Mirror Of The World

Bibliophiles rejoice! The State Library’s latest free exhibition puts some of its rarest and most valuable works on display: fascinating books skimmed from the archives, and curated into this gripping history of book production in the West.

The books themselves are a fabulous miscellany, drawn from various centuries and a range of literary traditions. Beautiful cartographic work mingles with art from the Golden Age of comics, and you can slip easily between early-run editions of Virginia Woolf and those iconic, pulpy Penguins.

The exhilarating view of books as both artistic and material objects winds throughout, and makes for an intriguing look at some truly miraculous texts. Plus, there’s no more reverent space to consider this extraordinary history than the Dome Galleries, nestled around the magnificent La Trobe Reading Room.

Seriously, why is this exhibition like a library book? Because you need to CHECK IT OUT.

WHEN: Daily until 31 December, 10am-5pm
WHERE: State Library of Victoria, Swanston Street (opposite Melbourne Central)
WEB: slv.vic.gov.au/event/mirror-world