Guide to the Papers of Marian Eldridge

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MS 9227; MS Acc01.082; MS Acc03.199;.MS Acc09.158

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Collection Summary

Creator
Marian Eldridge
Title
Papers of Marian Eldridge
Date Range
1942-1997
Collection Number
MS 9227; MS Acc01.082; MS Acc03.199;.MS Acc09.158
Extent
10.41 metres (39 MS boxes + 10 cartons + 2 packets)
Physical Facet
LEGACY NOTE: 30 MS boxes (MS 9227)
Language of Materials
English
English
Repository
Special Collections (Manuscripts)

Introduction

Scope and Contents

Eldridge was a short story writer and novelist. The collection comprises personal correspondence, financial papers, correspondence concerning the writing and publication of her various works, handwritten drafts, typescripts, copy-edit and page proofs, notes and research material, and book reviews.

The personal and literary correspondence documents her relationships with other writers, friends, and members of the Eldridge and Stockfeld families. The principal literary correspondents include Geoffrey Dutton, Judith Wright, Vance Palmer, Gwen Harwood, Ian R. Mathews, John Barnes, Myra Roper, Edith Conley, FairlieApperly, Irene Summy, Anne Elder, and Joan Mas. The personal correspondents include Eldridge's mother, the writer Gwen Stockfeld, her brother David Stockfeld, her children David, James, Elizabeth, and Catherine Eldridge, various Eldridge and Stockfeld relatives, and friends from Australia and overseas.

Conditions Governing Access

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn528621).

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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Marian Eldridge, National Library of Australia, [class number, box number and series and/or file number]'.

Provenance

The Library purchased Marian Eldridge's papers in May 1997 from her husband Ken Eldridge.

The Library holds the papers of Gwen Stockfeld (MS 9228). The Library also holds the papers of several of the members of the Seven Writers (of which Eldridge was one), including Margaret Barbalet (MS 5396), Sara Dowse (MS 7365), Marion Halligan (MS 8460), and Dorothy Johnston (MS 8194).

Arrangement

Eldridge kept her papers in good order and the Library has retained this arrangement.

Finding Aid Source(s)

Please note: This finding aid may comprise or contain descriptive information provided by donors, researchers and/or volunteers.

Collection Retrieval Advice

Please note: each consignment in this collection has a separate box number sequence (i.e. there may be multiple Box 1s). Please cite the relevant Class number as well as the Box number when requesting retrieval of material from the collection.

Biographical Note

Marian Eldridge (Marian Favel Clair Stockfeld) was born on 1 February 1936 in Melbourne, grew up near Lancefield, and later lived in Melbourne, Traralgon and Canberra. Her parents, Brian and Gwen Stockfeld, ran a small property 'The Gap', near Lancefield, from 1935 to 1972. Eldridge's early education was by correspondence at home followed by a year at St Michael's, Melbourne, and then Kyneton High School. She then attended Melbourne University, and attained a Bachelor of Arts in 1957. She was married to Ken Eldridge, and had four children. She travelled extensively in Australia and overseas.

Eldridge published three short story collections, Walking the Dog (1984), The Woman at the Window (1989), and The Wild Sweet Flowers - The Alvie Skerritt Stories (1994), and a novel, Springfield (1992), all published by the University of Queensland Press. She also edited the anthology Amongst the Leaves: prose and poetry from students' workshops at Darwin High School (1989), with stories written by students from when she was writer-in-residence at Darwin High School in 1989. Eldridge contributed her short story 'Capital Gains' to Canberra Tales (1988), an anthology of stories set in and about Canberra and compiled by the Seven Writers. This group of Canberra writers also included Margaret Barbalet, Sara Dowse, Suzanne Edgar, Marion Halligan, Dorothy Horsfield, and Dorothy Johnston.

Eldridge's short stories were featured in a number of newspapers, journals, and more than 20 short story collections, including Muse, Meanjin, Southerly, The Bulletin, The Canberra Times, Best Short Stories 1986 (1986), Moments of Desire (1989), and Personal Best 2: stories and statements by Australian Writers (1991).

