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Secondary Punishment uniform from Tasmania, dated c.1840
wool and leather
Realia; from the Pictorial Collection (A40001407)

This convict costume, a secondary punishment uniform from the transportation era -- consisting of black and yellow trousers, coat and sleeveless jacket, a grey knitted cap and a brown leather cap -- was presented to the Library by Senator HJM Payne in 1933.

The coloured uniform, worn as a form of public humiliation, marked the secondary offenders out from the other convicts. Gentleman convicts like John Grant (see story page 11 this issue) were more privileged in their choice of apparel. When he was transported to the colony in 1804 he ate in the captain's cabin, and carried with him a trunk load of personal effects which included black satin waistcoats, expensive breeches and shirts and a handsome white hat.

 

March 2000 Volume X Number 6

DOCUMENTING AUSTRALIAN DANCE: PAUL MERCURIO AND THE AUSTRALIAN CHOREOGRAPHIC ENSEMBLE

In this, the third in a series on dance, Michelle Potter discovers the vitality of Paul Mercurio as she reviews the papers of his short-lived dance company, Australian Choreographic Ensemble

IN THE WAKE OF OTAGO: JOSEPH CONRAD UNDER THE SOUTHERN CROSS

Surveying the National Library's holdings on Joseph Conrad, Edward Duyker reveals the author's early seafaring career and his affection for Australia

THIS BEAUTEOUS, WICKED PLACE: LETTERS AND JOURNALS OF JOHN GRANT, GENTLEMAN CONVICT

Yvonne Cramer previews the Library's latest publication due for release this month

O. HENRY: THE CALIPH OF THE SUBWAY

Barry York samples some ofO. Henry's works from the Library's collection

GALVANISING FORCES

Diana Giese considers the contribution to Australian publishing by Brian Johns and Kathy Bail as revealed in interviews recorded for the Library's Oral History Collection

FRIENDS

A regular news page about the activities of the Friends of the National Library of Australia

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