Guide to the Papers of Densey Clyne

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MS 10583

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Created: July 2021

Collection Summary

Creator
Clyne, Densey
Title
Papers of Densey Clyne
Date Range
1927-2014
Collection Number
MS 10583
Extent
1.35 metres (9 ms boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
Special Collections (Manuscripts)

Introduction

Content Description

This collection comprises correspondence, diaries and papers documenting Densey Clyne's personal and professional life including: published and unpublished articles, poetry, fiction and nonfiction writings; diaries; drafts of talks and presentations; screenplays for film and television documentaries; original drawings for publications; photographs; and correspondence with family and friends including Jim Frazier, Dr. Barbara York Main, Martyn Robinson, Alastair Fothergill, Mike Gunton and Sir David Attenborough. Included is also: correspondence between Peter and Densey Clyne; Peter Clyne birth, marriage and divorce certificates, passports and educational certificates; articles by and about Peter Clyne; and Densey Clyne's diary entries pertaining to Peter Clyne.

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-vn6221651).

Conditions Governing Use

Conditions for copying and publishing of this collection may apply, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn6221651).

Preferred Citation

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Densey Clyne, National Library of Australia, MS 10583, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.

Call Number

Please note the call number for the original consignment (Boxes 1-2) was originally MS Acc12.121. Following processing of the second consignment (Boxes 3-9), the call number MS 10583 was assigned to the entire collection.

Item Descriptions

Class 1. Consignment received 2012, 1927-1987

This consignment comprises correspondence and papers documenting Densey Clyne's life, travels and marriage to Peter Clyne. It includes correspondence between Peter and Densey Clyne, and Peter Clyne documents including birth, marriage and divorce certificates, passports and educational certificates. There are articles by and about Peter Clyne and Densey Clyne's diary entries pertaining to Peter Clyne.

Series 1. Correspondence

Correspondence, 1959-1960 (File 1) - Box 1 (MS 10583)

File contains earliest letters between Peter and Densey Clyne in 1959 including: correspondence while Peter was on cruise ship; Densey on holiday in London staying with friend Sheila Haddow née Dalrymple (former WWII fellow officer with Densey in AWAS); letter from Densey to her parents from Austria with Peter after their stay in England. Also includes a pencil sketch of Densey while Peter and Densey were on holiday at Surfer's Paradise in 1960.

Correspondence, 1967 (File 1A) - Box 1 (MS 10583)

Letters between Peter and Densey Clyne originating from a cruise ship, the Savoy Hotel in London, Norway, Caravan Park in Cairns; and Turramurra. Also include loose printed materials.

Correspondence, 1967 (File 2) - Box 1 (MS 10583)

Letters between Peter and Densey Clyne originating from Norway, Switzerland and Turramurra. Also includes loose printed materials and newspaper cutting.

Correspondence, 1967 (File 3) - Box 1 (MS 10583)

Includes letters and telegrams between Peter and Densey Clyne originating from Switzerland, a cruise ship and Turramurra. Also includes loose printed materials and newspaper cuttings.

Correspondence, 1969 (File 4) - Box 1 (MS 10583)

Letters sent from Peter to Densey Clyne originating from New Zealand, Elizabeth Bay in NSW, Zurich, USA and Austria.

Correspondence, 1970-1971 (File 5) - Box 1 (MS 10583)

Letters between Peter and Densey Clyne originating from Switzerland and Vienna.

Correspondence, 1971-1972 (File 6) - Box 1 (MS 10583)

Letters and telegram between Peter and Densey Clyne originating from Zambia, South Africa and Australia. Also includes Zambia newspaper cuttings, one legal document; and one black and white group photo with no annotation on verso, the man (second row, fifth from the left) appears to be Peter Clyne.

Correspondence, Apr. 1972-Dec. 1972 (File 7) - Box 1 (MS 10583)

Letters and telegrams from Peter to Densey Clyne originating from Zurich and Vienna.

