Virgin and Child on a crescent moon and The seven joys of the Virgin, fols 197v–198r in the Rothschild Prayer Book c. 1505–1510, Kerry Stokes Collection, Perth

In an Australian first, the Rothschild Prayer Book has gone on display at the National Library of Australia in Canberra.
A Spokesperson for the National Library of Australia explained that the Rothschild Prayer Book c.1505–1510 was purchased last year at auction in New York by Australian businessman Mr Kerry Stokes AC, for $A15.5 million—making it one of the world’s most expensive and precious books.
Senator the Hon George Brandis, QC, Attorney-General and Minister for the Arts said the National Library is one of our cultural treasures, and it is a great privilege to have the opportunity to see this priceless piece of history on display here in Australia.
‘The generosity of Mr Kerry Stokes has made it possible for this remarkable treasure to go on show for all Australians to see at the National Library. Mr Stokes is a great Australian and a great arts philanthropist,’ Senator Brandis said.
Director-General of the National Library of Australia, Ms Anne-Marie Schwirtlich, said the Library was honoured to play host to such a significant piece of world history.
‘To think it was lost for more than 300 years, only to be bought by one of the most famous banking families in the world, the Rothschilds, then reportedly looted by the Nazis and hidden in an Austrian salt mine. Add to this the fact it’s regarded as one of the most beautiful books in the world—it really doesn’t get much better than this,’ Ms Schwirtlich said.