Broadsheet

Component identifier:

Item 7

Content Summary:

In folder together with 2 autograph letters from C.J. Dennis to William Moore, also portion of another letter in which Dennis writes: '...Without any guff, it really surprises me to find The Australaise so popular. It was written originally as a joke upon Arthur Adams, and was not intended for publication. Since then comments have been turning up from all sorts of unlikely places - centre of Africa, Fiji, and now London...'

Moore wanted to write something about this poem, and Dennis approved of his suggestion to substitute 'Editor of the Red Page' for Arthur Adams. Dennis's letters are addressed 'Dear Billy', and also make references to George Robertson.

The poem appeared in the Bulletin in 1908, but had only four verses with the chorus. It then appeared in Backblock ballads in an enlarged version in 1913. Penciled upon this copy of the Broadsheet is note in pencil by R.H. Croll: 'This is the reprint which J.G. Roberts and I got out and paid for, to distribute to the camps when the previous war broke out. The changes from the original are Dennis's.' 'Kaiser' for 'foeman', and 'german' for 'enemy'.

Also included is letter from J.K. Moir to Chaplin with mention of the rare sheet published by Wallaby Publishing Co., Melbourne, (L.L. Politzer) with a fine illustration by 'Virgil' Reilly.

Dennis was accused of plagiarising W.T. Goodge's verses which were entitled 'A real Australian Australaise', so, for its relevance a fine portrait of W.T. Goodge is included in the folder together with letter from Jack Goodge, some of the latter, addressed to Chaplin, sending the photo, which he has inscribed.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The collection was purchased from Harry Chaplin in 1981.

Names:

Chaplin, Harry F.

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