In 1996 Eldridge wrote 12 poems which were published in the Senate Hansard of 19 June 1997.

Eldridge won numerous writing competitions and awards, including 1st prize in the Robin Hood Committee Annual Literature Competition, 1972; equal 4th place in the 14th State of Victoria Short Story Award, 1977-78; 1st prize in The Canberra Times/Commonwealth Bank National Short Story Award, 1981; and 3rd place in the Marcus Clarke Award, Syme Community Newspapers Short Story Competition, 1983. In 1992 she received two awards, the ACT Arts Bureau Literary Fellowship and an Australia Council Literary Board Grant, Category B. In 1994 she won the International Year of the Family Award in the NSW State Literary Awards.

Throughout her career Eldridge worked as a teacher in English and History at Traralgon High School, as a relief teacher in Canberra secondary schools, a tutor in literature courses for the Centre of Continuing Education at the Australian National University, a book reviewer for The Canberra Times and Australian Book Review, and in 1986 as the first literature coordinator for the ACT Arts Council.

Eldridge died in Canberra on 14 February 1997.

Item Descriptions

Class MS 9227. Original consignment

Comprises personal correspondence, financial papers, correspondence concerning the writing and publication of Marian Eldridge's various works, handwritten drafts, typescripts, copy-edit and page proofs, notes and research material, and book reviews. The personal and literary correspondence documents her relationships with other writers, friends, and members of the Eldridge and Stockfeld families. The principal literary correspondents include Geoffrey Dutton, Judith Wright, Vance Palmer, Gwen Harwood, Ian R. Mathews, John Barnes, Myra Roper, Edith Conley, Irene Summy, Anne Elder and Joan Mas. The personal correspondents include Eldridge's mother, writer Gwen Stockfeld; her brother David Stockfield; her children David, James, Elizabeth, and Catherine Eldridge; various Eldridge and Stockfeld relatives, and friends from Australia and overseas.

Contained in 30 boxes.

Series 1. Personal and literary correspondence, 1955-96

Eldridge was a prolific correspondent with a wide network of friends, colleagues, and family. The bulk of the series comprises personal correspondence with various family members and friends. The personal correspondents include Doris Brennan, Carol Young, Susan M. Curry, Suzanne Edgar, Joan Dugdale, Carline Ashworth, Margaret Clark, Mary Chandler, Jeanette Llewelyn, Gojko Raseta, Jean Galbraith, David and Anne Danbury, Charles Hawkins, Ken and Liz Bullock, and Jeanne and Bernie Barrett.

The literary correspondence documents Eldridge's relationships with other writers, and includes comments on the writing and publication of her various works, congratulatory letters, and personal news. The series includes single letters from or correspondence with Judith Wright, Vance Palmer, Gwen Harwood, Ian R. Mathews, John Barnes, Myra Roper, Edith Conley, Fairlie Apperly, Irene Summy, Anne Elder, and Joan Mas.

Literary correspondence, 1955-96 (File 1_2) - Box 1 (MS 9227)
Letters of Doris Brennan, 1964-92 (File 3) - Box 1 (MS 9227)
Letters of Carol Young, 1962-95 (File 4_5) - Box 1 (MS 9227)
Letters from friends, 1957-95 (File 6_10) - Box 1, 2 (MS 9227)
Letters from friends at Wolfson College, 1981-96 (File 11) - Box 2 (MS 9227)
Letters from friends in the United Kingdom and France, 1974-95 (File 12) - Box 2 (MS 9227)
Letters from friends in the United States of America, 1963-95 (File 13_14) - Box 3 (MS 9227)
Letters from friends in Germany and South Africa, 1971-93 (File 15) - Box 3 (MS 9227)

Series 2. Letters of Gwen Stockfeld, 1958-95

Eldridge and her mother Gwen Stockfeld corresponded frequently for over thirty years. This long sequence of letters contains mainly personal and family news, as well as discussion regarding Stockfeld's memoirs Cream Puffs and Cow Pats.

