Guille-Alles to showcase one of the rarest books in the world
The Guille-Alles Library is hosting a special event on the most valuable book in its entire collection, The Birds of America, where an expert speaker will be telling the story behind one of the world’s rarest and most extraordinary books.
On Wednesday 23 November, Mark Glancy from the National Museum of Scotland, who curated an exhibition on the rare book earlier this year, will present a lecture on the book’s history, as well as the life and legacy of its creator, John James Audubon.
In 1820, Audubon made it his mission to paint every species of bird in North America. The result was The Birds of America, a stunning collection of life-size prints. No more than 200 complete editions were ever produced, and very few remain today, making it one of the rarest, most famous, and most coveted books in the world.
Listen: Three of the library team joined Tony Curr on a recent podcast to talk about its new exhibition and the story behind The Birds of America
The library’s copy of The Birds of America has been the jewel in its collection since Guille and Alles founded the institution in 1882. It is the star attraction of the Boundless Curiosity exhibition, which celebrates the library’s 140th anniversary, showcasing some of the treasures in the collection.
‘We’re very excited to be welcoming Mark Glancy to the library for this event,’ said Adam Bayfield, head of marketing at the library.
‘It’s a unique opportunity to hear from an expert on Audubon’s life and work. The Birds of America is a truly extraordinary book, and the fact we have a copy here at the library is an amazing part of Guernsey’s heritage. This event will add colour and context to the story, and should make the experience of seeing the book at the exhibition even richer.’
Mr Glancy was library services manager at National Museums Scotland for 13 years before his retirement earlier this year. He curated the Audubon’s Birds of America exhibition at the museum earlier this year. His talk will explore the creation and production of the book, as well as Audubon’s legacy as an artist, naturalist and environmentalist.
The event takes place at 6pm on Wednesday 23 November. Tickets are £5 and are on sale via the library website, www.library.gg/birdsofamerica
