A prayer book the size of a postage stamp and a 6.5m-long encyclopaedic mural are the smallest and largest items in the 1997 University of Queensland Alumni Association rare book auction next month.
The mural is a linen-backed chronological chart of ancient modern and biblical history with information from 4004
The map is among 138 items to go under the hammer in Mayne Hall, St Lucia at 6.30pm on Thursday, April 24.
The auction precedes the Alumni's biennial book fair sale of about 100,000 books, journals, magazines, sheet music and records in Mayne Hall from noon to 6pm, April 25 and from 11am to 6pm, April 26-30
.
The Alumni has organised a private viewing for people with disabilities from 10-11am, April 26.
The auction includes cigarette cards dating from the 1930s, a light-hearted cartoon book, The Rules of Golf Illustrated from 1906 and a rare item - The Illustrated Australian Magazine from 1850.
The oldest contribution, dating from 1710-14, is a collection of 635 issues of an English journal The Spectator.
'It's exciting to discover rarities among the donations, many which are made anonymously,' this year's book auction convenor Keith Price said.
The fair will feature new sections on women's studies, entomology and American literature as well as popular sections which include sport, history, art, travel and gardening.
University libraries, Alumni members, current and retired University staff, the general public and University of Queensland Press have donated new and old books.
Sheet music of Gregorian chants to pop music by bands such as KISS will be sold
.
Fair convenor Dr Leslie Williams, of the Anatomical Sciences Department, said about 50 volunteers had sorted, priced and boxed items for the past 18 months.
'We have thousands of donations, particularly in the natural sciences field and Australiana,' Dr Williams said.
'We will continue to accept donations up until the Fair begins.'
Volunteers with expertise in a subject area will staff different sections.
Prices range from a few cents in the general sale to hunderds of dollars for some auction pieces.
Fair and auction proceeds enable the Alumni to donate to the University equipment and facilities not funded through normal channels. The 1995 book fair raised $118,000, and proceeds supported a range of University activities.
An auction catalogue features periodicals that can be purchased before the main sale. The catalogue is available from the Alumni centre (50 Walcott Street, St Lucia) or the Walter Harrison Law Library at the University of Queensland.
Auction items can be inspected in Mayne Hall on April 24 from 4-6pm before bidding starts.
For more information, contact the University of Queensland Alumni Association office (telephone 3365 1565).
