Richard Elksnis papers aggregated collection of records

fonds

1982-1997

9661186

0.36 metres of textual material (2 boxes)

Richard Elksnis was a Latvian migrant to Australia, naturalised in 1956, who worked in the merchant marine throughout his life, on Sydney harbour from the mid-1950's onwards. He wrote and self-printed a number of works, either as single or double copies. His idiosyncratic spelling and direct experiences are a feature of these books. None of the books were actually published - a small number of copies of each of his manuscripts were printed and Richard bound the pages and illustrated the front cover and title page. He writes "there is plenty of time at sea for thinking and writing" and the sea is the genesis of these books. He longed to see them published but was happy that the State Library became the repository for these stories.

Reference:
Library correspondence file

COLLECTION 1:
Richard Elksnis papers 1982-1992

COLLECTION 2:
Richard Elksnis further papers, 1982-1997

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