AUCKLAND MUNICIPAL HANDBOOK
Joseph Banks, formerly in the Brabourne Collection, are documents of historical importance and interest.
The collection of Incunabula and early printed books contains some interesting examples, especially noteworthy being the three Caxtons, viz, Higden's Polychronicon, c. 1483; The Golden Legend, c. 1484; and The Boke of Eneydos, 1490; and two books printed by Richard Pynson—The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer, c. 1493, and Nora Statua Anno I.—XII. Henrici VII., 1497.
Besides Incunabula the Grey Collection is rich in literary rarities, conspicuous among which are The Faerie Queen of Spenser, 1590, 2 parts; the First, Second, and Fourth Folios of Shakespeare, and Shakespeare's Poems, 1640.
The autograph letters, which form part of the collection, are also of importance.
Among other donors to the Library whose gifts entitle them to be mentioned are the late J. T. Mackelvie, who bequeathed a collection of books which contains a large number of choice and rare art works; the late Mr. E. A. McKechnie, whose gifts include a number of useful books in general literature; and Mr. Fred. Shaw, the donor of a large collection of books, particularly strong in dramatic literature. The most important of recent donations is undoubtedly that of Mr. Henry Shaw, who, in 1912, presented his collection, the hobby of a life time, to the citizens.
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