The long-awaited crate opening of the landmark The TAL & Dai-ichi Life Collection took place at the State Library of New South Wales today. The crate was opened by NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell and NSW State Librarian Alex Byrne, revealing an extraordinary collection of 210-year-old drawings and watercolours of Australian flora and fauna.
The Collection was purchased by the State Library of NSW with the financial support of TAL (formerly TOWER Australia) and its parent company Dai-ichi Life (a large Japanese life insurer), the NSW State Government and the NSW State Library Foundation. It is the most expensive acquisition in the Library’s history. The gift of the Collection was first announced in June 2011.
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210-year-old artwork collection returns to call Australia ‘home’