Guide to the Papers of Dal Stivens
MS 4713
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Stivens, Dallas George (1911-1997)
- Title
- Papers of Dal Stivens
- Date Range
- late 1800s-1997 (bulk 1960s-1970s)
- Collection Number
- MS 4713
- Extent
- 13.25 metres (88 ms boxes + 3 folio boxes + 1 folder in shared security binder + 76 sound/av carriers)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Scope and Contents
This large personal archive represents Dal Stivens lifetime involvement in the literary world, with the bulk of the papers relating to his writings. There are drafts of a large number of his articles and short stories, together with subject files containing material from which he drew inspiration. There is correspondence with publishers and agents, both in Australia and overseas, and a smaller group of papers that relate to Stivens' books.The general correspondence comprises letters from many prominent people in the literary sphere, together with correspondence documenting Stiven's day-to-day activities and his literary pursuits. There are papers relating to Stivens interest in art and his involvement in the Captain Cook Bicentenary Literary Competition. There are a small number of family papers and documents and financial papers relating mainly to Stivens' family company D&W Stivens Pty Ltd. Other material in the collection includes photographs, cuttings, notebooks, scrap books, appointment diaries and a number of cassette tapes on to which, in later life, Stivens dictated letters and other work for transcription. Stivens was foundation President of the Australian Society of Authors and included in this collection are papers relating to his long involvement with the Society. There are notes about the early the history of the Society, correspondence, minutes of meetings and copies of the Society's journals and newsletters.
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-vn1109537).
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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Dal Stivens, National Library of Australia, MS 4713, [series and/or file number]'.
Provenance
The papers were purchased from Stivens in several small instalments from 1971 to 1973 and in one large instalment from Stivens' companion, Juanita Cragen, in 1999.
Related Materials
National Library's Manuscript Collection:
Records of the Holdsworth Gallery, MS 9153
Records of the Australian Society of Authors, MS 4572
Papers of Jill Hellyer, MS 6814
National Library's Oral History Collection:
Conversation with Dal Stivens [sound recording], interviewer, Hazel de Berg, 1960, ORAL DeB 82
Conversation with Dal Stivens [sound recording], interviewer, Hazel de Berg, 1973, ORAL DeB 643
Dal Stivens speaking at Emmanuel College] [sound recording], 1962, ORAL TRC 50
Other Libraries:
Papers (13 boxes) of Stivens acquired by the Fisher Library, University of Sydney in 1975. (for details of holdings refer to Appendix 2 (see Related Documentation tab).
Arrangement
The Library has grouped like papers into series, with any files created by Stivens kept intact within the relevant series. A list of major correspondents is attached at Appendix 1 (see Related Documentation section) and a list of papers held by the Fisher Library is attached at Appendix 2 (see Related Documentation section).
When received, the papers were mostly in files created by Stivens' companion, Juanita Cragen, many of which she annotated with notes about the contents.
Biographical Note
Dallas George Stivens was born in Blaney, New South Wales, on 31 December 1911, the son of F.H. Stivens, a country bank accountant and later bank manager. His mother was a relative of J.H.M. Abbott, a prolific contributor to The Bulletin and The Lone Hand. Stivens was educated at West Wyalong Public School and Barker College, Hornsby. He had hoped to study either law or architecture at University, but the Depression meant his parents could not afford to send him there. In 1945 Stivens married Winifred Wright, with whom he had two children. They were divorced in 1977.
Initially Stivens followed in his father's footsteps, commencing his working life as a clerk in the Commercial Bank. He left this work soon after the publication in 1936 of his first book of short stories, The tramp and other stories, and began to work as a freelance journalist. In 1939-1942 he was on the staff of the Sydney Daily Telegraph. Stivens' real interest was in writing short stories and novels. To finance this interest, he wrote articles that did not require his emotional involvement with events and people, thus preserving his integrity and style as a creative writer.
From 1943 to 1944 Stivens was employed by Army Education, editing and writing pamphlets. Later in 1944 he joined the Department of Information, writing for the Department about sport and literature and producing an Australiana column. While with the Department, Stivens was seconded as Press Officer to the Labor Minister Arthur Calwell, during which time he wrote the text of the book How many Australians tomorrow?
In 1949 Stivens took up the position of Press Officer at Australia House in London. He resigned from this job in 1950 to become a freelance writer and his short stories were regularly published in Lilliput, The Times Literary Supplement, The Observer and John O'London's Weekly, as well as being broadcast on the BBC. A Commonwealth Literary Fund Grant in 1951 enabled him work on a collection of short stories, later published as The gambling ghost. While in London, he began writing special interest articles on natural history and travel for American and European magazines.
