Guide to the Papers of Maisie Drysdale

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MS 9899

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Created: ©2008

Collection Summary

Creator
Drysdale, Maisie, Lady
Title
Papers of Lady Maisie Drysdale
Date Range
c1890s-2001
Collection Number
MS 9899
Extent
3.5 metres (21 boxes + 1 folio box)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
National Library of Australia

Introduction

Scope and Content

The papers document the life of Maisie Drysdale, which was intertwined with that of her first husband, Peter Purves Smith, and her second husband, Russell Drysdale. The bulk of the papers relate to her life after her marriage to Drysdale in 1964. There are diaries, correspondence, cuttings, papers about the establishment of Bouddi Farm and a large number of photographs which include early family portraits. Correspondents include Helen Garner, Mary Eagle, Murray Bail, Nadia Wheatley, Joyce Grenfell, Drusilla Modjeska, Spike Milligan, and Donald Friend.

Papers on the careers of both Purves Smith and Drysdale include photographs of their artwork, exhibition catalogues and writings and rough sketches. There are papers concerning Drysdale's involvement with The Pioneer Group and the National Art Gallery Committee and the original manuscript score of a 1966 work by Peter Sculthorpe, entitled Red landscape, which is dedicated to Drysdale.

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-vn1125623).

Copying and Publishing

Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Maisie Drysdale, National Library of Australia, MS 9899, [series and file number]'.

Provenance

The papers of Maisie Drysdale were donated to the Library in 2001 by Russell Drysdale's daughter, Lynne Clarke, under the Cultural Gifts Program.

The Manuscripts Collection of the National Library holds papers of Russell Drysdale at: MS 4624, MS 4991, MS 7127, MS 8467

The Oral History Collection of the National Library holds an interview with Russell Drysdale conducted by Hazel de Berg, recorded in 1960 (ORAL TRC 1/27)

The Pictures Collection of the National Library holds a number of arworks by Russell Drysdale.

Arrangement

The papers have been grouped into series by the Library. Prior to the papers being deposited in the Library, they were in the possession of Mary Eagle, who was undertaking research for her biography of Peter Purves Smith. Ms Eagle grouped and annotated a number of the papers, particularly the correspondence, which she placed into chronological order.

Biographical Note

Mavis (Maisie) Mathews was born in Zeehan, Tasmania in September 1915, the first daughter of Paul Mathews and Muriel (née Larking). Her father, a mathematician, had completed a Mathematical Tripos at Cambridge. A conscientious objector, Mathews had moved with his wife to Tasmania when he sensed that war in Europe was inevitable. In 1925 Maisie's parents divorced and her mother married Claude Henry Newbold, whose name she and her younger sister Brenda took. Newbold was killed in the Second World War.

Maisie attended the Clyde Girls' Grammar School in Melbourne. On a trip to England with her mother in 1930, Maisie's maternal aunt, Louisa Larking, introduced her to art. She herself was a very good etcher and had her own printing press. Maisie matriculated with Honours in 1933 and went on to the University of Melbourne and the George Bell School, attending both until she decided to focus exclusively on her art.

While at the George Bell School, Maisie's fellow students included Peter Purves Smith and Russell Drysdale, who had attended Junior School together at Geelong Grammar School. In 1935 Drysdale had married Elizabeth 'Bon' Stephens, whom he had met in Albury while working on the family property, Boxwood Park, which was nearby. The four of them developed a close friendship.

In late 1937, Purves Smith left for Europe, followed in April 1938 by Maisie and her mother. In Europe, their relationship developed and after Maisie returned home Purves Smith cabled his proposal to her. Maisie tried unsuccessfully to return to England to marry Purves Smith, and they were to remain separated for the duration of the war. He was finally repatriated to Australia in March 1946. Purves Smith and Maisie were married on 14 June 1946 in Melbourne, with Russell Drysdale as best man. They were to have only three years together. While on duty in Burma, Purves Smith had contracted tuberculosis. He died following surgery to relieve the symptoms of the disease on 13 July 1949.

