Looking at a bunch of old books sounds stuffy and boring but visitors to Russell Museum's The Art of the Book exhibition are gaining an appreciation of the humerous side of rare and historical books. 

"Shaving cream, yuk, thank goodness I didn't live in the early 1900s." 

"How can tying a cow in a stream for two hours be that good for it?"

The Art of the Book exhibition considers how the role of the book influenced the social and cultural landscape of Russell from 1840 to 1960. 

Rare books in Russell Museum/Te Whare Taonga o Kororareka’s collection have been brought out of hiding and in to the light. 

What information was available for people to read and what did that information look like?  How much influence did printed information from the ‘Mother Country’ have? 

This exhibition reveals the integral part that books played in forming and substantiating ideology, setting and reflecting norms, as well as confirming what was acceptable daily practice as these delightful discoveries show us.   

• Ailments of the NZ Dairy Cow by J E Tomlinson (1929).  Therapy  for sprains - Use cold water, or tie the animal in a creek or pond for one hour twice daily.   
  
• Foulsham’s Almanack (1934) predictions - Crime will be active, and many cases of arson and highway robbery will occur.  A well-known actress will be attacked. 
• A Recipe for Pigeon pie, by Louisa Marshall, Cavalli House (1930s). 

Books and their words don’t need an internet connection or electricity in order to transport us. The art of a book is its ability to cultivate experiences through other people’s eyes.

Venue: Russell Museum, 2 York Street Russell, 0202

Date: Now to 14 December 2009
10 am to 4 pm daily