The University of Adelaide is celebrating its 140th birthday by exhibiting a collection as part of About Time: South Australia’s History Festival.
The exhibition will feature 140 treasures the University has collected since it was established in 1874, ranging from archived administrative records from the University’s earliest days through to rare books, art and heritage items related to the University and the wider community. Display items include: · A 1578 handwritten warrant signed by Queen Elizabeth I detailing gifts to be given to the poor on Maundy Thursday · Arthur Boyd’s ‘The Circus’ – six paintings commissioned to illustrate poems by Max Harris in the October 1961 issue of Australian Letters. The paintings can be seen between 1-4pm or by appointment on 8313 5224 · A Venetian publication on astrology and astronomy, published in 1485, illuminated with gold and bright colours and with woodcuts of the constellations · Graduation photograph of Edith Dornwell, the University’s first female graduate in 1885 · The 1872 Deed of Covenant between Walter Watson Hughes, the University of Adelaide’s founding benefactor, and the University Association · Military service record of University staff, graduates and students 1916-1918 – a collection of letters from the families of formed staff and students detailing their war service 140 Treasures: Celebrating 140 Years of the University of Adelaide Rare Books and Special Collections, Level 1, Barr Smith Library, North Terrace campus Continues until Sunday, June 29 Open 8am-10pm Mon-Thurs, closing 6pm Fri, and 10am-5pm on weekends. Cost: Free Images: Arthur Boyd, 1920-1999 ‘The Circus’ paintings (1961) (detail) Queen Elizabeth I, 1533-1603 “A warrante to the great Warderobe for yor Ma’ties Maundye …” 1578 (detail)