Correspondence, 1973 (File 8) - Box 1 (MS 10583)

Letters from Peter to Densey Clyne originating from Vienna and London. Also includes newspaper cuttings.

Correspondence, 1974 (File 1) - Box 2 (MS 10583)

File contains letters and telegrams from Peter to Densey Clyne originating from Vienna, Los Angeles, Texas, London and Lichtenstein. Also includes one letter in German sent from Peter Hoffer to Peter Clyne accompanied by a feature article about Peter Clyne written by Peter Hoffer; one letter sent from Peter Clyne to Andrew. Newspaper cuttings and one greeting card are included.

Correspondence, 1975 (File 2) - Box 2 (MS 10583)

Letters and telegrams between Peter and Densey Clyne originating from Vienna, Zurich and USA.

Correspondence, 1976 (File 3) - Box 2 (MS 10583)

To Densey with Peter's account of his prison experience in the USA, includes letters to US judges, and court matters relating to his arrest.

Correspondence, 1977-1982 (File 4) - Box 2 (MS 10583)

Letters between Peter and Densey Clyne - originating from Vienna and London.

Series 2. Documents

Documents, 1987 (File 5) - Box 2 (MS 10583)

Documents, letters, notes, newspaper cuttings, jottings, among others relating to Peter Clyne's death. Also includes medical records and legal documents relating to Peter Clyne.

Documents, 1927-1987 (File 6) - Box 2 (MS 10583)

Peter Clyne personal documents including Birth certificate; school and university documents and letters; LL.B and LL.M ; marriage certificate; divorce papers; passport and two colour passport photographs of Peter Clyne. Also includes letters between Densey Clyne and Sydney High School.

Documents, c. 1960s - 1980s (File 8) - Box 2 (MS 10583)

Densey's story "Prelude to Life with Peter Clyne"; letter from Peter to Eva Serning; letters between Eva and Densey after Peter's death; diary notes and thoughts about Peter; Densey's correspondence with Mike Willesee (Channel 7) after his TV interview with Peter. Also includes one black and white portrait and one colour portrait, no annotation on verso, the woman in the photographs appear to be Eva Serning.

Series 3. Photographs and Writings

Writings, 1927-1987 (File 7) - Box 2 (MS 10583)

Collected articles, stories and poems by Peter Clyne, mostly unpublished; "The Peter Clyne Story"; some letters from supporting judges, among others.

Photographs, n.d. (File 9) - Box 2 (MS 10583)

Photographic album includes 5 black and white portraits of Peter Clyne.

Class 2. Consignment received 2015, 1961-2014

This consignment comprises correspondence, diaries and papers documenting Densey Clyne's personal and professional life including: published and unpublished articles, poetry, fiction and non fiction writings; diaries; drafts of talks and presentations; screenplays for film and television documentaries; original drawings for publications; photographs; and correspondence with family and friends including Jim Frazier, Dr. Barbara York Main, Martyn Robinson, Alastair Fothergill, Mike Gunton and Sir David Attenborough.

Series 1. Correspondence

Correspondence - Sir David Attenborough, 1979-2014 (File 8) - Box 4 (MS 10583)

Correspondence between Sir David Attenborough and Densey Clyne including letters, faxes and greeting cards.

Correspondence - BBC, 1976-1977 (File 9) - Box 4 (MS 10583)

Correspondence relating to David Attenborough's TV series "Life on Earth". Letters to and from: Densey Clyne, John Sparks, Christopher Parsons, Mike Salisbury, Richard Brock, Derek Anderson, Dr. Heather Aslin, Dr. Mike Archer and Martyn Robinson and others.

Correspondence - BBC, 1978 (File 10) - Box 4 (MS 10583)

Correspondence relating to David Attenborough's TV series "Life on Earth". Letters to and from: Densey Clyne, John Sparks, Christopher Parsons, Martyn Robinson, Derek Anderson, Dione Gilmour, Laszlo Szej, David McCredie, Dr. Barbara Main and Peter Bale and others.

