The David McLaren Collection of Rugby History

David McLaren (1936 - 2023) was a man of many talents. He began his career with the Ministry of Works and studied by correspondence for an engineering qualification which he passed with distinction, winning the Institutes Wallace Premium award in 1966 for the top Commonwealth student. He excelled at archery and in 1966 was the New Zealand champion and a contender for the Olympic Games. He was a grand master in bridge and represented Otago-Southland at the national championships. After he retired he continued studying and completed a degree in film and media studies from the University of Otago.

Throughout his life he maintained an extensive interest in rugby and over decades he assembled New Zealand’s pre-eminent private collection of rare rugby printings, including books, programmes, and souvenirs and photographs, some dating back to the 19th Century. In 1985 he published ‘A Handbook of Rugby Literature’, a record of every rugby book, programme, and souvenir that he was aware of then. This remarkable effort was achieved before the internet, with the vast majority of information gathered by letter writing. A second enlarged edition was published in 1990, becoming an invaluable reference for all sporting collectors and historians.

Art+Object is privileged to be offering his lifetime collection.