With his young family, Stivens returned to Australia in 1958, where he continued to write articles and short stories. His association in London with the British Society of Authors led him to lobby for the establishment of an equivalent Australian body. In 1963, the Australian Society of Authors was formed, with Stivens being appointed as its first President.
Apart from the short stories and articles which appeared in newspapers, magazines and journals, Stivens published several collections of his short stories and four novels, one of which, A horse of air, won the Miles Franklin Award in 1970. He also published a children's book, The bushranger (1978) and a book on natural history entitled The incredible egg. Stivens' fiction is widely admired for its humour and descriptions of the bush, especially his tall tales and cricketing stories.
In 1981 Stivens won the Patrick White Award for his contribution to Australian Literature and in 1994 he was honoured with a Special Achievement Award in the NSW Premier's Literary Awards. The Australian Folklore Association honoured Stivens' achievements with publication of a 35-page tribute to him in its journal Australian Folklore, No. 11, July 1996.
Dal Stivens died in Sydney on 15 June 1997.
AustLit biographical note on Stivens
Biographical Reference(s)
Graeme Kinross-Smith. Australia's writers. Melbourne: Nelson, 1980.
Barbara Jefferis. 'Folklorist who loved the land', The Age 30 July 1997
Item Descriptions
Series 1. Family correspondence, 1918-1992
The correspondence in this series comprises letters to Stivens from his parents, his wife (Winifred Wright), his children Christopher and Maila and his cousin Geoff Stivens. Included are a small number of copies of Stivens' letters, together with correspondence relating to his divorce.
Series 2. General correspondence, 1930s-1997
During the course of his career, Stivens corresponded with many prominent people in the literary sphere and a large number of their letters can be found in this series. The main correspondents are listed at Appendix 1 (attached - see Related Documentation tab). Stivens met one of the main correspondents, Christina Stead, in London when he was living there. On her return to Australia, she was a regular visitor to Stivens' home and included in this series is correspondence between the two.
This series also contains correspondence relating to Stivens' day-to-day activities, his literary pursuits, grant applications and his many interests including local and state politics and current affairs. There are a large number of invitations to speak at or attend literary and art events and functions and letters of congratulation on his receiving the Patrick White Award in 1981. Included are drafts and copies of many of Stivens' replies to letters. There are also copies of translations of business letters to and from Stivens into other languages.
Correspondence files created by Stivens have been retained and listed as such. All other correspondence has been listed chronologically by year.
Photocopies of letters from Stivens to A.D. Hope, many of which deal with critical reviews of Stivens' book Three persons make a tiger, 1964-1973 (File 4)
Harry Heseltine regarding a proposal for the publication of 'The portable Stivens', which did not eventuate, 1975-1985 (File 8)
Series 3. Correspondence with agents, 1952-1995
As well as his agent in Australia, Curtis Brown, Stivens had agents in several other countries where his work was published. Correspondence with these agents is located in this series. The papers have been listed alphabetically by name of agent.
Astra Press Services, London (1952-1955); African Press Features, Cape Town (1962); Associated Newspapers, London (1956-1962); A.S. Bookman, Copenhagen (1963) (File 1)
Series 4. Correspondence with publishers, 1951-1991
Over the course of his career, Stivens corresponded with a number of publishers, both national and international, regarding the publication of his articles, stories, novels and other writings. Those publishers with whom Stivens' had more substantial correspondence are listed alphabetically by name of publisher or publication, while lesser correspondence is grouped alphabetically in the last folders (folders 27-37).
