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NLA News cover On the cover this month

Greg Power (b.1974)
Henry Lawson’s pen, with manuscript of a letter
pencil, steel nib and string;
10.2 x 1.2 cm
Pictures Collection
Promotional image for the National Treasures from Australia’s Great Libraries
exhibition; see object at nla.pic-an23078287

Henry Lawson (1867–1922), iconic literary figure, had a troubled personal life. Fighting deafness, domestic problems, mental illness and alcoholism, he was often in poverty too, as suggested by this pen which he improvised from a pencil by inserting a nib bound by string. He used the pen in Leeton, New South Wales, from January 1916 till August 1917. Along with casts of Lawson’s hand and head, his inscribed shirt collar, and one of his shirts, the pen formed part of the hugely successful National Treasures from Australia’s Great Libraries exhibition whose nation-wide tour recently came to an end. Read story

January 2008 Volume XVIII Number 4

Wattle Nationalism

Libby Robin responds to an earlier News article about our national blossom

A Soldier’s Wife

Martin Terry considers the life of William Bligh’s daughter, Mary

Travelling Treasures: End of the Road

Justine van Mourik looks back on the hugely successful National Treasures from Australia’s Great Libraries exhibition

Rollick, Reel, Rescue!

Ian Warden celebrates the centenary of Australia’s first Surf Life Saving carnival

Christening Canberra

Greg Wood pays tribute through the Maps Collection to some unacknowledged founding fathers

Friends

A regular news page about the activities of the Friends of the National Library of Australia

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