Guide to the Papers of Axel and Roslyn Poignant

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MS 7623 et al

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Created: September 2024

Collection Summary

Creator
Axel and Roslyn Poignant
Title
Papers of Axel and Roslyn Poignant
Date Range
1922 - 1980
Collection Number
MS 7623 et al
Extent
3.46 metres (8 MS Boxes + 1 packet + 2 map folios + 1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
Special Collections (Manuscripts)

Introduction

Cultural Sensitivity Advisory Notice

Cultural Sensitivity Advisory Notice: Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations people are advised that this collection may contain names and images of deceased people and other content that may be culturally sensitive. Please also be aware that you may see certain words or descriptions within this work which reflect the author's attitude, or that of the period in which the work was created, and may now be considered inaccurate, inappropriate or offensive.

Scope and Contents

MS 7623 comprises: 1. Exhibition catalogues: "Land and people" (Kulturhuset, Stockholm, November 1988-January 1989), "Axel Poignant: Australien-land och manniskor" (Kulturhuset, Stockholm, November 1988-Jananuary 1989) and "Yolngu: Aboriginal cultures of North Australia" (Brighton Art Gallery and Museums, May-June 1988). 2. Notes, correspondence, research material, film strips relating to "Kangaroo", "Great Barrier Reef" and "Australia" and miscellaneous papers relating to the Sydney University Protest Committee, 1946-1953. 3. Cuttings draft and correspondence, 1930-1952. Also includes material by Roslyn Poignant. 4. Drafts and papers relating to Encounter at Nagalarramba and presentation for "Rom" exhibition "Its about friendship". 5. Photographs, photograph albums, licenses and programmes. Of the two photograph albums one is indicated as containing Axel Poignant's earliest attempts at photography and hand colouring. There are photographs by Axel Poignant and those collected by him. Also includes drivers license, photographers' credentials and divorce papers; and theatre programmes and educational syllabi (8 boxes, 1 folio, 1 packet).

Roslyn Poignant material is located within MS 7623 File 1 (part), Files 3, 10-18 and 34.

MS Acc23.056 comprises a collection of 9 anthropological black and white prints with two advertising poster mock-ups. Some photographs are annotated, identifying them as being exhibited in Roslyn Poignant's "Observers of Man" exhibition, at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, London, 1980. The photographs were taken by prominent anthropological and colonial photographers, Sir Everard Im Thurn (1852-1932), M. W. Hilton-Simpson (1881 - 1938), Emil Torday (1875-1931) and Charles Hose (1863-1979) and depict Indigenous peoples from around the world (1 map folio)

Conditions Governing Access

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn362199).

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 Axel and Roslyn Poignant, National Library of Australia, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.

Finding Aid Source

This finding aid contains descriptive information provided by donors, researchers and/or volunteers.

Collection Retrieval Advice

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

Item Descriptions

Class 1. Original consignment

Exhibition catalogues (File 1) - Box 1 (MS 7623)

'Land and People', Kulthuset, Stockholm, Nov. 1988 - Jan, 1989; 'Axel Poignant: Australian - land och maenniskor', Kulthuset, Stockholm, Nov. 1988 - Jan. 1989; 'Yolngu: Aboriginal cultures of North Australia,' Brighton Art Gallery and Museum May - June 1988.

Notes and correspondence with Fritz Goro, 1951 (File 2) - Box 1 (MS 7623)

Correspondence and statements relating to police interference at the student's demonstration about Indonesian Question, Wynyard Pard, 1941 (File 3) - Box 1 (MS 7623)

Myxomatosis research papers, 1941-53 and newspaper cuttings on conservation issues, 1931-52 (File 4) - Box 1 (MS 7623)

Script for the film 'Kangaroo', 1950 (File 5) - Box 1 (MS 7623)

Research and captions for 'Great Barrier Reef' story, 1951 (File 6) - Box 1 (MS 7623)

Shooting script for Namatjira film, 1946 (File 7) - Box 1 (MS 7623)

Production script for 'Australia', 1952 (File 8) - Box 1 (MS 7623)

Captions for 'Northern Territory', 1951 (File 9) - Box 1 (MS 7623)

Draft for 'The photographic witness' and 'The first and last frontier' by Ros Poignant (File 10) - Box 1 (MS 7623)

Synopsis of native labour and welfare in the Northern Territory, 1946 (File 11) - Box 2 (MS 7623)

Sydney University Protest Committee: correspondence, 1941 (File 12-13) - Box 2 (MS 7623)

Minutes of the Sydney University Protest Committee, January - September, 1941 (File 14) - Box 2 (MS 7623)

Sydney University Protest Committee: financial papers, 1941 (File 15) - Box 2 (MS 7623)