Australian Book Society (1965-1976); The Asian Magazine (1962-1964); American newspapers (1963-1965); Artis (1969-1975); American Heritage Publishing (1960-1965) (File 1)
Billy Blue magazine, Sydney (1982-1984); The Cheshire Group, Melbourne (1960-1970); Clipper magazine, Minnesota (1964-1965); California Academy of Science, San Francisco (1964-1966) (File 6)
Eastern horizon, Hong Kong (1964); Georgian House, Melbourne (1963-1972); John Currey O'Neil, Melbourne (1972 and 1982-1984); Kosmos, Stuttgart (1964-1965 and 1979) (File 10)
Horizon Press, New York (1956-1965); Hodder Stoughton, Sydney (1979-1983); House and Garden, New York (1964-1968) (File 11)
Holiday, New York (1964-1965); Longman Cheshire, Melbourne (1972-1982); Jacaranda Press, Sydney (1964 and 1978-1984) (File 12)
Meanjin, Melbourne (1978-1979); Methuen, Sydney (1983-1984); Macrae-Smith, Phildadelphia (1963-1964) (File 15)
Natural History, New York (1964-1973 and 1978); Nature magazine, Saint-Ouen France (1964-1965) (File 16)
Outback Press, Melbourne (1979); Pacific Travel News, San Francisco (1965); Pix magazine, Sydney (1965-1966); Posh magazine, San Francisco (1962-1968) (File 21)
Renown Publishers, New York (1958 and 1966); Squire magazine, Sydney (1964); Short Story International, New York (1965-1966); Science Digest, New York (1963-1969) (File 24)
Volk und Welt, Berlin, (1975-1985); Vogel Kosmos, Stuttgart (1965); La vie des bêtes, Paris (1964-1979) (File 25)
Series 5. Letterbooks, 1966-1984
This series contains five letter books, which comprise carbon copies of letters written by Stivens in 1966, 1974 and 1979-1984.
5 items
Series 6. The Courtship of Uncle Henry: a collection of tales and stories
Stivens' collection of short stories entitled The Courtship of Uncle Henry: a collection of tales and stories, was published by Reed and Harris, Melbourne, in 1946. Contained in this series are early drafts of the stories, together with a bound typescript. There is an undated original pen and ink illustration by Vane Lindesay.
Series 7. Jimmy Brockett
Jimmy Brockett, Stivens' novel about Australian politics, was published in 1951 by Britannicus Liber, London. In 1948, under the title The entrepreneur, the story had shared third prize in the Sydney Morning Herald novel contest. Contained in this series are reviews, publicity material and bound typescript copies of the book. There is also a synopsis by Damien Parer for a proposed movie based on the book (1984).
Series 8. Ironbark Bill
Contained in this series are early drafts and typescripts of short stories published in Stivens' book Ironbark Bill. It was illustrated by H.J. Rothe and published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney, in 1955.
2 folders
Series 9. Three persons make a tiger: translated from the Chinese of Wu Yu
Three persons make a tiger: translated from the Chinese of Wu Yu is Stivens' satire on contemporary life, purported to be a translation from a previously unknown Chinese manuscript written by a Dr Wu Yu. This series contains typescript drafts, extracts, a review, a translation by Arthur Waley of Monkey by Wu Ch'êng-ên and a copy of The Monkey King by Sun Wu-Kung, 1962.
Series 10. A horse of air
Stivens' novel, A Horse of air, which has as its plot an expedition in search of the rare night parrot of Central Australia, won the Miles Franklin Award in 1970. Contained in this series are papers relating to the novel, including research material, notebooks, correspondence, cuttings, maps and reviews. One correspondent is Len Beadell, who surveyed the Gun Barrel Highway in 1968-1969. There are unsigned original illustrations for the front cover of the book, which were not used, and a copy of the published book.
Series 11. The incredible egg: a billion year journey, 1972-1977
Papers in this series relate to Stivens' natural history book about evolution entitled The incredible egg; a billion year journey. Illustrated by Bob Hines, it was published in New York by Weybright and Talley, c1974. It was a great disappointment to Stivens that the book was never published in Australia. There is correspondence with the publishers, research and editing notes and a typescript draft and a proof copy.
Series 12. Short stories
Stivens was a prolific writer of short stories from the 1930s onwards. Many of his stories combined humour and irony and he was drawn to the 'tall story' genre, which he attributed to growing up with the 'yarns' of his family. He also had an interest in fantasy, science fiction and 'bawdy tales', which form the basis of other stories.
Stivens' first book, The tramp and other stories, which comprised short stories of the Depression, was published in London in 1936. Other collections were to follow, including The courtship of Uncle Henry: a collection of tales and stories (1946); The gambling ghost and other tales (1953); Iron Bark Bill (1955); The scholarly mouse and other tales (1957); Selected stories 1936-1968 (1969); The unicorn and other tales (1976) and The demon bowler and other cricket stories (1979). His stories have also been published in numerous magazines, journals, newspapers and anthologies, both national and international.
Contained in this series are drafts (mostly undated) of a large number of Stivens' short stories. In some cases there are several heavily edited drafts which illustrate well his creative processes. There is also evidence that Stivens reworked some of his earlier stories a number of years later, possibly for re-publication. There are papers relating to what appears to be a proposed publication by Penguin of a collection of Stivens' works entitled 'Best short stories of Dal Stivens'.