Maisie enrolled as a student at the Public Library of Victoria, Library Training School in 1952. She completed her studies in that year and in 1953 was appointed Deputy Librarian at the City of Coburg Library. Later she was appointed Children's Librarian (at the same time retaining her position as Deputy Librarian) and was given the responsibility of setting up the Children's Library. This included selection and cataloguing of the books. She resigned from this position in November 1955 to manage The Austral Bookshop in Collins Street, which was owned by Paul Flesch.

In February 1958, Maisie was appointed to the position of Children's Librarian at the Camberwell City Library. In support of her application for this position, the City of Coburg Librarian, H. Gregory, described Maisie as 'one of the very best children's librarians in Australia'. She resigned from this position in late 1963.

From 1958 to 1963 Maisie was on the Editorial Committee of the Children's Book council of Victoria. During this time she also published articles about and reviews of children's books.

Following Purves Smith's death, Maisie lived with her mother in Orrong Street, Toorak in Melbourne. She bought a cottage on half an acre of land at Mt Martha, where she and friends went for weekends.

In November 1963, Bon Drysdale died and in June the following year, Maisie married Russell Drysdale at St John's Church, Toorak. They bought a block of land on the Central Coast near Gosford and commissioned Melbourne architect, Guilford Bell, to design a house for them. They named the property Bouddi Farm and it was to remain their home for the rest of their lives.

In the years following her marriage to Drysdale, Maisie's life was taken up with art, friends and travel. She was a great entertainer, and hosted numerous informal gatherings at Bouddi Farm. She and Drysdale travelled widely, something she continued to do following his death.

Russell Drysdale died at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, on 29 June 1981, following a stroke the previous year.

Maisie Drysdale died on 28 June, 2001 following a stroke in April of that year.

Item Descriptions

Series 1. Family correspondence, 1909-1984

The bulk of the correspondence in this series is between Maisie and her mother, Muriel Newbold. Up until the time of her marriage to Russell Drysdale in June 1964, Maisie and her mother had lived together and so letters prior to this date are from those times when either one or the other of them was travelling. After her marriage to Drysdale, Maisie's letters are filled with details of her day-to-day life and references to Drysdale's work. Included are letters from Russell Drysdale to Muriel Newbold.

Muriel Newbold to her mother (c1917-1918) and one letter written by her grandmother's brother (1909) (File 1)

Cards and letters to Maisie from her maternal aunt, 'Haji' Larking, 1927-1957 (File 2)

Maisie to Muriel Newbold, 1946-1960 (File 3-5)

Various family members: Muriel to Brenda and Maisie (c1924), Maisie to her grandmother (1938-1939), Brenda and Robertson Davies (1945-2001), Bill Drysdale (1965) and Maisie's father (1984) (File 6)

Letters to Muriel Newbold from friends, 1952-1971 (File 7)

Maisie and Russell Drysdale to Muriel Newbold, 1964-1969 (File 8-9)

Series 2. General correspondence, 1930-2001

Maisie and Russell Drysdale were part of Australia's art establishment and there are letters from prominent artists including Donald Friend, Hal Missingham, Noel Counihan and Jeffrey Smart. While some of the letters are brief, others contain references to the Australian art scene.

Following Russell Drysdale's death in 1981, the correspondence is very much related to the sale, gift, exhibition and reproduction of his works. Correspondents include regional and national art galleries and publishers and individuals requesting permission to reproduce Drysdale's work.

There is a small amount of early correspondence (1955-1957) relating to Maisie's career as a librarian, correspondence (1961) regarding the sale of Purves Smith works to the Queensland Art Gallery and a solicitor's letter (1971) referring to the estate of George Johnston with which Russell Drysdale had some connection. There are a large number of condolence cards and letters received following Russell Drysdale's death in 1981.

