Guide to the Papers of Dal Stivens

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MS 4713

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Collection Summary

Creator
Stivens, Dallas George (1911-1997)
Title
Papers of Dal Stivens
Date Range
late 1800s-1997 (bulk 1960s-1970s)
Collection Number
MS 4713
Extent
13.25 metres (88 ms boxes + 3 folio boxes + 1 folder in shared security binder + 76 sound/av carriers)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
Special Collections (Manuscripts)

Introduction

Scope and Contents

This large personal archive represents Dal Stivens lifetime involvement in the literary world, with the bulk of the papers relating to his writings. There are drafts of a large number of his articles and short stories, together with subject files containing material from which he drew inspiration. There is correspondence with publishers and agents, both in Australia and overseas, and a smaller group of papers that relate to Stivens' books.The general correspondence comprises letters from many prominent people in the literary sphere, together with correspondence documenting Stiven's day-to-day activities and his literary pursuits. There are papers relating to Stivens interest in art and his involvement in the Captain Cook Bicentenary Literary Competition. There are a small number of family papers and documents and financial papers relating mainly to Stivens' family company D&W Stivens Pty Ltd. Other material in the collection includes photographs, cuttings, notebooks, scrap books, appointment diaries and a number of cassette tapes on to which, in later life, Stivens dictated letters and other work for transcription. Stivens was foundation President of the Australian Society of Authors and included in this collection are papers relating to his long involvement with the Society. There are notes about the early the history of the Society, correspondence, minutes of meetings and copies of the Society's journals and newsletters.

Conditions Governing Access

Access conditions may apply to this collection, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1109537).

Conditions Governing Use

Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.

Preferred Citation

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Dal Stivens, National Library of Australia, MS 4713, [series and/or file number]'.

Provenance

The papers were purchased from Stivens in several small instalments from 1971 to 1973 and in one large instalment from Stivens' companion, Juanita Cragen, in 1999.

National Library's Manuscript Collection:

Records of the Holdsworth Gallery, MS 9153

Records of the Australian Society of Authors, MS 4572

Papers of Jill Hellyer, MS 6814

National Library's Oral History Collection:

Conversation with Dal Stivens [sound recording], interviewer, Hazel de Berg, 1960, ORAL DeB 82

Conversation with Dal Stivens [sound recording], interviewer, Hazel de Berg, 1973, ORAL DeB 643

Dal Stivens speaking at Emmanuel College] [sound recording], 1962, ORAL TRC 50

Other Libraries:

Papers (13 boxes) of Stivens acquired by the Fisher Library, University of Sydney in 1975. (for details of holdings refer to Appendix 2 (see Related Documentation tab).

Arrangement

The Library has grouped like papers into series, with any files created by Stivens kept intact within the relevant series. A list of major correspondents is attached at Appendix 1 (see Related Documentation section) and a list of papers held by the Fisher Library is attached at Appendix 2 (see Related Documentation section).

When received, the papers were mostly in files created by Stivens' companion, Juanita Cragen, many of which she annotated with notes about the contents.

Biographical Note

Dallas George Stivens was born in Blaney, New South Wales, on 31 December 1911, the son of F.H. Stivens, a country bank accountant and later bank manager. His mother was a relative of J.H.M. Abbott, a prolific contributor to The Bulletin and The Lone Hand. Stivens was educated at West Wyalong Public School and Barker College, Hornsby. He had hoped to study either law or architecture at University, but the Depression meant his parents could not afford to send him there. In 1945 Stivens married Winifred Wright, with whom he had two children. They were divorced in 1977.

Initially Stivens followed in his father's footsteps, commencing his working life as a clerk in the Commercial Bank. He left this work soon after the publication in 1936 of his first book of short stories, The tramp and other stories, and began to work as a freelance journalist. In 1939-1942 he was on the staff of the Sydney Daily Telegraph. Stivens' real interest was in writing short stories and novels. To finance this interest, he wrote articles that did not require his emotional involvement with events and people, thus preserving his integrity and style as a creative writer.

From 1943 to 1944 Stivens was employed by Army Education, editing and writing pamphlets. Later in 1944 he joined the Department of Information, writing for the Department about sport and literature and producing an Australiana column. While with the Department, Stivens was seconded as Press Officer to the Labor Minister Arthur Calwell, during which time he wrote the text of the book How many Australians tomorrow?

In 1949 Stivens took up the position of Press Officer at Australia House in London. He resigned from this job in 1950 to become a freelance writer and his short stories were regularly published in Lilliput, The Times Literary Supplement, The Observer and John O'London's Weekly, as well as being broadcast on the BBC. A Commonwealth Literary Fund Grant in 1951 enabled him work on a collection of short stories, later published as The gambling ghost. While in London, he began writing special interest articles on natural history and travel for American and European magazines.

With his young family, Stivens returned to Australia in 1958, where he continued to write articles and short stories. His association in London with the British Society of Authors led him to lobby for the establishment of an equivalent Australian body. In 1963, the Australian Society of Authors was formed, with Stivens being appointed as its first President.

Apart from the short stories and articles which appeared in newspapers, magazines and journals, Stivens published several collections of his short stories and four novels, one of which, A horse of air, won the Miles Franklin Award in 1970. He also published a children's book, The bushranger (1978) and a book on natural history entitled The incredible egg. Stivens' fiction is widely admired for its humour and descriptions of the bush, especially his tall tales and cricketing stories.

In 1981 Stivens won the Patrick White Award for his contribution to Australian Literature and in 1994 he was honoured with a Special Achievement Award in the NSW Premier's Literary Awards. The Australian Folklore Association honoured Stivens' achievements with publication of a 35-page tribute to him in its journal Australian Folklore, No. 11, July 1996.

Dal Stivens died in Sydney on 15 June 1997.

AustLit biographical note on Stivens

Biographical Reference(s)

Graeme Kinross-Smith. Australia's writers. Melbourne: Nelson, 1980.

Barbara Jefferis. 'Folklorist who loved the land', The Age 30 July 1997

Item Descriptions

Series 1. Family correspondence, 1918-1992

The correspondence in this series comprises letters to Stivens from his parents, his wife (Winifred Wright), his children Christopher and Maila and his cousin Geoff Stivens. Included are a small number of copies of Stivens' letters, together with correspondence relating to his divorce.

Correspondence with Geoff Stivens, 1934; 1978-1979 (File 1)

Correspondence with parents, 1918, 1940s-1960s (File 2)

Correspondence with Christopher, Maila and Win Stivens, 1970-1971 (File 3_5)

Correspondence regarding divorce, 1975-1977 (File 6)

Correspondence regarding Mavis James, Stivens' sister, 1992 (File 7)

Series 2. General correspondence, 1930s-1997

During the course of his career, Stivens corresponded with many prominent people in the literary sphere and a large number of their letters can be found in this series. The main correspondents are listed at Appendix 1 (attached - see Related Documentation tab). Stivens met one of the main correspondents, Christina Stead, in London when he was living there. On her return to Australia, she was a regular visitor to Stivens' home and included in this series is correspondence between the two.

