Alumni Book Fair promises paradise for bookworms

Alumni Book Fair promises paradise for bookworms

A 335-year-old Book of Common Prayer, a "connoisseur's collection" of opera records and a set of Italian tarot cards will be among items for sale during the University of Queensland Alumni Association Book Fair and rare book auction next month.

Published in 1664, the leather-bound Book of Common Prayer includes prayers on the Gunpowder Plot and the execution of Charles I, and thanksgiving for Charles II's restoration.

A bound collection of every edition of The Bulletin for 1893 will also go under the hammer. Rare book auction convenor Keith Price said the advertisements featured - for products such as Invigorator Corsets and Yorkshire Relish - were "social history in themselves".

A collection of copies of The Papuan Villager, spanning 1929 to 1949, will be sold. The newspapers feature local news, pictures, traditional Papuan stories and the latest cricket scores for Australia and England in the Test Matches.

Mr Price said items ranging from "genuine interest to sentimental value" would be auctioned from 6.30pm on Friday, April 23 in the Mayne Hall foyer (viewing from 4pm to 6pm).

The auction precedes the 11th biennial Book Fair sale, held in Mayne Hall from 11am to 6pm from April 24 to April 29, except April 25 (noon to 6pm).

This year a "Fifty Cent Sale" of books will be held in Robertson Park on Indooroopilly Road, Taringa, from 8.30am to 1.30pm on April 10.

Book Fair convenor Associate Professor Lesley Williams said book donations came from Alumni members, members of the public, Distance Education, schools and universities, the State Government, hospitals and retiring University staff.

"This year we've also had a huge donation from one of the antiquarian booksellers, and a magnificent collection of records and books from the family of the former manager of King and King's (music store)," Dr Williams said.

"It is a connoisseur's collection of special records including very rare operas. They are in pristine condition, and some have never been played."

Volunteer specialists have spent almost two years sorting, pricing and packing books in their area of expertise - covering a wide range of topics including economics, engineering, law, classics and ancient history, war, Australiana, religion, chemistry, medicine, and a new category, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander interest.

Book Fair proceeds support numerous scholarships and the perpetual trophy for the Great Court Race, sponsorship for the SunShark solar car team and the University's Excellence in Teaching Awards as well as providing support for the Disability Unit and equipment for the University.

For more information, contact Dr Williams (telephone (07) 3365-2263 or (07) 3365-2706 or email l.williams@mailbox.uq.edu.au).