Rare Books Exhibition

Modern Australian Poetry

18 March - 10 June 1999

This exhibition shows some of the extensive collection of Australian literature held in the Monash Rare Book Collection. The items on display range from the 1920s to the present. They include examples of the works of many of Australia's most important writers, e.g. Kenneth Slessor, A.D. Hope, Judith Wright, and one of the rarest books on display, Patrick White's The Ploughman. The most spectacular books in the exhibition are the Wayzgoose Press artist's books by Jas H. Duke, and Ken Bolton and Heemskerck Shoals, by R.D. Fitzgerald.

There are also examples of slim volumes of verse by, among others, Alister Kershaw and Rosemary Dobson. The poets of the '70's, 80's and '90's are also well represented. There is also on display a cross section of literary periodicals from the period. Among them we find the Angry Penguins and of course, much material on the "Ern Malley" hoax.

Virtual Exhibition.   You may also read the text of the catalogue online.