Rare photographic record of war for sale at Book Fair

Monday 2 July 2007

An official photographic record of Australia's part in World War I will be among the rare books on sale at the biennial Friends of the University of Newcastle Book Fair at the Great Hall from 21 to 28 July.

The collectors' item has 753 photographs, many of them from Gallipoli, taken by Australia's official photographers between 1914 and 1918.

War historians will also be attracted by the inclusion of C.E.W. Bean's The Australian Imperial Force in France and The Story of Anzac from the Outbreak of War to the evacuation of the Gallipoli Peninsula.

President of the Friends of the University, Vic Levi, said a record number of books, magazines, records, CDs and sheet music, covering a wide range of interests, would go on sale when the Fair opened at 10am on Saturday 21 July.

"We have around one million items up for sale at this year, including the largest collection of Beatle's memorabilia ever gathered in the form of a book called The Beatles Forever. It features 400 illustrations showing how the 'Fab Four' changed our culture," Mr Levi said.

"We have many books which can't be found anywhere else, and this is the big attraction. Most are for sale, but a selection of the rarer books will feature in a slow auction on the last day of the Fair.

"This year we have a huge range of university, TAFE and school text books, plus a range of collectables including some magnificent art books, sporting books, biographies and children's fiction.

"We also have more books on cookery than ever before, and many of these are new or near new."

For motorcycle enthusiasts, there is a book on restored bikes from between 1930 and 1960 featuring thirty beautiful colour plates, and for cricket-lovers, Frank Tyson's The Century-makers: the men behind The Ashes, 1877-1977 will be available.

Rugby league followers could snap up a near-complete collection of NRL Cards from 2002 which includes Newcastle Knight's champions Andrew Johns, Danny Buderus, Robbie O'Davis, Billy Peden and Matt and Kurt Gidley.

The Book Fair will be open from 21 to 28 July between 10am and 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday, with an extended opening on Thursday night until 7pm.

Photo opportunity: Access to the book collection prior to the Book Fair can be arranged by calling Blythe Hamilton, Media and Public Relations, on 0448 849 813.

For comment: Vic or Meg Levi on 02 4946 8859 or email viclevi@bigpond.net.au