List of principal correspondents in Series 2: (n.b. those entries without dates signify correspondence over a number of years): Ardizzone, Catherine; Bail, Murray, 1992-2001; Blackman, Charles and Barbara, undated; Brodsgaard, Joan and Banjo; Casey, Maie, Lady, 1966; Counihan, Noel, 1981; Dutton Geoffrey, 1998; Eagle, Chester, 1982; Eagle, Mary, 1981-2001; Friend, Donald, 1983; Garner, Helen, c1992-2001; Grenfell, Joyce, c1978-1979; Hackett, John, Sir, 1965; Kinnane, Garry, 1982; Milligan, Spike, 1981-1983; Missingham, Hal, 1965; 1981; Modjeska, Drusilla, c1998-2001; Rapotec, Stanislous, 1965, 1981; Sculthorpe, Peter, 1966; Serventy, Vince, 1965; Smart, Jeffrey, 1963; Stewart, Harold, 1965; Wheatley, Nadia, 1993-2000.

Correspondence, undated (File 1)

Correspondence, 1930-1954 (File 2)

Correspondence, 1955-1964 (File 3)

Correspondence, 1965-1967 (File 4)

Correspondence, 1970-1979 (File 5)

Correspondence, 1980 (File 6)

Condolence letters following the death of Russell Drysdale, 1981 (File 7-10)

Correspondence, 1981 (File 11)

Correspondence, 1982 (File 12)

Correspondence, 1983 (File 13)

Correspondence re the sale, gift and exhibition of Drysdale's artworks, 1983-1989 (File 14-17)

Correspondence, 1985-1986 (File 18)

Correspondence, 1987-1989 (File 19)

Correspondence, 1990-1991 (File 20)

Correspondence, 1992-1994 (File 21)

Correspondence, 1995-1997 (File 22)

Correspondence, 1998-1999 (File 23)

Correspondence, 2000-2001 (File 24-25)

Series 3. Memoir, 1993-2000

In June 1993 Drusilla Modjeska and Hilary McPhee interviewed Maisie Drysdale, with a view to producing a memoir about her life. Pan Macmillan agreed to publish the book, but Maisie eventually decided she did not want the publication to go ahead. This series comprises a transcript of the interview; an edited typescript of the proposed book; correspondence with literary agent Barbara Mobbs, Pan Macmillan and Hilary McPhee; notes; a list of captions and some photographs that Maisie had selected for the book.

3 files

Series 4. Artwork, c1930s

In 1935 Maisie commenced art lessons at the George Bell School in Melbourne, thought Purves Smith and Drysdale, she did not continue with her art in a commercial way. This series contains some of her early artwork, mainly quick pencil sketches in sketchbooks and on loose pages. There is also a sketchbook from 1930 containing European scenes in watercolour.

2 files

1 folio item

Series 5. Diaries, 1949-1985

This series comprises 25 pocket diaries with brief notes of Maisie Drysdale's activities and appointments. There is a complete run from 1949 to 1971 inclusive, with additional diaries for 1973 and 1985. The only entries in the 1985 diary record a trip to Europe from 2 May to 27 June.

Diaries, 1949-1957 (File 1)

Diaries, 1958-1965 (File 2)

Diaries, 1966-1971, 1973 and 1985 (File 3)

Series 6. Bouddi Farm, 1965-1983

In 1964 Maisie and Russell Drysdale acquired six hectares of land at Kilcare Heights near Gosford on the Central Coast of New South Wales. Melbourne architect, Guilford Bell, designed a house to their specifications and in 1966 they took up residence. They christened the property Bouddi Farm, and the house was designed to take advantage of stunning views and the surrounding natural landscape. One large room combined the kitchen, lounge and dining areas and became the setting for numerous informal gatherings. A Visitors' Book, which forms part of this series, is testament to the large number of well known figures in the art and literary fields who were part of these gatherings. The first two signatures in the book are Charmian and George Johnston and other names include Donald Friend, Stan Rapotec, John Brack, Clifton Pugh, Graham Greene, Spike Milligan, Joyce Grenfell, Margaret Olley, Judith Wright, Vincent Serventy, Faith Bandler, Geoffrey Dutton, Peter Sculthorpe and John Gorton.

Other papers in this series include correspondence, specifications, plans and a large address book in Russell Drysdale's hand. There is also a copy of Gosford Wyong rural lands study (1975) and plans for alterations to the house (1983).

See also photographs in Series 16, files 10-17.