As with his articles, Stivens occasionally published under a pseudonym, using the names John Sidney, James Crockett, Jeff Peter and John Wilton.
The stories are grouped alphabetically by title.
Series 13. Cricket Stories
Stivens had a great interest in cricket. This series comprises edited typescript and manuscript drafts of his short stories relating to cricket, some of which were published in his book The demon bowler and other cricket stories. There are numberous cuttings relating to cricket, notes and drafts of stories about 'Dr Grace' (W.G. Grace) and a small original pen and ink illustration of a cricket bat, unsigned but attributed to the cartoonist Michael Leunig.
Series 14. Natural history articles
From his early childhood, Stivens had a particular interest in all aspects of natural history and wrote numerous articles on related topics including animal behaviour, insects, marine life and bird life in both Australia and New Zealand.
Contained in this series are a large number of files comprising research notes, photographs and drafts of articles, together with typescripts of many of his articles. There is one file of draft articles with the heading 'From an amateur naturalist's book', which it appears may have been for publication as a regular column. There are a small number of copies of his published articles. The files have been grouped alphabetically by subject (taken from Stivens' file titles) and the typescripts have been grouped alphabetically by title.
Stivens published articles under a number of pseudonyms, most commonly as John Sidney, but he also used the names Richard Fitter, Jeff Peters, Jack Tarrant, David/John Chilton, and David/John Wilton.
Series 15. General articles, c1930s-1984
In addition to his natural history articles, Stivens wrote articles on a wide range of topics, the first of which were published in the 1930s and the bulk of which were written from the late 1950s to the mid 1960s. Contained in this series are files containing research notes, cuttings and drafts of articles, together with typescripts of many of his articles. There is a file of articles for 'Off beam', a regular column written by Stivens for The Australian. There are a small number of copies of his published articles, including a cuttings book containing his early articles from the 1930s. The files have been listed alphabetically by subject (taken from Stivens' file titles) and the typescripts alphabetically by title.
Stivens published articles under a number of pseudonyms, most commonly as John Sidney but he also used the names Richard Fitter, Jeff Peters, Jack Tarrant, David/John Chilton, and David/John Wilton.
Series 16. Other writings, c1938-c1983
In addition to novels, short stories and articles, Stivens' papers include drafts of his writings in other genres, many of which were unpublished. There are bound typescripts of a novel entitled 'Well Anyway'; a collection of short stories entitled 'Bounce on the two-backed beast and other bawdy tales'; a natural history book entitled 'Stop...look...and wonder', which comprises selected copies of Stivens' natural history articles arranged into sections, and a book entitled 'An ABC of natural history wonders' with an accompanying letter from Stivens' agent, Curtis Brown, advising that they had been unable to find a publisher for the book. There are also scripts of plays; drafts of children's stories; notes for speeches and lectures, drafts of letters to the editor, poetry and ideas for novels.
In 1946, Stivens was the scriptwriter for the production of a series of ABC Radio programs about Australian folklore entitled Tall tales. There are scripts from the program, together with the typescript of a play entitled 'Nothing to what I've done', from the same period. Also in this series are miscellaneous papers accumulated by Stivens relating to writing style, including a copy of Writing to sell by Scott Meredith, 1950.
Stivens wrote the script for an ABC TV production about eccentric characters in history. Entitled See it my way, it was first televised in 1972 and included in this series are editorial notes by Denis Oran, research material, synopsis, film sequences and letters of congratulation to Stivens from Bill Scott, Harry Heseltine and Nancy Keesing.
There is a large group of typescripts of short stories by other authors, which it appears were for a proposed anthology of Australian writing. Some of the stories were included in Coast to coast, Australian stories 1957-58, which were selected by Stivens and published in 1958.
Typescript and published version which appeared in Lilliput of a story entitled 'The demon bushranger'; hardcover copy of The bushranger, published by Collins, Sydney in 1978 with illustrations by Bruce Treloar (File 9)
Outlines and typescripts of scripts of plays: (File 10_13)
'Ninety-nine times as high as the moon', c 1983
'Conversation to a Beethoven string quartet', nd
'Songs we sing in Australia', nd
Radio plays: 'Prelude to sleep' (c1950), 'The shilling' and 'Samson'
Several untitled scripts
See it my way - research and editorial notes, synopsis, film sequences and correspondence, c1971-1972 (File 14)
Series 17. The Australian Society of Authors, 1962-1997
Stivens was the driving force behind the formation of the Australian Society of Authors (ASA). During his time in England, Stivens had found the British Society of Authors a great support. On his return to Australia he determined to establish a similar organisation and, together with Jill Hellyer and Walter Stone, lobbied for an Australian equivalent. The ASA was formed in 1963, with Stivens being appointed as its first President.
