This Collection comprises some 600 or so books donated to the Library by Professor Kelver Hartley, foundation Professor of French. Professor Hartley also made a major bequest to the University of more than $1,000,000 to enable students studying French language and literature to visit France. Please see below for Emeritus Professor K. R. Dutton's Introduction to the Hartley Collection and Catalogue compiled by Ms Elizabeth Guilford.
The bequest of books made to the Library by Professor Hartley has added to its collection a number of rare and valuable volumes, including first editions and limited-number editions bound in morocco, vellum and other leathers. Amongst many volumes of great interest and value, one might mention in particular the 4th edition (1752) of Buffon's Histoire naturelle, bound in the original 18th century vellum, and a signed and numbered 20-volume edition (1921-27) of the works of Joseph Conrad. There are a number of other volumes listed in the catalogue which are not to be found in any other Australian library.