The National Library has been selectively collecting Australian printed ephemera since the early 1960s so we can tell the story of Australian life, culture, and major events and issues.

Microform collections documenting the anti-slavery movement from the 18th-20th centuries and selected monographs

Ephemera, such as souvenir programs, match day cards and flyers, and over 1000 photographs, documenting the history of boxing in Australia from the 1870s to the 1990s. 

The Asian language collections cover a broad range of formats and focus on contemporary Asia from the 19th century onwards 

Delve into Ireland’s rich history and culture with the Auchmuty Collection. Featuring rare books, pamphlets, and journals from 1900 to 1950, this specialised resource explores Anglo-Irish relations, the Irish Free State, and more. A treasure trove for researchers, donated by Margaret Auchmuty in 1983.

Take a look at some of the postcards we hold from the first half of the twentieth century and the messages they were sent with.

Memorabilia of musical, theatrical, social events in Queensland collected by the Benvenuti family musicians.

Family papers, maps of the Hong Kong and Macau region, pictures, photographs and a large collection of books and pamphlets predominantly historical works, particularly histories of Portugal, the Portuguese colonies, China and Japan.

Papers, photographs, ephemera, books and journals from Europe, Asia, America and Australia ranging from 1850-1950 collected by Eric Keast Burke.

We’re calling on all Australians to help us build the next chapter of Australia’s political history by collecting ephemera from the 2025 federal election. 

Circus, magic and mime, and puppetry

Over 10,000 volumes and 1500 pamphlets in English, Latin, French, Italian, German and Spanish, with particular strength in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.