1 file and two volumes

Series 7. Memorabilia, 1938-1991

This series comprises memorabilia accumulated by Maisie Drysdale. There are travel itineraries, passports and notes she kept on trips (1938-1991); a biology workbook from her schooldays; copies of The Cluthan, journal of Clyde Girls Grammar School (1932-1933) of which Maisie had been editor while a student at the school; copies of the newsletter of the Children's Book Council of Victoria (1958-1963), of which Maisie was a committee member; certificates of achievement from her library studies in 1952 and annual reports of the Camberwell City Library (1959-1961) during the time she was Deputy Librarian and Children's Librarian. There is also a booklet, The history of the Garrison Church, signed by guests at Maisie's wedding to Russell Drysdale, 20 June 1964 and ephemera and financial papers from their time in London in 1965-1966.

5 files

Series 8. Correspondence: Maisie Newbold and Peter Purves Smith, 1937-1946

Maisie Newbold met Peter Purves Smith in 1937 when they were fellow art students at the George Bell School, Melbourne. The first letters in this series are written by Purves Smith in December 1937 aboard the T.S.S. Ulysses on his way to England. In 1938 Maisie also travelled to Europe, returning home in July 1939. Maisie spent time with Purves Smith during this period and their relationship developed. In August and September of 1939 Purves Smith spent time in the United States of America.

The early letters comprise mainly light-hearted banter and occasional doggerel verse by Purves Smith and, once Maisie was in Europe, discussion of arrangements to meet up. There are occasional references to Purves Smith's work. In 1940, Purves Smith enlisted and the letters after this time are sent from various postings in South Africa and South-East Asia. As the war progresses, the letters become increasingly more serious in tone. In Burma, Purves Smith contracted tuberculosis and spent frustrating months waiting to be repatriated to Australia, which finally happened in early 1946. The last letter in this series is dated 28 March 1946 and is written from Singapore, as Purves Smith was on his way home to Australia.

Maisie and Purves Smith were married in June 1946, with Russell Drysdale as best man.

Correspondence, December 1937 - April 1939 (File 1)

Correspondence, May - September 1939 (File 2)

Correspondence, March - May 1949 (File 3)

Correspondence, June 1940 - August 1941 (File 4)

Correspondence, September 1941 - September 1943 (File 5)

Correspondence, November 1943 - March 1946 (File 6)

Series 9. Peter Purves Smith: papers, early 1900s-2001

Charles Roderick (Peter) Purves Smith was born in Melbourne on March 1912, the only son of William Purves Smith and Laura (Loe) née Chapman. He travelled with his family to London in 1915, returning to Melbourne with them in 1921 when his older sister Jocelyn's education was completed. He attended Glamorgan Preparatory School and later Geelong Grammar School. In 1926 Purves Smith commenced a cadetship with the Royal Australian Navy, but failed the Passing-out Examination at the at the end of the four-year course. Following this, he worked for a time as a jackaroo, returning to Melbourne in 1932, after the death of his father. In 1934, Purves Smith undertook a grand tour of Europe with his mother and in 1935, enrolled at the Grosvenor School of Modern Art in London. Returning to Australia in May 1937, Purves Smith enrolled in art classes for five months at the George Bell School.

On 14 June 1946, following a protracted courtship resulting from their separation due to the war, Peter Purves Smith married Maisie Newbold. Russell Drysdale was his best man. After initially making their home in Sydney, they finally settled in Sassafras in the Dandenong Ranges, outside Melbourne. Sadly, they were to have only three years together. In 1949, Peter Purves Smith entered the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital to undergo a thorocoplasty operation in an attempt to relieve the symptoms of the tuberculosis he had contracted in Burma during the war. He died of post-operative shock the next day, on 13 July 1949.

This series comprises papers relating to Peter Purves Smith. There are two scrap books containing cuttings and photographs relating to Purves Smith's career, pages from a sketch book kept on board the Isle de France on the way to the USA in 1939; a sketchbook kept while in Caulfield Hospital, Melbourne; verse and short stories; and memorabilia. There are photographs, mainly black and white, of many of Purves Smith's paintings. They are complemented by a full listing of his works compiled by his biographer, Mary Eagle, in 1999. There are also photographs of his time in Europe, his life with Maisie, and early photographs of himself and his family. Also included in this series is an edited typescript of Mary Eagle's biography, entitled Peter Purves Smith : a painter in peace and war, which was published by Beagle Press in 2000.

