Theos-Talk Archives (September 2002 Message tt00018)

I am very pleased to be able to announce that a secure and central home hasbeen found for the extensive library and archives of the late Dr John Cooper. The collection has been placed with the National Library of Australia in Canberra, and will be maintained as a separate specialist collection on Theosophy and Theosophical history, with the books now including a beautifully designed bookplate organized by the Library. The Library already has some smaller collections on the history of Theosophy. Two specialist staff from the Library and I spent several days sorting and packing the collection prior to its removal from Johnıs home to Canberra. Interestingly, the collection was finally removed on White Lotus Day! The National Library included a substantial feature on this significant acquisition in the latest edition of its journal. It will, of course, be some considerable time before thewhole collection is catalogued, but this process has already begun. Dr Brendan French and I will be assisting the Library in the cataloguing of the archival material. The National Library has been most enthusiastic about theacquisition of such a valuable and extensive specialist collection, and hopes that it will serve as the foundation for an expanding collection of material on Theosophy. Johnıs collection included a very substantial range of Theosophical journals, many of them in complete sets. As the journals aresorted and catalogued, Dr French and I will, where we can, provide copies of any missing parts from our own collections to facilitate the establishment of complete sets of as many Theosophical journals as possible, and I will no doubt be putting out appeals on this site (and making them to individuals and organizations as well) where missing parts cannot otherwise be located. It can be hoped that the National Library of Australia will become (ifit is not already as a result of this acquisition) the major collection ofworks related to Theosophy in the southern hemisphere. The great advantages of the collection going to the National Library include the fact that clear guarantees have been given regarding the preservation of the collection,without works being given away, sold or thrown out by arbitrary decision (as is a major problem with Australian university libraries), that the National Library is a secure research collection with minimal risk of loss or theft, and that there is a clear commitment to proper and professional conservation of the material. This is of particular concern as far as the archives and photographs are concerned. The extraordinary generosity of the Cooperfamily (who had many opportunities to profit substantially from the commercial sale of the collection) has provided a great resource for scholars of Theosophy and Theosophical history. The Library plans to hold a special exhibition of works related to Theosophical history, including some of the most valuable items from Johnıs collection, in the near future.

Dr Gregory Tillett