This series also contains correspondence relating to Stivens' day-to-day activities, his literary pursuits, grant applications and his many interests including local and state politics and current affairs. There are a large number of invitations to speak at or attend literary and art events and functions and letters of congratulation on his receiving the Patrick White Award in 1981. Included are drafts and copies of many of Stivens' replies to letters. There are also copies of translations of business letters to and from Stivens into other languages.

Correspondence files created by Stivens have been retained and listed as such. All other correspondence has been listed chronologically by year.

Translations: Russia, Yugoslavia and Germany, 1952-1962; 1978 (File 1)

Society of Authors, London, 1961-1963 (File 2)

Literature Board of the Australia Council, 1963-1980 (File 3)

Photocopies of letters from Stivens to A.D. Hope, many of which deal with critical reviews of Stivens' book Three persons make a tiger, 1964-1973 (File 4)

Patrick White, 1968-1983 (File 4a)

Gough Whitlam, 1972-1978 (File 5)

National Library, 1972-1982 (File 6)

Fisher Library, 1975-1980 (File 7)

Harry Heseltine regarding a proposal for the publication of 'The portable Stivens', which did not eventuate, 1975-1985 (File 8)

Correspondence relating to Juanita Cragen's overseas trip to Europe and USA on behalf of Stivens' company promoting sales of literary licences, 1977-1978 (File 9)

Christina Stead,, 1977-1982 (File 10)

Correspondence with others re Christina Stead, 1982-1988 (File 12)

Australia-Chinese Council, 1979-1980 (File 13)

Letters of Shirley Hazzard (1980-1982) and Constance Casey (1980) (File 14)

Congratulatory letters on receiving the Patrick White Award, 1981 (File 15)

Housing development at Middle Harbour, Sydney, 1982-1984 (File 16_17)

Australia Council re Emeritus Fellowship, 1983-1995 (File 18)

Miscellaneous invitations, 1970s-1990s (File 19_22)

Correspondence, undated (File 23_24)

Correspondence, 1930s (File 25)

Correspondence, 1940s (File 26)

Correspondence, 1950s (File 27)

Correspondence, 1960-1965 (File 28_29)

Correspondence, 1966-1967 (File 30)

Correspondence, 1968-1969 (File 31)

Correspondence, 1970 (File 30)

Correspondence, 1971 (File 33)

Correspondence, 1972 (File 34)

Correspondence, 1973-1975 (File 35)

Correspondence, 1976-1977 (File 36)

Correspondence, 1978 (File 37)

Correspondence, 1979 (File 38)

Correspondence, 1980 (File 39_40)

Correspondence, 1981 (File 41)

Correspondence, 1982 (File 42)

Correspondence, 1983 (File 43)

Correspondence, 1984-1985 (File 44)

Correspondence, 1986-1989 (File 45)

Correspondence, 1990-1995 (File 46)

Correspondence, 1996-1997 (File 47)

Series 3. Correspondence with agents, 1952-1995

As well as his agent in Australia, Curtis Brown, Stivens had agents in several other countries where his work was published. Correspondence with these agents is located in this series. The papers have been listed alphabetically by name of agent.

Astra Press Services, London (1952-1955); African Press Features, Cape Town (1962); Associated Newspapers, London (1956-1962); A.S. Bookman, Copenhagen (1963) (File 1)

Curtis Brown, Australia, 1970-1995 (File 2_6)

Curtis Brown, United Kingdom (1967-1983) and New York (1978-1980) (File 7)

Christy Moore, London (1961-1963); David Higham Associates, London (1959-1965) (File 8)

Dilia, Czechoslovakia, 1961-1983 (File 9)

Frank Feldman, UK (1953-1959); I.A. Features (1956-1958); Alan Foley, Sydney (1958-1960) (File 10)

John Farquharson, London (1963-1969); London Express News Feature Services (1954-1959) (File 11)

Erica Kalmer, London, 1954-1987 (File 12)

Scott Meredith, New York (1954-1955 and 1979); Gordon Molson, USA (1962-1966); B.P. Singer Features, USA (1963-1968); W.B. Wallace, Sydney (1955-1956); YAFFA Syndicate, Sydney (1956-1958) (File 13)

France (1962-1965) and Japan (1962-1968) (File 14)

Correspondence with agents in New York, 1963-1969 (File 15)

Series 4. Correspondence with publishers, 1951-1991

Over the course of his career, Stivens corresponded with a number of publishers, both national and international, regarding the publication of his articles, stories, novels and other writings. Those publishers with whom Stivens' had more substantial correspondence are listed alphabetically by name of publisher or publication, while lesser correspondence is grouped alphabetically in the last folders (folders 27-37).

Australian Book Society (1965-1976); The Asian Magazine (1962-1964); American newspapers (1963-1965); Artis (1969-1975); American Heritage Publishing (1960-1965) (File 1)

Angus Robertson, 1946-1995 (File 2_4)

Audubon magazine, New York (1963-1966); Animals (later Wildlife), London (1964-1978) (File 5)

Billy Blue magazine, Sydney (1982-1984); The Cheshire Group, Melbourne (1960-1970); Clipper magazine, Minnesota (1964-1965); California Academy of Science, San Francisco (1964-1966) (File 6)

Collins, Sydney, 1961; 1972-1983 (File 7)

Country Beautiful, Wisconsin, 1963-1968 (File 8)

Das Tier, Frankfurt, 1962-1981 (File 9)

Eastern horizon, Hong Kong (1964); Georgian House, Melbourne (1963-1972); John Currey O'Neil, Melbourne (1972 and 1982-1984); Kosmos, Stuttgart (1964-1965 and 1979) (File 10)

Horizon Press, New York (1956-1965); Hodder Stoughton, Sydney (1979-1983); House and Garden, New York (1964-1968) (File 11)

Holiday, New York (1964-1965); Longman Cheshire, Melbourne (1972-1982); Jacaranda Press, Sydney (1964 and 1978-1984) (File 12)

The lion, Illinois, 1965-1968 (File 13)

Macmillan, London, 1954; 1962-1981 (File 14)

Meanjin, Melbourne (1978-1979); Methuen, Sydney (1983-1984); Macrae-Smith, Phildadelphia (1963-1964) (File 15)

Natural History, New York (1964-1973 and 1978); Nature magazine, Saint-Ouen France (1964-1965) (File 16)

Nature, USSR (1965); National Geographic Society, Washington (1961-1963) (File 17)

Nelson, Melbourne, 1971-1983 (File 18)

New York Zoological Society (1961-1972); New York Times (1964-1968) (File 19)

Penguin Books, Melbourne,, 1976-1991 (File 20)

Outback Press, Melbourne (1979); Pacific Travel News, San Francisco (1965); Pix magazine, Sydney (1965-1966); Posh magazine, San Francisco (1962-1968) (File 21)

Reader's Digest, Sydney, 1966-1981 (File 22)

