Diary, 1 March 1950-28 August 1955

Containers:

Box 1

Component identifier:

File 4

Content Summary:

Brown buckram, entries in blue, black and occasional green ink and illustration at start of 1955 similar to previous diary. First page formally labelled 'Diary of Martin a'Beckett Boyd, late of The Grange, Harkaway, Victoria/Melbourne Club' with names of his lawyers and executors and his bank. More references to his writing, e.g. 1 March 1950 'Worked in desultory fashion on bringing opening of new novel into shape', 10 March 1950 'wrote a bit am' etc. At end, 'Verses written to John in France in September 1951'. Inserts include: page commencing 30 Jun 1951, copy of (printed) 'Rhyme Royal' by Walter Roberts (on the occasion of H.M. the Queen passing through Grantchester, July 5 1951) inscribed 'To welcome Martin on his return to this celestial city'; horoscope dated 8 Jul 1955; cuttings of letters to The Times, 16 March 1955, on the issues of disarmament and use of the atomic bomb; legal undertaking of Mary Elizabeth a'Beckett Perceval, 18 June 1953, acknowledging receipt of a loan of 1000gbp; letter of David Boyd re receipt of loan of 250gbp for the purchase of pottery equipment; letter from Colin, 26 April (no year, juvenile hand and content); drafts of horoscopes.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers of Martin Boyd that were retained by his sister, Lady Nolan (nee Mary Boyd), following his death in 1972 and after her death in 2016 by her immediate family from whom the collection was acquired.

Subjects:

Arts

Access and use