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431401

Title
Sub-series 3: Harold Lasseter diary with fragments, 1930-ca. 1931.
Creator
Harold Bell Lasseter, 1880-1931
Call number
SAFE/MLMSS 3269 (Safe 2/10)
Level of description
sub-series
Date

1930-ca. 1931
Type of material
Textual Records
Reference code
431401
Issue Copy
Digitised
Physical Description
0.08 metres of textual material (1 volume in box)
ADMINISTRATIVE/ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

In 1929 Harold Lasseter claimed that, years earlier, he had discovered a rich gold bearing reef in Central Australia. In 1930 an expedition was formed, with Lasseter as guide, to search for the reef. Following a number of accidents and dissension in the party, Lasseter went on alone. He was not seen again, nor was any reef discovered. A search party found his body and brought back his diary which revealed that he had lived among Aborigines for several months in the Petermann Ranges and had apparently died of starvation.
Collection history
Originally purchased by Ion Idriess who included a transcription in his book 'Lasseter's last ride' published by Angus & Robertson in 1931. The diary and fragments remained with Angus & Robertson until 1977, when they were acquired by the Library as part of the publishing company's records
Scope and Content
The diary is covered in plain red cloth, with a holder for a pencil on one side and a ribbon that can be tied around it. The entries are in pencil and include some crude pencil sketches of Aborigines, a kangaroo and an emu. The fragments form letters to Lasseter's wife, Rene. They are on pages torn from the diary and show marks of fire, water and dirt.
Access Conditions

Access via appointment
Copying Conditions
Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Finding Aids
Transcript available online - acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/_transcript/2010/D03919/a1190.pdf
Published Information
The manuscript was published in facsimile by Angus & Robertson in 1986. Lasseter's diary. [Sydney] : Angus & Robertson, 1986. It was also largely published in Ion Idriess' book, 'Lasseter's Last Ride', Syd., Angus & Robertson, 1932.
General note

Microfilm copy available at CY 807, frames 1-40 (diary) and frames 41-81 (fragments from diary). Preservation microfilm copy made, April 1984.
Other papers concerning the Lasseter expedition, 1930-1932, are located at MLMSS 5152 (CY Reel 2035, frames 1-47).
See also microfilm reel CY 1147 (358 frames) concerning other manuscript items relating to Lewis Harold Bell Lasseter (A 3043, A 2753, A 6962 - A 6964).
Digital order no:Album ID : 823469
Subject
Aboriginal Australians--Australia, Central.
Australia, Central--Discovery and exploration.
Gold mines and mining--Australia, Central.
Exhibited in

National treasures from Australia's great libraries - Council of Australian State Libraries (1 December, 2005 - 31 December, 2006)
Open Rosetta viewer
IE1499827