Real Gold: Treasures of Auckland City Libraries

The rich variety and depth of the special collections of the Auckland City Central Library emerge in this handsome volume full of rare and valuable literary gems. One hundred treasures are each pictured in full color with accompanying text and organized by category. Among the items featured are a first folio of Shakespeare, illuminated manuscripts, maps of early Auckland, avant-garde private press productions, and Maori manuscripts. At the heart of the collection is the Sir George Grey donation responsible for the foundation of the library in 1887, as well as the score and lyrics of the national song, "God Defend New Zealand."