A.G. Stephens and Shaw Neilson: A miscellany

Component identifier:

Item 74

Content Summary:

A varied collection. In two large albums. Amongst them, the following items.

(a) Series of 40 letters from A.G.S. to Neilson. In autograph and typescript. Many notes and memoranda. The letters record, in part, some aspects of the friendly and business association between the pair.

(b) Typescripts of Neilson's poems, prepared by A.G.S., together with many of his corrections and annotations thereon. One, "He Sold Himself to the Daisies", a complete script of the poem, shows A.G.S. as his best as editor, and is indicative of the thorough way he worked, at times, upon Neilson's verses.

(c) The Whittaker correspondence, noted earlier, together with copy of the agreement finally signed between the parties. Accompanying this is the original Codicil to the agreement, signed by both Whittaker, and Neilson, duly witnessed and stamped.

(d) Typescript of long article by A.G.S. "Poetry and Shaw Neilson." Autograph note at end: "Dear Neilson, I am offering this for publication in The Age. I know you will shrink and curl up but it is a choice between publicity and privation. Don't think it is an appeal to charity: the community owes you a living upon your practical merits. Let me start a movement to get it. May fizzle out - but everything helps to make you more secure and those depending on you. A.G.S. 30.11.23."

(e) The original draft agreement prepared by A.G.S. for Green Days and Cherries (published later as Heart of Spring) with his corrections and annotations in autograph thereon. With this are typewritten copies of the final agreements (as executed, signed, witnessed, and dated) for Ballad and Lyrical Poems, and New Poems.

(f) Autograph letter from Percival Serle to James Devaney, 3pp, fcp., 15 January 1945. Serle relates his unsuccessful attempt to publish an edition of Neilson's poems in Melbourne in 1927. The printer was engaged on setting the type when A.G.S. cancelled the agreement and requested return of the script. "...I protested without avail...I think that Neilson would have done better with me...I feel that I should have it on record somewhere..." Original correspondence between A.G.S. and Serle is also included. The poems referred to by Serle were later published in the book New Poems.

(g) Dictated letter from Neilson to A.G.S., 5pp, 4to., 16 June 1931. Neilson mentions his poem "Scorpion" which he hopes to improve, but which he also believes to be unsaleable. He writes: "...Gilbert Wallace is a man with a fair sense of humour but I think one may safely say that the parsons run Melbourne and the Education Department." Neilson continues at great length about his copyrights and the proposal for a collected edition of his poems.

(h) Correspondence between A.G.S. and M.P. Hansen, Director of Education, Melbourne, October 1929. The latter requests permission to include certain of Shaw Neilson's poems in a series of Reading Books for use in the schools. His letter concludes: "Inasmuch as the books are designed to satisfy a national need and the Government proposes to issue them at cost price to the pupils, it is hoped that we can rely on your generosity to forego any financial claims for copyright." This suggestion from a Victorian Government Department! Copy of A.G.'s letter acceding to the request is included. Where does poor Neilson come in?

(i) Letters from various correspondents to A.G.S., all relevant to Shaw Neilson. Press clippings, circulars, photographs, etc.

Note: After the death of A.G. Stephens in 1933, a Committee was formed to produce a Memorial Volume: it was to be a tribute to the critic by Australian writers and literary societies. Subscriptions were invited. Included in this Miscellany is letter from the Treasurer of the Fund, dated 27 October 1937, announcing that the response was disappointing and that the project is to be abandoned and all subscriptions returned to the donors. This letter is to Henry Boote, enclosing a cheque for the amount of his donation.

Names:

John Shaw Neilson

Access and use