Guide to the Papers of Gertrude Scarlett

Searching...

MS 10541

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Collection Summary

Creator
Scarlett, Gertrude, 1886-1970
Title
Papers of Gertrude Scarlett
Date Range
1857-1988
Collection Number
MS 10541
Extent
1.08 metres (3 small folio boxes + 1 archives box)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
Special Collections (Manuscripts)

Introduction

Scope and Contents

The collection comprises correspondence, photographs, publications and manuscripts, an early note book, sketch book, a handmade children's book, an illustrated autograph book and newspaper cuttings. The letters, mainly written during World War II, that include letters from the poet, writer and editor Nancy Keesing and journalist, travel writer and novelist Ernestine Hill, provide insights into life in 1940s Sydney and include references to the Sydney Short Story Club of which Gertrude and Nancy were active members.

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-vn8169704).

Conditions Governing Use

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Gertrude Scarlett, National Library of Australia, MS 10541, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.

Finding Aid Source

Please note: This finding aid comprises descriptive information provided by the donor.

Item Descriptions

Class 1. Consignment received December 2019, 1857 - 1988

This consignment includes correspondence from Nancy Keesing, photographs, family correspondence, an early note book, sketch book and illustrated autograph book – whose contents inform her life and character. The letters are mainly written during World War II and are interesting on a number of counts, not least of which are the insights into the Sydney Short Story Club of which Gertrude and Nancy were active members.

Series 1. Nancy Keesing correspondence

Nancy Keesing's letters illuminate their friendship and include references to Keesing's life, writing and literary circle.

Nancy Keesing to Gertrude Scarlett, 1949-02-22 (File) - Folio-Box 1 (MS 10541)
Nancy Keesing to Gertrude Scarlett, 1950-11-13 (File) - Folio-Box 1 (MS 10541)
Nancy Keesing to Gertrude Scarlett, 1953-04-14 (File) - Folio-Box 1 (MS 10541)
Nancy Keesing to Gertrude Scarlett, 1955-02-13 (File) - Folio-Box 1 (MS 10541)
Nancy Keesing to Gertrude Scarlett, 1955-05-16 (File) - Folio-Box 1 (MS 10541)
Nancy Keesing to Gertrude Scarlett, 1956-03-27 (File) - Folio-Box 1 (MS 10541)
Nancy Keesing to Gertrude Scarlett, n.d. (File) - Folio-Box 1 (MS 10541)

poems of Ezra Pound

Nancy Keesing to Hubert, Phyl, 1970-07-31 (File) - Folio-Box 1 (MS 10541)

On her friendship with Gertrude Scarlett

Graham[e] and Joyce Scarlett, Gertrude Scarlett, n.d. (File) - Folio-Box 1 (MS 10541)
Nancy Keesing to Philippa Scarlett, 1988-03-25 (File) - Folio-Box 1 (MS 10541)

Series 2. Correspondence between Gertrude Scarlett and her son Grahame

This is a fragment of an extended wartime correspondence with her elder son. The letters refer to family and personal matters, life in 1940s wartime Sydney, the progress of the war, Nancy Keesing, the Sydney Short Story Club and its members, books, music and literary personalities.

Wartime correspondence between Gertrude and Grahame Scarlett, 11/01/1940-28/07/1941 (File) - Folio-Box 1 (MS 10541)
Wartime correspondence between Gertrude and Grahame Scarlett, 6/08/1941-28/11/1941 (File) - Folio-Box 2 (MS 10541)
Correspondence of Grahame Scarlett and Gertrude Scarlett, 1954-1955 (File) - Folio-Box 2 (MS 10541)
List of letters located at the Australian War Memorial, 1940-1941, 1945 (File) - Folio-Box 2 (MS 10541)

List only with content indicators

Series 3. Other correspondence

Letters cards and copies of letters retained by Gertrude Scarlett, 1917-1970 (File) - Folio-Box 2 (MS 10541)

Correspondents include Robert Dalley Scarlett [husband], Hubert Scarlett [son], Philippa Scarlett [Granddaughter], Anne Croft nee Peir [aunt - publicly known as sister], Joyce Scarlett [Daughter in Law], Margery Keesing [Mother of Nancy], Alfred Coffey [Art Teacher] and Ernestine Hill

Series 4. Henrietta (Et) Peir

Papers relating to her mother kept by Gertrude Scarlett including poems., 1894-1917 (File) - Folio-Box 3 (MS 10541)

Series 5. Photographs

Subjects include Gertrude Scarlett, her parents, her husband and her two sons, c. 1857-c. 1950 (File) - Folio-Box 3 (MS 10541)

Includes framed item house in phase box

Henrietta Peir, c. 1890 (File) - Box 4 (MS 10541)

Framed item

Series 6. Newspaper cuttings

These include cuttings of her own contributions to magazines and papers plus others kept by her relating to Robert Dalley Scarlett, 1928-1960 (File) - Folio-Box 3 (MS 10541)

Series 7. Autograph Book

Contents include autographs of family, Grafton friends, and musicians including pianist Arthur Rubenstein (with bar of music), John Phillip Sousa, the Wright brothers (aviators), her art teacher Alfred Coffey (with sketch). The spectrum of people represented reflects her life and interests, c1900-c1950 (File) - Box 4 (MS 10541)

Series 8. Sketch Book

Contains sketches of fictional subjects and individuals including Dal, Dalley's hand, Robert Dalley Scarlett and Lily Boy [Grahame Scarlett], c1900-c1925 (File) - Box 4 (MS 10541)

Series 9. Notebook

Series of reminisces in diary form written an old accounts book, c1955-c1963 (File) - Box 4 (MS 10541)

This consists of a series of reminiscences which include life and events at Sutherland Grafton and Greenwich and documents her love of nature, the heavens, books and her family and friends, Nancy Keesing and the Sydney Short Story Club. The entries are not made in any order and are written in an old accounts book. There is evidence that some entries have been torn out

Series 10. Children's Book

Handmade cloth book made by Gertrude Scarlett titled Phillippa's Book, c. 1948 (File) - Box 4 (MS 10541)

Series 11. Publications and manuscripts

O'Mulligan's Pot-Pourri, 1941 (File) - Folio-Box 2 (MS 10541)
And he would not be comforted, 1941 (File) - Folio-Box 2 (MS 10541)

Accepted by Rydges

Three Mummies and a Garden Party, 1941 (File) - Folio-Box 3 (MS 10541)

10 Minute Stories, Sydney

Hellfire Pass script, 1930 (File) - Folio-Box 3 (MS 10541)

Performed Playbox Theatre 1 June 1930

The Professor Passes Through, 1930 (File) - Folio-Box 3 (MS 10541)

Performed Community Playhouse, Sydney


Top