Having initially anticipated a six-month involvement with the Society, Stivens was to be closely involved with it for its first eleven years, in the roles of both President (1963-64 and 1966-73) and Vice-President (1964-66). Stivens turned his considerable talents to the task of establishing the rights of Australian authors within the commercial sphere. He co-authored the Society's first book on contracts, provided numerous articles for the press and for the Society's own publications and spoke at meetings and seminars. In 1967 Stivens was honoured as Foundation President, and in 1977 was made a Life Member of the Society.
Papers in this series relate to Stivens' involvement with the Society. There are early papers about the history of the Society, including minutes from the first meeting at which a Society was proposed (24 Oct 1962), and minutes of the first meeting of the newly formed Society (15 May 1963). There are notes and cuttings relating to a number of topics of relevance to Australian authors; correspondence; reports, agenda and minutes of meetings covering a number of years; an incomplete set of The Australian Author, the quarterly journal of the ASA and an incomplete set of ASA newsletters.
Series 18. Captain Cook Bicentenary Literary Competition, 1969-1970
Stivens was Chair of the Captain Cook Bicentenary Literary Competition, a public literary competition held as part of the Captain Cook Bicentenary celebrations in 1970. There were a number of categories to the competition, which had a total prize pool of $30,000. The papers in this series relate to the competition and comprise correspondence, agenda and minutes of meetings, reports, press statements, brochure design and judging panels.
3 folders
Series 19. Art, 1971-1979
In 1971, at the age of 59, Stivens took up painting for the first time, and it was to remain a strong interest for the rest of his life. His first works were large abstracts in acrylic. He went on to use a variety of media including plastics, crayons, household oils, fabric dyes and glitter paints. In 1974 he held a one-man exhibition at the Holdsworth Gallery in Sydney and later that year some of his work was reproduced in Art in Australia. In August 1979 three of his illustrations accompanied articles in the literary journal Helix.
Papers in this series include slides and photographs of Stivens' paintings, several rough sketches, art catalogues, cuttings and correspondence with Gisella Scheinberg, owner of the Holdsworth Gallery.
Series 20. Research files
Stivens accumulated a large amount of material in the form of research notes, cuttings, ephemera and photographs on a variety of topics, much of which was used as the basis for his articles. Included in this series are files of this material, listed alphabetically by topic (based on Stivens' file titles).
Series 21. Notebooks and address books
This series comprises a number of Stivens' notebooks together with several address books, some of which were used to record details of articles and short stories sent to publishers. The notebooks contain jottings of ideas for stories and cuttings, mostly related to writing, including markets in the United States and Canada. Stivens was a keen gardener and there is one notebook containing cuttings and notes on this topic. There are also several telephone notepads, which were in Stivens' study at the time of his death.
Series 22. Cuttings
This series contains a large number of cuttings accumulated by Stivens. Apart from folders relating to the Whitlam Government, music and gardening, the remainder of the cuttings, which are in no particular order, are on a range of topics including literature, history, current affairs, politics, natural history, gardening and science.
Series 23. Scrapbooks
This series comprises 16 large scrapbooks created by Stivens. There are eight containing cuttings, the bulk of which are on matters relating to art. Other topics include current affairs and politics, together with invitations to functions and other ephemera. The remaining scrapbooks contain cuttings of reviews of Stivens' books , ephemera from a seminar in Townsville in June 1977 and papers relating to the Australian Society of Authors.
16 items
Series 24. Index cards
The three sets of alphabetical index cards in this series comprise Stivens' record keeping system for identifying which articles or short stories had been sent to publishers and when.
Series 25. Cassette tapes, c.1977-1982
In later years, Stivens' eyesight deteriorated and, until he had an operation to remove cataracts, it became his practice to dictate letters, stories, etc on to mini-cassette tapes for transcription. Contained in this series are a number of these tapes for the period c1977-1982.
