Halcyon Evans letters, 1956-1957

MLMSS 9526

fonds

1956-1957

1165321

1 box (7 folders of textual material) - manuscript - handwritten

Halcyon Evans, nee Pratt, is the daughter of Bruce Pratt and Pixie O'Harris. Born in 1931, she has 2 sisters, Robyn born 1934, and Megan.

Bruce Pratt was general editor of the second edition of the Australian Encyclopaedia (1958) and editor-in-chief of the third edition (1977). He was also on the editorial advisory board of the fourth edition (1983).

Pixie O'Harris (1903-1991), became known for her drawings for children. She illustrated her own books (over 20), and those of other authors. She also decorated with murals more than 50 children's hospital wards, day nurseries, baby clinics and schools.

Halcyon and her sister Robyn sailed from Sydney to London in February 1956 on the S.S. Otranto, and this collection of letters presents the story of their journey and time in the U.K. and Europe. Halcyon returned to Sydney in January 1957. Letters are address to Daddy, Mummy, and/or Meg and Louise. The letters give a full description of their life on board ship and their adventures of living and working overseas as young women in their twenties.

Halcyon married Vaughan Evans OAM (1924-1993) in 1960. He was a tireless proponent of the Australian National Maritime Museum and a consultant to governments on maritime heritage issues.

Folder 1: Letters for February and March 1956

Folder 2: Letters for April 1956

Folder 3: Letters for May 1956

Folder 4: Letters for June and July 1956

Folder 5: Letters for August and September 1956

Folder 6: Letters for October, November and December 1956

Folder 7: Letters for January 1957

Copyright status:: In copyright
Approval for reproduction required:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Halcyon Evans