Reference code: GB-0033-VDP
Title: Sir Laurens van der Post Papers
Dates of creation: 1880-2012
Extent: 18 metres
Held by: Durham University Library, Archives and Special Collections
Origination: Laurens Jan van der Post (1906-1996)
Language: Mostly English with some correspondence in Afrikaans
Laurens Jan van der Post was born on 13 December 1906 at Philippolis in the Orange River Colony in the Republic of South Africa. He was educated at Grey College, Bloemfontein, before undertaking employment as a trainee sports reporter on the
Natal Advertiser in Durban in 1925. The following year, he assisted two established South African writers, Roy Campbell and William Plomer, to produce a short-lived satirical magazine
Voorslag, the purpose of which was to promote a multiracial South Africa. In March 1928, he moved to England and married Marjorie Edith Wendt, daughter of Theo Frederick Charles Otto Wendt, the founder and conductor of the
Cape Town Orchestra. After spending time in South Africa as a journalist for the
Cape Times, Laurens returned to England during the early 1930s, establishing personal friendships and literary contacts with various
members of the Bloomsbury Group, including Arthur Waley, J. M. Keynes, E. M. Forster and Virginia Woolf. Virginia Woolf's husband, Leonard, published Laurens's first novel,
In a province, in 1934. The rest of the 1930s
were spent dividing his time between managing a dairy farm in Gloucestershire and working as an occasional correspondent for various South African newspapers.
During the Second World War, Laurens worked for the intelligence corps, firstly as acting captain under General Wingate in Abyssinia and then in the Dutch East Indies as acting lieutenant-colonel in command of
“Special Mission 43” to organise the allied retreat following the Japanese invasion of Java. He was captured by Japanese forces and interned in the POW camps at Sukabumi and Bandung in Java. Here he was instrumental
in organising an educational programme for other prisoners and running a camp farm. Following the Japanese surrender in 1945, Laurens remained on Java for a further two years, playing an important role as mediator between Indonesian nationalists and
the Dutch colonial regime. Returning to England, he retired from the army and was made a CBE.
In 1949, he was commissioned by the Colonial Development Corporation to undertake a mission to survey the agricultural potential of the Nyika and Mulanje areas of Nyasaland, subsequently publishing a best-selling book on the expedition
Venture to the interior. Following the breakdown of his marriage to Marjorie, Laurens married Ingaret Giffard, an aspiring actor and writer, and, during their honeymoon in Switzerland, met the psychologist, Carl Jung,
whose ideas were thereafter to have a major influence on his writing. A further expedition to Bechuanaland, organised by Lord Reith to assess the Kalahari desert for cattle-ranching, led to his first encounter with the hunter-gathering bushman (San)
inhabitants of the central Kalahari. This resulted in a BBC-produced documentary on the Kalahari people in 1955 and the publication of
The lost world of the Kalahari (1958) and
The heart of the
hunter (1961), both of which explored the life of the Kalahari bushmen. Laurens was instrumental in the establishment of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in 1961 to guarantee the survival of the Kalahari people.
Laurens continued to publish successful works during the next two decades, including
The Seed and the Sower (1963) and
The night of the new moon (1970), both of which drew on his experience in the Japanese POW camps;
A journey into Russia
(1964) describing a trip to the Soviet Union; and
Jung and the story of our time (1976), which had previously been a BBC documentary on Laurens's friendship with Jung. In 1970, he and Ingaret moved to Aldeburgh in
Suffolk where he met Benjamin Britten and was introduced to Charles Prince of Wales, whom he took on safari in 1977 and who remained a close friend for the rest of his life.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Laurens continued to promote a number of conservationist causes and was actively involved in campaigning behind the scenes for the abolition of apartheid in South Africa, not as a supporter of Nelson Mandela and black
emancipation but as an advocate of a more federalist constitution influenced by the Zulu leader Chief Buthelezi, whom Laurens regularly corresponded with.
Laurens published his final book in 1996,
The admirals baby describing his work as an intelligence officer in Java. He died on 16 December 1996, a few days after celebrating his 90th birthday. His funeral was attended by Prince Charles, Margaret Thatcher and
Chief Buthelezi, amongst others.
The papers of Sir Laurens Jan van der Post encompass correspondence files arranged chronologically and by correspondent, including Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Roy Campbell, Carl Jung, William Plomer, and Margaret Thatcher; official papers collected
during his time as intelligence officer during and after the Second World War, including Japanese POW camp newsletters and statistics, correspondence with military officials, and intelligence signals of Indonesian nationalists; papers relating to
surveys undertaken in Nyasaland (now Malawi) and Bechuanaland (now Botswana) for the Colonial Development Corporation; papers relating to his literary career including draft manuscripts of all his published and unpublished books and other works, as
well as correspondence with publishers; papers relating to his philanthropic and conservationist interests; scripts for films and broadcasts; personal and family papers; transcripts of lectures; photographs; and papers relating to legacy
projects.
Purchased by Durham University from Lucia van der Post in May 2016, with the support of grants from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Arts Council England/Victoria & Albert Museum Purchase Grant Fund. Additional papers were sent
to Durham University in February 2017.
Generally open for consultation. Correspondence between Laurens van der Post and Charles, Prince of Wales, has been closed under Section 37 of the Freedom of Information Act (2000).
Permission to make any published use of material from the collection must be sought in advance from the Sub-Librarian, Special Collections (e-mail PG.Library@durham.ac.uk) and, where appropriate, from the copyright owner. The Library will assist
where possible with identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material.
The papers of Laurens van der Post are mostly arranged thematically in an attempt to encompass different aspects of his life:
A. Personal Correspondence
1. Chronological
2. Correspondent
B. Military Career
C. Colonial Development Corporation
D. Foundation Papers
E. Literary Career
1. Draft Manuscripts: Books
2. Draft Manuscripts: Book Chapters
3. Draft Manuscripts: Articles
4. Draft Manuscripts: Publications by Others
5. Publishers' Papers
6. Newspaper Cuttings
F. Films and Broadcasts
1. Film Production Papers
2. Television and Radio Broadcasts
(a) Transcripts
(b) Audio Recordings
(c) Video Recordings
(d) 16mm films
(e) Other Papers
H. Lectures
J. Personal and Family Papers
K. Photographic Material
1. Photograph Albums
2. Loose Photographs
3. Negatives
L. Death and Legacy
The contents of the collection have been fully appraised and duplicates have been removed.
The papers of Ingaret van der Post now form a separate collection.
There is an incomplete word-processed box list.
Plomer MSS
PLO/223: 137 letters from Laurens van der Post
BBC Written Archive, London: correspondence and typescripts of broadcasts
Chatto & Windus Archives, Reading University: correspondence, book reviews and royalty statements
Christopher Booker, “Post, Sir Laurens Jan van der (1906–1996)”,
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, May 2005
Jones, J. D. F.,
Storyteller: the many Llves of Laurens van der Post (London: John Murray, 2001)
1. Personal Correspondence(a) Chronological
This section includes general day-to-day correspondence sent to and received by Laurens van der Post.
The subjects discussed in these letters, particularly publication rights, film productions, foundation work etc., are occasionally duplicated in other sections (Literary Career, Philanthropy, Films and Broadcasts etc.) so researchers interested
in these subjects should consult the papers of both sections. Where it has been possible to do so, letters from correspondents described in section 1(b) have been transferred there.
With the exception of the earlier correspondence, the large numbers of letters sent to and from Laurens precludes the possibility of providing detailed descriptions for every letter. The descriptions below only provide a snapshot of the contents
of the letters. This is an inevitably subjective approach but will hopefully enable researchers to form a superficial understanding of the major themes discussed, with the proviso that the letters are likely to include additional themes not
mentioned in these descriptions.
VDP/A1/1/1-7 14 January 1927 – 25 November 1929
Letters to Laurens:
5 letters & 1 postcard
VDP/A1/1/1 14 January 1927
Hon. Secretary of the Rotary Club of Pietermaritzburg to Laurens: asking Laurens if he can deliver a lecture entitled
“Some impressions of the East” for the Rotary Club
1 letter
VDP/A1/1/2 19 April 1929
Gerald Hurd (Literary Editor of
The Realist) to Laurens: asking him to write an article on the recent election in South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A1/1/3 24 April 1929
Gerald Hurd (Literary Editor of
The Realist) to Laurens: asking him to submit an article by the end of May for consideration
1 letter
VDP/A1/1/4 3 June 1929
R. M. Barrington Ward (Assistant Editor of
The Times) to Laurens: no vacancies at the moment
1 letter
VDP/A1/1/5 6 September 1929
Enslin Du Plessis to Laurens: mostly news of friends, including his trip to Hatfield Park with William [Plomer], his attitude towards painting, Plomer's new novel
Includes an illustration of a goldfish
1 letter
VDP/A1/1/6 19 October 1929
Keith [?Millar Jones] to Laurens: news of friends including Vera Pilkington, Eric R., Yoris, and Beryl de Z.
