World of the Book

Invaluable works by the most important writers in history are on show at State Library Victoria in World of the Book: the rare, the sacred and the iconic.

The first illustrated edition of Mary Shelley’s science-fiction masterpiece Frankenstein, or, The modern Prometheus (1832) makes its debut appearance at the Library, as well as Émilie du Châtelet’s most recognised achievement, her French translation of Isaac Newton’s 1687 work, Principia Mathematica.

Other exhibition highlights include Howard Carter's stunning account of the Western discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb, books on shadowgraphy, medieval manuscripts and elaborate embroidered bindings that belonged to English royalty, John Ruskin’s Chess Set alongside Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-glass and What Alice Found There, books that can’t be opened or read, and a feature display of the Moomins.