Guide to the Papers of Paul Brennan
MS 8116
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
-
Brennan, Paul
Spence, Josephine - Title
- Papers of Paul Brennan
- Date Range
- 1877-1994 (bulk 1985-1994)
- Collection Number
- MS 8116
- Extent
- 4.83 metres (30 ms boxes + 1 small folio box + 1 file)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The collection comprises separately arranged groups of correspondence and papers accumulated by Primavera Press during the publication of the following titles:
Paul Brennan, Repetitive strain injuries : explorer's guidebook to tenosynovitis (teno), cumulative trauma syndromes and occupational cervicobrachial disorders, 1985
Finola Moorhead, Remember the Tarantella, 1987
Paul Brennan and Christine Flynn (eds), Patrick White speaks, 1989
Dorothy Green (ed), Descent of spirit: writings of E.L. Grant Watson, 1990 Dorothy Green, Writer reader critic, 1991
E.L. Grant Watson, The nun and the bandit, 1993 (first published in 1935)
Also included is correspondence and papers relating to the proposed re-release by Primavera Press of the E.L. Grant Watson novel Priest Island, which was first published in 1940, copies of a work by E.L. Grant Watson entitled 'To this end' and the memoirs of his wife Katharine Grant Watson, entitled 'Between two worlds'.
Principal correspondents include Dorothy Green and Josephine Spence (E.L. Grant Watson's daughter, and trustee of his works).
The collection contains correspondence, typescripts, proofs, cuttings, photographs, reviews, research material, legal documents and film scripts.
These papers bring together collections of material of value to researchers in a number of areas including Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI), Patrick White, Dorothy Green, E.L. Grant Watson, and, with the papers from Remember the Tarantella, a case study in feminism, sexual politics, social change and the law. The papers in general also document the publication process, including the development of the relationship between the publisher and the author.
It should be noted that even though Descent of spirit, The nun and the bandit and Priest Island are all separate publications, there is some overlap in the content of the papers for these three publications, as they all relate to the writings of E.L. Grant Watson.
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-vn1574412).
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 Paul Brennan, National Library of Australia [class number, box number and file and/or item number]'.
Provenance
The papers of Paul Brennan were purchased from him in several instalments during the period 1990 to 1995.
Related Materials
The following related collections are held by the Manuscript Collection of the National Library: the papers of E.L. Grant Watson (MS 4950); and the papers of Dorothy Green (MS 5678).
Arrangement
The papers have been grouped into files by the donor, and this arrangement has been retained by the Library.
Biographical Note
Paul Brennan is a publisher and journalist. He was born in Birmingham, England in 1945 and came to Australia in 1958. He was educated at Hunters Hill High School, the University of New South Wales where he attained a Bachelor of Arts degree, and the University of Sydney where he attained a Master of Arts degree. He has worked for the Sydney Morning Herald and ABC Radio, both in Australia and in Europe.
Brennan is the founder of Primavera Press, a small publishing company in Sydney.
Item Descriptions
Class MS 8116. Original consignment
Comprises comprises separately arranged groups of correspondence and other papers accumulated by Primavera Press during the publication of the following titles: Repetitive strain injuries: explorer's guidebook / Paul Brennan (1987), Remember the Tarantella / Finola Moorehead (1987), Patrick White speaks / Paul Brennan and Christine White (eds., 1989), Descent of spirit: writings of E.L. Grant Watson / Dorothy Green (ed., 1990), Writer reader critic / Dorothy Green (1991), The nun and the bandit / E.L. Grant Watson (1993). Also included are papers and correspondence relating to the proposed re-release by Primavera Press of E.L. Grant Watson's Priest Island, a copy of a work by Grant Watson titled "To this end" and a copy of Katherine Grant Watson's memoirs "Between two worlds". Principal correspondents include Dorothy Green and Josephine Spence.
Contained in 30 boxes, 1 folio box.