1 letter
VDP/A1/1/7 25 November 1929
Enslin Du Plessis (Capetown) to Laurens at the
Cape Times: praising his The Realist article
1 postcard
VDP/A1/2 February 1930 – 1 August 1941
Language: English, French, and Afrikaans
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature from friends and comments on Laurens's first novel
In a province, but also including W. G. Ballinger, A. M. Greskell, J. Glyn Thomas and [?] to Laurens asking him to join them in the publication of a new South African monthly journal and outlining its remit (February
1930); Enslin to Laurens with news of that “noble savage” Roy Campbell and his visit to London including his clash of personalities with William Plomer, particularly Plomer’s lack of tolerance for Campbell’s sporting
interests, as well as Campbell’s friendship with Liam O’Flaherty (7 March 1930); Enslin Du Plessis to Laurens: Plomer in Greece, embroiled in a controversy between Ethelred [?] and Roy Campbell, attending a wedding in Yorkshire, becoming an
Associate Member of the London artists, his dislike of Stephen Spender (18 August 1930); a poem in Afrikaans composed by Laurens while working on In a province (January 1932); [C. W. P.], from South Africa House
(London) to Laurens wishing to meet with him (14 July 1933); Laurens to Lincoln Kirsten (photocopy): longing to meet him again, working on the draft proofs of In a province, and criticism of Yeats (21 December 1933);
Stephen Spender to Laurens: praise for In a province (24 February 1934 & [?1934]); A. G. Baynes to Col. d’Oyly, enclosing a letter from Carl Jung to J. d’Oyly, on arrangements for psychological treatment for his
wife (11 October 1935); and Laurens to Mrs d'Oyly: his love for Ingaret, and transferring to a different country (1 August 1941)
1 file
VDP/A1/3 16 October 1945 – 2 April 1949
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature including an anonymous writer on board a steamer returning passengers liberated from Japanese POW camps to Laurens; records relating to the Bandung POW camp, description
of whale activity near his ship, the improvement in the health of his fellow passengers, his relief in leaving the Far East, description of a day spent in Colombo (Ceylon) with two WRNS ladies, the deterioration in attitude in Britain following the
end of the war, and his hopes that Laurens will not spend too long in Java (16 October 1945); Henry Markham Rees to Laurens: thanking him for his assistance in Java, and hoping that they manage to locate their buried manuscripts in Bandung (14
January 1946); Ray Parkin to Laurens: grateful to hear that he survived his POW experience, recounting his own liberation by American forces and his journey back to Melbourne, the possibility of publishing a memorial book, the positive effect of his
incarceration; seeking news on Dan Gregory who taught Ancient History at the Bandung Camp, and his hopes for the future (4 February 1946); Laurens (HQ AFNEI) to General Penney: the possible success of the negotiations between the Dutch and the
Indonesian nationalists, praise for Sir Archibald Clark Kerr, the deterioration of Dutch-British relations, and his hopes that the War Office will be able to devise a new Far Eastern policy (6 April 1946); W. H. Nichols, to Laurens concerning
Donaldson’s assistance in writing a report on the capitulation of Singapore, his (Nichols's) inability to complete his official report on life in a Japanese POW camp owing to the lack of interest in official circles, his failure to obtain a
promotion, and news of their friends (12 June 1946); Victor [?] to Laurens concerning the deterioration of the Indonesian situation and criticism of Ian Lauder’s leadership (9 July 1946); [?Lanham] to Laurens: his wish to write a book about their
Java experience (17 November 1946); Laurens to Admiral William Patterson (photocopy) praising him for his management of the Japanese surrender on board the HMS Cumberland, enclosing photocopies of two typed narrative
reports (23 January 1947); W. H. Nichols to Laurens on receiving an O.B.E. (7 February 1947); Charles Hart to Laurens congratulating him on his C.B.E. (26 September 1947); [?] (Jakarta) to Laurens concerning the behaviour of the Chinese in Indonesia
(27 November 1947); Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl of Burma, to Laurens thanking him for sending his thoughts on the Far East and South Africa (12 January 1948); and [Muriel] [?] (British Embassy, Bogota) on the political situation in Bogota (18
October 1948); Cecil Day-Lewis to Laurens: hoping that he will return to England soon, and asking whether he would be interested in becoming the editor of an English-language edition of a new European magazine, and wishing to send him his new book
of poems (12 December 1948)
1 file
VDP/A1/4 3 June 1950 - 12 March 1954
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature and praise for Laurens's works, but also including Ron Bryer to Laurens concerning his memories of the time they spent together in the Japanese POW camp in Bandung as
well as his journey home including a detailed eyewitness description of the dropping of the atomic bomb at Nagasaki (27 January 1952); Andries van der Post to Laurens: criticism of
Venture to the Interior(6 March 1952); and Alan Lennox-Boyd, 1st Viscount Boyd of Merton, to Laurens: congratulating him on his address to the Royal Empire and Royal African Societies (25 April 1952)
1 file
VDP/A1/5 26 January - 29 June 1955
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, and preparations for an expedition to produce a television documentary on the Kalahari bushmen, but also including correspondence between
Laurens and Eileen Moloney of the BBC concerning a trip to Switzerland to make a BBC documentary on Dr Carl Jung (1, 7 February 1955); Laurens to Norah Smallwood, Hogarth Press: the publication of
The dark eye in Africa in America (12 February 1955); Jo Sturdee, Personal Private Secretary to Sir Winston Churchill, thanking Laurens for sending a copy of his book Flamingo feather (6
April 1955); and Leonard Bluett to Laurens, with a reply from Laurens, on the deteriorating mental health of one of Laurens's contemporaries in the Japanese POW camp (Major John Denman) and asking whether Laurens could help [April, 27 April
1955]
1 file
VDP/A1/6 6 July - 31 December 1955
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, and preparations for an expedition to produce a television documentary and publication of articles in
The Times and Neue Zürcher Zeitung on the Kalahari bushmen, but also including Tamara Stokes to Laurens: asking whether he can speak on the political situation in South Africa [?to the
BBC] (6 July 1955); E. “Weary” Dunlop to Laurens: the favourable reception of Laurens's books in Australia, praising Laurens's strength of character in the POW camp, his experiences working on the Burma railway, and
news of others including Alan Woods, and the continuation of his work as a surgeon (6 August 1955); Laurens to Dr Schwarz: his conflict with The Times over the publication of his bushmen articles (12 August 1955);
Enrico Pratt to Laurens: stressing that he will need a free hand in filming his Kalahari documentary without Lauren's intervention and criticising his lack of experience in such a venture (29 August 1955); and Laurens to Enrico Pratt: his anger at
Enrico for his inability to fulfil his contract as a cameraman on the Kalahari expedition (27 September 1955)
1 file
VDP/A1/7 2 January - 29 March 1956
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for lectures, and the publication of his articles on the Kalahari expedition, but also including Mrs L. R. Blumenfeld to Laurens:
criticism over his approach to Jews in his book
The dark eye in Africa, with a reply from Laurens apologising for any offence caused (27 January, 7 February 1956); Eileen Sinfield, local secretary of the Burton Local Labour Society to Laurens, asking him if he would
like to be nominated to stand as a Labour Party candidate (January 1956); Laurens to Captain Paul Vogt: wishing to assist Mrs G. J. Ziedses des Plantes in her claim against the [?British] Government (1 February 1956); Carey Jones to Laurens:
arrangements for a talk to the Analytical Psychological Club of New York (2 February) Laurens to Elka Sohrijver: his wariness about returning to Holland owing to the Dutch animosity against him for his role in Indonesian independence (7 February
1956); Laurens to Mr Millar Jones of the BBC outlining his views on how to present the Kalahari documentary (13 February 1956); J. H. Max-Walters, Walters & Hart Solicitors, to Laurens, with a reply from Laurens: his dispute with Enrico Pratt
(22, 27 February 1956); and Laurens to Norah Smallwood, Hogarth Press, praise for Japan and its people (20 March 1956)
1 file
VDP/A1/8 3 April - 30 June 1956
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing and the BBC television documentary on the Kalahari, requests for lectures and articles, as well as Frances [?] (William Morrow and Company)
to Laurens: rejecting his suggestion of “Footsteps in the sand” for the title of his new book (20 April 1956); Sallie Lou Parker,
The Saturday Review to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: asking whether he can assist in setting up a Capricorn Africa Society in America (15, 30 April 1956); Barry Stevens to Laurens: on racial tensions relating to
inter-marriages between blacks and whites in the southern states of America (12 May 1956); Laurens to P. I. R. MacLaren of the Department of Game and Tsetse Control in Northern Rhodesia: the extinction of the river bushmen in the Okavango (25 May
1956); Laurens to Frau Densch: his plans to write a book on his Kalahari expedition (28 May 1956); Laurens to Edward [?]: news of former POW internees (30 May 1956); Laurens to Ray [Parkin): his inability to discuss his POW experiences with others
(30 May 1956); and Robert St-John to Laurens: his recent lecture tour in America and the inability of American intellectuals to comprehend that whites are equal to blacks (8 June 1956)
1 file
VDP/A1/9 1 July - 27 September 1956
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for lectures and articles, and praise from television viewers for his BBC documentary on the Kalahari, including A. Millar Jones,
BBC, to Laurens: congratulating him on the success of the Kalahari documentary proclaiming it as “one of the most successful film series we have ever undertaken” and the possibility of showing it in Canada and America
(20 July 1956); as well as E. J. B. Rose, International Press Institute in Switzerland, to Laurens, enclosing Norman Soong to Rose: seeking his advice on a proposal for a fact-finding trip through Africa by a group of Asian journalists (10, 23 July
1956); Dr F. H. G. van Loon to Laurens: his impressions of the Indonesians under Dutch rule (25 September 1956); C. G. Jung to Laurens: the publication of his seminar reports (September 1956)
1 file
VDP/A1/10 1 October - December 1956
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, and requests for lectures and articles, as well as Laurens to C. G. Jung: thanking him for his letter on the seminar reports and praising
his writings (2 October 1956); Laurens to van der Loon: his role in trying to prevent Indonesian independence (2 October 1956); Laurens to Mrs M. de Kok: the success of his BBC Kalahari documentary which won the Certificate of Merit at the Vienna
Scientific Film Congress and had the “highest viewers' percentage since the Coronation”, and criticism of the attitude of the Russians and Poles at a conference in Zurich (10 October 1956); Laurens to Amelia Jaffe:
confusion over a meeting with C. G. Jung (11 October 1956); H. Rolf Gardiner to Laurens: enclosing a report on the Nchima Tea and Tung Estates Limited in Nyasaland (12 November 1956)
1 file
VDP/A1/11 2 January - 31 March 1957
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, and requests for lectures and articles, as well as Laurens to Stephen Peiss: agreeing to contribute to Benjamin Britten's Aldeburgh
Festival (3 January 1957); Laurens to Sonia Robinson: describing his strenuous tour of Canada and America (8 January 1957); George Hall, BBC, to Laurens: the success of his Kalahari documentary in Canada (7 February 1957); Laurens to Peter Lyons,
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: recalling a church service and its effect on morale in the Japanese POW camp (12 February 1957); Laurens to Mrs A. Stolt: the unconscious influence of Rudolf Steiner on
The dark eye in Africa (4 March 1957); Laurens to Dame Peggy Ashcroft: asking for her assistance in the Capricorn Society of Africa (12 March 1957); and Laurens to G. P. Millard, Grantham Public Library and Museum:
information on the Kalahari Lily (15 March 1957)
1 file
VDP/A1/12 1 April - 28 June 1957
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, and requests for lectures and articles, as well as Laurens to the editor of
The Times Literary Supplement: complaining about their description of him as an “ex-patriot of South Africa” (17 April 1957); Laurens to George Campbell: commenting on the death of Roy
Campbell (2 May 1957); Laurens to Peggy Miller: preparations for his talk at the Aldeburgh Festival (6 June 1957); Laurens to Karl H. Henssel and Laurens to Anna J. Reiedel: producing a German translation of The face beside
the fire (22, 23 May 1957); Laurens to Bertha Katzenstein: information on Sukarno and Hatta's role in the Japanese occupation of Java during the Second World War (30 May 1957); Laurens to Stephen Spender: declining Spender's offer of going
to Japan with him (11 June 1957); and Daphne Meier, BBC, to Laurens: informing him that The lost world of the Kalahari will be repeated on early evening television (28 June 1957)
1 file
VDP/A1/13 2 July - 30 September 1957
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for lectures and articles, and praise from television viewers following the repeat showing of his BBC documentary on the Kalahari
and responding to his appeal to assist the plight of the Kalahari people, as well as [?E. Malhuhe], vice chancellor of the University of Natal, to Laurens: the opposition of the university towards apartheid, and sending Laurens a copy of Roy
Campbell's honorary MLitt address omitting the “offensive political references to Churchill and Eisenhower” (2 July 1957); Diana [?] to Laurens: financial assistance to the Liberal Party of South Africa (6 July
[?1957]); Joe Bryant to Laurens: the existence of bushmen drawings in Jebl Moya, and the similarities of the Gubba people and the bushmen (12 July 1957); D. F. A. E. D. Morgan to Laurens: recommending the alteration of local government ordinances to
assist the Kalahari people (19 July 1957); Mochtar Lubis to Laurens: his house arrest in Djakarta (20 August 1957); Laurens to Lubis: informing Lubis that he has sent off a letter of protest to President Sukarno (17 September 1957); Laurens to
Andries van der Post: their father's grave, and the question of Laurens's inheritance of Wolwekop (18 September 1957); and Laurens to Mrs John Bradley: Lucia's engagement to Neil Crichton-Miller (20 September 1957)
