A.G. Smith interviewed by Suzanne Walker [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 1919119
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Smith, A. G. (Arthur G.), 1901-, interviewee
- Online Version:
- National Library of Australia digitised item
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 1973 Sept. 11
- 2 tape reels : 1 7/8 ips ; 5 in.
- Summary:
-
A.G. Smith, former editor, bookseller, Managing Director of Robertson and Mullens and General Manager of Angus & Robertson, Melbourne, reflects on his career in bookselling and publishing in New Zealand and Australia. He describes his early life; joining Whitcombe & Tombs (NZ); attending Canterbury University College; publishing verse in the College Review; meeting A.P. Herbert, Punch humourist; George Robertson; rewriting an English textbook; selling school books in Australia during Depression; rewriting Qld geography textbook; managing Retail Dept., Dunedin; supply of Nelle Scanlan's Pencarrow; publishers' representatives, 1920s-30s incl. Bill Smart (Hodder & Stoughton), Jack Kissling (Dent), Avon Davies (Cassell); resignation, new position at Book Depot, Melbourne; joining A&R in 1947; working with Albert Ritchie; Hill of Content takeover; first A&R shop in Melbourne, 1951; relations with other Melbourne booksellers; visits from Willie Collins, Robert McNamara (Scotts Forseman); Walter Burns, A&R Director; takeover of Robertson and Mullens; Burns dropped from A&R Board; car accident & wife's death; buy back from Packer of A&R shares; fall through of sale of Harry Sleeman's Collins Book Depot; expulsion from Govt House, Wellington, 1931; NZ book scene, 1920s-1930s; supply of stock from London; book buying; Wheatley's Forbidden Territory; book prices; wartime paper shortages; Whitcombe's colleagues Cameron, Chafey, Walker; visit from Jonathan Cape; Australian associate's incl. Frank Cheshire, Frank Fabini, Albert Spencer, Bob McNamara; authors Henry Lawson, Frank Clune, Jack Idriess, E.V. Timms; illustrator Hal Gye; overseas booksellers; changes in bookselling; training, knowledge required; effect of paperback on modern book trade; net book agreement.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded at the home of Mr Smith, Blackburn, Vic. on 11 September 1973.
- Also available online http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-214947934
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (11 p.) and transcript available (typescript, 94 leaves).
- Subject:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Lunney, Suzanne, interviewer
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2043 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 1973
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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