Left Forum, of the Sydney University Labour Club, 1945-47 (File 16) - Box 2 (MS 7623)

Newspaper cuttings, 1947 (File 17) - Box 2 (MS 7623)

Material relating to the ASLM, 1945-47 (File 18) - Box 2 (MS 7623)

Axel Poignant early letters, 1926 (File 19-22) - Box 3 (MS 7623)

Axel Poignant letters to his family in Sweden, 1927-29 (File 23-24) - Box 3 (MS 7623)

24 letters concerning Axel Poignant's migration to Australia under Dreadnaught Scheme and three pamphlets, 1926-27 (File 25-26) - Box 4 (MS 7623)

Poignant family's Common Place Book (File 27) - Box 4 (MS 7623)

Negative film and xerox of copy-flow (File 28) - Box 4 (MS 7623)

Miscellaneous notes and index of negatives, 1950-51 (File 29) - Box 4 (MS 7623)

Liverpool River and Wellington Ranges diary (annotated by Ros Poignant), 1952 (typescript copy) (File 30-31) - Box 4 (MS 7623)

Drafts and letters of Beulah Lowe relating to 'Bush Walkabout' and 'Piccaninny Walkabout', 1952-58 (File 32) - Box 5 (MS 7623)

Correspondence, with Ros Poignant and Sir Paul Hasluck and relating to Arnhem Land, and press cuttings, 1952 (File 33) - Box 5 (MS 7623)

Typescript of an ABC talk, 'Aborigines of Australia,' by T E H Strehlow, 1952 (File 34) - Box 5 (MS 7623)

Arnhem Land notebooks: three notebooks/diaries and a notebook containing film index, 1952 (File 35) - Box 5 (MS 7623)

Canning Stock notebook and letters from Hugh Wilson, 1942 (File 36) - Box 5 (MS 7623)

Axel Poignant's letters to Ros Poignant form Arnhem Land, 1952 (File 37) - Box 5 (MS 7623)

Letters of Norman Hall to Axel Poignant, 1940-41. (Note: Photocopies of other material relating to Norman Hall is held at the Battye Library, State Library of Western Australia) (File 38) - Box 5 (MS 7623)

Correspondence, 1930-40: letters (mostly written from Perth) from Axel, Sandra and Muriel Chase (File 39) - Box 5 (MS 7623)

Miscellaneous letters, 1927-73 (File 40) - Box 6 (MS 7623)

Letters from Axel and his wives to family members in Sweden, 1919-57 (File 41-42) - Box 6 (MS 7623)

Ruth's letter to Axel (File 43) - Box 6 (MS 7623)

Photocopy relating to Aboriginal Rom ceremony (File 44) - Box 6 (MS 7623)

Photocopies of secret/sacred, marayiw I, II body painting, and file prints lodged elsewhere (File 45) - Box 6 (MS 7623)

file of photographs (not received) (File 46) - Box 7 (MS 7623)

List of printed Kodak photographs (File 47) - Box 7 (MS 7623)

Axel's choice for circumcision and bark canoe-making pictures (File 48) - Box 7 (MS 7623)

Black leather ring pocket notebook, c. 1931 (File 49) - Box 7 (MS 7623)

Lists of negatives and an interview with Lami (File 50) - Box 7 (MS 7623)

Endeavour article (File 51) - Box 7 (MS 7623)

East of Darwin and pictures used by Peter (File 52) - Box 7 (MS 7623)

Class 2. Consignment received 12 December 1995

Map of Aboriginal reserve, Arnhem Land, used by Poignant at the Liverpool River, 1952 (File 53) - Box 7 (MS 7623)

Class 3. Consignment received 22 January 1998

Drafts and papers relating to, Encounter at Nagalarramba (photo narrative tests) (File 54-59) - Box 8 (MS 7623)

Presentation to 'Rom' exhibition 'It's about friendship' (Folio) (File 60) - Piece 9 (MS 7623)

Class 4. Consignment received 6 December 2000

'Index list of negative material' (1952), Letter from T. Strehlow to R. Poignant 11 April 1962, Letter from T. Strehlow to R. and A. Poignant, 29 November 1962 (File 61) - Box 8 (MS 7623)

Class 5. Consignment received 12 February 2001

Gold Medal for Photography awarded to Axel Poignant in 1947 (File 62) - Box 8 (MS 7623)

Class 6. Consignment received 2012

This consignment comprises photographs, photograph albums, licenses and programmes. Of the two photograph albums one is indicated as containing Axel Poignant's earliest attempts at photography and hand colouring. There are photographs by Axel Poignant and those collected by him. The instalment also includes drivers license, photographers' credentials and divorce papers; and theatre programmes and educational syllabi (1 packet).

