_The Evening Post_, 4 October 1924:
TURNBULL LIBRARY
A BOOK LOVER’S DELIGHT
TREASURES OF A COLLECTOR
—
SYDNEY VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS.
—
J. T. Henry… describes his visit to the #Turnbull Library, in #Wellington:—… Mr. Johannes Andersen, the learned librarian,… took pains to show me the treasures in his keeping, and gave me a detailed history of the institution…. On another occasion a lady assistant, who was also an enthusiast, courteously conducted me round, our peregrinations taking hours. But, indeed, a visitor would require many days merely to grasp the outline of what is to be seen. The library is comparable, on a smaller scale, with the magnificent Mitchell Library in Sydney. … Both [founders] were ardent book lovers, cherishing rare editions and sumptuous old bindings; both specialised on works connected with the early days of their countries; both spent large sums to secure the treasures they desired; both had in view not alone their own pleasure but… designed that their collections should become the property of the public…; both were not #bibliophiles only, but readers and students who pored over their possessions…
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19241004.2.70

#OnThisDay #OTD #PapersPast #Libraries #TurnbullLibrary #BookCollectors #NewZealand