Guide to the Papers of Marjorie Skill
MS 5845
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: October 2024
Collection Summary
- Title
- Papers of Marjorie Skill
- Date Range
- 1931 - 1978
- Collection Number
- MS 5845
- Extent
- 0.7 metres (4 ms boxes + 2 folders)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Scope and Contents
This collection comprises research papers (a scrap book and correspondence), as well as personal papers, writing, notes, publication materials, and copies of Marjorie Skill's biography of Nellie Stewart, titled Sweet Nell of old Sydney, which was published by Urania Publishing Co. in 1974.
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-vn2216490).
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-vn2216490).
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Marjorie Skill, National Library of Australia, MS 5845, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.
Item Descriptions
Class 1. Consignment received 1978, 1969 - 1977
This consignment comprises research papers (a scrap book and correspondence) dating from 1969 until 1974, relating to Marjorie Skill's biography of Nellie Stewart, entitled Sweet Nell of old Sydney, which was published by Urania Publishing Co. in 1974.
Class 2. Consignment received 2023, 1931 - 1978
This consignment comprises the papers of Marjorie Skill, including personal papers, notes, correspondence, and writing including plays, short stories and essays. Also included are Skill's notes and papers relating to her biography of Nellie Stewart, titled Sweet Nell of old Sydney.
Business papers of distribution and promotion of 'Sweet Nell of Old Sydney', 1973 - 1977 (File 3) - Box 1 (MS 5845)
Contains invoices, orders, promotions, and some items of correspondence in response to complimentary copies of Skill's biography of Nellie Stewart, Sweet Nell of old Sydney, sent to recipients such as Alexandra Hasluck and HRM The Queen, under the name of Urania Publishing Company.
Correspondence with State Libraries, 1971 - 1975 (File 4) - Box 1 (MS 5845)
Contains correspondence, primarily with state libraries. Includes correspondence seeking or clarifying research information, letters of thanks to staff, and promotion of Sweet Nell of old Sydney.
Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1974 - 1977 (File 5) - Box 1 (MS 5845)
Contains a list of Public Libraries in NSW 1974, a list of items displayed at Treasures of the Library Exhibition (SLNSW) 1976, and correspondence with the Cataloguing in Publication section of the National Library, 1977.
Workbook for Mona Brand, 1961 (File 6) - Box 1 (MS 5845)
Contains Skill's workbook from Mona Brand's writing workshop.
Publication, 1973 - 1977 (File 7) - Box 1 (MS 5845)
Contains possible financing and printing quotes for the publication of Sweet Nell of old Sydney.
Orders for 'Sweet Nell', 1974 - 1977 (File 8) - Box 1 (MS 5845)
Contains an account book with details of orders for Sweet Nell of old Sydney.
Sweet Nell' Distribution, 1971 - 1977 (File 9) - Box 1 (MS 5845)
Contains correspondence with publishers and booksellers regarding distribution of Sweet Nell of old Sydney.
Hints re T.V. Writing. Old ABC, 1960 - 1969 (File 10) - Box 2 (MS 5845)
Contains lists for the ABC Sketches Broadcast, including dates, title, station, and producer/programme details. Also includes correspondence regarding Skill's work writing scripts for ABC radio.
Sweet Nell' distribution, 1974 - 1975 (File 11) - Box 2 (MS 5845)
Contains correspondence with booksellers and a list of possible distrubtors, regarding distribution of Sweet Nell of old Sydney.
Original Writing, 1938 - 1978 (File 12) - Box 2 (MS 5845)
Contains playscripts, short stories, and entries to competitions - of note is an article on George Bernard Shaw which contains (unsuccessful) correspondence with Shaw. Also contains material, newspaper clippings and advocacy for The Old Tote theatre.
Press and Other Organisations, 1970 - 1975 (File 13) - Box 2 (MS 5845)
Contains research correspondence on Nellie Stewart, including seeking copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates and information about schooling. Includes a file cover heavily annotated by Skill.
General Matters, files A-J, 1935 - 1977 (File 14) - Box 2 (MS 5845)
Contains general matters, filed aphabetically by contents. Topics covered in the material include the ABC, Granada, independent theatre, music (particularly opera), and an appointment as justice of the peace, among others.
General Matters, files K-W, 1931 - 1978 (File 15) - Box 3 (MS 5845)
Contains general matters, filed aphabetically by contents. Topics covered in the material include responses to unsolicited submissions, letters to editors, the fate of Violet Still in war time Paris, radio Normandy, and the Wentworth family, among others.
Manuscript Preparation, 1950 - 1975 (File 16) - Box 3 (MS 5845)
Contains newspaper clippings, correspondence on subscriptions, ideas for writing, teaching writing material, and material on manuscript preapration.
The Happy Family, 1958 - 1959 (File 17) - Box 3 (MS 5845)
Contains correspondence and a typescript for a novel intended for older teenagers.
Talk about writing biography, 1975 (File 18) - Box 3 (MS 5845)
Contains notes made in preparation for a talk on writing biography.
Churchill Club London, 1943 - 1965 (File 19) - Box 3 (MS 5845)
Contains correspondence with the Churchill Club in London, a club for servicemen and women, which Skill joined while in London during World War II.
Q Theatre Group - Four Candid Portraits, 1965 - 1977 (File 20) - Box 3 (MS 5845)
Contains correspondence and material relating to 'Four Candid Portraits', a play written by Skill, which was one of five finalists in the FAWA 1976 Drama Competition. Also includes a critique by Mona Brand.
Writing Ideas, 1955 - 1960 (File 21) - Box 3 (MS 5845)
Contains newspaper clippings, fragments, and notes.
Literature Board and Public Lending Right, 1973 - 1977 (File 22) - Box 3 (MS 5845)
Contains forms regarding author's claim for public lending right, an application for a special grant for Sweet Nell of old Sydney, and also includes the results of the Matthew Flinders Bicentennary Literary Awards 1974.
Switzerland and Naples, 1946 - 1951 (File 23) - Box 4 (MS 5845)
Contains postcards, black and white photographs, travel brochures, notes, and correspondence.
A very minor Canterbury Tale, 1971 (File 24) - Box 4 (MS 5845)
Contains a piece named 'A very minor Canterbury Tale' by Marjorie Skill, as well as brochures on the Canterbury Players and Canterbury Cathedral.
Work in Progress, 1971 - 1975 (File 25) - Box 4 (MS 5845)
Contains a photocopy of pasted register from deteriorating folder, as well as work on Gordon Memorial and public statues in Sydney and Melbourne, c.1971-1973. Also included is a book on Melbourne's Gardens issued by the Parks, Gardens and Recreations Department.