Chess Literature Collection !!exclusive!!: Victoria Library Southern Hemisphere Largest

Quick Facts

Official Name: State Library Victoria (SLV) Location: 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Australia Collection Name: The John Anderson Chess Collection Claim: Largest publicly accessible chess literature collection in the Southern Hemisphere. Size: Over 10,000 chess-related items (books, serials, manuscripts, and ephemera).

History of the Collection The collection is named after John Anderson (1918–2004), a Scottish-born Australian chess master, journalist, and bibliophile. Over his lifetime, Anderson amassed one of the world’s great chess libraries. After his death, the State Library Victoria acquired his collection in 2009 with the help of donations and government funding. Combined with SLV’s existing chess holdings, it became the definitive chess research hub for the Southern Hemisphere.

What You’ll Find

Rare Books: Includes 19th-century tournament books, early printed chess manuals (e.g., works by Philidor, Staunton, and Morphy). Periodicals: Complete or near-complete runs of historic chess magazines (e.g., British Chess Magazine , Australasian Chess Review ). Correspondence & Manuscripts: Personal letters, game scorebooks, and tournament records from Australian and international masters. Digital Access: Select items are digitized and available online via SLV’s catalog. Ephemera: Tournament programs, club bulletins, and newspaper clippings.

How to Access | Access Method | Details | |---------------|---------| | In-Person (Free) | Open to the public during library hours. Chess materials are held in the Heritage Collections Reading Room . Request items via the catalog; retrieval may take 30–60 minutes. | | Online Catalog | Search “John Anderson Chess Collection” at library.slv.vic.gov.au . Many records include call numbers and digitized previews. | | Digitized Items | Free to view online. Search Trove (trove.nla.gov.au) or SLV’s digital repository. | | Interlibrary Loan | Rare chess items are generally non-circulating, but loan requests for duplicates may be possible through your local library. |

Tips for Researchers & Chess Enthusiasts Quick Facts Official Name: State Library Victoria (SLV)

Plan ahead – Request items online before your visit to minimize wait time. Bring ID – A library card is free for Victorians; visitors can use on-site registration. Photography – Permitted for personal research (no flash). Check with staff for fragile items. Combine with Chess in the Library – SLV also holds regular chess meetups (casual play) near the Chess Collection area. Nearby attraction – The library is a short walk from the Victorian Chess Centre (Level 1, 66 Smith Street, Fitzroy) for buying/selling chess books and equipment.

Why It Matters This collection is not just a curiosity—it is a primary research hub for chess historians, tournament organizers, and players studying the development of the game in Australia, New Zealand, and the broader Asia-Pacific region. Before 2009, serious chess researchers in the Southern Hemisphere had to rely on overseas libraries (British Library, Cleveland Public Library). Now, Melbourne offers the definitive regional archive.

Contact

Enquiries: heritage-collections@slv.vic.gov.au Phone: +61 3 8664 7000 Website: https://www.slv.vic.gov.au

Final note: If you are planning a visit specifically for chess research, confirm opening hours and any temporary closures (especially for Heritage Reading Room) via SLV’s website. The collection is a hidden gem for chess lovers—well worth the pilgrimage.