Shaw Neilson to J.K. Moir

Component identifier:

Item 69

Content Summary:

A series of letters, 1935-1941. 35pp. The late J.K. Moir was a sincere friend to Neilson, helping him in many ways. It was Moir who secured the increase in the poet's literary pension, making it up to £2 weekly. He also financed the publication of the Memorial issued in 1942 by the Bread and Cheese Club. It was through Moir's persistence that the Memorial was erected over Neilson's grave at Footscray in 1943.

Some of the letters are merely friendly notes, others are about the books Beauty Imposes and The Men of the Fifties. In one letter Neilson mentions that some letters of his to A.G. Stephens were being offered for sale and says:. "I didn't think any letters of mine would be worth selling". Referring to one of his photographs, reproduced with the caption "Great Australian Poet", he wrote: "My friends mean well but this is rather overdoing it".

All the letters are at dictation, signed "J.S. Neilson". Tipped into quarter leather folder, together with other items of Neilson association.

Note: I purchased these letters, together with other items, in 1957. I doubt whether Moir would have sold them to me other than at that particular time. He was in process of handing over his splendid collection to the Latrobe Library, and the rather matter of fact attitude to his donation had not pleased him. When I suggested to him that his Neilson material would be better appreciated in my own collection, he said: "Perhaps you're right". Because of their sentimental attachment Moir retained a few Neilson items but not many. It was unusual for Moir to sell - he always preferred to give but about this time I think he had some premonitions and he allowed me to purchase some other material, including some Lawsonia. H.F.C.

Names:

John Shaw Neilson

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