Despite his short career as an artist, which was further interrupted by his war service, Peter Purves Smith left a legacy of some 100 works. Since his death, three major exhibitions of these works have been held - in 1950 at the Stanley Coe Gallery, Melbourne; in 1976 at the Joseph Brown Gallery, Melbourne; and in 2001 at the Drill Hall Gallery, Canberra. Catalogues for these exhibitions are included in this series.

Barber family tree and early childhood photographs (File 1)

Photographs of Purves Smith's artwork and a transparency of his painting French cafe (File 2)

Photographs of London (c1930s), Purves Smith in army uniform and Maisie (c1940s) (File 4)

Photographs of marriage to Maisie Newbold, 1946 (File 5)

Photographs (black and white) including Maisie and their home at Sassafras, c1940s (File 6)

Conservation report and photographs relating to Purves Smith's painting Promenade, 1986 (File 7)

Photographs and reviews of a retrospective of Purves Smith's artwork at the ANU Drill Hall Gallery, Canberra, 2001; see also folio item 3 in this series (File 8)

Catalogues featuring Purves Smith's artwork, 1946-2001 (File 9)

Memorabilia (File 10)

Short stories and verse, c1939 (File 11)

List of artworks by Purves Smith (1999); biographical note (1987); cuttings (c1940s and 1988); and article by Russell Drysdale (1943) (File 12)

Sketchbook (c1948-49) and loose pages containing sketches (1939) (File 13)

Edited typescript of Mary Eagle's biography of Purves Smith, late 1990s (File 14)

Scrap book containing cuttings and photographs relating to a memorial exhibtion of Purves Smith's artworks, 1950 (Item Folio 1)

Scrapbook containing cuttings and photographs relating to Purves Smith, his artwork, his marriage and his death (Item Folio 2)

Poster advertising an exhibition of Purves Smith's artwork at the ANU Drill Hall Gallery, Canberra, 2001 (Item Folio 3)

Series 10. Correspondence: Maisie Purves Smith and Russell Drysdale, 1963-1964

The correspondence contained in this series dates from July 1963 until June 1964 when Maisie Purves Smith and Russell Drysdale were married. In the main, they write about their relationship and plans for the future. For much of this time, Drysdale was travelling in Queensland and New South Wales and his letters include references to his travel experiences and to his artwork.

Correspondence, January - December 1963 (File 1)

Correspondence, January - February 1964 (File 2)

Correspondence, February 1964 (File 3)

Correspondence, March - June 1964 (File 4)

Series 11. Russell Drysdale: papers, 1930-1978

Russell Drysdale was born at Bognor Regis, Sussex, England in 1912. In 1923, his family settled permanently in Melbourne and Drysdale was enrolled at Geelong Grammar School. After leaving school, Drysdale worked on family properties in north Queensland and northern Victoria. In 1935 he married Elizabeth 'Bon' Stephens, with whom he had two children.

Maisie first met Russell Drysdale at the George Bell School where he and Peter Purves Smith were fellow students. Maisie, Purves Smith and Russell and Bon Drysdale became firm friends at this time. Russell Drysdale was best man at the wedding of Maisie and Purves Smith in 1946. The Drysdales were very supportive of Maisie following the death of Purves Smith, taking her with them on an overseas trip in 1950. The friendship continued throughout the following years.

In 1964, following the death of Bon Russell the previous year, Maisie married Russell Drysdale. In 1966 they moved into a house they had built on the Central Coast near Gosford, where they lived for the remainder of their lives.

Papers relating to Russell Drysdale are contained in this series. There is a school notebook from Geelong Grammar School (1930); passports (1931, 1972 and 1978); typed lists of works for sale at Leicester Galleries, London (1965) and The Barn, McLaren Vale (undated); certificates presented to Drysdale; a pamphlet from Geelong Grammar School entitled Geelong Gramarians and the arts, which refers to Drysdale; a copy of Russell Drysdale's will (1978) and items believed to have been pinned up in Drysdale's studio. There is also an illustrated Christmas message from Donald Friend to 'Tas and Bon', dated 1954 and the typescript of a short story by John Douglas Pringle, entitled 'Upon the thistle they're impaled', together with a letter asking if Drysdale would provide an illustration.