Correspondence - BBC, 1982-1983 (File 11) - Box 4 (MS 10583)

Correspondence relating to BBC productions including David Attenborough's TV series "Life on Earth", "Living Planet" and "Trials of Life"; and several BBC/ABC co-productions. Letters to and from: Densey Clyne, John Sparks, Christopher Parsons, Adrian Warren, Peter Bale, Peter Jones, Sir David Attenborough, Dr. Thomas Eisner, John Vandenbeld and Barry Paine and others. Also include legal documents and newspaper cuttings.

Correspondence - BBC, 1985-1986 (File 12) - Box 4 (MS 10583)

Correspondence relating to BBC productions including David Attenborough's tv series "Life on Earth", "Living Planet" and "Trials of Life"; and several BBC/ABC co-productions. Correspondence to and from: Densey Clyne, Rosamund Kidman Cox, John Sparks, Christopher Parsons, Barry Paine, Peter Jones, Sheila Fullom, Sir David Attenborough and others.

Correspondence - BBC, 1979 (File 13) - Box 4 (MS 10583)

Correspondence relating to BBC productions including David Attenborough's tv series "Life on Earth", "Living Planet" and "Trials of Life"; and several BBC/ABC co-productions. Letters to and from: Densey Clyne, John Sparks, Christopher Parsons, Sir David Attenborough, Basil Sands, Peter Bale, Barbara Main, Derek Anderson and others.

Correspondence - BBC, 1980-1981 (File 14) - Box 4 (MS 10583)

Correspondence relating to BBC productions including David Attenborough's TV series "Life on Earth", "Living Planet" and "Trials of Life"; and several BBC/ABC co-productions. Letters to and from: Densey Clyne, John Sparks, Dr. Barbara York Main, Peter Bale, Martyn Robinson, Christopher Parsons, Robin Crane, Richard Brock, Andrew Neal and others.

Correspondence - BBC, 1987 (File 15) - Box 4 (MS 10583)

Correspondence relating to BBC productions including David Attenborough's TV series "Life on Earth", "Living Planet" and "Trials of Life"; and several BBC/ABC co-productions. Correspondence to and from: Densey Clyne, Peter Jones, Basil Sands, Derek Anderson, John Young, Dorothy Green, Dr. Frank Crome and others.

Correspondence - BBC, 1988-1989 (File 16) - Box 4 (MS 10583)

Correspondence relating to BBC productions including David Attenborough's tv series "Life on Earth", "Living Planet" and "Trials of Life"; and several BBC/ABC co-productions. Correspondence to and from: Densey Clyne, Peter Jones, Rita Morris, Diana Richards, Mike Kendall, John Sparks, Keenan Smart, Derek Anderson, Michael Gunton, Hugh Sheppard and others.

Correspondence - BBC, 1990-2012 (File 17) - Box 4 (MS 10583)

Correspondence relating to BBC productions including David Attenborough's tv series "Life on Earth", "Living Planet" and "Trials of Life"; and several BBC/ABC co-productions. Correspondence to and from: Densey Clyne, Peter Jones, Alastair Fothergill, Mary Summerhill, Mike Gunton and others. Also includes a contract and notes by Densey Clyne about the decision to end association with BBC.

Correspondence, c. 1980s-2013 (File 18) - Box 4 (MS 10583)

Includes letters between Densey Clyne, Peter Jones and John Sparks plus loose printed materials.

Correspondence, 1989-2008 (File 21) - Box 5 (MS 10583)

Letters from Densey Clyne to her sister Greeta [Margaret Elizabeth Bell] and Client Services Manager of Metropolitan Cemeteries Board (Claremont, WA). Also includes a black and white portrait of a woman- no annotation.

Correspondence, c. 1970s - 2013 (File 22) - Box 5 (MS 10583)

Includes correspondence to and from Densey; three colour photographs showing John Bell and Margaret Bell's memorial plaques; and loose printed materials.

