Series 1: Myles Dunphy correspondence and other papers, ca. 1913-1970

MLMSS 10205

series

ca. 1913-1970

9630888

0.32 metres of textual material (2 boxes) - manuscript; typed

The material includes letters Myles Dunphy wrote to his girlfriend and then wife, Margaret Peet, over the period 1922 to 1970. The letters from Myles to Margaret, document the early years of their relationship, from when they met in 1922, and include some from when they were separated by travel in later life.

Also a copy of 'Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam', added to by Dunphy with handwritten poems, pasted in photographs and watercolour drawings, and an inscription to his ‘girl Dorothy’, signed by Dunphy in 1917. Hand illustrated booklets Dunphy made for his wife Margaret Peet, as well as the book of poetry dedicated to an earlier girlfriend, Dorothy.

The correspondence and papers include wartime identity cards, Dunphy’s OBE citation invitation, his architect registration papers from 1923, exception from military service papers in 1916, letters of commendation, life insurance rejection paperwork and pedigree papers for his dog, Dexter, purchased in 1925.

BOX 1

Personal correspondence:

Letters addressed to Margaret who was initially living with her parents at 75 Addison Road, Manly.

February 2, 1922, Myles to Margaret. Probably the first letter Myles wrote to Margaret, not mailed but sent via his sister Cora who was also a friend of Margaret’s.
August 1922, Myles to Margaret. ‘A dream of wilderness’, written for Margaret.
November 6, 1922, Myles to Margaret. Written at Garie Beach, south of Sydney, where Myles took a small group of walkers. Also deals with preparations for Hawkesbury trip.
December 24, 1922, Myles to Margaret. Written at The Basin, Coaster’s Retreat, Pittwater. Myles on a canoe trip on the Hawkesbury River with Roy Davies.
December 30, 1922, Myles to Margaret. Written at Cowan Creek, Hawkesbury River to Margaret at Leura where she was holidaying. Letter no. 2.
January 4, 1923, Myles to Margaret. Written at Mooney Mooney Creek, Hawkesbury River to Margaret at Leura. Letter no. 3.
January 6, 1923, Myles to Margaret. Written at Kangaroo Point, Hawkesbury River to Margaret at Leura. Letter no. 4.
January 13, 1923, Myles to Margaret. Written at Berowra Creek, Hawkesbury River to Margaret at Leura. “I think this is no. 6”.
January 16, 1923, Myles to Margaret. Written at Bar Island to Margaret at Leura. “No. 7?”
January 22, 1923, Myles to Margaret. Written McCarrs Creek, Church Point, Hawkesbury River to Margaret at Leura.
January 28, 1924, Myles to Margaret. Written at Yerranderie, NSW. Myles with a party of walkers including Gillespie, Rigby and Dickson.
January 29, 1925, Myles to Margaret. Hastings River canoe trip with Eric Dickson. No. 2.
January 30, 1925, Myles to Margaret. Written from Wauchope, NSW.

Myles and Margaret married on 19 December 1925. Unless Margaret was away, the following letters are address to their second home at 74 Woronora Parade, Oatley.

January 30, 1935, Myles to Margaret. Written at Bindook, Colong Creek on trip with Reg and John.
January 18, 1946, Myles to Margaret. Dexter to Mummy. Written at Currarong, South Coast of NSW. Margaret’s father died while Myles, Margaret, Milo and Dexter were on holiday. Margaret and Milo returned to Sydney for the funeral staying at 5 Plant Street, Balgowlah, her family’s home.
September 7, 1962, Myles to Margaret. Margaret at South Perth where she was staying with her uncle George Peet.
September 12, 1962, Myles to Margaret. Margaret at South Perth where she was staying with her uncle George Peet.
September 15, 1962, Myles to Margaret. Margaret at South Perth where she was staying with her uncle George Peet. No. 3 letter.
September 18, 1962, Myles to Margaret. Margaret at South Perth where she was staying with her uncle George Peet.
September 26, 1968, Myles to Margaret. Margaret at Binna Burra Lodge, Beechmont, Queensland.
October 3, 1968, Myles to Margaret. Margaret at The Gap, Queensland.
March 4, 1970, Myles to Margaret. From 109 Mi Mi Street, Oatley to Margaret at Christchurch, New Zealand, where she was holidaying with her friend Nell Dickson.
March 10, 1970, Myles to Margaret. Margaret at Auckland. Letter no. 2.