Series 1. Patrick White speaks: typescripts
In 1989 Primavera Press published Patrick White speaks, a collection of speeches and interviews of Patrick White made between 1958 and 1988. It was edited by Paul Brennan and Christine Flynn.
This series consists of typescripts, with some corrections, of interviews and speeches of Patrick White.
Series 2. Patrick White speaks: cuttings, 1953-90
Original and photocopied cuttings relating to Patrick White, arranged in chronological order.
Series 3. Patrick White speaks: miscellaneous papers, 1958-89
A collection of miscellaneous papers relating to the production and promotion of Patrick White speaks.
Copy of a letter of Patrick White written in his capacity as the patron of Friends of the Earth (Sydney) (File 3)
One envelope (correspondence missing) sent by Patrick White to Elizabeth Harrower, by Harrower to Dorothy Green, by Green to Paul Brennan, 1988 (File 6)
Research material, including a transcript of an interview (11 June 1979), miscellaneous photocopies and a copy of 'Message to Writers' Week, Adelaide', 8 March 1986 (File 7)
Series 4. Patrick White speaks: photographs, 1958-88
This series consists of a collection of photographs (1958-88), photocopies of photographs and captions used in the book and photocopies of photographs belonging to various institutions, including the National Library.
3 folders
Series 5. Repetitive strain injuries: explorer's guide book: correspondence and reviews, 1983-88
In 1985 Primavera Press published a book written by Paul Brennan entitled Repetitive strain injuries: explorer's guide book to tenosynovitis (teno), cumulative trauma syndromes and occupational cervicobrachial disorders.
This series comprises correspondence and reviews relating to the book. The correspondence includes letters relating to Brennan's research for the book and a number of letters from people who had read the book. There is also correspondence relating to an allegation by Brennan of breach of copyright by Self Transformation Seminars, who had used material from the book in a course handout.
Series 6. Repetitive strain injuries: explorer's guide book: research material, 1877-1985 (bulk 1980s)
This series comprises a large collection of material accumulated by Brennan during the course of his research for the Repetitive strain injuries: explorer's guide book. The material covers a wide variety of sources and includes newspaper clippings, legal, business and medical journals, reports, leaflets, booklets, brochures, surveys, seminar papers, research papers, questionnaires, newsletters, case studies, reports and papers relating to legal issues, mailing lists and a set of index cards with over 200 contact names. Also included are copies of historical papers from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
26 folders
Series 7. Repetitive strain injuries: explorer's guide book: typescripts and proofs
This series comprises a collection of typescripts, edited proofs, galley proofs, and artwork for the Repetitive strain injuries: explorer's guide book. Also included are two copies of the book, one annotated by Brennan and the other annotated by David Brown, an overuse injury consultant.
Series 8. Remember the Tarantella: typescripts and proofs
In 1987 Primavera Press published the novel Remember the Tarantella by Finola Moorhead. This series comprises computer disks, typescripts and proofs of the book.
