A Bible owned by William Shakespeare has recently received sponsorship to ensure its continued preservation.
A 1607 Geneva Bible, with inscriptions said to have been made by William Shakespeare, is part of the Heritage Bible Display in Parramatta. It comes from a collection of Bibles and manuscripts from the Lachlan and Elizabeth Macquarie Collection housed at St Marks Theological Centre, Canberra. To ensure the collection’s continued preservation, texts require sponsorship. Shakespeare’s Bible is the first in the collection to receive that sponsorship.
Rev Dr John Harris, the curator of the Lachlan and Elizabeth Macquarie Collection, has called for action to maintain the collection of ancient texts, some of which are printed on paper which will disintegrate after 150 years.
"Last night I showed an 1856 Chinese gospel of Luke that is in very poor condition, as is Shakespeare’s Bible, as is the first copy of Aboriginal scripture, as are many others. This is because the paper used in the last few hundred years was cheap industrial paper that deteriorates… after 150 years that paper will just crumble, through nothing else but time. We need people who want to sponsor Bibles to ensure their future," he said at the launch of the Heritage Bible Display in Parramatta.
The display, at St Johns Cathedral, Parramatta, contains 36 historical Bibles and manuscripts including a Latin Vulgate Bible from 1495.
Dr Harris believes that the collection is a vital part of Christian history and all attempts to preserve it should be taken. He also emphasised the collection's place in Australian history.
"The significant unifying feature of these Bibles is that they are now Australian," Dr Harris said. "Some were brought here. Some originated here. Some were associated with important Australian events. But all are part of Australian history and part of our national heritage. It is vital to future generations that their beauty and significance is never lost."
Prof Marie Bashir, Governor of NSW opened the display at a ceremony on July 19. At the ceremony, Prof Bashir also presented Dr Harris with the Elizabeth Macquarie Award, for his tireless work in restoring and preserving the collection.
The collection will be on display in Parramatta until July 24.
For more information and opening times visit the website.
There’s a heritage display of a different sort at Leichhardt on August 1. Bach's Cantata 192, "Nun Danket alle Gott' (Now thank we all our God) will be traditionally performed at All Souls Anglican Church, Leichhardt.
The performance will begin at 10 am at All Souls, on the corner of Norton St and Marion St, Leichhardt.