1 file
VDP/A1/14 1 October - 18 November 1957
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for lectures and articles, as well as P. L. Rex, Chief Passport Officer, to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: declining his
application for a United Kingdom passport and advising him to apply for citizenship (9, 10 October 1957); Roy MacNab to Laurens: a tribute to Pauline Smith ([?October 1957]); Laurens to Chris Plewman, enclosing Laurens to Andries van der Post:
suggesting that Andries should share out the money from the sale of Wolwekop with his brothers and sisters (24 October 1957); and T. Hardbattle, the Anti-Slavery Society, to Laurens: the negative attitudes of new settlers towards the bushmen, the
failure of the District Commissioner to prevent the bushmen being kidnapped, and the effects of the long jail sentences for stock thefts on bushmen families (19 April 1958)
1 file
VDP/A1/15 1 January 1958 - 10 September 1959
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for lectures and articles, and his ownership of Wolwekop Farm, as well as Laurens to Jonathan Lewis, Capricorn African Society:
the need for a black African to respond to a critical article on the Society (13 February 1958); D. W. S. Hunt, Commonwealth Relations Office, to [Laurens], Thomas Fox-Pitt to Laurens: the illegal recruitment of the bushmen in Bechuanaland for farm
work in South West Africa (30 May, 2 June 1958); E. Stuart to Laurens: the effect of government restrictions on English people travelling to Lisbon (12 June [?1958]); Laurens to H. Plather, the editor of
The Star newspaper in Johannesburg: asking Plather to publish a letter (enclosed) defending his (Laurens's) views on South Africa in response to an article by Piet Meiring accusing him of pursuing a campaign to poison
public opinion abroad against the country (19 September 1958); [?Rory], The Star to Laurens: urging him not to pursue litigation against Meiring (29 September 1958); and Laurens to Mrs Muzik: thanking her for
translating her book into Slovakian (4 July 1959)
1 file
VDP/A1/16 13 June 1960 - 13 May 1969
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for lectures and articles, as well as Laurens to Elaine van der Post: the management of Wolwekop Farm and money owed to the rest
of the family (1 November 1960); copies of letters (forwarded to Laurens) from Carl Jung to Gerald Gross and Mrs Jaffé: publication of Jung's autobiography (21 October 1957 - 6 May 1961); Laurens to Rev Canon L. J. Collins: outlining his reasons for
refusing to sign a petition from the D. & A. Fund on the British government's policy towards [?Southern] Rhodesia (19 November 1962); Jack Cope to Laurens: Ingrid Jonker's personality (4 May 1964); Laurens to Frederic Ives Carpenter: sending him
biographical information, the link between
In a province and his most recent works, his relationship with Carl Jung and Jungian theory, the role of Helena Henderson's mother in Venture to the interior, his view that writers should
be “men of action”; defending himself against Carpenter's criticism that he is pro-America and anti-Russia, and his blacklisting by the South African government and his positive reception when speaking in South Africa
(11 May 1964); Alan [?] to Laurens: the banning of certain speakers in South Africa and seeking financial help from Laurens for his anti-apartheid activities (22 February 1965); Laurens to Eliud Wambu Mathu: the Emperor Haile Selassie's positive
opinion of Mr Kenyatta and wishing to meet with Kenyatta (6 May 1966); Laurens to Mr Hepburn: his reasons for choosing 1945 as his defining year for a forthcoming The time of my life BBC production (18 July 1966) [Alan
?] to Laurens (second page of letter missing): criticising [?John Collins's] militant speech against apartheid and the actions of the D. & A. Fund (19 August 1965); Benjamin Britten to T. C. Salyanath: introducing Laurens (enclosing photograph)
Stephen [Spender] to Laurens: hoping to meet with him, and recommending Matthew [?] to commission his portrait (2 December 1967); Leonard Woolf to Laurens: arrangements for a lunch engagement (6 April 1968); Sir Arthur Bryant to Laurens:
congratulating Laurens on his excellent letter in The Times (13 May 1968); Laurens to William Rees-Mogg, editor of The Times concerning the publication of an interview in this newspaper
which has resulted in him (Laurens) being accused of sedition against the South African government by the South African newspaper Dagbreek, the possibility that he may lose his passport, and enclosing a letter to be
published to counter these accusations (10, 13 May 1968); Laurens to Hans [?]: action for libel against Dagbreek (14, 22 May 1968); Laurens to the editor of The Times: the attitude of the
artist towards apartheid (22 May 1968); Laurens to Mrs Ashlain: his inability to help her with her journey to Russia because of his blacklisting (16 August 1968); Lawrence Gandar to Laurens: thanking him for testifying in court in his lawsuit on the
publication of an article critical of the state of prisons in South Africa (2 May 1969); C. P. Briggs (Bowman, Gilfillan & Blacklock Solicitors) to Advocate Chris Plewman: enclosing a transcript of Laurens's evidence in a court case by the South
African government against S. A. Association Newspapers Limited, Benjamin Pogrund and Lawrence O. V. Gandar (30 July 1969); Benjamin Britten to Ingaret van der Post: wishing to meet with Ingaret (?1969]; Christmas card from Nagisa Oshima, Japanese
film director, to Laurens (December 1969); and Stephen Spender to Laurens: thanking him for the luncheon ([?1969])
1 file
VDP/A1/17 9 January - 27 December 1970
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing (particularly
The night of the new moon), requests for lectures and articles, as well as Alan [?] to Laurens on the possibility of writing a biography of Roy Campbell in spite of his “notorious”
anti-Semitism and recalling a story in which Campbell was alleged to have physically attacked Jewish refugees (7 May 1970); David Parsons, University of Saskatchewan, to Laurens: seeking the papers of Roy Campbell for his biography (12 June 1970);
Alan [?] to Laurens: sympathising with Lauren's criticism of the public attitude towards Russia and Tibet in contrast to the greater media attention accorded to South Africa, as well as the rise of discrimination against race and colour (23 January
1970); John Endersby to Laurens disagreeing with his opinion on the inevitability of nuclear warfare (7 August 1970); [?] to Laurens, J. F. Stray to Laurens (enclosing letter to Nigel Dennis, book reviewer for The Sunday
Telegraph), James MacGregor Johnston to [?possibly Dennis] with copy sent to Laurens, defending Laurens's assertion that the Japanese were intending to commit mass genocide at the end of the Second World War (8, 9, 11 August 1970); Ron Boyd
to Laurens: his memories of being captured by the Japanese in the Indonesian jungle, particularly the attitude of Nicholls and Donaldson (9 August 1970); and Miles Tripp to Laurens concerning his role in the bombing of Dresden and his criticism of
the public attitude towards the Dresden bombings (11 August 1970)
1 file
VDP/A1/18 15 January 1971 - 27 December 1974
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing (particularly
A story like the wInd), requests for lectures and articles, as well as [?] to Frances Hughes concerning Laurens's nomination for the Prize (13 August 1972); Barbara [?] to Laurens: the death of Ingaret's mother (18
July 1973); E. Jack to Laurens: the death of William Plomer (1 November 1973); Laurens to Piet Doornhof, enclosing letter to Abraham Fischer: Fischer's diagnosis of cancer and his incarceration in a prison in Pretoria (7 January 1974); Laurens to Dr
de Wet, South African Embassy: the delay in his proposed film on South Africa's contribution to conservation in the modern world (22 February 1974); Louis Mountbatten, Earl of Burma, to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: the Queen's (Elizabeth II)
visit to Indonesia, his conversation with General Nugroho Notosusanto and Professor Sunario discussing the murder of Mallaby in Surabaya (enclosing a photostat copy of his record of this conversation), and setting up a Committee of the United World
Colleges in Indonesia (17, 31 May 1974); and Philip Crowe to Laurens: the Queen of Denmark's (Margrethe II) appreciation of his books (11 November 1974)
1 file
VDP/A1/19 6 January - 28 June 1975
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature and praise for Laurens's writing, as well as Laurens to Hobart Lewis,
Reader's Digest: Professor C. A. Meier's praise for Jung and the story of our time and its possible publication (11 February 1975); Peter Alexander to Laurens, with reply from Laurens:
seeking his assistance in writing a biography of Roy Campbell (12, 27 May, 1 June 1975); Laurens to Peter Pears: outlining his proposed performance at the Aldeburgh Festival (12 May 1975); and Laurens to Coit Johnson: recommending Ian Player (13 May
1975)
1 file
VDP/A1/20 1 July - 18 December 1975
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature and praise for Laurens's writing, as well as Michael Herbert to Laurens: his proposed biography of William Plomer (12 July 1975); Ian Player to Laurens: Piet Koornhof's
appreciation of Laurens's Wilderness film, Player's impact in America, the lack of sensitivity towards conservation work in South Africa, and a Wilderness Awareness evening addressed by Chief Gatasha Buthelezi (26 July 1975); Laurens to
“Weary” Dunlop on his appreciation of Australia (4 August 1975); Piet Koornhof to Laurens: his appreciation of their friendship, apologising for not responding to his letters; and congratulating him on his Wilderness
film, with reply from Laurens (12, 18 August 1975); Laurens to the Chief Inspector of Taxes (with draft letter): his domicile status (24 August 1975); Piet Koornhof to Laurens: Laurens's son, John, and his potential employment, with enclosed note
from Dr Ampie Roux (10 December 1975); Jack Cope to Laurens: the difficulty of undertaking a biography of Roy Campbell (18 December 1975); and Charles Jansen to Laurens: Laurens's meeting with the Russian author Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn (23
March 1976)
1 file
VDP/A1/21 14 January - 16 December 1976
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature and praise for his writing (particularly
A mantis carol and Jung and the story of our time), as well as Laurens to Jack Lambert on the practice of open letters (2 March 1976); Ruth D. Lasseter to Laurens, Evelyn Ames to Laurens,
Wendy [?] to Laurens: praise for his Jung lectures (5 April, 3, 18 May 1976); Jack Cope to Laurens: the South African government's attempts to prevent publication of his work The dawn comes twice (23 April, 27 November
1976); Charles Jansen to Laurens: the possibility of Margaret Thatcher meeting Alexander Solzhenitsyn (5, 29 August 1976); Laurens to Mr Koven on the difficulty of writing an objective article on South Africa and the possibility of him doing so for
the Washington Post (9 November 1976); Laurens to Chris ?: claims to the Wolwekop farm (10 November 1976); Laurens to Lord Home: his meeting with Sir Anthony Duff on Rhodesia (9 December 1976); James Kirch to Laurens:
his conversation with Carl Jung in 1947 and Jung's remorse over his pre-war attitudes towards Jews (16 December 1976); Laurens to Professor Satoh inviting him to represent the Japanese at the forthcoming World Wilderness Conference (22 December
1976); and Laurens to James [?Kirch]: his conversation with Freddy Meier over his break with Carl Jung ([?1976])
1 file
VDP/A1/22 22 January - 30 June 1977
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature and praise for Laurens's writing, requests for lectures and articles, and, in particular, the publication of an article on the Union Castle Line, as well as Charles
Jansen to Laurens: his meeting with a Foreign Office official on the Rhodesian situation, and answering Laurens's frustrations on his (Laurens's) lack of political influence (22 January 1977); Sir Antony Duff (Deputy Under Secretary for Defence and
Intelligence) to Laurens: rejecting Laurens's claim that British troops should be sent to Rhodesia and suggesting that the Rhodesians should be in a position to decide on their own government (31 January 1977); Professor Takashi Satoh (Keio
University) to Laurens, Laurens to Mr Ishahara: Japanese representation at the forthcoming World Wilderness Conference (1, 14 February 1977); Jerry Korn (Time-Life Books Inc.) to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: copyright issues over the reuse of
material in Laurens's
African cooking book (3, 14 February 1977); Chris Plewman (Innes Chambers, Johannesburg) to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: the legal ownership of Wolwekop Farm (15, 21 February 1977); Laurens to Michael Siegel and
Michael Harro to Laurens: translation of his Jung book into German (18 February, 4 March 1977); rejecting the idea of a film on Maqubu Nthombela to be made for the Wilderness Conference (20 February 1977); Laurens to Kanwar Singh: inviting him to
attend the Wilderness Conference (22 February 1977); correspondence between Laurens and Johann van Zyl (Hermes Press): the translation of Heart of the hunter into Afrikaans (24 February, 28 March, 4 April 1977);
Laurens to Piet Koornhof: his frustration at the lack of willingness of the current British Government to listen to his (Laurens's) views on Rhodesia, his hopes that America will assist with the South African situation, and praise for the current
South African Prime Minister (2 March 1977); Laurens to Sir Antony Duff: requesting a meeting with Dr David Owen to discuss the South African situation (24 March 1977); Laurens to Piet Koornhof: his attempts to arrange a meeting with the Foreign
Office to discuss South Africa (28 March 1977); correspondence between Laurens, Jean Goodman and Angus Wilson: her distress at Laurens's inability to write an introduction for her manuscript on Edward Seago (23, 29, 30 March, 1, 6, 13 April 1977);
Laurens to Charles Jansen: his inability to influence the British Government on Rhodesia (3 April 1977); Laurens to Kay [?] (Washington Post): asking her to use her influence in securing a meeting for him with the
President of the United States and the Foreign Secretary (12 April 1977); Laurens to Piet Koornhof: wishing to arrange a private dinner for him with Margaret Thatcher (15 April 1977); Laurens to Piet Koornhof: Laurens's successful meeting with
Margaret Thatcher and his contacts during his American visit (4 May 1977); Laurens to David Owen: arrangements for a possible meeting to discuss Rhodesia and South Africa (11 May 1977); Charles Jansen to Laurens: the deterioration in the Rhodesian
situation, and Margaret Thatcher's poor management of Scottish devolution (18 May 1977); Laurens to Charles Douglas-Home and Laurens to Charles Jansen: his disappointing meeting with David Owen (18, 20 May 1977); Laurens to Charles Douglas-Home,