One box of 10 computer disks containing chapters 1-46 and 'Front end matter', and one packet of 11 computer disks of draft. (Note: see folder 2 of this series for a hard copy version of the packet of disks) (File 1)
[digital carriers] (Item) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
10 item, 5.25 inch floppy disk - Perfect brand; Carriers 1-6 contain 'Remember the Tarantella' chapters and front and end matter; Folder includes disk contents list, 5.25 inch floppy disk'Remember the Tarantella' Disc A Chapters 1-5 (Item NLA.MS-DM000105) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, Perfect MD/1D, 5.25 inch floppy disk'Remember the Tarantella' Disc B Chapters 6-13 (Item NLA.MS-DM008284) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, Perfect MD/1D, 5.25 inch floppy disk'Remember the Tarantella' Disc C Chapters 14-23 (Item NLA.MS-DM008285) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, Perfect MD/1D, 5.25 inch floppy disk'Remember the Tarantella' Disc D Chapters 24-29 (Item NLA.MS-DM008286) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, Perfect MD/1D, 5.25 inch floppy disk'Remember the Tarantella' Disc E Chapters 30-37 (Item NLA.MS-DM008287) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, Perfect MD/1D, 5.25 inch floppy disk'Remember the Tarantella' Disc F Chapters 38-46 (Item NLA.MS-DM008288) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, Perfect MD/1D, 5.25 inch floppy disk'Remember the Tarantella' Disc Front Matter and End Matter Primavera Press (Item NLA.MS-DM008289) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, Perfect MD/1D, 5.25 inch floppy disk'Remember the Tarantella' Disc Front Matter and End Matter Primavera Press Backup (Item NLA.MS-DM008290) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, Perfect MD/1D, 5.25 inch floppy disk[digital carriers] (Item) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
11 item, 5.25 inch floppy disk - Perfect brand. Disks contain draft material from 'Remember the Tarantella'. Folder 2 has hard copy of material, 5.25 inch floppy diskCorrections 1 ('Remember the Tarantella'?) (Item NLA.MS-DM000106) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, Unbranded, 5.25 inch floppy diskYellow dot. Not Preserved. Carrier no 1
[no details] (Item NLA.MS-DM008292) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, XIDEX Single sided double density, 5.25 inch floppy diskCorrections 2 ('Remember the Tarantella'?) (Item NLA.MS-DM008293) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, Unbranded, 5.25 inch floppy diskYellow dot. Not Preserved. Carrier no 2
Disc 1. Vol: 'Remember the Tarantella' 1. Files Da, Db, Ea, Eb, F, Ga, Gb, Ha, Hb (Item NLA.MS-DM008294) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, Unbranded, 5.25 inch floppy diskYellow dot. Not Preserved. Carrier no 3
Disc 1. Vol: 'Remember the Tarantella' 1. Files Da, Db, Ea, Eb, F, Ga, Gb, Ha, Hb. Primavera Press (Item NLA.MS-DM008295) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, Unbranded, 5.25 inch floppy diskDOS33. Yellow dot. Not Preserved. Carrier no 4
Disc 2. Vol: 'Remember the Tarantella' 2. Files Ia, Ib, J, K, L, M, N, Oa, Ob, P. Primavera Press (Item NLA.MS-DM008296) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, Perfect MD/1D, 5.25 inch floppy diskDOS33. Yellow dot. Not Preserved. Carrier no 5
Disc 3. Vol: 'Remember the Tarantella' 3. Files Q, R, S, T, Ua, Ub, Va, Vb, W, X, Y, Z. Primavera Press (Item NLA.MS-DM008297) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, Unbranded, 5.25 inch floppy diskDOS33. Yellow dot. Not Preserved. Carrier no 6
Disc 4. Vol: 'Remember the Tarantella' 4. Files ZAa, ZAb, ZB, Zca, ZCb, Zda, ZDb, ZE, Zfa, ZFb, ZFc. Primavera Press (Item NLA.MS-DM008298) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, Perfect MD/1D, 5.25 inch floppy diskDOS33. Yellow dot. Not Preserved. Carrier no 7
Disc 5. Vol: 'Remember the Tarantella' 5. Files ZG, ZH, ZIa, ZIb, ZJ, ZKa, ZKb, ZLa, ZLb, ZMa, ZMb, ZN. Primavera Press (Item NLA.MS-DM008299) - Digital-Carriers-Box 2
1 Item, Memorex 1S/2D, 5.25 inch floppy diskDOS33. Yellow dot. Not Preserved. Carrier no 8
Series 9. Remember the Tarantella: financial records, 1986-91
This series comprises a collection of material relating to expenses incurred in the publication of Remember the Tarantella. Included are photocopies and originals of accounts, invoices and receipts, 1986-91
4 folders
Series 10. Remember the Tarantella: promotion and distribution
This series comprises papers relating to the promotion and distribution of Remember the Tarantella. They include correspondence with the Australia Council regarding an application for a publishing subsidy, nomination forms for various literary awards, reviews and photographs. Also included are promotional flyers and a tape of a radio interview Moorhead did for radio 3CK.