Rigby, Adelaide (1963-1964 and 1976-1980); The Rotarian, Illinois (1962-1978) (File 23)

Renown Publishers, New York (1958 and 1966); Squire magazine, Sydney (1964); Short Story International, New York (1965-1966); Science Digest, New York (1963-1969) (File 24)

Volk und Welt, Berlin, (1975-1985); Vogel Kosmos, Stuttgart (1965); La vie des bĂȘtes, Paris (1964-1979) (File 25)

Walkabout, Sydney (1979); Westways, California (1962-1970); Why Not magazine, San Francisco (1964); Wild Woolley, Sydney (1975-1984); Wren Publishing, Melbourne (1975-1977) (File 26)

Willis Kingsley Wing, New York, 1956-1965 (File 27)

Correspondence with publishers: A-B, 1951-1991 (File 28)

Correspondence with publishers: C-F, 1962-1988 (File 29)

Correspondence with publishers: G-J, 1954-1984 (File 30)

Correspondence with publishers: K-N, 1958-1984 (File 31)

Correspondence with publishers: O-R, 1957-1987 (File 32)

Correspondence with publishers: S-Z, 1959-1986 (File 33)

Correspondence with publishers of juvenile material, USA, 1963-1972 (File 34)

Correspondence with publishers re copyright (File 35)

Correspondence with publishers regarding remainders, 1980 (File 36)

Correspondence with publishers: miscellaneous notes (File 37)

Series 5. Letterbooks, 1966-1984

This series contains five letter books, which comprise carbon copies of letters written by Stivens in 1966, 1974 and 1979-1984.

5 items

Series 6. The Courtship of Uncle Henry: a collection of tales and stories

Stivens' collection of short stories entitled The Courtship of Uncle Henry: a collection of tales and stories, was published by Reed and Harris, Melbourne, in 1946. Contained in this series are early drafts of the stories, together with a bound typescript. There is an undated original pen and ink illustration by Vane Lindesay.

Early drafts (File 1_2)

Typescripts and Lindesay illustration (File 3_4)

Bound typescript (File 5)

Series 7. Jimmy Brockett

Jimmy Brockett, Stivens' novel about Australian politics, was published in 1951 by Britannicus Liber, London. In 1948, under the title The entrepreneur, the story had shared third prize in the Sydney Morning Herald novel contest. Contained in this series are reviews, publicity material and bound typescript copies of the book. There is also a synopsis by Damien Parer for a proposed movie based on the book (1984).

Publicity material and reviews (File 1_2)

Synopsis, 1984 (File 3)

Bound typescripts (File 4_5)

Series 8. Ironbark Bill

Contained in this series are early drafts and typescripts of short stories published in Stivens' book Ironbark Bill. It was illustrated by H.J. Rothe and published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney, in 1955.

2 folders

Series 9. Three persons make a tiger: translated from the Chinese of Wu Yu

Three persons make a tiger: translated from the Chinese of Wu Yu is Stivens' satire on contemporary life, purported to be a translation from a previously unknown Chinese manuscript written by a Dr Wu Yu. This series contains typescript drafts, extracts, a review, a translation by Arthur Waley of Monkey by Wu Ch'ĂȘng-ĂȘn and a copy of The Monkey King by Sun Wu-Kung, 1962.

Early draft; review; translation and copy of The Monkey King (File 1)

Extracts (File 2)

Bound typescripts (File 3_4)

Series 10. A horse of air

Stivens' novel, A Horse of air, which has as its plot an expedition in search of the rare night parrot of Central Australia, won the Miles Franklin Award in 1970. Contained in this series are papers relating to the novel, including research material, notebooks, correspondence, cuttings, maps and reviews. One correspondent is Len Beadell, who surveyed the Gun Barrel Highway in 1968-1969. There are unsigned original illustrations for the front cover of the book, which were not used, and a copy of the published book.

Research material (File 1_4)

Notes and plan of the novel (File 5)

Manuscript draft (File 6_7)

Edited manuscript and typescript draft, commenced in, 1967 (File 8_9)

Typescript draft (File 10_11)

Edited typescript (File 12)

Reviews, illustrations and published book (File 13)

Series 11. The incredible egg: a billion year journey, 1972-1977

Papers in this series relate to Stivens' natural history book about evolution entitled The incredible egg; a billion year journey. Illustrated by Bob Hines, it was published in New York by Weybright and Talley, c1974. It was a great disappointment to Stivens that the book was never published in Australia. There is correspondence with the publishers, research and editing notes and a typescript draft and a proof copy.

Research notes (File 1_3)

Correspondence with publishers (1972-1977), book jacket and a copy of the agreement with Collins, New York (undated) (File 4)

Proof copy (File 5)

Bound typescript draft (File 6)

Series 12. Short stories

Stivens was a prolific writer of short stories from the 1930s onwards. Many of his stories combined humour and irony and he was drawn to the 'tall story' genre, which he attributed to growing up with the 'yarns' of his family. He also had an interest in fantasy, science fiction and 'bawdy tales', which form the basis of other stories.

Stivens' first book, The tramp and other stories, which comprised short stories of the Depression, was published in London in 1936. Other collections were to follow, including The courtship of Uncle Henry: a collection of tales and stories (1946); The gambling ghost and other tales (1953); Iron Bark Bill (1955); The scholarly mouse and other tales (1957); Selected stories 1936-1968 (1969); The unicorn and other tales (1976) and The demon bowler and other cricket stories (1979). His stories have also been published in numerous magazines, journals, newspapers and anthologies, both national and international.

Contained in this series are drafts (mostly undated) of a large number of Stivens' short stories. In some cases there are several heavily edited drafts which illustrate well his creative processes. There is also evidence that Stivens reworked some of his earlier stories a number of years later, possibly for re-publication. There are papers relating to what appears to be a proposed publication by Penguin of a collection of Stivens' works entitled 'Best short stories of Dal Stivens'.

As with his articles, Stivens occasionally published under a pseudonym, using the names John Sidney, James Crockett, Jeff Peter and John Wilton.

The stories are grouped alphabetically by title.

Short stories: A (File 1)

Short stories: B (File 2_8)

Short stories: C (File 9_13)

Short stories: D (File 14_17)

Short stories: E (File 18)

Short stories: F (File 19_22)

Short stories: G (File 23_26)

Short stories: H (File 27_29)

Short stories: I (File 31_31)

Short stories: J (File 31)

Short stories: K (File 32)

Short stories: L (File 33_34)

Short stories: M (File 35_37)

Short stories: N-O (File 38)

Short stories: P (File 39_41)

Short stories: R (File 42)

Short stories: S (File 43_47)

Short stories: T (File 48_50)

Short stories: U (File 51)

Short stories: V (File 52)

Short stories: W (File 53_55)

Short stories: Y (File 56)

Untitled stories (File 57)

Untitled fragments of stories (File 58)

Papers relating to 'Best short stories of Dal Stivens' (File 59_60)

Cuttings of Stivens' stories published in other languages (File 61)

Miscellaneous papers (File 62)

Series 13. Cricket Stories

Stivens had a great interest in cricket. This series comprises edited typescript and manuscript drafts of his short stories relating to cricket, some of which were published in his book The demon bowler and other cricket stories. There are numberous cuttings relating to cricket, notes and drafts of stories about 'Dr Grace' (W.G. Grace) and a small original pen and ink illustration of a cricket bat, unsigned but attributed to the cartoonist Michael Leunig.