Written works by Drysdale include a typescript entitled 'Australia Felix', a fictitious series of letters relating to early life in Sydney; a manuscript draft of a talk for the ABC radio program Guest of honour; a photocopy of a poem entitled 'Dedicated to the Yolla'; and a manuscript draft of a letter of reference for Michael Shanon.

In 1966 Peter Sculthorpe dedicated his String quartet No. 7, Red landscape, to Russell Drysdale. Included in this series is the original manuscript score, together with a note from Sculthorpe. There is a proof copy, dated December 1980, of Sculthorpe's score of Small town, also dedicated to Drysdale.

3 files and one packet

1 folio packet

Series 12. Russell Drysdale: artwork

This series comprises a small group of papers relating to Russell Drysdale's art. There are rough sketches on loose pages and three undated short stories written and illustrated by Drysdale, one entitled 'The tale of Mr Drydesdale' [sic], and two written for Maisie entitled 'The bird woman of Bouddi: a wildlife documentary', and 'Life with Ginger' [Maisie's cat]. There are also examples of reproductions of Drysdale's works on book jackets, cards, programs and calendars, auction catalogues in which his works were listed for sale; printed notes about his art; and a undated conservation report for his painting, Death adder.

5 files

Series 13. Russell Drysdale: catalogues, 1943-2000

Contained in this series are catalogues for exhibitions of Drysdale's work.

3 files

Series 14. Pioneer Sugar Mills, 1965-1971

Pioneer, a property in northern Queensland, was established by Russell Drysdale's grandfather, George Russell Drysdale, after his arrival in Australia in 1875. It was the beginning of what was to evolve into a series of a pastoral and sugar mill companies known as The Pioneer Group. In 1947, Russell Drysdale was appointed to the Board of Pioneer Sugar Mills Ltd.

The papers in this series relate to a proposed reorganisation of the company during the period 1965-66. There are reports to Directors and the Chairman, minutes of meetings and a Profit and Loss Statement as at 31 December 1965. There is correspondence with solicitors relating to Drysdale's shares in the company and four copies of The Pioneer, (1970-71), the quarterly journal of The Pioneer Group, three of which feature sketches by Drysdale on the cover.

See also photograph in Series 16, file 29.

3 files

Series 15. National Art Gallery Committee of Inquiry, 1965-1966

In 1955 a Senate Select Committee, set up to enquire into and report on the development of Canberra, recommended the establishment there of a National Art Gallery. The National Art Gallery Committee of Inquiry, of which Russell Drysdale was a member, was established by the Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, in 1965 to report on this recommendation. At its first meeting in October 1965, Sir Daryl Lindsay was elected Chairman.

This series contains official papers relating to the Inquiry. There are minutes of meetings, memoranda, submissions to the Committee by individuals and organisations, copies of government Acts relating to art galleries and a copy of the Committee's draft report.

4 files

Series 16. Photographs, late 1800s-1990s

The large number of photographs in this series are mostly undated and without annotation. They were received in no discernible order and have been grouped by the Library according to date, event or subject. Those which did not fall into these categories form the final group of 'miscellaneous photographs'. The largest group comprises photographs which depict life at Bouddi Farm and the many informal gatherings held there. There are a number of photographs of Drysdale's artworks, including some from his exhibitions and photographs from family holidays. There are also early photographs of Maisie's family and some early portrait shots of Russell Drysdale.