1958-75 (File 1_2) - Box 3 (MS 9227)
1976 (File 3) - Box 3 (MS 9227)
1977 (File 4) - Box 4 (MS 9227)
1978 (File 5) - Box 4 (MS 9227)
1979 (File 6) - Box 4 (MS 9227)
1980 (File 7) - Box 4 (MS 9227)
1981 (File 8) - Box 4 (MS 9227)
1982 (File 9) - Box 4 (MS 9227)
1983 (File 10) - Box 4 (MS 9227)
1984 (File 11) - Box 4 (MS 9227)
1985 (File 12) - Box 5 (MS 9227)
1986 (File 13) - Box 5 (MS 9227)
1987 (File 14) - Box 5 (MS 9227)
1988 (File 15) - Box 5 (MS 9227)
1989 (File 16) - Box 5 (MS 9227)
1990 (File 17) - Box 5 (MS 9227)
1991-92 (File 18) - Box 5 (MS 9227)
1993-95 (File 19) - Box 5 (MS 9227)

Series 3. Papers of David Eldridge, 1960-96

The series comprises letters from Eldridge's eldest son David Eldridge to his parents and family, as well as newspaper cuttings, school reports and notebooks, and various personal records relating to David Eldridge. The letters discuss family news and travels overseas.

Letters of David Eldridge, 1976-96 (File 1) - Box 6 (MS 9227)
Newspaper cuttings, 1971-82 (File 2) - Box 6 (MS 9227)
Miscellaneous papers, 1960-1982 (File 3_4) - Box 6 (MS 9227)

Series 4. Papers of Elizabeth Eldridge, 1963-96

The series includes letters from Eldridge's eldest daughter Elizabeth Eldridge to her parents and family, as well as newspaper cuttings, birth and school records, and notebooks. There is also a cassette recording of Elizabeth Eldridge and Roger McDonald in a duet.

Letters of Elizabeth Eldridge, 1970-96 (File 1_4) - Box 6, 7 (MS 9227)
Newspaper clippings, 1968-84 (File 5) - Box 7 (MS 9227)
Miscellaneous papers, 1963-80 (File 6) - Box 7 (MS 9227)
Cassette tape (File 7) - Box 7 (MS 9227)
Side A: Talk - living with clarity by Christopher Titmuss. Side B: Roger McDonald &Elizabeth Eldridge Duet, 7/04/1980 (Item NLA.MS-SAV002757) - Cassette-Box 164
1 item, Hitachi C-90, Compact cassette tape

Series 5. Letters of David Stockfeld and family, 1954-96

The series comprises letters to Eldridge from her brother David Stockfeld and his family, including Margaret Murray, Sue Stockfeld, and his children Rebecca, Simon, Sally, and Martin Stockfeld. The letters discuss family news, Stockfeld's business 'Billabong Seed Supplies', farm management, and travels overseas.

Letters of David Stockfeld and family, 1954-79 (File 1_2) - Box 7 (MS 9227)
Letters of David Stockfeld and family, 1979-96 (File 3_4) - Box 8 (MS 9227)
Letters of Margaret Murray and Rebecca and Simon Stockfeld, 1979-95 (File 5) - Box 8 (MS 9227)
Correspondence between Ken and Marian Eldridge and David and Sue Stockfeld regarding 'Billabong Seed Supplies', 1982-88 (File 6) - Box 8 (MS 9227)
Notebook kept by Ken and Marian Eldridge recording transactions with 'Billabong Seed Supplies' (File 7) - Box 8 (MS 9227)

Series 6. Family Letters, 1963-96

The series comprises letters from various relatives of Ken and Marian Eldridge, including Eldridge's cousins Iris Stockfeld and Dick and Judy Dauncey, Ken Eldridge's sisters Kathleen Trethewey and Jenny Harapeet, and his cousin Nada Hunter.