enclosing a letter to David Owen: setting out his current views on Rhodesia (23, 25 May 1977); Laurens to David Owen: his recent trip to South Africa which has not altered his political views (13 June 1977); and Laurens to Koornhof: description of
his meeting with American senior advisors to President Carter to discuss American foreign policy on South Africa (29 June 1977)
1 file
VDP/A1/23 4 July - 24 December 1977
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature and praise for Laurens's writing, in particular the publication of an article in
The Sunday Telegraph on the Union Castle Line, requests for lectures and articles, as well as Laurens to Piet Koornhof: his meeting in America concerning Rhodesian policy (9 July 1977); Laurens to David Owen: the
British and American policy in South Africa (8 August 1977); Collins Publishers to Laurens: a request from Michael Wood for an introduction to his book Go one extra mile (21 August 1977); an affidavit by Laurens
confirming his permanent residence in the United Kingdom (31 August 1977); Dr D. S. Henderson (Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University) to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: conferring the honorary degree of Doctor of Literature on Laurens (28
September, 7 October, 2 November 1977); Laurens to Peter Alexander on the relationship between Roy Campbell, Mary Campbell and William Plomer (10 December 1977); and Laurens to General van den Bergh and Laurens to Reinhold Cassiner: the situation in
South Africa and British policy (14, 19 December 1977)
1 file
VDP/A1/24 7 January - 23 December 1978
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature, the sale of Laurens's family farm in South Africa, and praise for his writing, as well as Laurens to L. Heren (
The Times): advising him on contacts to allow him to gain an in-depth knowledge of the situation in South Africa (26 January); H. Lindsay Smith to Laurens: his proposed book on apartheid, subsequently published as
The anatomy of apartheid: corruption of power (30 January); Laurens to R. Cassirer: advising him (Cassirer) on the libel action for treason brought against him by the South African government (22 February); Laurens to
the chairman of the Society of Authors: resigning his membership over the Society's decision to become a trade union (10 May); Laurens to Dr D. van Velden: his admiration for the Dutch civilians of the East Indies (31 May); Laurens to Peter [?]: his
frustration at the lack of progress of the filming of A story like the wind because of the political situation in South Africa (28 September); and Prof Kimiyoshi Yura to Laurens: the publication of a Japanese
translation of The Seed and the Sower (7 November)
1 file
VDP/A1/25 1 January - 27 December 1979
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature and praise for Laurens's writing, as well as Laurens to Diana Shine (Society of Authors), Peter Dickinson (Society of Authors) to Laurens on Laurens's decision to resign
from the Society of Authors over its unionisation (23 February, 6 March 1979); Ray Parkin to Laurens: his involvement in the Australian television series
This is your life for “Weary” Dunlop (1 July); Laurens to Vice President [?]: nominating Ian Player for the John and Alice Tyler Ecology Award ([?1979]; D. W. N. Kriek to Laurens:
Kriek's outrage at Lauren's description of his conduct in a report of No. 43 Special Mission (20 August, 10 October, 10 December); Laurens to the trustees of the Rhodes Scholarship Committee: nominating Johan Koornhof for a scholarship (25
September); David Wyllie to Laurens on his return to the POW camps in Jakarta, Indonesia, his appreciation of their friendship, asking Lauren's opinion on Margaret Thatcher, and news of Weary Dunlop's appearance on This is
your life (8 October); Laurens to Barbara [?], with reply from Barbara: Laurens's request as to whether Robert Redford could star in a film of his book The Seed and the sower (9, 18 October, 6, 19 November);
Laurens to Ray Parkin, with reply from Parkin: Weary Dunlop's visit to his home, urging him to complete his projected book on Captain Cook, and Jung's idea of God (9, 24 October); Laurens to Soedjatmoko: agreeing to be involved in a tribute to Sutan
Sjahrir, and the parallels between the situation in South Africa and Indonesia after the Second World War (16 October); C. F. Gresswell and P. P. Groat, Ministry of Defence, to Laurens, with draft reply from Laurens: the Ministry of Defence's
refusal to close his 1942 report “The story of No. 43 Special Mission” to the public (18, 23 October,10 December); Tom Bedford to Laurens (enclosing photocopies of newspaper cuttings): seeking Margaret Thatcher's
opinion on Britain's future sports policy with South Africa (27 November); and D. M. Devine, University of St. Andrews, to Laurens: wishing to confer upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (10 December); and a draft memo from Laurens to
Koornhof: the future of South Africa (1979)
1 file
VDP/A1/26 1 January - 23 June 1980
General correspondence, as well as other papers, mostly of a personal nature and praise for Laurens's writing, as well as Laurens to Piet Koornhof: his and the Conservative Party's immense gratitude towards Koornhof's efforts in the South African
government to end apartheid, his opinions on the forthcoming election in Rhodesia and the possibility of the Patriotic Front taking power, and news of his proposed new film on
The seed and the sower directed by Nagasi Oshima and potentially starring Robert Redford (1 January); correspondence between Laurens and P. P. Grant, Ministry of Defence: the controversy surrounding the Ministry of
Defence's decision to close his 1942 report “The story of No. 43 Special Mission” (1, 26, 28 March, 23, 29 May, 1, 4, 8 June); Laurens “to whom it may concern” to be filed with the 43
Special Mission report in order to exonerate D. W. N. Kriek (1 January); Laurens to D. W. N. Kriek, with reply from Kriek, defending himself against Kriek's accusations (1 January, 5 February); Laurens to Tom Bedford: the possibility of Margaret or
Dennis Thatcher meeting with Tom to discuss British sports policy towards South Africa (9 January); Laurens to Rowan Cronie, Deputy Minister of Agriculture: outlining a plan with the support of Prince Charles for governing Rhodesia (12 January);
Laurens to Barbara [?]: the potential involvement of Robert Redford to star in the film of The seed and the sower (15 January); correspondence between Peter Alexander and Laurens: the delay in the publication of his
biography on Roy Campbell because of potential libel from Roy's friends (16 January, 10, 22 April, 1 May); Barbara [?] to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: her disappointment with Oshima's script of the The seed and the
sower (13, 27 March, 22 April 1980); L. J. Robertson to Laurens: his investigations into resistance activity in Batavia during the Second World War (1 April 1980); Laurens to Piet Koornhof, Laurens to David Smith: the development of good
relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe (25 April); Laurens to Kuni Bingham (Oshima Productions): detailed description of his POW camp in Bandung (28 April) and Laurens to Piet Koornhof: the anti-apartheid feeling at the recent Wilderness
conference in Australia (20 June)
1 file
VDP/A1/27 4 July - 29 December 1980
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature and praise for Laurens's writing, as well as [?Tim Bruxner] (Leader of the Country Party, New South Wales) to Laurens: complaints against aboriginals for using public
gatherings to promote political campaigns, his opinion of Stephen [?Spender] and Carol Thatcher (7 July); correspondence between Charles Jansen and Laurens: Margaret Thatcher's influence in Europe (23, 28, 30 July, 3, 6 August); Laurens to Piet
Koornhof: his meeting with Margaret Thatcher and her increasing concerns over South Africa (2 September); Laurens to Michael Alexander (British diplomat), with additional draft copy: advice for Margaret Thatcher's speech in Bordeaux on Anglo-French
relations (3 September); Laurens to Michael Alexander: his discussion with David Smith in the Zimbabwe cabinet (9 September); Michael Alexander to Laurens: replying to his last two letters, Thatcher deciding not to use Laurens's material for her
speech, and seeking his advice on South Africa to be used in Thatcher's Guildhall speech (20 September); Laurens to Michael Alexander, the reaction to Thatcher's Bordeaux speech (27 September); Piet Koornhof to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: the
progress of South African reform (3, 18 October); Laurens to Michael Alexander: his thoughts on the situation in South Africa for Thatcher's speech (27 October); and Laurens to Robert [Redford]: working on a new book (19 November)
1 file
VDP/A1/28 January - 30 June 1981
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, rights and permissions for his books and films, and congratulations on his knighthood, as well as Laurens to Piet Koornhof (first page missing):
advising him to devise a constitution for South Africa to protect the rights of minorities, and his acceptance of his knighthood which would enable him to play a bigger role in South Africa (11 January); Peter Bevan to Laurens: his interest in
directing a film about Laurens's book
The night of the new moon (13 March); Laurens to John Leahy (High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to South Africa): thanking him for dinner, and his opinions on the recent election result in South Africa (5 May);
Laurens to Katherine Kidde (Ann Elmo Agency): Professor Meier's reputation (9 May); Laurens to Alan Furness (British Embassy in Djakarta), with reply from Furness: Laurens's role in Indonesia in the late 1940s, and authorisation to film in Java for
the adaptation of The night of the new moon (4 June 1981); Laurens to Piet Koornhof: South Africa's attitude to Namibia, the South African government's refusal to subsidise the Wilderness Leadership School in spite of
its positive reputation (10 June); and John Leahy to Laurens: his willingness to join the Wilderness Leadership School (30 June)
1 file
VDP/A1/29 2 July - 29 September 1981
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens and Ingaret to John Anthony Hardinge
Giffard (3rd Earl of Halsbury), with reply from Hardinge Giffard: his reasons for donating the family Bible to Prince Charles (13, 17 July); and Laurens to Jessica Douglas-Home: Peter Bevan's difficulties in getting permission to film in Java (2
September)
1 file
VDP/A1/30 7 October - 31 December 1981
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to Piet Koornhof: American policy towards
South Africa, the future of the Conservative Party and the Labour Party in Britain, Sadat's murder, progress in the filming of
A story like the wind and A far off place,and the effect of the Royal Wedding on the British public (7 October); Laurens to Rt Rev F. S. Allison (The Aldeburgh Society): the management of
the Lookout Tower in Aldeburgh (16 November); Laurens to Ian Player, with reply from Player: opinion on Mr Myburgh, and Koornhof ignoring his letters (24 November); Laurens to Charles Jansen: Winifred Rushforth's reaction to Margaret Thatcher and
her perceived lack of femininity, his views on the two-party British state (14 December); Laurens to Professor Johan Degenaar: the damage caused by the class system in Britain and South Africa (22 December); Laurens to Nigel Buxton (Sunday Telegraph): enclosing an article entitled “Travelling the high way of history” on a journey through Africa (29 December); and Laurens to Mrs Witt: the Queen's praise for Laurens during
the investiture ceremony (31 December)
1 file
VDP/A1/31 15 January - 27 December 1982
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to Tom Bedford: thanking Tom for his work
in selling the farm (19 May); and Alice Mertons to Laurens: congratulating him on being nominated as Prince William's godson, and the five-year drought affecting the bushmen (10 July)
1 file
VDP/A1/32 10 January - 28 April 1983
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Helene Jeanty-Raven to Laurens: her affection for
Laurens, and her work with refugees (12 April); Kimiyoshi Yura to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: criticism of Oshima and his attitude towards him during the making of
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (13, 25 April); Charles Jansen to Laurens: future of Gibraltar (18 April); Laurens to Nagisha Oshima: his gratitude towards Oshima for directing Merry Christmas Mr
Lawrence (25 April); and Laurens to Tom Bedford: the sale of the farm and the division of the funds among the family, Ian Player's appreciation of Jungian psychology, his appreciation of Merry Christmas Mr
Lawrence (29 April)
1 file
VDP/A1/33 2 May - 19 August 1983
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as David Wyllie to Laurens: his great affection for
Laurens and his inspirational encouragement while they were both imprisoned in the Japanese POW camp (2 May); Laurens to Lalage Waldman: the possibility of republishing Alan McGlashan's books but rejecting his proposal for Prince Charles to write a
preface (3 May); Laurens to Michael Power: criticism of Ghandi's conduct towards the British (6 May); Laurens to Rt Hon George Younger (Secretary of State for Scotland), with reply from Younger: inviting Younger to open the World Wilderness
Conference in Inverness in October (6 May); Laurens to Marietjie [?]: assuring her that the fate of Europeans in Zimbabwe following independence is being considered (9 May); Laurens to Winifred Rushforth: Prince Charles's appreciation of their
correspondence (16 May); Laurens to Godfrey Castle: thanking him for the work carried out on the Lookout tower in Aldeburgh (16 May); Harvey Ginsberg (William Morrow & Company) to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: the international acclaim for
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (16 May, 2 June); and Laurens to Natalia Dmitrievna Solzehnitsyn (wife of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn): assuring her that he will pass on her husband's information to Margaret Thatcher, and their
meeting with the archbishop of Canterbury, Prince Charles and Princess Diana (28 July)
1 file
VDP/A1/34 7 September - 29 December 1983
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Lady Sylvia Sayer to Margaret Thatcher: calling on
her to reverse the Government's decision to decline to fund the World Wilderness Congress (7 September); Nagisha Oshima to Laurens: thanking him for all his work in promoting
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (30 September); and Robin Brown (Central Television) to Laurens, enclosing a letter to Robert Redford: the making of a programme entitled “Star safari”
involving Redford and Laurens (25 October)
1 file
VDP/A1/35 3 January - 30 June 1984
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to Ella Bedford, Laurens to Marjorie van
der Post: John's deteriorating health (4, 12 January); and Laurens to R. Pickholz (William Morrow): thanking for sending books to Prince Charles (12 January).