3 boxes of tapes
Mis-pronunciations [1], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000036) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette888-5587, Pat Lihan after 4. The Accountant, Profile, 288 Pacific Highway, LINDFIELD 2070 [4], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000039) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, C-90, Compact cassette tape
Paul Laurence, Dal's solicitor & friend [5], 6/6/82 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000040) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette
Main/PMB, Main Plumber, Conversation with Dal about sewer and hot water pipe, 18th Aug.197? No5 Middle Harbour Rd. [7], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000042) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette
Forestry re camphor laurel from No3 roots invading No5 [8], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000085) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
K.R.G. Council, Conversation with possibly Ku-ring-gai Council [9], 1980 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000086) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette
Dr. Merringto, To Do [10], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000087) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
1+bit - Doctor [11], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000088) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette(1 of 3) J.&D.A.5/6/, J.&D.A., 3 tapes: one undated [13], 1980 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000090) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette
(2 of 3) J.&D.A.5/6/, J.&D.A., 3 tapes: one undated [14], 5.6.1980 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000091) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette
(3 of 3) J.&D.A.5/6/, J.&D.A., 3 tapes: one undated [15], 5.6.1980 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000092) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette
Letters DI for JC [16], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000093) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
For Parkinson letter, not complete, 2 sides, typed [19], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000096) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
Peter Rainey, Dep. Head, King's School [21], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000098) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
Penguin [?] [23], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000100) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
Penguin, To do - Hold, 2 sides [24], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000101) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
Pitcher plants, Venus's fly trap, Material for novel [26], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000103) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette
Nodder [28], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000105) - Cassette-Box 4
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
Dictated beginning of "The Return of Dr. Grace". Full side. 10 minutes [30], 1979 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000107) - Cassette-Box 7
1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette
(1 of 2) Dictated draft of The Great Wall, Begins: 30 m.?, tape: ends ? min, 15 m. tape. About 12 min. [?] [31], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000108) - Cassette-Box 7
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
Childrens Novel, How Gfather set witchcraft13", 1st side/inserts 2 [?] [37], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000114) - Cassette-Box 7
1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette
Children's Novel, Side 2 to 11" inches, Side 1 to 15" inches. N.B. cont. on Side 2 after 11" [38], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000115) - Cassette-Box 7
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
Raw [?] Station, Bill Abbott [39], 1979 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000116) - Cassette-Box 7
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
(1 of 4) Side 7 Article [40], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000117) - Cassette-Box 7
1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette
(2 of 4) 2/Braddon[?], Methu[?]n. Full sides [41], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000118) - Cassette-Box 7
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
(3 of 4) Dictated, 2 sides, Braddon, Methu[?] [42], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000119) - Cassette-Box 7
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
(4 of 4) Braddon sides 5&6 [43], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000120) - Cassette-Box 7
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
Britton advised painted spackle [?] [44], 1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000121) - Cassette-Box 7
1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette
Speculator? Wife, Tree love, Mrs. Buller, tennis court, Battle axe 10,000 sq.ft., battle ax, Anglican - invest actg deverly [?] [48], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000125) - Cassette-Box 7
1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassette
Mozart Pure [?] B Mozart by David Ward. A Mozart Concert on A Major - Steva/Column [?] orel [?]. On cassette - Mozart Dave, David Ward [50], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000130) - Cassette-Box 7
1 item, C60, Compact cassette tape