Letters of Kathleen and Gerry Trethewey, 1972-95 (File 1_2) - Box 8 (MS 9227)
Letters of Jenny Harapeet and family, 1966-96 (File 3_4) - Box 9 (MS 9227)
Letters of Nada Hunter and family, 1963-93 (File 5) - Box 9 (MS 9227)
Letters of Iris Stockfeld, 1967-95 (File 6_7) - Box 9 (MS 9227)
Letters of Dick and Judy Dauncey and family, 1974-95 (File 8_9) - Box 9, 10 (MS 9227)
Letters of family, various, 1975-93 (File 10) - Box 10 (MS 9227)

Series 7. Walking the Dog, 1984

Walking the Dog was Eldridge's first anthology of short stories. The work comprises stories written by her from 1964 to 1982, many previously published in numerous journals and publications such as Luna, Westerly, Muse, The Canberra Times, and The Bulletin. The folder for each short story includes handwritten drafts, typescripts (often dated), notes and research material, and correspondence regarding submission of the story to various journals and newspapers. The series contains correspondence with the University of Queensland Press (publisher) and Penguin (distributor) regarding compilation and publication of the anthology. The series also includes reviews, a copy of the published book, and a photocopy of Eldridge's notebook recording details of submission of each short story to various publications.

'Aubade', 1973-82 (File 1) - Box 10 (MS 9227)
'Maternity', 1964-65 (File 2) - Box 10 (MS 9227)
'Paterson's Flats', 1965-68 (File 3) - Box 10 (MS 9227)
'Candlebark', 1970-77 (File 4) - Box 10 (MS 9227)
'Fragment', 1970-71 (File 5) - Box 10 (MS 9227)
'The Sea', 1961-74 (File 6) - Box 11 (MS 9227)
'A Family Story', 1972-74 (File 7) - Box 11 (MS 9227)
'Together', 1974-79 (File 8) - Box 11 (MS 9227)
'Adult Education', 1977-83 (File 9) - Box 11 (MS 9227)
'Nuclear', 1977-81 (File 10) - Box 11 (MS 9227)
'Chanson d'Automne', 1977-82 (File 11) - Box 11 (MS 9227)
'Cream Sponge on Sunday', 1977-89 (File 12) - Box 11 (MS 9227)
'Nature', 1975-81 (File 13) - Box 12 (MS 9227)
'Flight', 1981 (File 14) - Box 12 (MS 9227)
'Interior', 1981-86 (File 15) - Box 12 (MS 9227)
'The Ringbarker's Daughter', 1981 (File 16) - Box 12 (MS 9227)
'Antique', 1982 (File 17) - Box 12 (MS 9227)
'Wayside', 1982 (File 18) - Box 12 (MS 9227)
'Selling Out', 1982-83 (File 19) - Box 12 (MS 9227)
'Solitare', 1982 (File 20) - Box 13 (MS 9227)
'Walking the Dog', 1979-83 (File 21) - Box 13 (MS 9227)
Correspondence regarding publication of the anthology, 1978-91 (File 22_23) - Box 13 (MS 9227)
Letters from friends and family regarding the book, 1984-86 (File 24) - Box 13 (MS 9227)
Reviews, 1984-88 (File 25) - Box 13 (MS 9227)
Photocopy of notebook recording short story submissions (File 26) - Box 13 (MS 9227)

Series 8. Canberra Tales, 1988

Canberra Tales is an anthology of stories set in and about Canberra, compiled by the Seven Writers group to which Eldridge belonged. Her contribution 'Capital Gains' was later included in The Wild Sweet Flowers. The series comprises correspondence with the Seven Writers, the Australian Bicentennial Authority and Penguin, as well as notes and reviews.

Correspondence and related papers, including notes from the Seven Writers workshops, 1985-93 (File 1) - Box 14 (MS 9227)
Reviews, 1988-93 (File 2) - Box 14 (MS 9227)

Series 9. The Woman at the Window, 1989

The Woman at the Window, Eldridge's second anthology, comprises stories written by her from 1981 to 1988. A number of these were previously published in numerous journals and publications such as Southerly, Moments of Desire (1989), Muse, Luna, Kunapipi, and The Australian Literary Magazine.

The folder for each short story includes handwritten drafts, typescripts (often dated), notes and research material, and correspondence regarding submission of the story to various publications. The series contains correspondence regarding compilation and publication of the anthology, primarily with the University of Queensland Press and Penguin. The series also includes reviews, a copy of the published book, and a photocopy of Eldridge's notebook recording details of submission of each short story to various publications.