Correspondence, nomination forms for literary awards, promotional material and tape of interview, 1986-91 (File NLA.MS-SAV000588)
Correspondence with Judith Rodriguez and Kaye Mosley regarding reader's reports they prepared on the book, 1986 (File 4)
List of people sent review copies of the book, list of people to be invited to the launch of the book and royalty statements for the period, 1987-91 (File 5)
Series 11. Remember the Tarantella: legal papers, 1984-92
The bulk of the papers for Remember the Tarantella relate to legal action taken by Finola Moorhead against Brennan. In 1988 Brennan had an offer for the UK rights to the book from the Women's Press UK. Women's Press UK refused to sign the contract until Brennan agreed to remove his 'Publisher's Note' which appeared as a forward in the Australian publication. It had a policy of not including material written by men in its publications. Brennan refused to agree to the change, claiming sexual discrimination. As a result, Moorhead took legal action against him for financial loss and damage to her reputation. Protracted legal proceedings ensued, with the matter finally being resolved in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1991. Brennan lost the case and costs were awarded against him.
This series comprises a large number of papers accumulated by Brennan while preparing his defence. They include correspondence with solicitors and publishers, approaches to people for their expert advice, applications for legal aid and research material on legal rights from various sources. There are also copies of legal documents lodged with the Supreme Court of New South Wales. They include affidavits, summonses, notices of motion, subpoenas, notices of appearance, cross examinations, discoveries and a copy of the final judgment by Justice John Brennan.
In 1990, Brennan lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on the grounds of sexual discrimination. It was unable to assist Brennan in the matter because the Women's Press UK was a foreign corporation and did not come under Australian jurisdiction.
Correspondence between Brennan and Moorhead's solicitors, Communications Law Centre, 1989-92 (File 2_3)
Correspondence between Brennan and two firms of solicitors: Watsons (1989) and John Sarroff and Company (1989-90) (File 4)
Correspondence between Brennan and the publishing companies The Women's Press, Van Gennep and Van Splunteren, 1984-91 (File 5)
Correspondence between Brennan and Elizabeth Fullerton, and Brennan and the Australian Society of Authors, 1987-90 (File 6)
Correspondence and copies of legal documents relating to the settlement of the case, including a copy of the final judgment, 1991-1992 (File 12_13)
Material relating to Brennan's background research for the case (File 18_19)
Included are journal articles, booklets, pamphlets from Human Rights Australia and the Australian Commercial Disputes Centre, and a discussion paper on 'Moral rights' from the Copyright Law Review Committee.
Correspondence between Brennan and the Australia Council regarding a 'Freedom of Information' request for documents, and between Brennan and Human Rights Australia regarding his allegation against Moorhead of sexual discrimination,, 1990 (File 20)
Series 12. Remember the Tarantella: miscellaneous papers
This series comprises a small collection of miscellaneous material, most of which does not relate directly to the book. Included are a copy of the published version of Remember the Tarantella, a copy of a book by Moorhead entitled A handwritten modern classic and published by Sybylla Co-operative in 1977, a framed acrylic painting inscribed 'Merry Christmas Paul and Christine, love Finola, 1986' and a white painted shirt. Also included is a letter of complaint from Brennan to Carolyn Gerrish (1991) from the Sydney Community College regarding derogatory comments about Primavera Press which she allegedly made to students during the teaching of her course in Creative Writing, and correspondence between Brennan and the Australian Journalists' Association (1991) regarding a complaint he made against Jennie Curtin, a journalist with The Sydney Morning Herald.