Drafts of stories (File 1)

Dr Grace stories (File 4)

Cuttings and a mini cassette tape of an article by Stivens (File 5_7)

Copy of The demon bowler; Leunig illustration (File 9)

Edited draft of an untitled cricket story, 1984 (File Folio 1)

Series 14. Natural history articles

From his early childhood, Stivens had a particular interest in all aspects of natural history and wrote numerous articles on related topics including animal behaviour, insects, marine life and bird life in both Australia and New Zealand.

Contained in this series are a large number of files comprising research notes, photographs and drafts of articles, together with typescripts of many of his articles. There is one file of draft articles with the heading 'From an amateur naturalist's book', which it appears may have been for publication as a regular column. There are a small number of copies of his published articles. The files have been grouped alphabetically by subject (taken from Stivens' file titles) and the typescripts have been grouped alphabetically by title.

Stivens published articles under a number of pseudonyms, most commonly as John Sidney, but he also used the names Richard Fitter, Jeff Peters, Jack Tarrant, David/John Chilton, and David/John Wilton.

Animals: Adaptation; Albinos; Cheap labour; Courtship; Endangered; Food (File 1)

Animals: Eyes (File 2)

Animals: Harmful (File 3)

Animals: How human are they? (File 4)

Animals: Intelligence; Kings of the jungle; Made owners rich; Marksmen; Nurseries (File 5)

Animals: Play (File 6)

Animals: Resurrecting extinct; Social life; Strange; of Sydney (File 7)

Animals: Sleep (File 8)

Animals: Status/territory (File 9)

Animals: Threatened; Versus man; Weather prophets; What we can learn from them; Welfare (File 10)

Animals - Australian: Bandicoot (File 11)

Animals - Australian: Dingo (File 12_13)

Animals - Australian: Echidna; Platypus (File 14)

Animals - Australian: Kangaroo (File 15)

Animals - Australian: Koala; Marsupial mole (File 16)

Animals - Australian: Thylacine (File 17)

Animals - Australian: general (File 18)

Animals - general: Bison; Camels; Dogs (File 19)

Animals - general: Goats; Mice; Rabbits; Tree kangaroo (PNG) (File 20)

Barrier Reef (File 21_22)

Birds: Albatross; Bird of paradise; Cape Baron geese (File 23)

Birds: Dodo; Egret; Frigate birds; Great auk; Penguins (File 24)

Birds: Lyrebird (File 25)

Birds: Mutton birds; Megapodes; Silvereye; Rainbow lorikeets (File 26)

Birds: White heron (File 27)

Birds: Camouflage; Food; Hibernation; Introduced; Migration (File 28)

Birds: Mimicry (File 29)

Birds: National; Of prey (File 30)

Birds: Song (File 31)

Birds: Miscellaneous (File 32)

Flora: Australian; Cactus; Names of (File 33)

Flora: Eucalyptus (File 34_35)

Insects: Butterflies (File 36)

Insects: Bees; Cockroaches; Crickets (File 37)

Insects: Fleas; Flys; Locusts (File 38)

Insects: Spiders (File 39_40)

Insects: Miscellaneous (File 41)

Marine life: Box jelly fish (File 42)

Marine life: Dugongs; Frogs (File 43)

Marine life: Gropers (File 44)

Marine life: Lungfish; Octopus (File 45)

Marine life: Porpoises (File 46)

Marine life: Sharks; Stingray; Swordfish (File 47)

Marine life: Miscellaneous (File 48)

Nature: Inventions (File 49)

New Zealand: Flora and fauna; Trout; Tuatara (File 50)

New Zealand: Waitomo Caves (File 51)

New Zealand - birds: Ground parrot; Huias; Kakapo (File 52)

New Zealand - birds: Kea; Kiwia; Pigeon (File 53)

New Zealand - birds: Tui; Wekas; White herons (File 54)

New Zealand - birds: Flightless (File 55)

New Zealand - birds: Mt Bruce (File 56)

New Zealand - birds: Miscellaneous (File 57)

New Zealand - Miscellaneous, 1966-1968 (File 58)

Snakes (File 59)

Worms - giant (File 60)

Typescripts: A (File 61)

Typescripts: B (File 62)

Typescripts: C-E (File 63)

Typescripts: F-G (File 64)

Typescripts: H (File 65)

Typescripts: I-L (File 66)

Typescripts: M-P (File 67)

Typescripts: S (File 68)

Typescripts: T-U (File 69)

Typescripts: W (File 70)

Typescripts: untitled (File 71)

Drafts entitled 'From the amateur natrualist's notebook' (File 72)

Miscellaneous drafts (File 73_74)

Cuttings of published articles, 1957-1982 (File 75_76)

Miscellaneous papers (File 77_78)

Series 15. General articles, c1930s-1984

In addition to his natural history articles, Stivens wrote articles on a wide range of topics, the first of which were published in the 1930s and the bulk of which were written from the late 1950s to the mid 1960s. Contained in this series are files containing research notes, cuttings and drafts of articles, together with typescripts of many of his articles. There is a file of articles for 'Off beam', a regular column written by Stivens for The Australian. There are a small number of copies of his published articles, including a cuttings book containing his early articles from the 1930s. The files have been listed alphabetically by subject (taken from Stivens' file titles) and the typescripts alphabetically by title.

Stivens published articles under a number of pseudonyms, most commonly as John Sidney but he also used the names Richard Fitter, Jeff Peters, Jack Tarrant, David/John Chilton, and David/John Wilton.

Aborigines (File 1)

Aboriginal art (File 2)

Daisy Bates; Biological clocks (File 3)

Boomerangs (File 4_6)

Mary Bryant; Buckjumping; Bullfighting; Bunyips (File 7)

Bushfires; Bushland (Hornsby); Canal boats (File 8)

Conservation (File 9)

Crime (File 10)

Creativity; Eggs; the Flying Doctor (File 11)

Food (File 12)

Gardens (Sydney); Gibralta; Game farming (File 13)

Horses; Inspiration; Inventions; Ikebana (File 14)

Charles Kingsford-Smith; Lions [hunting of]; John Lynch; Samuel Morton; Noise (File 15)

Northern Territory (File 16)

Opals; the Outback (File 17)

Psychology; Pearling; Perfume; Plumbing; Prescriptions (File 18)

Radio telescopes; Saffron; Salt; Sandalwood (File 19)

Shooting; Smith and Ulm; Smoking; Tape recording (File 20)

Travel (File 21_22)

Union [American brigg], loss of (File 23)

Charles Waterton; Water spouts (File 24)