Correspondence, c. 1980s - 2010 (File 26) - Box 6 (MS 10583)

Incudes letters, postcards, faxes and emails between Densey Clyne and friends and close acquaintances.

Correspondence, 1987-2007 (File 27) - Box 6 (MS 10583)

Title on file reads "General letters".

Correspondence, 1982-2011 (File 28) - Box 6 (MS 10583)

Includes letters, emails and postcard to and from: Densey Clyne, Peter Clyne, Dorit Lichentenstern (Peter's niece) and others. Also includes a black and white portrait of a girl and newspaper cutting.

Correspondence, 1971-1984 (File 30) - Box 6 (MS 10583)

File contains letters between Densey Clyne and John Child and one colour portrait of John Child.

Correspondence, 1977-2007 (File 31) - Box 7 (MS 10583)

Letters between Densey Clyne and Sheila Haddow née Dalrymple.

Correspondence, 1967-2012 (File 32) - Box 7 (MS 10583)

File contains letters and emails to and from Densey Clyne relating to insects; and loose printed materials.

Correspondence, 1976-2012 (File 33) - Box 7 (MS 10583)

Includes letters, emails and greeting cards between Densey Clyne and Anne Martin née Wilkinson.

Correspondence, 1909-1926 (File 34) - Box 7 (MS 10583)

Letters of recommendations for John Wallace Bell (Densey's father) and one letter from J. Donovan to John Wallace Bell.

Correspondence, c. 2001-2008 (File 48) - Box 9 (MS 10583)

Includes letters, emails and greeting cards between Densey Clyne and her relatives including Joy Bell, Vicky Thomas and Nick Rogers.

Correspondence, 1978-1981 (File 49) - Box 9 (MS 10583)

Letters between Densey Clyne, her uncle Con Rogers and Con's son Nick Rogers.

Correspondence, 1959-1979 (File 50a) - Box 9 (MS 10583)

Letters from Densey Clyne to her mother Dorothy Bell. Please note files 50a and 50b were originally housed together and original folder has been removed from the file.

Correspondence, 1980-1986 (File 50b) - Box 9 (MS 10583)

Includes letters, telegram and postcard from Densey to her mother Dorothy Bell. Please note files 50a and 50b were originally housed together and original folder has been removed from the file.

Correspondence, c. 1945-1979 (File 51) - Box 9 (MS 10583)

Letters from Dorothy Bell (Densey Clyne's mother) to Densey. Also includes a colour portrait of an unidentified woman.

Correspondence, 1976-2006 (File 52) - Box 9 (MS 10583)

Includes Letters between Greeta (Densey's sister) and Densey Clyne; and letters and emails between Dallas Enders and Densey Clyne. Also includes a colour photograph showing Greeta and Tony holding protest signs outside of a shopfront.

Correspondence, 1981-2014 (File 53) - Box 9 (MS 10583)

Includes letters and emails to and from Densey Clyne and writings relating to talks and books by Densey.

Series 2. Writings

Writings, 1961-1999 (File 2) - Box 3 (MS 10583)

Includes magazines with articles written by Densey Clyne.

Writings, 1965-1990 (File 3) - Box 3 (MS 10583)

Includes poems (published and unpublished), short stories (unpublished) and book review written by Densey Clyne. Also includes a letter from Peter Meier to Clyne and a menu from Casuarina Restaurant and Country Inn Pokolbin.

Writings, n.d. (File 5) - Box 3 (MS 10583)

Unpublished fiction by Densey Clyne.

Literary Expression course, 1962 (File 6) - Box 3 (MS 10583)

Densey Clyne took correspondence course in literary expression at International Correspondence Schools. File contains articles for assessment and examiner BMV's comments and newspaper cuttings relating to the assessment.

Autobiography of Densey Clyne (Dorothy Denise Bell), n.d. (File 23) - Box 5 (MS 10583)

Book 1 - Family History up to WWII.

Poems, c. 1954-1966 (File 20) - Box 5 (MS 10583)

Poems (published and unpublished) by Dorothy Summons Bell.