Beethoven, L. (1770-1827). Piano Sonato no31 in A Flat, op 110. Jorg Demus, hammerflugel, BASF 29 20328. Mozart Piano Concerto No 27 in B Flat, K.595-467 B. On cassette - Mozart, PC No 27. Beethoven OP110 Jorg Demus, hammerflugel 1-318. Odds & Ends [51], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000131) - Cassette-Box 7
1 item, C90, Compact cassette tape
(1 of 4) Conversation with Christina Stead Nov. 1982. 30th May 1982. One undated [54], 1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000134) - Cassette-Box 7
1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassetteTo do Christina. C Stead. Typed. [?] [58], c.1982-c.1983 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000138) - Cassette-Box 8
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassetteChristina Stead [59], 1983 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000139) - Cassette-Box 8
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
1. Tableaux D'une Exposition, 2. Symphony No. 9 Choral [60], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000140) - Cassette-Box 8
1 item, DMC-154, Compact cassette tapeA Leo Kelly. C Stead's parts. B Virgin [62], 1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000142) - Cassette-Box 8
1 item, C90, Compact cassette tapeRipostes [63], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000143) - Cassette-Box 8
1 item, C90, Compact cassette tapeS. Firth Smith. Gallery A. 68'x68' $1500. 60" x 72". Over. 3'x5' $5000. early 3 square $2500. 123x123 $1500 listening. 1977 Callius $1000.00 [65], 1969 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000145) - Cassette-Box 8
1 item, A8, Microcassette / mini cassetteA/ Joan M.?. B Yeats [66], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000146) - Cassette-Box 8
1 item, LFH0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
A/ Alice No 1 B/ Brownlow + Alice 2+4 [67], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000147) - Cassette-Box 8
1 item, TDK AD90, Compact cassette tape
SMH. APW White? [cassette tape] [68], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000148) - Cassette-Box 8
1 item, Hitachi C-90, Compact cassette tape
Bradman A+B "Nugget May" [69], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000149) - Cassette-Box 8
1 item, Hitachi DL90, Compact cassette tape
A. Alf Conlon B. Alison Broinowski [70], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000150) - Cassette-Box 8
1 item, Hitachi DL90, Compact cassette tapeOtaway ? [71], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000151) - Cassette-Box 8
1 item, Philips LFH 0004|00, Microcassette / mini cassette
A. Doctor's reform + Alia 3 [72], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000152) - Cassette-Box 10
1 item, Hitachi C-90, Compact cassette tape
For Dr Alf Liebold. Growing up. Dal Stivens [73], 1977-1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000153) - Cassette-Box 10
1 item, Hitachi C-90, Compact cassette tape
Conversation tape by Dal Stivens. Leo Kelly, Juanita Cragen, Rae Cerhan and Dal Stivens. (We didn't know we were being recorded J.C.) [74], 1984 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000210) - Cassette-Box 10
1 item, Hitachi DL90, Compact cassette tapeSeries 26. Photographs, late 1800s-1984
This series comprises portrait photographs of Stivens (c1940-1984), family photographs (late 1800s to 1970s) and a large number of professional black and white photographs, which it is most likely were intended as illustrations for his articles.
Series 27. Diaries, 1925-1982
This series comprises a small number of diaries kept by Stivens. There is a Boy Scout diary from 1925 and appointment diaries from 1967, 1974-1978, 1980 and 1982.
8 items
Series 28. Financial papers, 1951-1997
The papers in this series relate to Stivens' financial affairs. The bulk of them comprise tax returns and financial statements for D & W Stivens Pty Ltd, a family company set up Stivens and his wife, Winifred, in 1959. There are also miscellaneous financial papers, including receipts and statements, and early tax returns for the period 1951-1956.
Series 29. Biographical papers and documents, 1920s-1997
The family papers and documents in this series include school reports; family history information; copies of Stivens' curriculum vitae and will, cuttings relating to his career; transcripts of interviews; papers relating to his divorce and obituraries and tributes on his death in 1997. Stivens was a keen gardener and there are papers relating to his development and maintenance of both the house and the garden at Lindfield, Sydney over a number of years. He also took an active role in protesting about proposed building and land developments in his neighbourhood and there are drafts of protest letters to officials, together with papers relating to disputes with neighbours over proposed building projects.
Stivens inherited a property called 'Beckom', which was next door to the bank in West Wyalong where his father had worked. Included in this series are letters relating to the rental of this property.
The Australian Folklore Association honoured Stivens' achievements with publication of a 35-page tribute to him in its journal Australian Folklore, No. 11, July 1996. A copy of the journal is included in this series.
There are three undated original caricature drawings of Stivens by 'Wiz' and 'Hanna' and a pencil sketch of him by Mimi Jaksic Berger (1972).
Series 30. Miscellaneous papers
This series contains miscellaneous papers accumulated by Stivens, the bulk of which comprise folders of notes, jottings, cuttings. The remainder comprise various papers, books presented to Stivens as prizes while a student at Barker College, Hornsby and miscellaneous other books and journals.