2 folders
Series 13. Descent of spirit: correspondence and papers, 1987-94
In 1990 Primavera Press published Descent of spirit, a collection of essays and short stories by the novelist and biologist E.L. Grant Watson (1885-1970), edited by Dorothy Green. The book resulted from approaches Brennan made to both Josephine Spence, the daughter of Grant Watson, and the literary historian Dorothy Green. For a number of years Green had been working on a biography of Grant Watson and she wrote a biographical introduction to the book. A scientific introduction was written by Dr E.J. (Ted) Steele of the Department of Biology, University of Wollongong. The book was launched in February 1990 at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra by Barry Jones, Minister for Science.
During the course of publishing the book, Brennan established a close working relationship with Josephine Spence. Spence appointed Brennan as the agent for E.L. Grant Watson's works.
This series consists of correspondence and papers relating to the publication of the book. Principal correspondents include the Australia Council, Dorothy Green, Hope Kynoch, Josephine Spence and Ted Steele. The papers include financial papers, legal papers, photographs, and reviews.
Series 14. Descent of spirit: typescripts and proofs
This series consists of edited typescripts and proofs of Descent of spirit
8 folders
Series 15. Descent of spirit: miscellaneous papers
This series comprises a miscellaneous collection of papers, mostly relating to Descent of spirit.
Black and white negatives of a number of old photographs of Grant Watson and his family, with notes and an index compiled by Josephine Spence. (File 1)
Photocopies of extracts from several of E.L. Grant Watson's books, some of which are included in Descent of spirit. (File 2)
Series 16. Writer reader critic: correspondence and papers, 1989-92
In 1991 Primavera Press published Writer reader critic, a collection of essays by the literary critic, teacher and poet Dorothy Green. The book was launched at the National Library in Canberra on 4 February 1991. At the time of the launch, Green was very ill and she died 17 days later. Brennan developed a close relationship with Green, who signed over to him the paperback rights to the book A history of Australian literature pure and applied which was written by her husband H. M. Green, and which she had revised and edited.
This series comprises correspondence and papers mostly relating to the publication of Writer reader critic. The correspondence relates to the production and promotion of the book. The main correspondents include Dorothy Green, Rod Hibberd, Elizabeth Perkins (James Cook University of North Queensland) and Elizabeth Webby (University of Sydney). The papers include entry forms for various literary awards, legal documents, royalty statements and reviews of the book. There are also copies of speeches, lectures, journal articles, papers and poetry written by Green, some of which were used in the book and a bound copy of Writer reader critic.
Also included are a copy of The writer, the reader and the criticin a monoculture, written by Green and published in 1986, a paper entitled 'The work of Dorothy Green' (no author), journals with articles about Green, obituaries and tributes to Green and a copy of her funeral service, held at Duntroon, Canberra on 27 February, 1991.
Series 17. Writer reader critic: typescripts and proofs
This series consists of typescripts of Elizabeth Webby's introduction and edited proofs of Writer reader critic.
4 folders
Series 18. The nun and the bandit: correspondence and papers, 1935-93 (bulk 1990s)
In 1993 Primavera Press re-released the book The nun and the bandit by E.L. Grant Watson. This book was originally published by Cresset Press in 1935. Primavera Press also sold the film rights to the book to Illumination Films who produced the film version of the book, which was released in 1993. The launch of the book was timed to coincide with the launch of the film, to maximise the publicity opportunities. As a result, some of the files contain papers relating to both the book and the film.
This series comprises correspondence and papers relating to the re-release of the book, promotion of the book, the sale of overseas rights to the book, legal arrangements for the film rights to the book and the production of the film. The principal correspondents are Paul Cox (Illumination Films) and Josephine Spence. The papers include artwork for the book, copies of legal documents, reviews of both the book and the film and background research material for the book. There are also bound and unbound copies of the book, a copy of the 1935 publication of the book, which was used as the master for the reprint and typescripts of the 'Afterword' by Hope Kynock and the 'Film to book' by Paul Cox, which were included at the end of the new edition of the book.