Most of the letters in this file concern the death of Laurens's son, John
1 file
VDP/A1/36 5 July - 29 September 1984
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to Charles Jansen: his wish not to write
introductions to books by other authors, and his wish to withdraw from political questions (28 July); John Charlton (Chatto & Windus/The Hogarth Press) to Laurens: the possibility of a collected edition of Laurens's works (3 September); and
Laurens to Charles [?]: his frustration with the current course of government in South Africa which is becoming more authoritarian (14 September)
1 file
VDP/A1/37 2 October - 27 December 1984
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to Dr Dieter Baumann (Jung Institute):
offering him a Wilderness tour (19 November); Laurens to Lawrence Hughes (William Morrow): and David Bowie's portrayal of him in
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (22 November)
1 file
VDP/A1/38 1 January - 26 March 1985
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to Theodor Abt: praise for analytical
psychology, and recommending Dr Ian McCallum as a rising Jungian psychologist (10 March); and Laurens to David C. Smith: praising Smith for his work in Zimbabwe, and his declining interest in politics (12 March)
1 file
VDP/A1/39 7 April - 28 June 1985
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to Richard Thomas (Simkins Partnership):
the possibility of working with Steven Spielberg on his film and Spielberg's appreciation of Laurens's books (4 June); M. P. Moberly (publisher for the University of Natal Press) to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: the republication of the first
three issues of
Voorslag (4 June, 2 July), and Julia Hobsbawm (Penguin Books) to Laurens: the impending publication of Testament to the bushmen (27 June)
1 file
VDP/A1/40 1 July - 29 September 1985
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Roger Williams (
Cape Times) to Terence [?]: commenting on the South African government's recent directive to council librarians not to purchase any more South African literary works (12 August); Ronald MacDonald (MacDonald, Boag &
Co) to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: seeking further information on the Japanese intentions for POWs in their hands (11 September); Frank McMillan to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: the establishment of a Jungian Centre in South Africa (12, 23
September); Vance G. Martin (President of the International Wilderness Leadership Foundation) to Laurens: a possible breakthrough for the organisation in America (12 September); Laurens to Charles Jansen: the distorted image of South Africa
portrayed in the British media (13 September); Laurens to Mr Lanzing: information on his father during his incarceration in the Bandung camp in WW2 (16 September); Laurens to Peter Alexander (Department of English, University of New South Wales):
his letters from William Plomer including his declining friendship with Enslin du Plessis and Edward Wolfe towards the end of his life (18 September); Laurens to Bernie [?]: the psychological difficulties of former POWs (18 September); and Laurens
to Nick [?]: his friendship with “Weary” Dunlop (18 September)
1 file
VDP/A1/41 1 October - 20 December 1985
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Jillian Becher to Laurens, with reply from
Laurens: her plan to form a committee to assist in the reform of South Africa (14, 21 October); Laurens to Mesayuki Sato: his conflicted opinion over
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (15 October); Laurens to Vine Deloria: outlining his thoughts on the subject of Jung and primitive man (6 November); Laurens to John Dale: denying certain facts about his relationship with
Prince Charles and an alleged trip to Ghana (14 November); Laurens to Peter Alexander: Plomer's relationship with Captain Mori and criticism by his friends of Plomer's book on Cecil Rhodes (17 November); Laurens to Ray Parkin: praise for the
drawings he made in the POW camp (17 November); Laurens to Tobina Johnson: advising her to choose the Jungian Centre in Zurich (27 November); Laurens to David [Smith]: his work with the Spielberg company on his new film of his two books
A story like the wind and A far off place and the potential for it to be shot in Zimbabwe (5 December); and Laurens to George [?]: the success of A matter of
heart, his rejection of Sting and his music (9 December)
1 file
VDP/A1/42 8 January - 28 June 1986
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to David [?Smith]: criticism of Tony
Wilson's involvement (6 March); Lord Chelwood to Laurens: the debate on South Africa in the House of Lords, enclosing a printed transcript (19 May); Sylvester Stein to Laurens: enclosing a copy of a photograph of Laurens, Leonard Landau and Eric
Halm from 1929 ([?20 May); Laurens to Harry [?Oppenheimer]: his opinion of Jungians (18 June); Laurens to John [?] (Chatto & Windus): the possibility of serialising the
A walk with A white bushman (18 June); and Laurens to Captain G. V. Phippen: his friendship with Frank Debenham (Robert Falcon Scott's geologist) (19 June)
1 file
VDP/A1/43 1 July - 24 December 1986
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to Kay Graham (
Washington Post): seeking support for the Polish dissident Radek Sikorski (7 July 1986); Laurens to Ellie [?]: his views on sanctions against South Africa (7 July); Bernie Weller to Laurens: his appreciation of
Laurens's help during their incarceration at Bandung camp (?November); Tom Bedford to Senator William Bradley: outlining the situation in South Africa (30 November); Laurens to the editor of the Sunday Telegraph:
defending his opinion of Bishop Tutu and William Golding (5 December); and Laurens to John Charlton (Hogarth Press): rejection of the idea of an extended version of In a province (24 December)
1 file
VDP/A1/44 7 January - 24 December 1987
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to Eric Bevington: agreeing with
Bevington's pro-Empire views (7 January); Laurens to Piet and Lulu [Koornhof]: the difficulties he is having filming in South Africa because of Hollywood's attitude towards the country, seeking help for T. C. Robinson, and his advice to Margaret
Thatcher over South Africa (22 February, 8 July); Tony Selina to Laurens: the editorial errors in
Jung and the story of our time and his offer to assist (22 March); Tom Bedford to Senator William Bradley, with reply: his meeting with Paul Simon and Bill Gray on lifting sanctions against South Africa (21 April, 15
May); Laurens to John Marshall: seeking actors to play a bushman and a young lady for the filming of A story like the Wind and A far off place (11 May); and Laurens to Kimiyoshi Yura: the
impact of Japan on his life (3 November); Ron Bryer to Laurens: his memories of the Bandung camp (24 December)
1 file
VDP/A1/45 6 January - 26 March 1988
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to Alec [?]: his experience of meeting
Hottentots in the Kalahari in 1951 (14 January 1988); Alice Mertens to Laurens: the serious illness of the author, Olga Levinson (14 January); Laurens to Barbara Maltby: criticism of
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence and his belief that Robert Redford could have improved the film (14 January); Laurens to Harry Oppenheimer: his memories of Roy Campbell and comments on a poem (25 January); Laurens to Ian
Player: his inability to support an Africa Foundation (22 February); and Laurens to Michael Rattray: his meeting with Stephen Spielberg to direct his film (22 March)
1 file
VDP/A1/46 2 April - 30 June 1988
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as David Rosen to Laurens, with reply: the death of
Frank McMillan and the decision to endow a lecture series in Analytical Psychology at the Texas A&M University (14, 22 April); [?] to Laurens: Ingaret's aggressive outburst (16 April); Edmund L de. Rothschild to Laurens, and Laurens to the
Chairman of the Tyler Selection Committee: nominating Ian Player for the Tyler Award (19 May); Charles Jansen to Laurens: his appreciation of Margaret Thatcher's speech to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (25 May); Laurens to Arianne
[?]: his opinions on Picasso (28 May)
1 file
VDP/A1/47 1 July - 30 September 1988
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to Mervyn Horder: commenting on William
Plomer's novel
Curious relations and Tony Butts's influence on it (1 July); Mary Johnston to Laurens: her brother's (Luke Johnston's) interview with Adolf Hitler and his subsequent disappearance (2 July); Laurens to L. J. Robertson:
his wish to write a history of Special Mission 43 to vindicate himself from criticisms made against his conduct (29 July); Laurens to Ian Player, Laurens to Valerie Eliot: the charge against Jung of anti-Semitism (15, 17 August); Laurens to John
Charlton, with reply: Laurens's willingness to allow Christopher Booker to write his autobiography (20, 25 August); and John [?] to Senator W. Bradley: urging him not to support a Bill imposing economic sanctions on South Africa (29 August)
1 file
VDP/A1/48 3 October - 26 December 1988
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to D. S. Troller (Television Allemande
ZDF) on arrangements for the filming trip to the Kalahari (4 October); Laurens to Johan and Jetty [?]: the furore caused by Laurens's role in the decision of the first Central News Agency Literary Awards to offer prizes to black writers in South
Africa, as well as his relationship with Opperman (6 October); notes by Jane Brewster (in manuscript with typescript transcript) concerning attempts by the daughter of Bonny Baker and journalists to corner Laurens at Johannesburg Airport concerning
allegations that Laurens was her father, the
Mail on Sunday's threat to print the story, and Ian Gow acting as solicitor (21-22 October); Lesley Beake (Historical Writer and Researcher) to Mrs Mostart: court cases involving the Baker family (1 November); Ian Gow
(M.P. and solicitor) to Laurens: enclosing a statement on the Baker allegations in case of publication of the story by the Mail on Sunday, and suggesting that he (Gow) will not approach the newspaper directly over the
matter (7 November); Laurens to Charles Powell: his impressions of his recent journey to the Kalahari Desert (11 November); and Ian Gow to Laurens: advice on how to deal with the press [over the Baker allegations] (16 November)
1 file
VDP/A1/49 3 January - 31 March 1989
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as John McArdle to Laurens: his wish to get Laurens's
boyhood home in Philippolis registered as a national monument through the South African National Monuments Council (3 January); Laurens to Ian Player: suggesting he and the Wilderness Foundation arrange a meeting with Buthelezi (18 January); Laurens
to Charles Wilson (Editor of
The Times), Laurens to Carmen Blacker: the BBC's treatment of Emperor Hirohito's legacy (23 January); Laurens to Professor & Mrs J. Degenaar: his difficulty in simplifying his life, and news of Frances Baruch and
Julian David (1 February; Laurens to Ian Player: praising him for his obituary of T. C. Robertson (1 February); Yehudi Menuhin to Laurens: his memories of the attitude of Jews during the Second World War (7 February); Laurens to George Troller:
criticism of his treatment of Ingaret in his recent biopic of Laurens's life (8 February); Laurens to John McArdle: his family home in Philippolis (19 February); and Laurens to “Weary” Dunlop: his lack of resentment
towards the Japanese for his treatment during the Second World War (23 February)
1 file
VDP/A1/50 3 April - 28 June 1989
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to Jessica Douglas-Home: the media
portrayal of the situation in Russia and Gorbachev's role (25 April); David Smith to Laurens: Margaret Thatcher's visit to Zimbabwe (8 May); and Frank McMillan to Laurens: his willingness to undertake a Wilderness trek, reaffirming his pledge to
assist with financing the Jungian Foundation in South Africa (22 May)
1 file
VDP/A1/51 4 July - 30 September 1989
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Auberon Waugh (editor of the
Literary Review) to John Charlton: his regret that Wallace Arnold's article on Val Hennessy had upset Ingaret (8 July); Laurens to Oliver Bernier (President of the Ann & Erlo van Waveren Foundation): thanking him
for his donation to the Cape of Good Hope Centre for Jungian Studies (10 July); Ian Gow to Laurens: agreeing to act as executor of his (Laurens's will), and offering to arrange a private meeting with Margaret Thatcher (19 July); Laurens to Ian Gow:
his view that Margaret Thatcher should be influenced by Buthelezi's vision for South Africa (26 July); Martin T. Mosebury Smith to the editor of the Economist: defending Laurens against attacks by the paper that he is