Papers: (File 1)
Transcript of an ABC radio interview of Christina Stead by Rodney Wetherell, 1979
Carcicature sketches by 'Wiz' and 'Hanna'
Papers (File 2)
Copy of a speech by Gough Whitlam, 1975
'The life and death of a greengrocer' - script by Mungo MacCallum, nd
Guide to the papers of Miles Franklin in the Mitchell Library, 1980
Two books inscribed to Stivens by the authors (Item 15_16)
Power without glory, Frank Hardy (inscribed 1951)
Disturbing element, Xavier Herbert (inscribed 1971)
Container List
| Series | File | Box |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1-7 | 1 |
| 2 | 1-4 | 2 |
| 2 | 4a | Housed separately |
| 2 | 5-8 | 2 |
| 2 | 9-16 | 3 |
| 2 | 17-24 | 4 |
| 2 | 25-32 | 5 |
| 2 | 33-40 | 6 |
| 2 | 41-47 | 7 |
| 3 | 1-8 | 8 |
| 3 | 9-15 | 9 |
| 4 | 1-8 | 10 |
| 4 | 9-16 | 11 |
| 4 | 17-24 | 12 |
| 4 | 25-33 | 13 |
| 4 | 34-37 | 14 |
| 5 | 1-5 | 14 |
| 6 | 1-5 | 15 |
| 7 | 1-5 | 16 |
| 7 | 6 | 17 |
| 8 | 1-2 | 17 |
| 9 | 1-2 | 17 |
| 9 | 3-4 | 18 |
| 10 | 1-4 | 18 |
| 10 | 5-11 | 19 |
| 10 | 12-13 | 20 |
| 11 | 1-5 | 20 |
| 11 | 6 | 21 |
| 12 | 1-4 | 21 |
| 12 | 5-11 | 22 |
| 12 | 12-19 | 23 |
| 12 | 20-25 | 24 |
| 12 | 26-33 | 25 |
| 12 | 34-41 | 26 |
| 12 | 42-49 | 27 |
| 12 | 50-56 | 28 |
| 12 | 57-62 | 29 |
| 13 | 1-4 | 30 |
| 13 | 5-8 | 31 |
| 13 | 9 | 32 |
| 13 | Folio 1 | Folio box 3 |
| 14 | 1-5 | 32 |
| 14 | 6-11 | 33 |
| 14 | 12-16 | 34 |
| 14 | 17-22 | 35 |
| 14 | 23-26 | 36 |
| 14 | 27-32 | 37 |
| 14 | 33-38 | 38 |
| 14 | 39-44 | 39 |
| 14 | 45-50 | 40 |
| 14 | 51-55 | 41 |
| 14 | 56-60 | 42 |
| 14 | 61-69 | 43 |
| 14 | 70-77 | 44 |
| 14 | 78 | 45 |
| 15 | 1-4 | 45 |
| 15 | 5-8 | 46 |
| 15 | 9-12 | 47 |
| 15 | 13-17 | 48 |
| 15 | 18-21 | 49 |
| 15 | 22-27 | 50 |
| 15 | 28-34 | 51 |
| 15 | 35-38 | 52 |
| 16 | 1 | 52 |
| 16 | 2-5 | 53 |
| 16 | 6-12 | 54 |
| 16 | 13-19 | 55 |
| 16 | 20-27 | 56 |
| 16 | 28-34 | 57 |
| 16 | 35-38 | 58 |
| 16 | 39-42 | 59 |
| 17 | 1-3 | 59 |
| 17 | 4-11 | 60 |
| 17 | 12-20 | 61 |
| 17 | 21-28 | 62 |
| 17 | 29-35 | 63 |
| 18 | 1-3 | 64 |
| 19 | 1-6 | 64 |
| 19 | Folio 1 | Folio Box 3 |
| 20 | 1-5 | 65 |
| 20 | 6-9 | 66 |
| 20 | 10-14 | 67 |
| 20 | 15-19 | 68 |
| 20 | 20-24 | 69 |
| 20 | 25 | 70 |
| 21 | 1-13 | 70 |
| 21 | 14-20 | 71 |
| 22 | 1-4 | 72 |
| 22 | 5-11 | 73 |
| 22 | 12-14 | 74 |
| 23 | Items 1-5 | Folio Box 1 |
| 23 | Items 6-12 | Folio Box 2 |
| 23 | Items 13-16 | Folio Box 3 |
| 24 | 1 | 74 |
| 24 | 2-3 | 75 |
| 25 | 1-2 | 76 |
| 25 | 3 | 77 |
| 26 | 1-7 | 78 |
| 26 | 8-15 | 79 |
| 26 | 16-21 | 80 |
| 27 | 1-8 | 81 |
| 28 | 1-5 | 81 |
| 28 | 6-12 | 82 |
| 29 | 1-6 | 83 |
| 29 | 7-12 | 84 |
| 29 | 13-19 | 85 |
| 29 | 20 | 86 |
| 29 | Folio 1 | Folio Box 3 |
| 30 | 1-6 | 86 |
| 30 | 7-10 | 87 |
| 30 | 11-18 | 88 |