the early church.
Augustine, De civitate Dei (City of God), Mainz 1473
Printed by Peter Schoeffer, Gutenberg’s associate, this incunable illustrates the earliest years of European printing. Its features include:
hand-painted initials,
original oak-boards,
blind-tooled calf leather
variable ink impressions from movable type.
Presented to Bishop W. G. Broughton in the 1830s, this copy links early European printing with the early history of the Australian church.
Martin Luther, Der Prophet Jesaia deudsch (German Translation of Isaiah, 1528)
This edition reflects the Reformation’s emphasis on vernacular Scripture. Its woodcut illustrations and blackletter typeface are characteristic of 16th-century German printing. Luther’s many short, cheaply printed works (Flugschriften) were instrumental in spreading Reformation ideas quickly. This volume stands within that wider print culture, showing how theological communication expanded through new technologies.
The Geneva Bible (Printed by Robert Barker, 1611)
A widely used English Bible in the 16th and early 17th centuries, the Geneva Bible is known for its extensive marginal study notes and portable quarto format.
This particular copy contains a notable misprint at John 6:67: “Then said Judas…” instead of “Then said Jesus…”, illustrating the challenges of hand-set type and the permanence of typesetting errors once printed.
William Cave, Lives of the Apostles (1677), Bound by Samuel Mearne
This gilt-tooled goatskin binding was produced in the workshop of Samuel Mearne, bookbinder to King Charles II. Its detailed gold tooling, colourful end-papers, and decorative spine reflect the highest standard of Restoration-era craftsmanship. The volume illustrates how printing and binding operated as separate skills, with buyers choosing the quality of binding they desired.
Book of Common Prayer (1903)
Printed for the coronation of Edward VII, this Book of Common Prayer mixes historic and modern design. The volume demonstrates how early 20th-century printers revived older liturgical aesthetics while incorporating contemporary artistic trends. It includes:
wooden boards and brass clasps,
red-letter calendar pages,
a decorative border in a Tudor/Jacobean style,
Art Nouveau typography and ornamentation.
Ko te Kawenata Hou -New Testament in Māori (1837)
The first complete New Testament printed in the Māori language, translated by William Williams and printed by William Colenso at Paihia. It is one of the earliest books produced in Aotearoa, New Zealand. It features a plain canvas binding that contrasts with European fine bindings yet reflects its practical use in mission contexts. This copy was presented to Bishop Broughton during his visit in 1839.
The Donald Robinson Library looks forward to sharing more of the Rare Books collection in future events and continuing to support the study and preservation of these remarkable volumes.
Visit the Donald Robinson Library to view revolving static displays of the College’s rare book collection. Or alternatively explore the Moore Digital Archives for a wealth of manuscripts, books, photography and audio digital resources here.