'Primavera', 1983-91 (File 1) - Box 14 (MS 9227)
'Outside the Silver Dory', 1982-84 (File 2) - Box 14 (MS 9227)
'Pietà', 1984-90 (File 3) - Box 14 (MS 9227)
'A Sea Story', 1983-88 (File 4) - Box 14 (MS 9227)
'At the Signora's', 1984-86 (File 5) - Box 14 (MS 9227)
'Harvest', 1984-85 (File 6) - Box 14 (MS 9227)
'A Sense of Place', 1980-86 (File 7) - Box 15 (MS 9227)
'Pieces of Furniture', 1985-86 (File 8) - Box 15 (MS 9227)
'Students', 1984-86 (File 9) - Box 15 (MS 9227)
'Tourist', 1985-88 (File 10) - Box 15 (MS 9227)
'Storm', 1987 (File 11) - Box 15 (MS 9227)
'A Love Story', 1985-89 (File 12) - Box 15 (MS 9227)
'What's the Time, Mr Wolf?', 1985-87 (File 13) - Box 15 (MS 9227)
'The Woman at the Window', 1987-90 (File 14) - Box 15 (MS 9227)
'Settle Down Country', 1987-89 (File 15) - Box 16 (MS 9227)
'Capital Gains', 1987-88 (File 16_17) - Box 16 (MS 9227)
Page proofs (File 18_19) - Box 16 (MS 9227)
Correspondence regarding publication of the anthology, 1985-93 (File 20_22) - Box 16, 17 (MS 9227)
Reviews, 1986-90 (File 23) - Box 17 (MS 9227)
Photocopy of notebook recording short story submissions (File 24) - Box 17 (MS 9227)

Series 10. Springfield, 1992

The series comprises drafts, notes and research material, and copy-edit and page proofs relating to Eldridge's only novel, Springfield. Many of the drafts are heavily annotated with comments from the Seven Writers, editors, and family members including David Stockfeld, Sue Stockfeld, and Elizabeth Eldridge. The series also includes music composed by Elizabeth Eldridge for use in the novel.

Drafts, notes and research material, including letters from the Seven Writers and family members suggesting revisions, 1971-91 (File 1_2) - Box 17 (MS 9227)
Heroin notes and research material, 1972-90 (File 3) - Box 18 (MS 9227)
Vietnam notes and research material, 1982-92 (File 4_5) - Box 18 (MS 9227)
Draft 'Penultimate Draft' (File 6) - Box 18 (MS 9227)

Draft 'Workshopped by the Seven, early 1990'

Draft 'Typed up 6.8.90' (File 7_8) - Box 18 (MS 9227)
Draft 'Springfield 1' (File 9_10) - Box 19 (MS 9227)
Draft 'Spr 1 revised' (File 11) - Box 19 (MS 9227)
Draft 'Spr 2, 10/90' (File 12) - Box 19 (MS 9227)
Draft 'Spr 2, p. 157ff many gaps, some Spr 3' (File 13) - Box 19 (MS 9227)
Draft 'Spr 2, 2nd half' (File 14) - Box 19 (MS 9227)
Draft 'Spr 2, pp. 155-262, 24.12.90' (File 15) - Box 20 (MS 9227)
Draft 'Printout 2, 24.12.90' (File 16_18) - Box 20 (MS 9227)
Draft '2/91, workshopped by 7W and read by Sue and DS' (File 19_21) - Box 20 (MS 9227)
Draft 'Final draft 30.5.91' (File 22_24) - Box 21 (MS 9227)
Draft 'Printout 31.5.91' (File 25_27) - Box 21 (MS 9227)
Draft 'Sent to UQP' (File 28_30) - Box 22 (MS 9227)
Page proofs (File 31_32) - Box 22 (MS 9227)
Copy-edit and page proofs (File 33_36) - Box 22, 23 (MS 9227)
'Songs for Springfield', 8 sheets of music composed by Elizabeth Eldridge (File 37) - Box 23 (MS 9227)

Series 11. The Wild Sweet Flowers - Alvie Skerritt Stories, 1994

The series comprises handwritten drafts, typescripts, copy-edit and page proofs, correspondence, and notes and research material relating to the publication of The Wild Sweet Flowers. A number of these stories were previously published in Walking the Dog, Canberra Tales, and The Woman at the Window, as well as in various journals and other publications. The series also includes a photocopy of Eldridge's notebook recording details of submission of each story to various journals, and a copy of the published book.

