Title

The Orde Poynton Collection : British books and prints 1800-1950.

Venues

Australian National Gallery (9 May 1992 – 16 August 1992)

Date

(1992)

Summary

Multi-artist exhibition. Located: Australia (ACT). Illustrated books

Documentation

18p. ill. Christine Dixon, Stephen Coppel.

Web address

https://nga.gov.au/exhibitions/the-orde-poynton-c…

Country of context

Australia

Abstract

Orde Poynton, CMG, MA, MD, LLD (HON), has generously funded the international illustrated book collection since 1986. With his continued magnanimous provision of funds and gifts, the Australian National Gallery is now well on the way to establishing an excellent collection of nineteenth- and twentieth century illustrated books. This is a magnificent legacy for the Australian public.

A lifelong bibliophile, Orde Poynton first developed an interest in fine printing and rare or unusual editions while a student at Gonville and Caius College Cambridge. Later as a young man, the Senior Resident Medical Officer at Charing Cross Hospital from 1932 to 1934, he frequented all the great antiquarian bookshops in London and further afield.

On his retirement as Director of the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, South Australia, Orde Poynton continued his interest in books. In 1963 he became consulting bibliographer to the Baillieu Library at the University of Melbourne, to which he had donated his print collection and most of his library of over 10 000 volumes.

Orde Poynton has shown his generosity in many ways. As well as providing financial support, he has donated to the International Illustrated Book Collection his own copies of many Kelmscott Press books, which were designed and published by William Morris. During the years of his association with the Australian National Gallery he has also readily imparted to us his considerable knowledge, which ranges from rare hand-coloured or finely printed volumes to the more popular book printing ventures.

Of particular interest to our donor is English book illustration, and in honour of Orde Poynton we have chosen this as the theme for this exhibition.

Jane Kinsman
Curator of International Prints and Illustrated Books

[Australian National Gallery media, 1992].

Last Updated

06 Aug 2024