a “quasi-mystic” (3 August 1989); Laurens to Bob and Carole [?]: his excitement on hearing the news of President Bush's proposed plan for a manned station on Mars (3 August); P. Koornhof (South African Ambassador) to
Laurens: the rejection of Laurens's application for the Cape of Good Hope Centre for Jungian Studies to receive charitable status (7 August); Laurens to Margaret Finley (secretary to Ian Gow): wishing to arrange a meeting with Gatsha Buthelezi (24
August); Laurens to Alan Tindell: outlining his plans for the Centre for Jungian Studies and seeking his support for the venture (26 August 1989); Laurens to Jonathan [?]: his views on the media portrayal of Japan (26 August); Laurens to Christopher
K. Mitchell-Heggs: the plight of the bushmen (14 September); Laurens to H. Luckhoff: has passed Luckhoff's information on the situation in Namibia to Margaret Thatcher (26 September)
1 file
VDP/A1/52 2 October - 31 December 1989
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as John McArdle to Laurens: the Council's rejection
of his application for Lauren's family home in Philippolis to be listed as a national monument (6 November)
Also including draft correspondence and other undated letters, probably from the 1980s at the end of the file
1 file
VDP/A1/53 2 January - 30 March 1990
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as R. Berington to Laurens: Laurens's wish for a
re-assessment of the legacy of the British Empire (15 January); Laurens to John McArdle: memories of his father and early family life in Philippolis (23 January); Laurens to David Smith: his preference for working with Disney rather than Warner
Brothers on filming
A far off place (24 January); Laurens to Piet Koornhof: seeking charitable status for the Centre for Jungian Studies at the Cape (21 February); and Laurens to Charles [Wilson] (former editor of The Times): his admiration for Charles's success in removing the influence of the trade unions from the newspaper (14 March)
1 file
VDP/A1/54 3 April - 29 June 1990
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to Tobie Botha: the future of South Africa
and criticism of the vision of [?Nelson Mandela] (17 May); Laurens to Wilfred Thesiger (explorer): memories of their time together in Abyssinia during the Second World War (30 May); Laurens to Eric Demole (Hentsche & Cie): seeking a bank loan to
purchase a property in the Cape for the Centre for Jungian Studies (2 June); S. Houghton (Director of the National Monuments Council of South Africa) to John McArdle: agreement on submitting an application to the Minister of National Education for
Lauren's former home in Philippolis to be recognised as a national monument (21 June); and Laurens to Peter Westamacott (Prince of Wales's Office): horrified that Bob Hinshaw has made a request to Prince Charles (for a contribution to
The rock rabbit and the rainbow) without his knowledge and advising him (Westamacott) to reject the request (29 June)
1 file
VDP/A1/55 2 July - 29 September 1990
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to Tom Bedford (draft): their close
relationship ([?July]); Laurens to Tom Bedford: the situation in South Africa and his unwillingness to interfere in affairs (12 July); Kenneth Clarke to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: informing him of the decision to withdraw from the plan to
close Cassel Hospital (30 July, 1 August); Ronald Cohen to Laurens: agreeing to fund the Jungian Centre in spite of an improper approach (9 August); Laurens to Rt Hon Enos J. Mabuza: the lack of idealism in perceptions of South Africa's future and
his disappointment with Nelson Mandela's conduct (11 August); and Laurens to John McArdle: his memories of his childhood in Philippolis (16 September)
1 file
VDP/A1/56 4 October - [December] 1990
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to Satoko and Laurens to Nagisa Oshima:
asking whether he will be present at a specially-invited party to meet Charles Prince of Wales during his tour to Japan (6 October); Laurens to Jessica Douglas-Home: the renewed interest of Eastern European countries towards Carl Jung (24 October);
Laurens to John McArdle: heavily critical of Peter Alexander's biography of William Plomer (24 October); and Sally Frost (T. C. Robertson Trust) to Laurens: enclosing her article on Laurens's friendship with T. C. Robertson ([December])
1 file
VDP/A1/57 3 January - 29 April 1991
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to [?]: his visit to South Africa,
delivering speeches on radio and television on the future constitution of South Africa, and his impressions of the development of the Centre of Jungian Studies (9 January); Laurens to Ian Player: his thoughts on Prince Charles's destiny (14
January); Laurens to Sister Ella Mary: his opinion that the Gulf War will be a short-lived affair and not a sign of armageddon (28 January 1991); Laurens to Piet Koornhof: suggesting that an approach to Margaret Thatcher to visit South African would
not be advisable until the present Prime Minister (John Major) has visited the country (4 February); Keith Banton to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: thanking Laurens for the support he gave to his father during his incarceration in the Japanese
POW camp in Bandung (14 February); Laurens to “Weary” Dunlop, with reply from Dunlop: his impressions of the Gulf War (26 February, 8 March); Charles Jansen to Laurens: the visit of Dmitri Volkogonov (biographer of
Stalin) to his home, his hope that “Maggie” (Margaret Thatcher) will not make disparaging remarks about the French and Germans, criticism of Jacques Delors, and suggesting that Thatcher should not involve herself in
European questions (12 March); and Laurens to Armen: his hope that he can spend time with Prince Charles at Balmoral (30 March)
1 file
VDP/A1/58 5 May - August 1991
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, as well as Laurens to Hans Dahm, Laurens to Leni Reuteler:
his desire to move to Switzerland (18, 19 May); Joe Morley to Laurens: his memories of the Bandung POW camp (21 May); Laurens to Julian: the latest developments with the Jungian Centre (26 May); Laurens to Caroline Fay: the launch of the Laurens van
der Post Foundation (3 July); Laurens to John and Jetty: Margaret Thatcher's visit to South Africa and the anti-Thatcherite view of the press (July); and Jim Banton to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: his memories of the Bandung POW camp (14, 19
August)
1 file
VDP/A1/59 3 September - 31 December 1991
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, the establishment and management of the Centre for Jungian
Studies, as well as Laurens to John McArdle: criticism of Peter Alexander's biography of William Plomer (24 October); and Laurens to Ray Parkin, with reply from Parkin: news of former POWs from the Bandung camp (26 October, 26 November 1991)
1 file
VDP/A1/60 2 January - 31 March 1992
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing (particularly
About blady), requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, the establishment and management of the Centre for Jungian Studies and his foundational work, as well as Laurens to Jetty
and Johan [?]: his pessimism over the proposed future model of government for South Africa (2 January); Roger Mear to Laurens, George Wagner to Laurens: agreeing to become a trustee of the Laurens van der Post Foundation for the Advancement of the
Humanities (21 January, 16 February); Laurens to Helene de Kok: describing his recent visit to his childhood home in Philippolis (25 January); Laurens to Robin Page: outlining his thoughts on the anti-hunting campaign (3 February); memo by Laurens
on his Advent sermon at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York on stories and parables (7 March); Laurens to Paul Vogt: their first meeting during the Second World War (22 March); Laurens to Johan and Jetty [?]: the referendum result in
South Africa (24 March); Laurens to Eva Monley: the left-wing bias in the coverage of the upcoming General Election (26 March); and Laurens to Rosemary [?Hart]: his opinion of the Nobel Prize (28 March)
1 file
VDP/A1/61 2 April - 30 June 1992
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing (particularly
About blady), requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, the establishment and management of the Centre for Jungian Studies and his foundational work, as well as Laurens to
Charles [Jansen], with reply from Jansen: thoughts on Scottish independence (2, 8 April); and Laurens to Carmen [?]: his thoughts on The Odyssey (6 June)
1 file
VDP/A1/62 1 July - 27 September 1992
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing (particularly
About blady), requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, the establishment and management of the Centre for Jungian Studies and his foundational work, as well as Laurens to
Commander Richard Aylward (Office of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales): recommending Thor Heyerdahl (3 July); the influence of New Harmony in his letter to David Owen during the Rhodesian crisis, his current foundational work, and his sermon at the
Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York (10 July); and correspondence between Jennifer Carden (neé France), Kate McCall, and Laurens: Laurens's claim in a radio broadcast (The art of travel) that both Jennifer and
her mother were dead (20, 31 July, 5 August)
1 file
VDP/A1/63 1 October - 30 December 1992
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing (particularly
About blady), requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, the establishment and management of the Centre for Jungian Studies, his foundational work, and the sale of Turnstones, as
well as Laurens to Nicholas Slabbert: his wish not to associate himself with South African universities owing to their attitude towards apartheid (25 November); Laurens to “Weary” Dunlop: news of old friends (14
December)
1 file
VDP/A1/64 1 January - 27 March 1993
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, the establishment and management of the Centre for Jungian
Studies, and his foundational work, as well as Laurens to Col. Raden A. K. Widjojoatmodjo: his memories of the post-war situation in Java and the contemporary indifference towards their place in history (1 January); Laurens to Jillian [?]: his
memories of Roy Campbell and Alan Paton (7 January); Laurens to J. D. F. Jones: his willingness to consider Jones writing his autobiography (12 January); Laurens to “Weary” Dunlop: his hopes that he could help him to
be introduced to Rupert Murdoch, and the interest shown by television producers to documentaries about the 1960s and 1970s rather than the Second World War (12 January); “Weary” Dunlop to Rupert Murdoch: introducing
Laurens (21 January 1993); Laurens to Rupert Murdoch, with reply from Murdoch: wishing to arrange a meeting (26 January, 11, 18 February); Laurens to Merrill Ford: involvement of Prince Charles with Aspen (6 March); and Jenner Roth to Laurens:
thanking him for becoming a patron of the Spectrum Incest Intervention Project (11 March)
1 file
VDP/A1/65 3 April - 29 June 1993
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, the establishment and management of the Centre for Jungian
Studies, and his foundational work
1 file
VDP/A1/66 1 July - 29 September 1993
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, the establishment and management of the Centre for Jungian
Studies, and his foundational work, as well as Laurens to Jeremy Ratcliffe: his work with Prince Charles on revolutionising business ethics ([?July]]); Laurens to Charles [?Jansen], Ray Parkin to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: the death of
“Weary” Dunlop (3, 4, 8 July); Laurens to Ted Hughes: thanking him for sending his book on Shakespeare (7 July); Laurens to Harry Oppenheimer: Roy Campbell's assistance towards him in his younger days (26 July);
Laurens to Anton Rupert: his preparatory work in Washington on the South African situation, the pro-Mandela feeling in Washington, and his view that elections should not be called in the country until violence had been quelled (6 August); Laurens to
Valerie Elliot: his appreciation of her late husband's poem
The Wasteland (12 August); Laurens to General Constand Vilijoen: wishing to arrange a meeting to discuss “Afrikanerdom and the future” Ean Begg to Laurens, enclosing a letter to the
editor of the Sunday Telegraph, Michael Loewe to the editor of the Sunday Telegraph, with replies from Laurens: criticism of his treatment during an interview with Naim Atallah for the
newspaper (12, 22 September);
1 file
VDP/A1/67 2 October - 30 December 1993
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, the establishment and management of the Centre for Jungian
Studies, and his foundational work, as well as Laurens to Johan and Jetty Degenaar: criticism of de Klerk's policy in South Africa (3 October); Laurens to J. A. Volsteedt: his affinity towards Grey College in Bloemfontein (25 October); copy of a fax
