Project update 11 - The Justice Wise collection

Last week the project lost out to activities with the Library's Foundation...although I did spend some time investigating the Justice Wise collection.
In 1865 Justice Wise presented the government with his library of Australian books, pamphlets and manuscripts, in trust, to be placed in a Free Public Library, as soon as one was established
( sounds like a familiar story?) Each book was stamped and then placed in the Australian Museum pending the opening of the proposed library.
The collection was particularly valuable as Justice Wise was one of the earliest collectors to focus on Australiana ( sounds like a familiar story?) At the time the trustees of the Australian Library and Literary Institution ( formerly known as the Australian Subscription Library) devoted their funds to English and European literature.
On 30 September 1869 the Free Public Library of New South Wales opened its doors to the public. On 15 October 1869, the Librarian, Mr R.C. Walker, requested the return of the collection from the trustees of the Australian Museum " in order that they may be placed in this institution for the use and benefit of the Public"
The original collection contained approximately 6,000 items. It is difficult to track the current status of the collection as only in recent years has the presence of the Justice Wise stamp been noted in the catalogue record. We can see from the printed catalogue published in the Australian Museum's annual report of 1865 that the collection held a number of rare and important publications including Barrington's Voyage to New South Wales, Collins' An account of the English colony in New South Wales, Flinders' A voyage to Terra Australis and early editions of the Sydney Gazette.