'Something New', 'Aubade', 'Nuclear', 'Walking the Dog', 'Primavera', 'Harvest', and 'Storm', 1984-90 (File 1) - Box 23 (MS 9227)
'The Wild Sweet Flowers', 1984-90 (File 2_5) - Box 23, 24 (MS 9227)
'Miss Lafferty Plays Scrabble', 1988-93 (File 6_7) - Box 24 (MS 9227)
'Nightshift', 1993 (File 8_9) - Box 24 (MS 9227)
'A Good Tidy Up' and 'A Love Story', 1989 (File 10) - Box 24 (MS 9227)
'Acid Rain', 1992-92 (File 11_12) - Box 25 (MS 9227)
'Mona Lisa', 1992-93 'Capital Gains' (File 13) - Box 25 (MS 9227)
'The Wild Eye of the Moon', 1982-93 (File 14) - Box 25 (MS 9227)
'Voice-over', 1992-93 (File 15) - Box 25 (MS 9227)
'Kiss a Thief', 1984-92 (File 16) - Box 25 (MS 9227)
'Something Old', 1992-93 (File 17_18) - Box 26 (MS 9227)
Early notes and research material for the collection, 1977-93 (File 19) - Box 26 (MS 9227)
Copy-edit proofs (File 20_22) - Box 26 (MS 9227)
Page proofs (File 23_26) - Box 27 (MS 9227)
Photocopy of Eldridge's notebook recording short story submissions (File 27) - Box 27 (MS 9227)

Series 12. Other writings, 1954-89

The series comprises drafts of various writings, including short stories (mostly unpublished) and a one-act play. The series also includes essays from history, philosophy and English units completed by Eldridge at Melbourne University.

'Annette', 'James', 'The Game', and 'Youth', 1955-62 (File 1) - Box 28 (MS 9227)
'Frankie and Johnnie' (one-act play), 1960-89 (File 2) - Box 28 (MS 9227)
'Love Thy Neighbour', 'Carnival', and 'Boy on a Swing', 1964-73 (File 3) - Box 28 (MS 9227)
Essays, 1954-57 (File 4_5) - Box 28 (MS 9227)

Series 13. Financial papers, 1954-89

This series of financial papers includes correspondence, receipts, bank statements and tax returns for Ken and Marian Eldridge.

Tax returns, 1954-88 (File 1) - Box 28 (MS 9227)
Bank statements, 1964-89 (File 2_4) - Box 29 (MS 9227)
Miscellaneous financial correspondence and receipts, 1980-84 (File 5_6) - Box 29 (MS 9227)

Class MS Acc01.082. Consignment added 2001 - Carton 1-10 (MS Acc01.082), Box 1-4 (MS Acc01.082)

Comprises juvenilia, correspondence, drafts, articles, reviews, talks, and files on writing projects and literary organisations, teaching notes, research material on various writers, business and legal papers, publications containing Eldridge's contributions, and condolences following her death.

Contained in 4 boxes, 10 cartons.

Class MS Acc03.119. Consignment added 2003 - Box 1-5 (MS Acc03.119), Folio-Box Shared, Box 6

Comprises diaries, 1954-1956 and 1964-1972, correspondence between Ken and Marian Eldridge, 1955-1990s, letters from Ken and Marian to their children, 1978-1979, letters from Brian Stockfeld to his mother and between Brian and Gwen Stockfeld, 1921-1970s, school magazines and other miscellaneous papers.

Contained in 2 cartons.

Class MS Acc09.158. Consignment added 2009 - Box SHARED (MS Acc09.158)

Comprises five notebooks kept by Marian Eldridge on her writings, and three diaries she kept just before her death.

Contained in 1 packet.


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