Postcards:

Wednesday, 1970, Margaret to Myles. Margaret at Mt. Cook.
February 7, 1970, Margaret to Myles. Margaret at Milford Sound.
February 9, 1970, Margaret to Myles. Margaret at Queenstown.

Lettercards:

January, 1924, Myles to Margaret, Boggy Creek.
December 16, 1928, Myles to Margaret, Bellbrook. Letter no. 1.
December 19, 1928, Myles to Margaret, Nulla Nulla Creek.
December 22, 1928, Myles to Margaret, Nulla Nulla Creek.
January 21, 1935, Myles to Margaret, Milo and baby, Camden.

Incomplete autobiographies by Myles Dunphy:

An incomplete draft autobiography in 4 parts, pages 1-154.
Carbon copy. Autobiography of Myles J. Dunphy. Begun January 1979 for Peter Prineas. Project 2, block pad 1, pp. 1-39.
Project 2, block pad 2, pp. 40-78.
Project 2, block pad 3, pp. 79-116.
Project 2, block pad 4, pp. 117-154.

Carbon copy. Myles Joseph Dunphy, Sydney, New South Wales. Short autobiography. 45 pages. Accompanied by a photocopy of 6 pages dated July 12, 1965.

BOX 2

Letters and papers:

Scholarships and prizes from Technical Education Branch, 1912-1914.
Exemption from military service, 1916.
2 letters from Technical College Sydney regarding teacher training requirements, 1916.
3 letters from Australian Mutual Provident Society concerning rejection of life assurance, 1919.
Letters to ‘George’ concerning loans, 1920 and 1921.
Letter probably to Fred Rose, 23 March 1921.
Architects registration, Board of Architects of NSW, 1923.
Marriage certificate (photocopy) for Myles and Margaret, 1925.
Pedigree papers for dog Dexter (fox terrier) from Fancy Puppy Salon, Sydney, 1925.
Identify card for Margaret Dunphy, 1942.
Identity card of Myles Joseph Dunphy, 1942.
Enrolment form for military service for home defence, 1942.
Australian Military Forces, wartime authority to reproduce maps, 1942-1943.
One envelope of letters regarding the Public Works Department promotions committee, 1939; 1947.
Letters of appreciation from the Board of Architects NSW and Technical Education Branch, 1939; 1947.
Sick leave paperwork from Sydney Technical College, 1929-1947.
Clothing ration card for M. Dunphy, 1948.
Letter of appreciation from Department of Technical Eduction about correspondence booklet, 1953.
Envelope containing Letters of commendation from NSW Federation of Bush Walking Clubs, 1947; Australian Institute of Architects, 1963; Board of Architects of NSW, 1962; University of New South Wales, 1963 and 1964.
Christmas card from Architecture staff at UNSW, 1967.
OBE citation and letters, 1976-1977.
Index to travel journals 1977 (27 pages, photocopy).

Book and handmade booklets:

'Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: rendered into English verse by Edward Fitzgerald, illustrated in colour and in line by Rene Bull'. Contains poems, photographs and drawings inserted by Myles Dunphy and dedicated to 'Dorothy', 1917. Inscribed 'Myles J. Dunphy, 1917'.

Handmade booklet 'Reflections by Nekome: The Moonlight Camp, an extract from the journal of Nekome' and dedicated to Margaret Peet, February, 1922. Nekome is an American Indian name Myles adopted for himself in his early adult life.

Handmade booklet 'Beauty in regard to art' by Myles J. Dunphy and dedicated to Margaret Peet, 1922.

Handmade card for Margaret Peet and dedicated to Margaret Peet from Myles, September 8, 1922.

Handmade booklet 'The little worlds, a poem by Victor J. Daley. Illustrated by Myles J. Dunphy' and dedicated to Margaret Peet, 1922. Contains poems and 8 small watercolours. In initialled envelope 'MP'.

Handmade booklet 'The tidgy outdoor book by M.J.D.' and dedicated to Margaret Peet, 1923. Includes 18 photographs of Myles and Margaret.

Handmade card and envelope with an extract from 'Stella Maris' by William J. Lock and a watercolour of the Parthenon. No signature or date.

MJD [Myles J Dunphy] bookplate.

Copyright status:: Items in this collection where the author(s) died more than 70 years ago are out of copyright. Other items are in copyright for the life of the author(s) plus 70 years
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales