Beyond the Book: A Journey Through the Treasures of the Emmerson Collection is a digital exhibition by State Library Victoria that uses leading-edge photogrammetry technology to bring rare collection items to life.
\n\nExplore a treasure trove of rare books and thrilling tales from British history: from King Charles I and the English Civil War to Prince Rupert’s pet hunting poodle and life during the Plague, Beyond the Book takes you back in time to shed new light on a bygone Britain.
\n\nSee impressive and significant works from the internationally renowned John Emmerson Collection in stunning detail for the first time through three-dimensional models.
"}},{"internal":{"type":"paragraph__tiles"},"field_heading":"Stories from the collection","field_desc":{"processed":"Explore seven interlinking story themes that celebrate the strengths and highlights of the John Emmerson Collection.
"},"relationships":{"field_item_ref":[{"internal":{"type":"paragraph__image_tile"},"field_heading":"Making Books","field_desc":{"processed":"Explore the design, paper, typography, printing, illustration and binding materials involved in making books by hand.
"},"field_cta":[{"title":"Learn more","uri":"https://beyondthebook.slv.vic.gov.au/stories/making-books"}],"relationships":{"field_img":{"relationships":{"field_media_image":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fixed":{"src":"/beyondthebook/static/6dfdf33212662a8acf4d014d569368ed/497c6/1-Making-Books.png"}}}}}}}},{"internal":{"type":"paragraph__image_tile"},"field_heading":"Using Books","field_desc":{"processed":"Delve into the wonderful world of marginalia – annotations people make in their books – for a very human connection to the people who have owned and read them over the centuries.
"},"field_cta":[{"title":"Learn more","uri":"https://beyondthebook.slv.vic.gov.au/stories/using-books"}],"relationships":{"field_img":{"relationships":{"field_media_image":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fixed":{"src":"/beyondthebook/static/981fa1f351c37cf2d483dd63e1064bb8/497c6/2-Reading-Books.png"}}}}}}}},{"internal":{"type":"paragraph__image_tile"},"field_heading":"Collectors","field_desc":{"processed":"A celebration of John Emmerson, and an exploration of how a Melburnian came to create one of the world's finest private collections of rare British books and bequeathed them to the people of Victoria.
"},"field_cta":[{"title":"Learn more","uri":"https://beyondthebook.slv.vic.gov.au/stories/collectors"}],"relationships":{"field_img":{"relationships":{"field_media_image":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fixed":{"src":"/beyondthebook/static/8f812398afcd926e7a0785eb94e7c9ff/497c6/3-Collecting-Books.png"}}}}}}}},{"internal":{"type":"paragraph__image_tile"},"field_heading":"Killing the King","field_desc":{"processed":"Go behind the scenes of the English Civil Wars and discover why, and how, Charles I came to be executed in 1649 – the first time a king was executed for treason.
"},"field_cta":[{"title":"Learn more","uri":"https://beyondthebook.slv.vic.gov.au/stories/killing-the-king"}],"relationships":{"field_img":{"relationships":{"field_media_image":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fixed":{"src":"/beyondthebook/static/69fe59401658381e121fb63772f250ae/497c6/4-KillingTheKing.png"}}}}}}}},{"internal":{"type":"paragraph__image_tile"},"field_heading":"It's Not Easy being Queen","field_desc":{"processed":"Journey through the trials and tribulations of Queen Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots and Charles I's Catholic bride Henrietta Maria, as well as his sister Elizabeth of Bohemia.
"},"field_cta":[{"title":"Learn more","uri":"https://beyondthebook.slv.vic.gov.au/stories/not-easy-being-queen"}],"relationships":{"field_img":{"relationships":{"field_media_image":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fixed":{"src":"/beyondthebook/static/969027baa0798b9c0ea6d8dc577be3fd/497c6/5-Queen.png"}}}}}}}},{"internal":{"type":"paragraph__image_tile"},"field_heading":"The Prince and his Poodle","field_desc":{"processed":"Learn about two of the most memorable characters of the English Civil Wars: Charles I’s nephew Prince Rupert of the Rhine, and his poodle, Boy, who was always at Rupert’s side in battle.
"},"field_cta":[{"title":"Learn more","uri":"https://beyondthebook.slv.vic.gov.au/stories/prince-and-poodle"}],"relationships":{"field_img":{"relationships":{"field_media_image":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fixed":{"src":"/beyondthebook/static/e2ad83c8b1769c49ec1d7dfae1ce05f3/497c6/6-Prince-Poodle.png"}}}}}}}},{"internal":{"type":"paragraph__image_tile"},"field_heading":"Times of Crisis","field_desc":{"processed":"Explore the plague and civil wars that were part of life in 17th century England, and reflections by philosophers and poets like John Donne, John Milton and Robert Burton.
"},"field_cta":[{"title":"Learn more","uri":"https://beyondthebook.slv.vic.gov.au/stories/times-of-crisis"}],"relationships":{"field_img":{"relationships":{"field_media_image":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fixed":{"src":"/beyondthebook/static/6d9401fb37f5d25702cc39a324939d6e/497c6/7-Crisis.png"}}}}}}}}]}},{"internal":{"type":"paragraph__video_txt"},"field_heading":"Inside the exhibition","field_video_url":{"uri":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/SBzORUgC-MU"},"field_desc":{"processed":"Beyond the Book has been developed over several years, using leading-edge photogrammetry technology to create three-dimensional digital imagery of the exhibition objects.
\n\nThe use of this technology allows the viewer to see these objects close up, providing them with an experience that can’t be achieved from a physical viewing of the object due to their frail condition. It also gives people all over the world the chance to view these rare items without having to leave their homes.
\n\nBeyond the Book opens access beyond the walls of the Library and gives the public the chance to experience these rare treasures for the first time.
"},"field_cta":[{"uri":"https://beyondthebook.slv.vic.gov.au","title":"Learn more"}]},{"internal":{"type":"paragraph__tiles"},"field_heading":"From the blog","field_desc":{"processed":"Learn more about the treasures from the John Emmerson Collection at State Library Victoria.
"},"relationships":{"field_item_ref":[{"internal":{"type":"paragraph__image_tile"},"field_heading":"Bringing rare books to life with photogrammetry","field_desc":{"processed":"Learn more about the meticulous and extensive photogrammetry work undertaken by the Library’s Digital Production team in preparation for the exhibition.
"},"field_cta":[{"title":"Read more","uri":"https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/arts/3d-modelling-for-beyond-the-book-bringing-rare-books-to-life-by-photogrammetry-technique/"}],"relationships":{"field_img":{"relationships":{"field_media_image":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fixed":{"src":"/beyondthebook/static/9e7b814f6f0e880428f627d5ac90097a/497c6/Blog_4_Beyond-the-Book_Photogrammetry.png"}}}}}}}},{"internal":{"type":"paragraph__image_tile"},"field_heading":"Conservators prepare rare treasures for digital exhibition","field_desc":{"processed":"Go behind-the-scenes and learn how our conservators prepared rare manuscripts and items for Beyond the Book.
"},"field_cta":[{"title":"Read more","uri":"https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/arts/conservators-prepare-rare-treasures-for-new-digital-exhibition/"}],"relationships":{"field_img":{"relationships":{"field_media_image":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fixed":{"src":"/beyondthebook/static/cc43d1b78b02ec6a3d9d5534294e1fb3/497c6/Blog_4_Conservators%201920x1080.png"}}}}}}}},{"internal":{"type":"paragraph__image_tile"},"field_heading":"The trial and execution of a king","field_desc":{"processed":"The Library holds some of the earliest printed accounts of the trial and execution of King Charles I. In this video, Des Cowley, former Principal Librarian, History of the Book and Arts, shares insights into this rich material.
"},"field_cta":[{"title":"Read more","uri":"https://slv.vic.gov.au/view-discuss/des-cowley-emmerson-collection"}],"relationships":{"field_img":{"relationships":{"field_media_image":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fixed":{"src":"/beyondthebook/static/dfcde701d2d447e8ef8413fa559f1495/497c6/Blog_3_Trial%20and%20execution%20of%20a%20king.png"}}}}}}}},{"internal":{"type":"paragraph__image_tile"},"field_heading":"Cataloguing the Emmerson Collection","field_desc":{"processed":"In this blog, the Library's rare book cataloguers Derrick Moors and Richard Overell share their experiences of working with this incredible collection.
"},"field_cta":[{"title":"Read more","uri":"https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/our-stories/cataloguing-the-emmerson-collection/"}],"relationships":{"field_img":{"relationships":{"field_media_image":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fixed":{"src":"/beyondthebook/static/9acb0c3d022da9f81281f3f25431f060/497c6/Blog_2_Cataloguing_1920x1080.png"}}}}}}}},{"internal":{"type":"paragraph__image_tile"},"field_heading":"Rare Book Club: Introduction to the John Emmerson Collection","field_desc":{"processed":"Anna Welch, Principal Librarian, History of the Book and Arts, gives us an introduction to one of the world’s largest collections of rare British printed works in this episode of Rare Book Club.
"},"field_cta":[{"title":"Read more","uri":"https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/stories/rare-book-club-introducing-john-emmerson-collection"}],"relationships":{"field_img":{"relationships":{"field_media_image":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fixed":{"src":"/beyondthebook/static/f15693d7570e8178ea4a5fcc3c56f1cf/497c6/Blog_1_Intro_High-Res-Thumb.png"}}}}}}}}]}},{"internal":{"type":"paragraph__text"},"field_cta":[],"field_heading":"About the collection","field_desc":{"processed":"The John Emmerson Collection is an internationally significant collection of rare British printed works. It was donated to State Library Victoria in 2015 and is the most significant gift of rare books in the Library’s history.
\n\nFormed over 40 years by lawyer John Emmerson, the collection comprises more than 5000 books and pamphlets from the 15th to 18th centuries. The collection has a particular emphasis on the reign of King Charles I and the English Civil War, fought during the 1640s. The only comparable collections belong to the British Library and Oxford’s Bodleian Library.
\n\nIts significance lies not just in the quantity and quality of the books, but also in the important provenance of the items, including works originally owned by significant figures at the time of Charles I’s reign.
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This exhibition is a result of the Australian Research Council Linkage project Transforming the Early Modern Archive: The Emmerson Collection at State Library Victoria.
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\nThe project brings together experts in early modern studies and the digital humanities with specialist library staff, and investigates what the collection contains, why it is significant, and how it can be shared with others.
\nTransforming the Early Modern Archive is a partnership between State Library Victoria and the Australian National University, the University of Newcastle, La Trobe University and Victoria University, Wellington.
The annual World of the Book exhibition at the Library features more than 300 rare, remarkable, historically significant items in the State Collection, including select items from the John Emmerson Collection. View these rare books in person on your next visit to the Library.
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