Shaw Neilson: Items of interest

Component identifier:

Item 73

Content Summary:

In quarter leather folder. Amongst them, the following items.

(a) Dictated script of poem "The Hour is Lost", signed "Shaw Neilson". The script is dated June 27, 1906. This must be one of the earliest poems sold to A.G.S. for it was purchased by the latter on July 6, 1906, together with "The Pretty Gleaner". As noted elsewhere A.G.S. paid Neilson 15/- for the two poems.

(b) Dictated script of poem "The Lover Sings", signed "Shaw Neilson". Dated November 2, 1906.

(c) Dictated script of poem "In the Street", signed "Shaw Neilson". This script is not dated. Upon each of the above scripts Neilson has added a note requesting that if they be not used they are to be returned to his address at Tyrrell Downs, via Sea Lake.

(d) Long typewritten letter from A.G.S. to Neilson, 7 July 1926. "...I take back my word to produce, and say instead, rest your body a bit, ease your brain, divert your thoughts, enrich your blood, warm your bones, and wait until the spirit moves you. No use trying to flog an unwilling head...get back to friends for the winter...a small house in a Melbourne suburb...You ought to earn three or four pounds a week at jobbing gardening, with easy days of it. Looks like a quarry is taking too much out of you...You should spend a week in Sydney...Come along, your fame is expanding; a lot of people wish to be friendly...Speech to the little one is confused and incoherent: I see what you are trying to do, but general reader will not...You seem to be bothered with religion - is it necessary? A.G.S." In December 1926 Neilson visited Sydney and he and A.G.S. met for the first and only time.

(e) Typescript by A.G.S. of Neilson's poem "The Good Season" with a number of corrections by A.G.S. thereon.

(f) Short typewritten letter from A.G.S. to Neilson, 11 March 1924, writing that he has received a book from Robert Bridges [Poet Laureate] also a letter intended for Neilson. He intends sending the letter, together with a photograph, to the Australasian hoping that Neilson will get some publicity.

(g) Autograph letter from Mrs Lily McFarlane Miller, 13 February 1943, to James Devaney. She comments upon Shaw Neilson's unfailing courtesy and kindness. Also writes of her father, David McFarlane, and her sister, Mrs E.J. Neilson, and other members of the Neilson family. She sends transcript of portion of a poem by Shaw Neilson's sister, Margaret Stuart Neilson, who died in 1903. The poem is about the death of Queen Victoria.

Names:

John Shaw Neilson

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