'Off Beam' articles, 1964 (File 25)

Typescripts: A-B (File 26)

Typescripts: C (File 27)

Typescripts: D-G (File 28)

Typescripts: H-L (File 29)

Typescripts: M-O (File 30)

Typescripts: P-S (File 31)

Typescripts: T-Y (File 32)

Typescripts: untitled (File 33_34)

Manuscript and typescript drafts (File 35)

Cutting book, c1930s (File 36)

Cuttings, c1949-1966; 1980-1984 (File 37)

Miscellaneous papers (File 38)

Series 16. Other writings, c1938-c1983

In addition to novels, short stories and articles, Stivens' papers include drafts of his writings in other genres, many of which were unpublished. There are bound typescripts of a novel entitled 'Well Anyway'; a collection of short stories entitled 'Bounce on the two-backed beast and other bawdy tales'; a natural history book entitled 'Stop...look...and wonder', which comprises selected copies of Stivens' natural history articles arranged into sections, and a book entitled 'An ABC of natural history wonders' with an accompanying letter from Stivens' agent, Curtis Brown, advising that they had been unable to find a publisher for the book. There are also scripts of plays; drafts of children's stories; notes for speeches and lectures, drafts of letters to the editor, poetry and ideas for novels.

In 1946, Stivens was the scriptwriter for the production of a series of ABC Radio programs about Australian folklore entitled Tall tales. There are scripts from the program, together with the typescript of a play entitled 'Nothing to what I've done', from the same period. Also in this series are miscellaneous papers accumulated by Stivens relating to writing style, including a copy of Writing to sell by Scott Meredith, 1950.

Stivens wrote the script for an ABC TV production about eccentric characters in history. Entitled See it my way, it was first televised in 1972 and included in this series are editorial notes by Denis Oran, research material, synopsis, film sequences and letters of congratulation to Stivens from Bill Scott, Harry Heseltine and Nancy Keesing.

There is a large group of typescripts of short stories by other authors, which it appears were for a proposed anthology of Australian writing. Some of the stories were included in Coast to coast, Australian stories 1957-58, which were selected by Stivens and published in 1958.

'Stop...look...and wonder' - bound typescripts (File 1)

'Well anyway' - bound typescripts (File 3_4)

'Bounce on the two backed beast and other bauwdy tales' - bound typescript (File 5)

'An ABC of natural wonders' - outline, edited drafts and typescript, c1965-1973 (File 6_7)

Typescript of an untitled and uncompleted novel, c1938 (File 8)

Typescript and published version which appeared in Lilliput of a story entitled 'The demon bushranger'; hardcover copy of The bushranger, published by Collins, Sydney in 1978 with illustrations by Bruce Treloar (File 9)

Outlines and typescripts of scripts of plays: (File 10_13)

'Ninety-nine times as high as the moon', c 1983

'Conversation to a Beethoven string quartet', nd

'Songs we sing in Australia', nd

Radio plays: 'Prelude to sleep' (c1950), 'The shilling' and 'Samson'

Several untitled scripts

See it my way - research and editorial notes, synopsis, film sequences and correspondence, c1971-1972 (File 14)

Tall stories - typescripts and script of 'Nothing to what I've done, c1946 (File 15)

Poetry, c1964-1982 (File 16)

Draft of what appears to be a novel entitled 'Quiros' (File 17)

Drafts of children's stories (File 18)

Draft of a script entitled 'Status - an obsession we share with the animal kingdom' (File 19)

Writings: (File 20)

Radio script about Australian ballads for broadcast to schools, 1954

Reviews by Stivens, 1954

Notes re living in the UK, 1949

Lecture notes (File 21_22)

Speeches (File 23)

Letters to the editor (File 24_26)

Ideas for novels (File 27_32)

Draft of a piece by Stivens about his relationship with Christina Stead (File 27)

Shorts stories by other authors (File 34_39)

Notes by Stivens about some of his published works (File 40)

Notes on writing style (File 41_42)

Series 17. The Australian Society of Authors, 1962-1997

Stivens was the driving force behind the formation of the Australian Society of Authors (ASA). During his time in England, Stivens had found the British Society of Authors a great support. On his return to Australia he determined to establish a similar organisation and, together with Jill Hellyer and Walter Stone, lobbied for an Australian equivalent. The ASA was formed in 1963, with Stivens being appointed as its first President.

Having initially anticipated a six-month involvement with the Society, Stivens was to be closely involved with it for its first eleven years, in the roles of both President (1963-64 and 1966-73) and Vice-President (1964-66). Stivens turned his considerable talents to the task of establishing the rights of Australian authors within the commercial sphere. He co-authored the Society's first book on contracts, provided numerous articles for the press and for the Society's own publications and spoke at meetings and seminars. In 1967 Stivens was honoured as Foundation President, and in 1977 was made a Life Member of the Society.

Papers in this series relate to Stivens' involvement with the Society. There are early papers about the history of the Society, including minutes from the first meeting at which a Society was proposed (24 Oct 1962), and minutes of the first meeting of the newly formed Society (15 May 1963). There are notes and cuttings relating to a number of topics of relevance to Australian authors; correspondence; reports, agenda and minutes of meetings covering a number of years; an incomplete set of The Australian Author, the quarterly journal of the ASA and an incomplete set of ASA newsletters.

Notes re the history of the Society (File 1)

Scrapbook re history of the Society, including Constitution (File 2)

Articles of Association and lists of Committee members (File 3)

Cuttings and drafts of two articles by Stivens relating to censorship, c1960s (File 4)

Papers relating to Walter Stone: Correspondence (1967, 1980-1981); cuttings of obituaries for Stone; draft of a tribute by Stivens and a copy of Walter Stone Collection, catalogue four, published by the Antique Bookshop Curios, Cremorne, 1983 (File 5)

Preparation of tax returns, 1972-1977 (File 6)

Revisions for the Society's writer's handbook, 1979 (File 7)

Copyright Amendment Bill, 1979 (File 8)

Correspondence, undated (File 9)

Correspondence and papers, 1963-1969 (File 10)

Correspondence and papers, 1969-1974 (File 11)

Correspondence and papers, 1972-1974 (File 12)

Correspondence and papers, 1976-1978 (File 13)

Correspondence and papers, 1978-1980 (File 14)

Correspondence and papers, 1979 (File 15)

Correspondence and papers, 1980 (File 16)

Correspondence and papers, 1981 (File 17)

Correspondence and papers, 1982-1983; 1988 (File 18)

Correspondence and papers, 1990-1997 (File 19)

Minutes of meetings, 1962; 1972-1976 (File 20)

Minutes of meetings, 1978-1979 (File 21)

Minutes of meetings,, 1980 (File 22)

Minutes of meetings, 1981 (File 23)

Minutes of meetings, 1982 (File 24)

Minutes of meetings, 1983 (File 25)

Minutes of meetings, 1984-1985 (File 26)

Minutes of meetings, 1986-1992 (File 27)

'Chairman's newsletter', 1978-1980 (File 28)

Newsletter, 1981-1983 (File 29)

Newsletter, 1984-1997 (File 30)

Journal, 1963; 1966; 1978; 1980-1981 (File 31)

Journal, 1982-1984 (File 32)

Journal, 1985-1990 (File 33)

Journal, 1991-1995 (File 34)

Miscellaneous newsletters and journals reltaing to writers and writing, 1976-1986 (File 35)

Series 18. Captain Cook Bicentenary Literary Competition, 1969-1970

Stivens was Chair of the Captain Cook Bicentenary Literary Competition, a public literary competition held as part of the Captain Cook Bicentenary celebrations in 1970. There were a number of categories to the competition, which had a total prize pool of $30,000. The papers in this series relate to the competition and comprise correspondence, agenda and minutes of meetings, reports, press statements, brochure design and judging panels.

