Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Caxton window

Caxton window

for J Ashton & Co 1941

Presented by John Fairfax Ltd, 1941

Located at the southern end of the Mitchell Reading Room, this window honours William Caxton, who was the first English printer. The image shows Caxton presenting his translation of Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye to his patron Margaret of York, Duchess of Burgundy. The book is a collection of the stories or histories of Troy, which he distributed among friends and members of the Duchess’s court. Printed about 1474, it was the first book printed in English, most probably in the city of Bruges. His best-known book, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, was first printed in 1478. The Library holds a first edition leaf in its collection.

This design of the window was based on an old copperplate engraving found in a volume of the Recuyell held in the United States. The engraving is believed to show an authentic image of Caxton.

During World War II many of Sydney’s finest decorative windows and the clock tower of the General Post Office were removed to protect them from possible damage during air raids. Meeting only a few weeks after the opening of the new Mitchell Reading Room, the trustees considered removing the Library’s stained-glass windows but decided to leave them in place.

John Radecki’s original watercolours and artworks for the Caxton window are in the Library’s collection.

William Caxton is thought to have introduced the printing press into England. As well as being the first book printer and seller in England, he was also a writer, translator and diplomat.