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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