Library

The Frank Forster Library

Frank Forster Library

The Frank Forster Library is an historical library with collection strengths in the fields of obstetrics, gynaecology, women's health, sex education and birth control.

The library comprises a general collection and a rare book collection. The general collection is a broad collection holding titles from Australia, New Zealand and overseas. The rare book collection contains many rare antiquarian books dating from the 16th century.

The Frank Forster Library is one of the finest obstetrical and gynaecological collections in the world.

The Collection

General Collection

The strength of the general collection lies in titles published in Australia and New Zealand in the areas of obstetrics, gynaecology, women's health, sex education and birth control. The collection also includes significant publications from all over the world.

Rare Book Collection

The rare book collection holds many rare antiquarian books dating from the 16th century. Subjects include obstetrics, gynaecology, women's health, sex education and birth control. The collection includes books published in Germany, France, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA.

Of great interest is the unique collection of scarce Australian and New Zealand pamphlets dating from 1900 to 1955.

Other highlights of the rare books collection include:

• A Renaissance illustrated anatomical book
  ANZJOG 2004; 44: 378-379 - Fay Bower
  
  The earliest publication held in the Frank Forster Library is: La dissection des parties du corps humain diuisee en trois liures faictz par Charles Estienne docteur en Medecine: avec les figures & declaratio des incisions, composees par Estienne de la Riviere chirurgien. This book is the most fully illustrated of the pre-Vesalian anatomies and is a landmark publication as one of the finest anatomical works of the 16th century.
  

• David D. Davis's Obstetric Textbook and Atlas
  ANZJOG 2003; 43: 338-340 - Fay Bower
  
  David D. Davis (1777-1841) was the physician-accoucher in attendance to the Duchess of Kent when she gave birth to a daughter - the future Queen Victoria. Davis was a prolific writer on the subject of obstetrics and his classes were so well attended that the venues had to be changed to accomodate the large number of students. His obstetric textbook and atlas is beautifully illustrated with detailed lithographic prints More ( 198KB)

• Early Dutch obstetric atlas
  ANZJOG 2004; 44: 86-87 - Fay Bower
  
  Published in 1793, this rare Dutch obstetric atlas titled Obstetric observations and illustrations of a pregnant womb was purchased by the College in 2002. Written by Folkert (Volkert) Snip (1733-1771), illustrated by Maerten Houtman and engraved by de Bakker. The four plates are dated 1767 and show the dissections of the pregnant uterus, each from a slightly different angle More ( 128KB)

• Early 18th Century French Obstetric Textbook
  ANZJOG 2003; 43: 262-63 - Fay Bower
  
  Angelique Marguerite de Boursier du Coudray was a certificated midwife working in Paris from 1740. King Louis XV and his ministers were concerned with the declining birthrate in France so Madame du Coudray was, according to the script beneath her portrait, 'pensioned and sent by the King to teach the practice of midwifery throughout the realm' which she did from 1760 to 1783. To facilitate her teaching du Coudray wrote a textbook in simple language and included colour-coded illustrations to assist the learning process
  More ( 108KB)
  

• Early Obstetric Atlas
  ANZJOG 2003; 43: 96 - Fay Bower
  
  This fascinating early obstetric atlas is remarkable in that some of the illustrations incorporate lift-up sections or 'flaps' - what we now know as 'pop-up books'. This atlas by George Spratt and entitled Obstetric tables was published in many editions in both the US and Great Britain. This second edition is dated 1837 More ( 119KB)

Access

Visiting the Library

The Frank Forster Library is open to Fellows, members, Friends of the College Collection and researchers. Members of the public are welcome to visit by appointment.

The library is open 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. The librarian is part-time.

Rare books are not available for inter-library loan.

Please note that the Frank Forster Library is an historical collection and as such does not focus on collecting recently published titles.

Donations of material are very welcome, however, due to space restrictions only titles not already held in the library are collected. A list of titles is appreciated.

Libraries Australia

The Frank Forster Library holdings are now in Libraries Australia, which holds the combined catalogues of Australian libraries.

LIbraries Australia

Our code is VCOG

This database enables Fellows, members and staff to see if the Frank Forster Library holds a book.NB. Rare books are not for loan, but may be consulted at College House.

Contact

The Librarian

For further information please contact the librarian:

© RANZCOG