Nister Children's Collection
Please help us conserve the Nister Children’s Collection, a wonderfully eclectic selection of Victorian children’s books in colour. This remarkable collection is desperately in need of urgent conservation treatment.
The Nister Children's Collection
Curator, Elizabeth James, explains:
“This is a fascinating collection, which was built up over many years by Ernest Nister, who lived from 1842-1909. It contains many unusual items, with some early examples of pop-ups, many of them featuring unusual shapes. They provide a fascinating window into the world of Victorian children and the entertainment that they had available to them. Many of these books are now extremely fragile and are in urgent need of specialist conservation.”
Our skilled conservators are expertly placed here at the British Library to bring these delicate books back to their vibrant former glory. However, we need your help in order to carry out the work needed on the most vulnerable items.
Support us today and your gift will help us to achieve this – and will ensure that these delightful books survive to be enjoyed by generations to come.
While coming to interview someone at the British Library last year I happened to notice a poster about adopting a book. It struck a chord with me as I had recently lost my father and was looking for ways to pay tribute to him, particularly as my Dad had donated his body to research and I wanted something tangible to dedicate to his memory. By chance I had also visited Highgate Cemetery and the grave of George Eliot a few weeks previously. So when the Adopt-a-Book team said her novel Daniel Deronda was available for adoption I snapped it up.
Allis Moss, Adopt a Book donor
The experience that I have had has been invaluable as I have been able to progress far better and faster than when I was a student. I have been able to develop an in-depth knowledge of book structures and materials, which has helped me to develop my critical judgement when examining objects and considering treatments, a key skill for a book conservator.
Konstantina Konstantinidou, Trainee Conservator