Writings, n.d. (File 35) - Box 7 (MS 10583)

Article "From Morse to Mozart" by Densey Clyne.

Writings, 2000-2011 (File 36) - Box 7 (MS 10583)

Includes A short autobiography "A Naturalist Story or Champion of the Underbug" by Densey Clyne; and diaries and notes on insects, birds and reptiles.

Writings, n.d. (File 42) - Box 8 (MS 10583)

Annotated draft of the book "Garden Jungle" (chapters 1-8) sent to Stephen Dearnley to be edited for Collins.

Writings, 1966-1983 (File 47) - Box 9 (MS 10583)

Published papers relating to insects and spiders by Densey Clyne.

Series 3. Film and Television

Films, 1982-1997 (File 4) - Box 3 (MS 10583)

Screenplays written by Densey Clyne including "Lady of the Spiders", "Thrill of the Chase", "To be a Butterfly", "The Sands of Time", "Web of Intrigue" and "The Amazing World of Mini-beasts".

Film - "The Desire of the Moth", 1982-1984 (File 19) - Box 5 (MS 10583)

Papers relating to the film "The Desire of the Moth" including screenplay by Densey Clyne, revised screenplay by narrator Barry Paine, correspondence and printed materials.

Films, 1975-1977 (File 43) - Box 8 (MS 10583)

Screenplays of the first 6 films produced by Mantis Wildlife Films, researched and written by Densey Clyne and filmed by Jim Frazier.

Films, n.d. (File 44) - Box 8 (MS 10583)

Screenplays and film proposals by Densey Clyne.

Television and documentary, 1987-1996 (File 45) - Box 8 (MS 10583)

Densey Clyne's screenplays for "Burke's Backyard" TV segments and Don Burke's documentary about Densey Clyne and Jim Frazier, introduced by Sir David Attenborough.

Film, 1975 (File 46) - Box 9 (MS 10583)

A brochure features the press preview of the film "Aliens Among Us?" produced by Densey Clyne and Jim Frazier, at the Australian Museum Society.

Series 4. Talks

ABC local radio talks, c. 2004 (File 1) - Box 3 (MS 10583)

Port Macquarie, NSW.

Talks, c. 1995-2009 (File 7) - Box 3 (MS 10583)

Scripts of talks given by Densey Clyne and correspondence to Clyne relating to the talks.

Series 5. Drawings

Drawings, n.d. (File 37) - Box 7 (MS 10583)

Original drawings with annotations by Densey Clyne for her book "A Guide to Australian Spiders".

Drawings, c. 1953 (File 39) - Box 7 (MS 10583)

Cat drawings by Densey Clyne.

Drawings, n.d. (File 40) - Box 8 (MS 10583)

Original drawings with annotations by Densey Clyne for her book "Garden Jungle".

Drawings, 1977 (File 41) - Box 8 (MS 10583)

Original drawings with annotations by Densey Clyne for her book "Garden Jungle" returned to her by Stephen Dearnley (editor of Collins).

Series 6. Diaries

Dairies - Densey Clyne, 1995-2000 (File 25a) - Box 6 (MS 10583)
Dairies - Densey Clyne, 2001-2004 (File 25b) - Box 6 (MS 10583)

Series 7. Miscellaneous

Papers and correspondence, 1922-2008 (File 24) - Box 5 (MS 10583)

File contains a variety of papers including letters to and from Densey; articles written by Densey; birth certificate of Densey (received ripped); loose handwritten and printed materials, among others. Please note that the original folder has been removed from the file.

Excursions, 1981-1997 (File 29) - Box 6 (MS 10583)

Trips relating to various documentaries, film festival, flower show opening and personal trips. Also includes a magazine "GEO" volume 3 number 1.

News clippings, 1981 (File 38) - Box 7 (MS 10583)

Newspaper cutting featuring an article about Densey leaving the Turramurra home and moving to Dural.


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