Photographs, photograph albums, licenses and programmes, c. 1920s (File 63) - Box (Shared), Piece 10 (MS 7623)

Of the two photograph albums one is indicated as containing Axel Poignant's earliest attempts at photography and hand colouring. There are photographs by Axel Poignant and those collected by him; drivers license, photographers' credentials and divorce papers; and theatre programmes and educational syllabi.

Class Acc15.008. Consignment received 2015

Photographs, photograph albums, photographic proof sheets, negatives, transparancies, notes, correspondence, research material, drafts and papers, passports. Photographs taken in Australia, New Guinea, United Kingdom, France, USA, Malaysia and include the following subjects: Percy Grainger, Hal Missingham, Linley Wilson, Charles Blackman, John Coburn, Fritz Goro, Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker), Judith Wright, Eric Worrell, Harold White, Mary Durak, Gael Newton, Max Dupain, Strom Gould, John Antill, Sir Robert Menzies, Charles Doutney, Robert Tudwali, Chester Wilmott, Wilfrid Thomas, Rex Nan Kivell, Alison Lee, Dahl and Geoffrey Collings, Nancy Phelan, Fred McCarthy, Bernhard Hammerman, Frank Broadhurst, Kylie Tennant, Lorna Hill, Joan Sutherland, Yehudi Menuhin

Interview (Item NLA.MS-SAV016889) - Cassette-Box 786

1 item, BASF FEI 90, Compact cassette tape

Interview (Item NLA.MS-SAV016890) - Cassette-Box 786

1 item, TDK D90, Compact cassette tape

Class MS Acc23.056. Consignment received 2023

This consignment comprises a collection of 9 anthropological black and white prints with two advertising poster mock-ups. Some photographs are annotated, identifying them as being exhibited in Roslyn Poignant's "Observers of Man" exhibition, at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, London, 1980. The photographs were taken by prominent anthropological and colonial photographers, Sir Everard Im Thurn (1852-1932), M. W. Hilton-Simpson (1881 - 1938), Emil Torday (1875-1931) and Charles Hose (1863-1979) and depict Indigenous peoples from around the world.

Black and white anthropology prints and exhibition mock-up, 1863 - 1980 (File) - Map-Folio 1 (MS Acc23.056)

Includes black and white prints (x9) with 2 exhibition poster mock-ups.

Carib boys, Guyana, 1863 - 1939 (Item) - Map-Folio 1 (MS Acc23.056)

Print of black and white photograph taken by Sir Everard Im Thurn from Collection of Royal Anthropological Institute, Printed by Axle Poignant for the "Observers of Man Exhibition, 1880-1984" curated by Roslyn Poignant.

Two children in sandy landscape [Congo], 1863 - 1939 (Item) - Map-Folio 1 (MS Acc23.056)

Print of black and white photograph taken by Emil Torday (1875-1931); one child playing musical instrument.

Unidentified person in mask [Congo], 1863 - 1939 (Item) - Map-Folio 1 (MS Acc23.056)

Print of black and white photograph taken by Emil Torday (1875-1931).

Unidentified person in mask and costume [Congo], 1863 - 1939 (Item) - Map-Folio 1 (MS Acc23.056)

Print of black and white photograph taken by Emil Torday (1875-1931); image includes people in background.

Professional dancers at a wedding, Southern Algeria, 1863 - 1939 (Item) - Map-Folio 1 (MS Acc23.056)

Print of black and white photograph taken by M. W. Hilton-Simpson (1881-1936), c 1912; Signed on back: "From collection of Royal Anthropological Institute, printed Axel Poignant for Observers of Man Exhibition, 1980-84, curated by Roslyn Poignant, Best wishes to Liz Cotter from Roslyn Poignant".

Unidentified seated woman in ringed dress, Sarawak, Malaysia?, 1863 - 1939 (Item) - Map-Folio 1 (MS Acc23.056)

Print of black and white photograph by Charles Hose (1863-1929); Noted on back "substitute ?" [to R5 Hose 13].

Unidentified man standing, by Sir Everard Im Thurn, 1863 - 1939 (Item) - Map-Folio 1 (MS Acc23.056)

Print of black and white photograph by Sir Everard Im Thurn.

Unidentified woman with scarring, [Congo], 1863 - 1939 (Item) - Map-Folio 1 (MS Acc23.056)

Print of black and white photograph by Emil Torday (1875-1931).

Woman dancing on mat in front of group, 1863 - 1939 (Item) - Map-Folio 1 (MS Acc23.056)

Print of black and white photograph by Charles Hose (1863-1929); Dancer in foreground with men and boys in background; some seated and one playing musical instrument.


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