David Swain papers, cartoons and other material

fonds

1949-2000

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Drawings, Photographs, Clippings

1373626

1.92 metres of textual material (12 boxes), includes cartoons
100 photographic prints - colour
19 negatives - colour - 35 mm

David Swain (1923-2010), freelance writer and cartoonist, was born in London to Jewish migrants. His first published satiric verse appeared in post-WWII Punch when Swain was in his twenties. His cartoons, many political in nature, were widely published in the Bulletin, Canberra Times and Sydney Morning Herald.

After coming to Australia in 1949, he taught at East Sydney and North Sydney technical colleges, and freelanced as a cartoonist. He created ‘Swainsville’ a cartoon for The Bulletin and wrote for radio/tv programs such as ‘The Mavis Bramston Show’.

In 1969 he initiated Australia’s first professional writing degree course. He continued freelance work, producing cartoons for The Canberra Times, and later campaigned for the establishment of a national museum of cartooning. He had seven books published, including The Cantbeworried Tales (a satire on The Canterbury Tales). His research into Aboriginal and Jewish cartoon stereotypes lead to '200 in the Shade' bicentennial book and exhibition.

Reference:
Library acquisition file
Swain, Jenny & Swain, Sally. "Cockney Larrikin became a cartoonist", Sydney Morning Herald, September 4, 2010

This collection includes original and published cartoons, writing and drafts for his articles and books, research documents, lecture notes and correspondence, photographs and negatives.

Series 1: Papers and cartoons
Series 2: Photographs and negatives relating to exhibitions

Box listing available -

Cartoons in Box 12 were unframed by Collection Care in 2023 for preservation reasons