Case 1
- Reed the collector and donor
The Bible, that is, the Holy Scriptures conteined in the Olde and Newe Testament. London: Christopher Barker, 1599.
In his 1967 Autobiography, A.H. Reed recalls how, in about 1907, his first ever antiquarian book purchase “started me on the road to making a collection of early Bibles.” A 1599 Beza New Testament, it cost him two shillings and sixpence.
In 1925, Reed divided his early collection of Bibles between Knox College, Dunedin and Trinity Theological College, Auckland – the 1599 Beza forming part of the latter gift. But Reed regretted parting with it and years later, in July 1948, corresponded with the College and successfully arranged for its return in exchange for manuscript material. Reed donated it to Dunedin Public Library later that year.
The Bible, that is, the Holy Scriptures conteined in the Olde and Newe Testament. London: Christopher Barker, 1599.
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Handwritten document of Free Pardon, in the matter of Eleanor Bradshaw and Margaret Jones, signed by Queen Victoria, with embossed royal seal, dated 18 March 1842.
Although initially avoidant of publicity, A.H. Reed had decided by the late 1920s to build up a significant collection of books and manuscripts which he would eventually donate to Dunedin Public Library. Records show however that he openly made numerous one-off donations starting in 1926.
As recorded in the Library’s Donation book, 1 December 1908-11 May 1956, one of his earliest gifts, donated in May 1926, was this document of royal pardon with the signature of Queen Victoria.
The first of the two women named, Eleanor Bradshaw, was convicted of larceny, and sentenced to seven years transportation to Australia. The second woman, Margaret Jones, was found guilty of embezzlement, and sentenced to twelve months imprisonment. Regarding their release, the document states that ‘We in Consideration of some Circumstances humbly represented unto Us, are Graciously pleased to extend Our Grace and Mercy unto [Eleanor Bradshaw and Margaret Jones] Our Free Pardon for their Crimes’.
Handwritten document of Free Pardon, in the matter of Eleanor Bradshaw and Margaret Jones, signed by Queen Victoria, with embossed royal seal, dated 18 March 1842.
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Letter, Alfred Reed to William McEwen, 17 July 1926.
The second paragraph of this letter from A.H. Reed to the City Librarian William Barker McEwen (1870-1933) indicates that Reed was already thinking of donating his collection of rare books and manuscripts to Dunedin Public Library as early as 1926.
‘Alfred Hamish Reed to the Mayor Councillors and Citizens of the City of Dunedin: Deed of Gift.’ 16 January 1948.
By 1948, A.H. Reed was 72 years old and felt the time was right to hand over his collection of rare books and manuscripts to the Dunedin Public Library as he had for many years intended.
It was to be known as the Alfred and Isabel Reed Collection and was made over to the City of Dunedin by deed of gift dated 16 January 1948. The gift was delivered to Dunedin Public Library on 31 March 1948, and a formal opening occurred on Wednesday 5 May 1948 in the Library’s Lecture Hall.
‘Alfred Hamish Reed to the Mayor Councillors and Citizens of the City of Dunedin: Deed of Gift.’ 16 January 1948.
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