from Ian Player to Buthelezi: the death of the conservationist Qumbu Magqubu Ntombela (27 October); Christopher K. Mitchell-Heggs to Laurens: Laurens's support for a rapprochement between the Commonwealth and the EEC (5 November 1993); Laurens to
Anton Rupert: his disillusionment with the progress of the constitutional debates in South Africa (6 November); Laurens to Michael G. Lemle: criticism of Nelson Mandela (8 November); and Laurens to John and Jetty Degenaar: his poor opinion of South
African leaders and their vision for South Africa (10 November)
1 file
VDP/A1/68 2 January - 31 March 1994
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, the establishment and management of the Centre for Jungian
Studies, and his foundational work, as well as Laurens to Jeremy Ratcliffe: the impact on business from political developments in South Africa (4 February); and Laurens to Rt Hon David Howell, with reply from Howell: de Klerk and Mandela's refusal
to accept a federal constitution for South Africa, the increase in (under reported) violence in the townships, and criticism of the Foreign Office's pressing of Gatsha Buthelezi to join de Klerk and Mandela (24 February, 1 March)
1 file
VDP/A1/69 2 April - 30 June 1994
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, the establishment and management of the Centre for Jungian
Studies, and his foundational work, as well as Laurens to Janet Campbell: his recent holiday with Prince Charles at Balmoral (21 April); Brian Hitchen, editor of the
Daily Star, to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: on his newspaper's support for Laurens's anti-Mandela views (21, 23 April); Laurens to C. A. Meier: his distancing of the situation in South Africa (22 April) and
Laurens to Johan [Degenaar]: and his dislike of the Common Market and his wish to withdraw from the European Union, and his disillusionment with the situation in South Africa (2 May)
1 file
VDP/A1/70 1 July - 30 September 1994
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, the establishment and management of the Centre for Jungian
Studies, and his foundational work, as well as Laurens to Christine Cheston: the story of how he met her mother in the Japanese POW camp (6 July); Laurens to Akiko Toda: his unwillingness to blame the Japanese for their treatment of him during the
Second World War (18 August); and Laurens to Peter Alexander: rejecting a biography of him until after his death (19 September)
1 file
VDP/A1/71 1 October - 24 December 1994
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, rights and permissions for his books and films, the establishment and management of the Centre for Jungian
Studies, and his foundational work, as well as Laurens to Mary Royds: his withdrawal from his involvement in South African affairs (22 October); and David Scourfield to Laurens: the possibility of Laurens's archive being deposited with the
University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg (30 October), with reply from Laurens rejecting this request because his papers have been pledged to his Foundations (11 November); David Lloyd to Laurens, with reply from Laurens: criticisms of Lauren's
works amongst academics for supporting colonial values (November & 1 December 1994)
1 file
VDP/A1/72 2 January - 31 March 1995
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, arrangements for his Honorary Degree at the University of Calgary, the establishment and management of the
Centre for Jungian Studies, and his foundational work, as well as Laurens to General Constand Vilijoen: wanting to unite against the ANC, focussing on the concept of Afrikanerdom, the need to achieve the support of the middle classes and the black
people of South Africa, and suggesting that he threatens to pull out of the process if a Bill of Rights is not forthcoming (11 January); Laurens to Sheila C. Scholten: Anna Campbell's complaints that Roy Campbell and William Plomer are no longer
remembered (17 January); Enos Mabuza to Laurens: the atmosphere of optimism in South Africa since the elections of April 1994 and praise for the Government of National Unity, and his work in the corporate sector (particularly in overcoming
anti-black prejudice amongst the directors) (25 January); Rupert van der Post to Laurens: Marjorie's funeral (29 January); Laurens to Constand Vilijoen: the lack of understanding of democracy in South Africa, the need for international mediation in
solving its problems, warning against fighting the Zulus, and urging a reapproachment with Gatsha Buthelezi (12-13 March); and Laurens to Constand Vilijoen: the conflict between Buthelezi and Mandela, the solemn pledges made by Mandela and de Klerk,
Margaret Thatcher's support for the role of international mediation (28 March)
1 file
VDP/A1/73 1 April - 29 June 1995
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, his Honorary Degree at the University of Calgary, the establishment and management of the Centre for Jungian
Studies, and his foundational work, as well as Laurens to Bill [?]: his opinion on the decline of gentleman's clubs (1 April); and Laurens to John Aspinall: urging international mediation to resolve the situation in South Africa (29 April 1995);
1 file
VDP/A1/74 1 July - 30 September 1995
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, the establishment and management of the Centre for Jungian Studies, and his foundational work, as well as
Laurens to Jessica Search: the influence of Japanese Noh plays on Benjamin Britten's opera
Curlew river (1 July); Laurens to Augusta Volz-Renault, with replies: Laurens's experience of visiting the women's camps in Java after the Second World War (3, 16, 22 August, 8 September); Laurens to Very Rev James
Parks Morton (Dean of the Cathedral Church of St John the Divine, New York): arrangements for a sculpture exhibition curated by Frances Baruch to be displayed in the Cathedral, and the possibility of arranging for Prince Charles to speak at the
Cathedral (4 August); John Aspinall to Laurens: asking Laurens to use his influence to ensure that a Zulu imbizo organised by Gatsha Buthelezi will be impartially covered by the British press (8 August); Laurens to Natasha Litvin: Stephen Spender's
death (9 August); Laurens to Jean-Marc Pottiez: the publication of The admiral's baby and his role in Indonesia (26 August); Laurens to Morton: Laurens's disappointment that Prince Charles will not be able to visit the
Cathedral Church of St John the Divine (28 August); Laurens to Lady Spender: wishing to attend Stephen's memorial service (August)
1 file
VDP/A1/75 2 October - 31 December 1995
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, the establishment and management of the Centre for Jungian Studies, and arrangements for his advent sermon at
the Cathedral Church of St John the Divine, as well as Laurens to Mark Ingle: description of his childhood home (12 October); Laurens to Joan Meiler: the death of Carl Alfred Meier (17 November); and Laurens to Fred van der Post: family history (23
November)
1 file
VDP/A1/76 1 January - 28 February 1996
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, and his foundation work, as well as Professor J. H. D. Schourfield (University of Witwatersrand,
Johannesburg) to Laurens, with reply: controversy surrounding the appointment of William Makgoba to the post of Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University and his incompetence (1, 13 January); Enos J. Mabuza to Laurens: his work in the corporate
sector and the work of the National Economic, Development and Labour Council in South Africa, praise for Nelson Mandela and his advisors in uniting the country, his appointment as chairman of the National Parks Board (19 January); Natasha Litvin to
Laurens, with reply from Laurens: memories of her late husband, Stephen (Spender) (22, 24 January); Laurens to Richard Addis: declining Richard's request to help in revitalising the
Daily Express (3 February); and Laurens to Johan Volsteedt (headmaster of Grey College): his appreciation for his old school (28 February)
1 file
VDP/A1/77 4 March - 30 April 1996
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, preparations for attending a Laurens van der Post Film Festival in Boulder, the publication of
The admiral's baby, and his foundation work, as well as Laurens to Very Rev James Parks Morton: on Morton's resignation as dean of the Cathedral Church of St John the Divine (4 March); Laurens to Prof Johan and Mrs
Degenaar: his dependancy over the future situation in South Africa, criticism of de Klerk's leadership, and his opinion of Constand Vilijoen (19 March); Laurens to Lord Rees-Mogg, with reply from Rees-Mogg: criticism of Princess Diana's television
interview (21 March); and Laurens to Prof Johan and Mrs Degenaar: criticism of Andre Brink's treatment of Ingrid Jonker (15 April)
1 file
VDP/A1/78 1 May - 29 June 1996
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, preparations for attending a Laurens van der Post Film Festival in Boulder, the publication of
The admiral's baby, his campaign to save the bushmen from extinction, and his foundation work, as well as Very Rev James Parks Morton to Laurens: arrangements for Laurens's advent sermon and his hope that Prince
Charles will also be able to attend (4 June); Laurens to Richard Addis: praise for the Daily Express's anti-Common Market attitude (6 June); and Laurens to Gopal Ghandi (High Commission of India): a possible meeting
with Mangosuthu Buthelezi (11 June)
1 file
VDP/A1/79 1 July - 31 August 1996
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, preparations for attending a Laurens van der Post Film Festival in Boulder, the publication of
The admiral's baby, his campaign to save the bushmen from extinction, and his foundation work, as well as Laurens to William [?Nightingale]: Edward Nightingale's death (3 July); Laurens to Mark Ingle: memories of his
childhood home in Philippolis (9 July); Laurens to Christer Salen: the success of the Wilderness Foundation in their campaign against Rio Tinto Zinc's attempt to commence open-cast mining in KwaZulu-Natal (12 July); Laurens to Charles Jansen:
completing The admiral's baby, criticism of the commercial publishing market, the success of the Wilderness Foundation in their campaign against Rio Tinto Zinc's attempt to commence open-cast mining in KwaZulu-Natal,
and the Botswana government's attempt to eradicate the bushmen (18 July); Laurens to Prof Johan and Mrs Degenaar: praising Ingrid Jonker, the “sickening ” fawning over Nelson Mandela during his recent state visit to
the UK (13 August); and memorandum from Laurens to [?]: payment of John Harbottle's medical expenses in Germany, Botswana's attitude to the bushmen, criticism of Mandela's leadership in South Africa, praise for Buthelezi, de Klerk and the Truth
Commission, and Princess Diana's effect on women (21 August)
1 file
VDP/A1/80 1 September - 31 October 1996
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, the Laurens van der Post Film Festival in Boulder, the publication, book launch and reception of
The admiral's baby, and his foundation work, as well as Laurens to Suzanne Gorman, arrangements for a lecture to the Prince of Wales's Institute of Architecture (4 September); Lord Pearson of Rannoch to Laurens: his
role in the bushmen campaign (5 September); Laurens to Mark Ingle: Lucia's appreciation of Africa and her wish to retire there (9 September); Laurens to Mrs Smith: the death of her husband, David (9 September); Laurens to Johan and Jetty: his
opinion of Jan Rabie, Jack Cope's relationship with Ingrid Jonker, and Andre Brink (14 September); Laurens to Morne Maree: the writer's fear of completing a book (18 September); Ean Begg to Laurens, enclosing a printed letter to the editor of the
Evening Standard, with reply from Laurens: A. N. Wilson's attack on Laurens (25 September, 2 October); Michael Long to Laurens: memorial to Edward “Weary” Dunlop in Benalla (1 October);
and Laurens to Richard Addis (editor of the Daily Express: criticism of the publication of an interview with him (2 October)
1 file
VDP/A1/81 1 - 30 November 1996
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, praise for Laurens's writing, requests for interviews and talks, the Laurens van der Post Film Festival in Boulder, the reception of
The admiral's baby, and his foundation work, as well as Laurens to the Very Revd James Morton: his inability to deliver his annual advent sermon (6 November); and W. S. Atkinson to A. N. Wilson: Wilson's attack on
Laurens (11 November)
1 file
VDP/A1/82 4 December 1996 - 16 September 1998
General correspondence, with other papers, mostly of a personal nature, birthday greetings for his 90th birthday, and Christmas cards, as well as Laurens to Very Revd James Morton: confirming his inability to deliver his annual advent sermon (9
December)
Laurens died on 16th December 1996. Two letters, dated 10 May 1997 and 16 September 1998 were sent to Laurens by correspondents unaware of his passing.
