Ramon Mascord World War II diary, 1942-1943

MLMSS 9106

fonds

1942-1943

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Drawings

1045804

0.05 metres of textual material (1 box)

Prior to enlisting in the Second A.I.F. in 1940, Ramon Enslin Ernest Mascord (1913 – 1983) was a commercial artist in Sydney. After the war, he went on to become a book illustrator and also one of Australia’s foremost experts on spiders, renowned for his field collecting of, and publications on, Australian arachnids. His wartime diary contains illustrations of the graves of Australian soldiers and scenes of native life, as well as New Guinea fauna.

Mascord was author and illustrator of The 2nd A.I.F. abroad: digger humour sketched in the field (Sydney; Frank Johnson, 1943) – the proposed publication of which is referred to in his diary – and Lest we forget: more digger humour (Sydney, s.n. 1946?). He also authored and illustrated several children’s books and books on spiders.

Collins Service Diary for 1942, bound in textured cloth boards, front board is stamped in gild R.E. Mascord, fly leaf is inscribed with Mascord's personal details and those of his father with the note 'Would finder please send to my father at the address below'. The entries are written in a calligraphic hand with numerous finely executed pen and watercolour drawings of scenes and fauna in New Guinea.

Copyright status:: In copyright

State Library of New South Wales collection of World War II diaries