Early photographs of the Larking, Newbold and Mathews families, late 1800s-1920s (File 1-3)

Black and white photographs of Maisie's family, c1940s-1950s (File 4)

Photographs of Maisie's family, c1960s-1970s (File 5)

George Bell School (1939) and black and white photographs of Russell Drysdale and Maisie, c1940s-1950s (File 6)

Maisie and Russell Drysdale, 1960s (File 7)

Maisie and Russell Drysdale, 1974-1975, 1978 and undated (c1970s) (File 8)

Maisie and Russell Drysdale, 1980s-1990s, including photographs of Russell Drysdale's headstone; photographs of the opening of a memorial to Drysdale at Monash University, 1987; and Maisie's 80th birthday party, September 1995 (File 9)

Bouddi Farm, c1965-1990s (File 10-16)

Bouddi Farm - artworks (File 17)

Holdiays overseas and in Australia, 1965-1990s (File 18-19)

Photographs of cats, c1950s-1990s (File 20)

Russell Drysdale, c1930 and 1969 (File 21)

Exhibitions of Drysdale's artwork, including one held at the Leicester Galleries, London, in 1965 (File 22-23)

Russell Drysdale at the easel (File 24)

Artworks by Russell Drysdale (File 25-27)

Transparencies of artworks by Russell Drysdale (File 28)

Photographs relating to the Pioneer company, c1968-1970s (File 29)

Exhibition of paintings of cats by Joan Brodsgaard, 1980 (File 30)

Miscellaneous - included is a photograph of Donald Friend in front of a large canvas of his own work (undated) (File 31-32)

Miscellaneous oversized photographs (File Folio 1)

Series 17. Cuttings, c1960s-1990s

The cuttings in this series comprise articles written by Maisie Drysdale; articles about Drysdale and his art; reviews of an exhibition of Drysdale's work at the Leicester Gallery, London, in 1965; articles following Drysdale's death in 1981; and miscellaneous cuttings, mostly relating to art and literature.

8 files

Series 18. Family papers

The bulk of this series comprises early papers and certificates dating from the late 1800s relating to members of Maisie Drysdale's family, including the Larking, Peterson and Rippon families.

5 files

Series 19. Videos, 2001

Three videos taken at the Peter Purves Smith exhibition held at the Drill Hall Gallery, Canberra, in 2001.

1 packet

Series 20. Publications, 1945-1985

This series contains published material relating to art. It comprises mainly journals and magazines, most of which have either articles about Russell Drysdale or include reproductions of his artwork.

6 packets

Series 21. Drysdale letters to George Bell

In October 1981 June Helmer approached Maisie with a proposal to publish Russell Drysdale's letters to George Bell, written between 1945 and 1965. After initially agreeing to the project, Maisie decided she did not wish the book to proceed. Included in this series is a photocopy of the edited letters and correspondence with solicitors and Greenhouse Publications relating to the proposed publication.

1 file

Series 22. Miscellaneous papers

This series comprises miscellaneous papers accumulated by Maisie Drysdale, mostly writings of other people. There is a humorous account by Lyall and Sybil Medley entitled 'A journal of a voyage on MV Coarlita', relating to a sailing trip which Maisie and Russell Drysdale undertook with sixteen others in 1974; a typescript of a novella by Chester Eagle entitled 'At the window', c1982; a photocopy of the citation by Patrick McCaughey at the conferring of an LLD (Honoris Causa) on Joseph Brown, together with Brown's response; a parody of The Man from Snowy River entitled 'Operation Clamshell' by Banjo Brodsgaard; and typescripts of two short stories, possibly written by Russell Drysdale.

3 files

1 packet

Container List

Series File/Item/Packet Box
1 1-7 1
1 8-9 2
2 1-6 2
2 7-14 3
2 15-22 4
2 23-25 5
3 1-3 5
4 1-2 6
4 Folio packet 1 Folio box 1
5 1-3 6
6 1-3 7
7 1-2 7
7 3-5 8
8 1-2 8
8 3-6 9
9 1-4 9
9 5-11 10
9 12-14 11
9 Item Folio 1-2 Folio box 1
9 Item Folio 3 HW map drawer 23
10 1-4 11
11 1-4 12
11 Folio packet 1 Folio box 1
12 1-5 12
13 1-3 13
14 1-3 13
15 1-2 13
15 3-4 14
16 1-5 14
16 6-13 15
16 14-21 16
16 22-29 17
16 30-32 18
16 Folio packet 1 Folio box 1
17 1-5 18
17 6-8 19
18 1-5 19
19 1 20
20 1-4 20
20 5-6 21
21 1 21
22 1-4 21

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