3 folders

Series 19. Art, 1971-1979

In 1971, at the age of 59, Stivens took up painting for the first time, and it was to remain a strong interest for the rest of his life. His first works were large abstracts in acrylic. He went on to use a variety of media including plastics, crayons, household oils, fabric dyes and glitter paints. In 1974 he held a one-man exhibition at the Holdsworth Gallery in Sydney and later that year some of his work was reproduced in Art in Australia. In August 1979 three of his illustrations accompanied articles in the literary journal Helix.

Papers in this series include slides and photographs of Stivens' paintings, several rough sketches, art catalogues, cuttings and correspondence with Gisella Scheinberg, owner of the Holdsworth Gallery.

Cuttings about Stivens and his art (1971); copy of Helix (1979) (File 1)

Slides and negatives of Stivens' art (File 2)

Sketches by Stivens (File 3)

Holdsworth Gallery - correspondence, 1974 (File 4)

Information about art products, c1970s (File 5)

Cuttings about art, 1974-1976 (File 6)

Drawings by Stivens and two scrapbooks containing cuttings about art (File Folio 1)

Series 20. Research files

Stivens accumulated a large amount of material in the form of research notes, cuttings, ephemera and photographs on a variety of topics, much of which was used as the basis for his articles. Included in this series are files of this material, listed alphabetically by topic (based on Stivens' file titles).

Animals (File 1_2)

Art; Australia (File 3)

Biological control; Books; Bushcraft (File 4)

Birds (File 5_8)

Canberra; Caroline Chisholm; CIA in Australia; Coins; Continental drift (File 9)

Depression; Dinosaurs; Evolution; Finance (File 10)

Fire extinguishers; Fishing; Malcolm Fraser (File 11)

Flora (File 12)

Gulf of Carpentaria; Caroline Grills; Humour (File 13)

House and garden: source material for articles (File 14)

Inflation; Insects; Literature (File 15)

Marine life (File 16)

Musicians; Murray River (File 17)

Natural history (File 18)

Physics; Politics; Posture (File 19)

Psychology (File 20)

Naturalists; New Zealand; Nullabor; Pacific region; Personalities; Oriental carpets (File 21)

Quotations; The Rocks (Sydney); Science; Silver; Smoking (File 22)

Snowy River; Social security; Sociology; Sport; Sydney (File 23)

USA; Vietnam; Waltzing Matilda; Patrick White; Wine (File 24)

Wedgwood; Wine (File 25)

Series 21. Notebooks and address books

This series comprises a number of Stivens' notebooks together with several address books, some of which were used to record details of articles and short stories sent to publishers. The notebooks contain jottings of ideas for stories and cuttings, mostly related to writing, including markets in the United States and Canada. Stivens was a keen gardener and there is one notebook containing cuttings and notes on this topic. There are also several telephone notepads, which were in Stivens' study at the time of his death.

Notebooks (Item 1_10)

Address books (Item 11_17)

Small notepads (File 18)

Telephone notepads (File 19_20)

Series 22. Cuttings

This series contains a large number of cuttings accumulated by Stivens. Apart from folders relating to the Whitlam Government, music and gardening, the remainder of the cuttings, which are in no particular order, are on a range of topics including literature, history, current affairs, politics, natural history, gardening and science.

Cuttings on gardening (File 1)

Cuttings on music (File 2)

Cuttings on the Whitlam Government (File 3_4)

Miscellaneous cuttings (File 5_14)

Series 23. Scrapbooks

This series comprises 16 large scrapbooks created by Stivens. There are eight containing cuttings, the bulk of which are on matters relating to art. Other topics include current affairs and politics, together with invitations to functions and other ephemera. The remaining scrapbooks contain cuttings of reviews of Stivens' books , ephemera from a seminar in Townsville in June 1977 and papers relating to the Australian Society of Authors.

16 items

Series 24. Index cards

The three sets of alphabetical index cards in this series comprise Stivens' record keeping system for identifying which articles or short stories had been sent to publishers and when.

Alphabetical by publisher (File 1)

Alphabetical by name of article (File 2)

Alphabetical by name of story (File 3)

Series 25. Cassette tapes, c.1977-1982

In later years, Stivens' eyesight deteriorated and, until he had an operation to remove cataracts, it became his practice to dictate letters, stories, etc on to mini-cassette tapes for transcription. Contained in this series are a number of these tapes for the period c1977-1982.

3 boxes of tapes

Mis-pronunciations [1], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000036) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Yardley Stamps [2], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000037) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

King cataracts, Vit E & C, Zinc [3], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000038) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

888-5587, Pat Lihan after 4. The Accountant, Profile, 288 Pacific Highway, LINDFIELD 2070 [4], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000039) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, C-90, Compact cassette tape

Paul Laurence, Dal's solicitor & friend [5], 6/6/82 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000040) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

Solicitor? PAUL Laurence? [6], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000041) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Main/PMB, Main Plumber, Conversation with Dal about sewer and hot water pipe, 18th Aug.197? No5 Middle Harbour Rd. [7], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000042) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

Forestry re camphor laurel from No3 roots invading No5 [8], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000085) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

K.R.G. Council, Conversation with possibly Ku-ring-gai Council [9], 1980 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000086) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

Dr. Merringto, To Do [10], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000087) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

1+bit - Doctor [11], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000088) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Terry Abbott, Dal's cousin? 10 in on (defective tape) [12], 1969 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000089) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

(1 of 3) J.&D.A.5/6/, J.&D.A., 3 tapes: one undated [13], 1980 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000090) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

(2 of 3) J.&D.A.5/6/, J.&D.A., 3 tapes: one undated [14], 5.6.1980 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000091) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

(3 of 3) J.&D.A.5/6/, J.&D.A., 3 tapes: one undated [15], 5.6.1980 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000092) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

Letters DI for JC [16], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000093) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

J, 1st side only [17], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000094) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

J.B. Side [?] [18], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000095) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

For Parkinson letter, not complete, 2 sides, typed [19], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000096) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Alan Docker [20], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000097) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Peter Rainey, Dep. Head, King's School [21], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000098) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Deidre Hill, Secretary A.S.A., 6th June 1982 [22], 1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000099) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

