CITY BENEFACTOR

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 345, 4 May 1928, Page 14

CITY BENEFACTOR

DEATH OF MR. H. SHAW NOTED N.Z. BIBLIOPHILE Mr. Henry Shaw, one of the Dominion’s best known bibliophiles, died in Wellington yesterday, aged 70. It is of recent years only that Mr. Shaw has lived in Wellington, and his business life was spent in Auckland. In 1912 he presented his collection of rare books, manuscripts and incunabula to the Auckland Public Library. His benefaction, combined with that of Sir George Grey, has made the library one of the best in the Southern Hemisphere. Born in Birmingham, Mr. Shaw came to New Zealand with his parents as a boy. He received his early education in Auckland, and later entered the employment of Messrs. S. and J. Vaile. In 1876 he joined the firm of Vaile and Douglas, with which he remained associated for many years. During this t.im eMr. Shaw had acquired the habit of book collecting, and laid the foundation of his .vast bibliographical knowledge. In 1900 he commenced business as an accountant, and assisted in the establishment of the Accountants’ and Auditors’ Association, of which he was president from 1908 until 1911. He was also a member of the City Council for three years, serving helpfully on the library committee. He was also a life member of the Auckland Society of Arts. On retirement from business he worked for a time in the Auckland Library, devoting himself to bibliography and general literary work. One fruit of his labour was the publication of a valuable guide to Sir George Grey’s collection. Mr. Shaw was unmarried, and his body will be brought from Wellington for burial at Purewa.