Also included with these papers is a copy of a letter to Grant Watson from the psychologist Godwin Baynes (1935) thanking him for a copy of the book, typescript of a work by Grant Watson entitled 'The renegade hero and the anima', copies of the will and probate papers for the estate of Katharine Grant Watson (Grant Watson's wife) and the birth and marriage certificates of Josephine Spence.
Correspondence with Josephine Spence (1989-90), copy of letter to Grant Watson (1935) and typescript of 'The renegade hero and the anima' (File 1)
Series 19. The nun and the bandit: correspondence and papers relating to the film, 1990-94
This series contains correspondence with Paul Cox (Illumination Films) and papers relating to the film version of the book The nun and the bandit. The papers include legal documents, a copy of the script, cast and crew list, film schedule, copies of interviews with Paul Cox, publicity material and photographs from the film.
Series 20. Priest Island: correspondence and papers, 1989-94
In the early 1990s Brennan undertook to republish E.L. Grant Watson's book Priest Island. This book was originally published by Cresset Press in 1940. Contractual disputes between Brennan and Josephine Spence soured their relationship and led to the termination of the contract before the book was published. At this time Brennan completely severed their relationship, and returned all rights to E.L. Grant Watson's works to Spence.
The re-release of the book had been timed to coincide with the release of the film version of the book entitled Exile, which was produced by Paul Cox of Illumination Films. The film was subsequently released, but not in Australia.
This series comprises correspondence and papers relating to the re-release of Priest Island and the film version of the book. The correspondence between Brennan and Josephine Spence documents the gradual decline of their relationship as a result of the contractual disputes. Other correspondents include Paul Cox, Floris Books (Edinburgh), Hope Kynoch, Don Lowe, and William Marshall (Marshall and Dent, solicitors). The papers include legal documents, several pages of proofs of the book, a photocopy of the original version of the book, reviews of the film and a copy of the film script.
Included with the papers, but not related to the book, is a copy of a letter from the author Kathleen Raine (1979) to Dorothy Green setting out her recollections of E.L. Grant Watson.
Class MS Acc06_155. Consignment added 2006 - Box (Shared)
Comprises correspondence, 1979-1980, with Randolph Stow, Laurie Hergenhan, Alan Ross and Beth Macdougall; an annotated typescript of Brennan's interview with Stow, titled "Randolph Stow in slippers", 1980; and, research material relating to Stow, including copies of articles, newspaper cuttings and other papers.
Contained in 1 folio item, 1 file.
Container List
Box | Series | File |
---|---|---|
1 | 1 | 1-8 |
2 | 1 | 9-10 |
2 | 2 | 1-7 |
3 | 2 | 8-17 |
4 | 2 | 18-21 |
4 | 3 | 1-6 |
5 | 3 | 7-12 |
Folio Run | 3 | Folio 1 |
5 | 4 | 1-3 |
6 | 5 | 1-4 |
6 | 6 | 1-4 |
7 | 6 | 5-10 |
8 | 6 | 11-15 |
9 | 6 | 16-21 |
10 | 6 | 22-25 |
11 | 6 | 26 |
11 | 7 | 1-5 |
12 | 8 | 1-2 |
13 | 8 | 3-5 |
14 | 9 | 1-4 |
15 | 10 | 1-7 |
16 | 11 | 1-7 |
17 | 11 | 8-14 |
18 | 11 | 15-21 |
19 | 11 | 22 |
19 | 12 | 1-2 |
20 | 13 | 1-7 |
21 | 14 | 1-4 |
22 | 14 | 5-8 |
23 | 15 | 1-5 |
24 | 16 | 1-7 |
25 | 16 | 8 |
25 | 17 | 1-3 |
26 | 17 | 4 |
26 | 18 | 1-3 |
27 | 18 | 4-8 |
28 | 18 | 9 |
28 | 19 | 1-3 |
29 | 19 | 4 |
29 | 20 | 1-7 |
30 | 21 | 1-8 |