Penguin [?] [23], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000100) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Penguin, To do - Hold, 2 sides [24], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000101) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Dr Greer, Australian Museum [25], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000102) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

Pitcher plants, Venus's fly trap, Material for novel [26], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000103) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

To do, Divorce Short/s, Insert Divorce [27], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000104) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Nodder [28], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000105) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Key B.R. [?] [29], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000106) - Cassette-Box 4

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

Dictated beginning of "The Return of Dr. Grace". Full side. 10 minutes [30], 1979 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000107) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

(1 of 2) Dictated draft of The Great Wall, Begins: 30 m.?, tape: ends ? min, 15 m. tape. About 12 min. [?] [31], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000108) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

(2 of 2) Dictated draft of The Great Wall, Begins: 30 m.?, tape: ends ? min, 15 m. tape. About 12 min. [?] [32], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000109) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

Daugog [?], birds/wallabies, 7 1/2-11 [33], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000110) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

Doctors [34], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000111) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Nassz Neseller [?] [35], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000112) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

The Man Who Never Saw, Bradman Make a Century, 19 minutes. 8 words a minute. Starts. Under one hour [36], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000113) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Childrens Novel, How Gfather set witchcraft13", 1st side/inserts 2 [?] [37], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000114) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

Children's Novel, Side 2 to 11" inches, Side 1 to 15" inches. N.B. cont. on Side 2 after 11" [38], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000115) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Raw [?] Station, Bill Abbott [39], 1979 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000116) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

(1 of 4) Side 7 Article [40], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000117) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

(2 of 4) 2/Braddon[?], Methu[?]n. Full sides [41], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000118) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

(3 of 4) Dictated, 2 sides, Braddon, Methu[?] [42], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000119) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

(4 of 4) Braddon sides 5&6 [43], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000120) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Britton advised painted spackle [?] [44], 1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000121) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

Judy - Abbott [45], 1979 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000122) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Whittaker [46], 1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000123) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Mr Schofield, Dept of Agric, Campbell [?] laurel [47], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000124) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Speculator? Wife, Tree love, Mrs. Buller, tennis court, Battle axe 10,000 sq.ft., battle ax, Anglican - invest actg deverly [?] [48], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000125) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

From Ku-ring-gai. Mu. Council. Carter/Garage 3 ft. [49], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000129) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, B8, Microcassette / mini cassette

Mozart Pure [?] B Mozart by David Ward. A Mozart Concert on A Major - Steva/Column [?] orel [?]. On cassette - Mozart Dave, David Ward [50], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000130) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, C60, Compact cassette tape

Beethoven, L. (1770-1827). Piano Sonato no31 in A Flat, op 110. Jorg Demus, hammerflugel, BASF 29 20328. Mozart Piano Concerto No 27 in B Flat, K.595-467 B. On cassette - Mozart, PC No 27. Beethoven OP110 Jorg Demus, hammerflugel 1-318. Odds & Ends [51], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000131) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, C90, Compact cassette tape

Elizabeth Harrower [52], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000132) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Shirley Hazzard, 1st side only [53], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000133) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

(1 of 4) Conversation with Christina Stead Nov. 1982. 30th May 1982. One undated [54], 1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000134) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

(2 of 4) Conversation with Christina Stead Nov. 1982. 30th May 1982. One undated [55], 30.5.82 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000135) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

(3 of 4) Conversation with Christina Stead Nov. 1982. 30th May 1982. One undated [56], 1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000136) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

(4 of 4) Conversation with Christina Stead Nov. 1982. 30th May 1982. This tape undated. [57], 1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000137) - Cassette-Box 7

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

To do Christina. C Stead. Typed. [?] [58], c.1982-c.1983 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000138) - Cassette-Box 8

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

Christina Stead [59], 1983 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000139) - Cassette-Box 8

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

1. Tableaux D'une Exposition, 2. Symphony No. 9 Choral [60], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000140) - Cassette-Box 8

1 item, DMC-154, Compact cassette tape

Leo Kelly. A Cadwell bit to go [61], 1983 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000141) - Cassette-Box 8

1 item, AD 90, Compact cassette tape

A Leo Kelly. C Stead's parts. B Virgin [62], 1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000142) - Cassette-Box 8

1 item, C90, Compact cassette tape

Ripostes [63], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000143) - Cassette-Box 8

1 item, C90, Compact cassette tape

Foley? [64], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000144) - Cassette-Box 8

1 item, C90, Compact cassette tape

S. Firth Smith. Gallery A. 68'x68' $1500. 60" x 72". Over. 3'x5' $5000. early 3 square $2500. 123x123 $1500 listening. 1977 Callius $1000.00 [65], 1969 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000145) - Cassette-Box 8

1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette

A/ Joan M.?. B Yeats [66], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000146) - Cassette-Box 8

1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

A/ Alice No 1 B/ Brownlow + Alice 2+4 [67], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000147) - Cassette-Box 8

1 item, TDK AD90, Compact cassette tape

SMH. APW White? [cassette tape] [68], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000148) - Cassette-Box 8

1 item, Hitachi C-90, Compact cassette tape

Bradman A+B "Nugget May" [69], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000149) - Cassette-Box 8

1 item, Hitachi DL90, Compact cassette tape

A. Alf Conlon B. Alison Broinowski [70], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000150) - Cassette-Box 8

1 item, Hitachi DL90, Compact cassette tape

Otaway ? [71], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000151) - Cassette-Box 8

1 item, Philips LFH 0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette

A. Doctor's reform + Alia 3 [72], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000152) - Cassette-Box 10

1 item, Hitachi C-90, Compact cassette tape

For Dr Alf Liebold. Growing up. Dal Stivens [73], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000153) - Cassette-Box 10

1 item, Hitachi C-90, Compact cassette tape

Conversation tape by Dal Stivens. Leo Kelly, Juanita Cragen, Rae Cerhan and Dal Stivens. (We didn't know we were being recorded J.C.) [74], 1984 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000210) - Cassette-Box 10

1 item, Hitachi DL90, Compact cassette tape

Thistle Harris. Thistle Stead on Christina Stead. Thistle Stead was Christina's stepmother [75], 1983 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000211) - Cassette-Box 10

1 item, Hitachi C-90, Compact cassette tape

Vampire tape [76], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000212) - Cassette-Box 10

1 item, Hitachi DL90, Compact cassette tape

Series 26. Photographs, late 1800s-1984

This series comprises portrait photographs of Stivens (c1940-1984), family photographs (late 1800s to 1970s) and a large number of professional black and white photographs, which it is most likely were intended as illustrations for his articles.

Family, late 1800s (File 1)

Early childhood (File 2)

Parents and sister Mavis (File 3)

Family, 1940s-1950s (File 4)

Portrait photographs of Stivens (File 5_6)

Miscellaneous photographs (File 7)

Professional black and white photographs (File 8_21)

Series 27. Diaries, 1925-1982

This series comprises a small number of diaries kept by Stivens. There is a Boy Scout diary from 1925 and appointment diaries from 1967, 1974-1978, 1980 and 1982.

