MS 8721
Papers of Tom Cole (1906- )



Scope and Content Note

  • Papers
  • 1928-93
  • 154 cm. (11 boxes)
  • Available for reference

The papers, purchased by the Library from Cole in 1994, include correspondence, diaries, photographs, manuscripts, typescripts and cuttings. A donation of further material was received late in 1994. This addition (Folders 82-91) is described under Series 1, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10.

The correspondence comprises mostly of Cole's letters from Australia and New Guinea to his family in England.

The manuscripts and typescripts relate to Cole's published works Spears and smoke signals (1986), Hell west and crooked (1988), The last paradise (1990), Crocodiles and other characters (1992) and Riding the wildman plains (1992).

Biographical Note

Cole was born in England in 1906. He emigrated to Australia in 1923.

Cole worked in outback Queensland, the Northern Territory and New Guinea as stockman, drover, horse breaker and crocodile and buffalo hunter.

Cole based his book Spears and smoke signals (1986) on his experiences in New Guinea. His other published works includes two autobiographies Hell west and crooked (1988) and The last paradise (1990), a collection of reminiscences Crocodiles and other characters (1992), and a selection from his letters and diaries Riding the wildman plains (1992).

Reference: The Oxford companion to Australian literature, p.176

Series List

  1. Correspondence, 1923-93
  2. Diaries, 1931-56
  3. Photographs
  4. Spears and smoke signals (1986)
  5. Hell west and crooked (1988)
  6. The last paradise (1990)
  7. Crocodiles and other character (1992)
  8. Riding the wildman plains (1992)
  9. Miscellaneous, 1938-89
  10. Books

Series Description

Series 1. Correspondence, 1923-93

Folders 1-4
Cole's letters written from Australia to his family in England, 1923-43

Folder 5
Letters from New Guinea, 1951-59

Folders 6-7
Miscellaneous letters, including fan letters and correspondence with the publishers, 1943-93

Folder 82
Five undated letters from New Guinea

Series 2. Diaries

Folders 8-19
1931-56

Series 3. Photographs (undated)

Folders 20-21
Photographs of Northern Territory

Folder 22
Photographs taken in Papua New Guinea

Folders 23-25
Miscellaneous photographs

Series 4. Spears and smoke signals (1986)

Folders 26-27
Manuscript and typescripts of Spears and smoke signals

Folder 29
Joliffe aboriginal drawings used as illustrations in the book

Series 5. Hell west and crooked (1988)

Folders 30-34
Manuscripts, including early drafts

Folder 83
typescript of pp 400-463

Folder 84
corrected proofs

Folder 92
Late draft annotated by Cole with is objections to editorial changes made by the publishers (Addition 29 May 1998)

Series 6. The Last Paradise (1990)

Folders 44-47
Manuscript sent to publisher

Folder 48
Drafts, possibly edited by Laurie Oakes

Folder 49
'The last frontier': first edited galley proofs

Folders 50-58
Typescripts

Folder 59
Computer printout of The Last Paradise

Folders 60-65
Typescript and page proofs

Folders 85-88
Typescripts

Folder 89
First edited galleys

Series 7. Crocodiles and other characters (1992)

Folder 66
Typescript of article 'Flying Fenton M.D.', edited by Laurie Oakes

Folder 67
Copies of letters and inquest report for death at Terrick Station in 1912 and research material for 'The man who loved birds'

Folder 68
Photographs used in the book

Folder 69
Photocopy of page proofs

Folder 70
Galley proofs

Folder 71
Miscellaneous typescripts

Series 8. Riding the Wildman Plains (1992)

Folders 72-73
Page proofs

Folder 74
Research material

Folders 75-76
Manuscripts

Folder 77
Photographs, some were reproduced in the book

Folder 90
Master set

Series 9. Miscellaneous

Folders 78-81
Legal documents, cuttings and miscellaneous drafts

Folder 91
Drafts of a review of Bert Facey's A Fortunate Life, explaining why Cole wrote Hell West and Crooked

Series 10. Books

  • Hell West and Crooked (1988)
  • The Last Paradise (1990)
  • Riding the Wildman Plains (1992)

Box List

Series                   Folders                  Box                    
  
1                        1-7, 82                  1, 10                    
2                        8-19                     2                        
3                        20-25                    3                        
4                        26-29                    4                        
5                        30-34, 83-84, 92         4, 10, 11                    
6                        44-65 (no 46), 85-89     6-7, 10                  
7                        66-71                    8                        
8                        72-77, 90                9, 11                    
9                        78-81, 91                9, 11                    
10                       Books                    11                       
Guide prepared 1995. Last updated 10 June 1998.