Manuscripts and personal papers

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An antique world map titled 'General Chart' showing the discoveries made by Captain James Cook during his voyages.

Lieut Henry Roberts, A general chart exhibiting the discoveries made by Capt. James Cook in this and his two preceding voyages, 1789, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-230604992

James Cook and his voyages

Our James Cook collection showcases the Library’s most famous item - Cook’s HMS Endeavour journal.

Collection guide

Mabo Collection

Personal papers and legal material that record of one of the most important and controversial legal cases in Australian history and the life of the man who is chiefly associated with the case.

Collection guide

A portion of a handwritten poem that reads 'Invocation. Come forth from thy oozy couhc, O Ornithorynchus dear, And great with a cordial claw The stranger that longs to hear.'

Mark Twain's ode to Australian wildlife

The Library recently acquired an original draft of a poem by Mark Twain in the form of a letter.

News article

An old hand-written letter in old style script

Letter by Sir John Franklin to Captain Washington, 15 February 1839, nla.obj-3142222639

Newly acquired correspondence between Sir John Franklin and Captain Washington

A letter from Sir John Franklin to Captain John Washington from 1839 was recently acquired by the Library.

News article

Cook, Hutchinson, Wallis, & Bolckow, Journal of H.M.S. Endeavour, 1768, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-228959149

Rights and the Manuscripts Collection

A summary of copyright and rights in the Manuscripts Collection.

Information article

The first Russian Antarctic expedition in 1819-21

The Library has recently acquired a journal recording the first Russian Antarctic expedition in 1819-21.

News article

Pile of letters from the Records of the Australian Federation of Women Voters

Records of the Australian Federation of Women Voters 1920 - 1983, nla.obj-245104655

Using the Manuscripts Collection

How to find and use items in the Manuscripts Collection.

Information article

Library services

Wilson Collection

Drawings, sketches, plans and photographs of Australian colonial architecture, pencil drawings of ancient buildings from China and Greece, drawings and sketches for a proposed "ideal city" of Kurrajong, drawings and sketches of furniture designs, personal papers.

Collection guide

York Collection

About 600 books and 66 serials mainly relating to entomology and the natural sciences. The strength is works on British entomology but also includes Europe, North and South America. About one-third were published in the 18th and 19th centuries

Collection guide

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