8 items

Series 28. Financial papers, 1951-1997

The papers in this series relate to Stivens' financial affairs. The bulk of them comprise tax returns and financial statements for D & W Stivens Pty Ltd, a family company set up Stivens and his wife, Winifred, in 1959. There are also miscellaneous financial papers, including receipts and statements, and early tax returns for the period 1951-1956.

Early tax returns (UK), 1951-1956 (File 1)

Tax returns, 1965; 1971-1979 (File 2)

Tax returns, 1982-1984 (File 3)

Tax returns, 1985-1989 (File 4)

Tax returns, 1990-1995 (File 5)

Correspondence with accountants re Company Tax, 1960-1977 (File 6)

Miscellaneous financial papers, 1959-1967 (File 7)

Miscellaneous financial papers, 1970-1979 (File 8)

Miscellaneous financial papers, 1980-1983 (File 9)

Miscellaneous financial papers, 1986-1997 (File 10)

Public Lending Rights - statements, 1974-1995 (File 11_12)

Series 29. Biographical papers and documents, 1920s-1997

The family papers and documents in this series include school reports; family history information; copies of Stivens' curriculum vitae and will, cuttings relating to his career; transcripts of interviews; papers relating to his divorce and obituraries and tributes on his death in 1997. Stivens was a keen gardener and there are papers relating to his development and maintenance of both the house and the garden at Lindfield, Sydney over a number of years. He also took an active role in protesting about proposed building and land developments in his neighbourhood and there are drafts of protest letters to officials, together with papers relating to disputes with neighbours over proposed building projects.

Stivens inherited a property called 'Beckom', which was next door to the bank in West Wyalong where his father had worked. Included in this series are letters relating to the rental of this property.

The Australian Folklore Association honoured Stivens' achievements with publication of a 35-page tribute to him in its journal Australian Folklore, No. 11, July 1996. A copy of the journal is included in this series.

There are three undated original caricature drawings of Stivens by 'Wiz' and 'Hanna' and a pencil sketch of him by Mimi Jaksic Berger (1972).

Certificates, school reports and essays, 1920s (File 1)

Family history, 1938-1986 (File 2)

'Beckom', 1952-1973 (File 3)

Papers relating to the death of Stivens' mother, 1966 (File 4)

Papers relating to Stivens' divorce, together with a copy of his will, 1970-1990 (File 5)

Papers relating to Stivens' health, 1968-1997 (File 6)

Curriculum vitae and entries for various biographical publications, including Who's who (File 7)

Details of music Stivens listened to while working (File 8)

Transcriptions of interviews of Stivens' by Hazel de Berg (1973) and Peter Rainey (1981) (File 9)

Australian Folklore, July 1996 (File 10)

Cuttings, 1954-1980 (File 11)

Establishment and maintenance of the house and garden at Lindfield, c1969-1983 (File 12_14)

Papers relating to redevelopment proposals in Stivens' neighbourhood, 1977-1983 (File 15)

Disputes with neighbours, 1981-1984 (File 16_19)

Caricature sketches by 'Wiz' and 'Hanna'; obituaries and tributes read at Stivens' funeral (1997) (File 20)

Sketch of Stivens by Mimi Jaksic Berger, 1972 (File Folio 1)

Series 30. Miscellaneous papers

This series contains miscellaneous papers accumulated by Stivens, the bulk of which comprise folders of notes, jottings, cuttings. The remainder comprise various papers, books presented to Stivens as prizes while a student at Barker College, Hornsby and miscellaneous other books and journals.

Papers: (File 1)

Transcript of an ABC radio interview of Christina Stead by Rodney Wetherell, 1979

Carcicature sketches by 'Wiz' and 'Hanna'

Papers (File 2)

Copy of a speech by Gough Whitlam, 1975

'The life and death of a greengrocer' - script by Mungo MacCallum, nd

Guide to the papers of Miles Franklin in the Mitchell Library, 1980

Notes, jottings, cuttings etc (File 3_)

Miscellaneous journals (File 8_9)

Five books on diet and health, annotated by Stivens (File 10)

Four book prizes presented to Stivens, 1927-1929 (Item 11_14)

Two books inscribed to Stivens by the authors (Item 15_16)

Power without glory, Frank Hardy (inscribed 1951)

Disturbing element, Xavier Herbert (inscribed 1971)

A copy of Australische ErzÀhler von Marcus Clarke, by Patrick White, published by Verlag Volk und Welt, Berlin,, 1984 (Item 17)

Copy of Profiles (II) selected from "The New Yorker", Penguin Books, 1944 (Item 18)

Container List

Series File Box
1 1-7 1
2 1-4 2
2 4a Housed separately
2 5-8 2
2 9-16 3
2 17-24 4
2 25-32 5
2 33-40 6
2 41-47 7
3 1-8 8
3 9-15 9
4 1-8 10
4 9-16 11
4 17-24 12
4 25-33 13
4 34-37 14
5 1-5 14
6 1-5 15
7 1-5 16
7 6 17
8 1-2 17
9 1-2 17
9 3-4 18
10 1-4 18
10 5-11 19
10 12-13 20
11 1-5 20
11 6 21
12 1-4 21
12 5-11 22
12 12-19 23
12 20-25 24
12 26-33 25
12 34-41 26
12 42-49 27
12 50-56 28
12 57-62 29
13 1-4 30
13 5-8 31
13 9 32
13 Folio 1 Folio box 3
14 1-5 32
14 6-11 33
14 12-16 34
14 17-22 35
14 23-26 36
14 27-32 37
14 33-38 38
14 39-44 39
14 45-50 40
14 51-55 41
14 56-60 42
14 61-69 43
14 70-77 44
14 78 45
15 1-4 45
15 5-8 46
15 9-12 47
15 13-17 48
15 18-21 49
15 22-27 50
15 28-34 51
15 35-38 52
16 1 52
16 2-5 53
16 6-12 54
16 13-19 55
16 20-27 56
16 28-34 57
16 35-38 58
16 39-42 59
17 1-3 59
17 4-11 60
17 12-20 61
17 21-28 62
17 29-35 63
18 1-3 64
19 1-6 64
19 Folio 1 Folio Box 3
20 1-5 65
20 6-9 66
20 10-14 67
20 15-19 68
20 20-24 69
20 25 70
21 1-13 70
21 14-20 71
22 1-4 72
22 5-11 73
22 12-14 74
23 Items 1-5 Folio Box 1
23 Items 6-12 Folio Box 2
23 Items 13-16 Folio Box 3
24 1 74
24 2-3 75
25 1-2 76
25 3 77
26 1-7 78
26 8-15 79
26 16-21 80
27 1-8 81
28 1-5 81
28 6-12 82
29 1-6 83
29 7-12 84
29 13-19 85
29 20 86
29 Folio 1 Folio Box 3
30 1-6 86
30 7-10 87
30 11-18 88

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