1 file
VDP/A1/83 [?1950 x 1996]
Letters with missing pages, mostly undated and unidentifiable
1 file
(b) Correspondent
This section includes letters to and from notable individuals close to Laurens. It also includes some correspondence from others relating to these individuals. For general correspondence from other individuals, see VDP/A1
VDP/A2/1 13 May 1985 - 9 November 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and Dr Theodor Abt (b1947), psychologist, including Laurens's translation of Abt's works into English, and assistance with various philanthropic projects
1 file
VDP/A2/2 16 May 1966 - 18 January 1985
Letters from Frances Baruch (b1936), sculptor, to Laurens mostly of a personal nature describing her affection for him
1 file
VDP/A2/3/1-39 14 October 1983 – 2 November 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and Christopher Booker (b1937), journalist and author:
1 file
VDP/A2/3/1 14 October 1983
Booker to Laurens: laying his sister’s ashes in Vienna; and his progress on
“Stories”, presumably The seven basic plots: why we tell stories (eventually published in 2004)
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/2 27 June 1984
Booker to Laurens: Booker’s enjoyment of Aldeburgh Festival in spite of the absence of Benjamin Britten and Imogen Holst; the possibility of writing a book of
“Appreciations” or a biography of Laurens; praising Laurens for maintaining his friendships throughout the years, citing Captain Mori as an example; his wish to attend the memorial service of
“John B’” (probably John Betjeman); and progress on “Stories”; Laurens to Stephen Reiss: arrangements for his talk at the Aldeburgh Festival (5 March 1957); Jack Barnett, South
African Trial Defence Fund, to Laurens (with enclosed petition): seeking financial assistance for defending those accused of high treason in South Africa (8 March 1957)
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/3 10-15 September 1984
Booker to Laurens: completing his first
“Stories” volume; commenting on Coleridge’s The rime of the ancient mariner; and his appreciation of Laurens’s book Testament to the bushmen and the
importance of Laurens’s bushmen encounters
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/4 19 September 1984
Laurens to Booker: replying to Booker’s letter and thanking him for his kind words
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/5 24 November 1984
Laurens to Booker: the negative portrayal of Afrikaners in the British media and his view that Bayers Naude should be given the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in creating a multi-racial society
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/6 17 April 1985
Booker to Laurens: his proposed visit to South Africa; and his views on Homer's
The odyssey
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/7 29 October 1985
Booker to Laurens: retelling a pre-Revolution Slavic folklore tale about a firebird; and his opinions of Hermes in
The odyssey
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/8 24 November 1985
Booker to Laurens: progress on
“Stories”
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/9 28 September 1988
Booker to Laurens: the publication of his report for a committee investigating the possibility that senior British politicians, including Harold McMillan, were guilty of a serious war crime in handing over thousands of Cossack and Yugoslav
prisoners to the Communists during the Second World War; and the possibility of writing a biography of Laurens
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/10 10 April 1989
Laurens to Booker: news of his family
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/11 10 October 1989
Laurens to Booker: sending an advance copy of Ingaret’s new book
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/12 2 January 1990
Booker to Laurens: Christmas collections for Romania and Poland and the sweeping away of Communism generally; and memories of meeting Laurens in 1982
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/13 5 January 1990
Laurens to Booker: selling his house in Aldeburgh; and family news
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/14 21 January 1990
Laurens to Booker: his views on mortality
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/15 28 January 1991
Laurens to Booker: irritation that a publisher intends to commission his life story without his consent
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/16 28 March 1991
Laurens to Booker: his thoughts on Jung; the depression in the publishing world; his appreciation of
Life paints its own span; and his impressions of Margaret Thatcher
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/17 29 March 1991
[?Article] by Laurens, entitled
“Memo after a dream”
1 article
VDP/A2/3/18 3 October 1991
Laurens to Booker: arrangements for their visit to South Africa with Ian Player
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/19 5 October 1991
Booker to Mark Law, possibly an article on Laurens
1 fax
VDP/A2/3/20 21 October 1991
Laurens to Booker: Booker’s filming work in South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/21 16 December 1991
Laurens to Booker: wishing him Christmas greetings
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/22 6 January 1992
Laurens to Booker: reminiscing about South Africa and its wildlife
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/23 9 January 1992
Laurens to Booker: reminiscing about South Africa and its wildlife
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/24 5 February 1992
Laurens to Booker: the establishment of the Laurens van der Post Foundation for the Advancement of the Humanities; and asking him to write about the RTZ's destruction of St Lucia's Bay
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/25 1 May 1992
Laurens to Booker: his appreciation of an essay by [?Václav] Havel
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/26 13 August 1992
Laurens to Booker: thanking him for his postcard
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/27 14 November 1992
Laurens to Booker: the possibility of another author writing his biography
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/28 5 January 1993
Laurens to Booker: thoughts on “devilry”
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/29 1 April 1995
Laurens to Booker: criticism of the media’s
“city” preoccupations; and his health
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/30 16 March 1996
Laurens to Booker: his campaign to save the bushmen in the Kalahari; and Ian Player's success with St Lucia's Bay
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/31 30 March 1996
Laurens to Booker: his campaign to save the bushmen in the Kalahari
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/32 8 May 1996
Laurens to Booker: his campaign to save the bushmen in the Kalahari and his frustration with the Foreign Office
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/33 9 May 1996
Laurens to Booker: his campaign to save the bushmen in the Kalahari
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/34 20 May 1996
Booker to Lord Malcolm Pearson: soliciting his support for the bushmen
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/35 12 June 1996
Laurens to Booker: his campaign to save the bushmen in the Kalahari including Margaret Thatcher's support for it
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/36 8 August 1996
Laurens to Booker: news of John Hardbattle, and Margaret Thatcher’s views on the European Union
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/37 13 September 1996
Laurens to Booker: John Hardbattle's conversation with the British High Commissioner in Botswana on the bushmen situation
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/38 13 October 1996
Laurens to Booker: thanking him for his review of
The admiral's baby
1 letter
VDP/A2/3/39 2 November 1996
Laurens to Booker: his campaign to save the bushmen in the Kalahari
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/1-55 [18 December 1929] - 24 July 949
Papers and correspondence between Lilian Bowes-Lyon (1895-1949), novelist and poet
1 file
Card index of papers (numbered 1-48)
VDP/A2/4/1 [18 December 1929]
Letter from Lilian Bowes-Lyon to William Plomer, with a pencil note from Plomer to Laurens: her first impressions of Laurens
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/2 [18 July 1932]
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: sending him a horseshoe for his new home
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/3 14 April 1933
Pencil sketch by Laurens [?of Lilian Bowes-Lyon]
Note on verso “My portrait by Laurens April 14th 1933”
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/4 9 September 1933
[?Diary entry] by Lilian Bowes-Lyon description of the countryside and a poem on Barrow Hill
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/5 5 March 1934
Language: French
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: letter written in French
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/6 [8 July 1934]
Two dried flowers pasted on sheet
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/7 9 December 1934
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: their friendship
Enclosing poem written for Laurens entitled
“His gesture breaking gold”
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/8 11 October 1935
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: arrangements for meeting William [?Plomer], and an operation on her eye
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/9 20 October [?1935]
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: Laurens's leg
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/10 [?October 1935]
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: her opinions of D. H. Lawrence
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/11 [12 April] 1936
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: her conversation with Laurens on the Grosvenor and thanking him for sending her a fur coat
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/12 21 April [1936]
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: tea with forty monks, his radio message, news of Tony and Beatrice, and William [?Plomer's] cheque
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/13 30 April [1936]
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: news of Tony, hoping to hear from René, Mrs Cave, and Beatrice's opinion of Laurens's book
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/14 15 June 1936
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: expressing her love for him [?in spite of Marjorie's pregnancy with Lucia]
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/15 17 June 1936
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: asking whether she can be John's godmother, and thanking him for sending her a voortrekker bonnet
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/16 14 July 1936
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: plans to sell Little Field
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/17 21 July [1936]
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: thanking him for sending her a voortrekker bonnet
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/18 29 August 1936
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: plans to sell Little Field, trying to finish her book manuscript for Cape entitled
“Bright feather fading”, John, consulted Keith [?Millar-Jones] about the farm, and news of friends
Enclosing poem entitled
“Duchess”
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/19 27 September 1936
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: thanking him for sending his Afrikaans poem and the English translation, praise for John, and agreeing to separate
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/20 26 November 1936
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: sending him blessings for Christmas and a book of poems by Housman
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/21 28 November 1936
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: the arrival of the baby, Little Field sold, news of friends including Keith [?Millar-Jones]
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/22 19 December 1936
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: the death of her mother
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/23 23 December 1936
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: thanking him for his birthday and Christmas present, sending John a story, missing her mother, words of encouragement for Laurens
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/24 4 January 1937
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: encouraging him to sell Colly and invest the money, moving to Cony Copse, wishing to see John
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/25 19 January 1937
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: arrival at her new home at Cony Copse
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/26 [?1937]
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: advising him on how to proceed with his life
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/27 19 August 1947
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: her happiness in hearing that Laurens is alive and in Indonesia, urging him to visit her, and their friendship
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/28 10 May 1948
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: asking him to come home soon
1 telegram
VDP/A2/4/29 4 December 1943
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: her pride in Laurens's achievement, her love for him, and news of friends
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/30 21 August 1946
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens (in Batavia): thanking him for his letter
1 telegram
VDP/A2/4/31 [?1947]
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: thanking him for his visit
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/32 10 September 1947
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: the pain from her amputations and depression
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/33 1 March 1948
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: the death of her father, poem by Walter Raleigh, and William Plomer in Switzerland with Charles
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/34 [28 March] 1948
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: both her legs have been amputated, sending John her love
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/35 21 May 1848
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: sending her love to Ingaret, and moving to her new home in Ipswich
Enclosing poem entitled
“Secret light”
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/36 21 July 1948
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: her stay with Leo Myers's widow, the review of her new poetry book, and receiving letters from John Betjeman and other poets
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/37 9 September 1948
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: currently in pain, asking him to return to London, and sending her poems
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/38 10 October 1948
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: moving into her flat soon, and her poem to be published in Rome
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/39 9 December 1948
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: happy to hear that he is returning
With attached photograph of the River Allen, Northumberland
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/40 13 December 1948
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: wishing him Happy Birthday
1 telegram
VDP/A2/4/41 27 December 1948
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: quoting Gerard Manley-Hopkins, wishing him Happy New Year and blessings on his marriage, and sending him a feather
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/42 10 January 1949
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: William's heart trouble
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/43 4 February 1949
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: happy that he will be living in England, four lines from a poem, and quoting Meredith
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/44 [January/February] 1949
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: an intended suicide note
Note by Laurens: “Letter written in anticipation of taking her life and left with Keith: Received it after her death”
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/45 24 July 1949
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: her increasing pain and fatigue, and her love for him
Note by Laurens: “Received after Lilian's death: last letter she wrote”
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/46-47 [?1948]
“The stars go by” and (on verso) “A failure”
Note on corner of first poem: “Since publication of Collected Poems”
Note on second poem:
“Published in Rome”
2 poems
VDP/A2/4/48 [?1940 x 1949]
Untitled poem
1 poem
VDP/A2/4/49 [?1940 x 1949]
“Burning leaves”
1 poem
VDP/A2/4/50 September 1941
“The field to the snow”
Paper headed: “For Laurens, from Lilian, Sept 1941”
1 poem
VDP/A2/4/51 August 1945
“After the gleaners”
1 poem
VDP/A2/4/52 [?1948]
“A failure”
1 poem
VDP/A2/4/53 [?1940 x 1949]
Lilian Bowes-Lyon to Laurens: enclosing a poem
On verso: drawing of farmers, horses, two figures walking labelled John and Lowry
1 letter
VDP/A2/4/54-55 [?1930 x 1939]
Photographs of Lilian Bowes Lyon with her dog
2 BW prints
VDP/A2/5/1-87 15 May 1978 – 14 April 1998
Correspondence between Laurens and Mangosuthu (Gatsha) Buthelezi (b1928), South African politician and leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party, as well as letters from others about Buthelezi:
1 file
VDP/A2/5/1 15 May 1978
Laurens to Buthelezi: his lack of interest in a world separated by race and his appreciation of the idea of “human” consciousness in contrast to black or white consciousness; promising to help Buthelezi to achieve
a National Convention of all races for South Africa or a convention in Natal; and his opinion of a sea change in attitudes towards violence in South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/2 9 June 1978
Laurens to Buthelezi: reiterating his desire to help Buthelezi in working towards a National Convention and the possibility of Natal being used as an example; and plans to attend at a conference at Freiburg University on South African
solutions
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/3 21 June 1984
Laurens to Buthelezi: the death of his son; and praise for Buthelezi’s work
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/4 19 November 1984
Laurens to Tom Bedford (Laurens’s nephew): arrangements for a secret plan [?for South Africa]
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/5-6 17 May 1985
Laurens to Tom Bedford: enclosing his letter to Buthelezi on arrangements for a meeting to discuss a plan for South Africa
2 letters
VDP/A2/5/7 29 May 1986
Tom Bedford to Laurens: thanking him for agreeing to address the AGM of the Durban Child and Family Welfare Society; the resignation of Neil Jardine from the rectorship of Michaelhouse School; arrangements for meeting Buthelezi; the deteriorating
political situation in South Africa; criticism of the disinvestment strategy and the possibility of the BBC carrying out an interview with an anti-disinvestment campaigner; his meeting in Pretoria with Jannie Geldenhuis; the head of the South
African Defence Force, and the possibility of arranging a tour with Laurens around the South West African border
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/8 [June 1986]
Laurens to Caroline [Ryder], diary secretary to the British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher: deciding against writing to Thatcher about his meeting with Buthelezi and its importance to the political situation in South Africa, his view that
Buthelezi will be an important member in any future arrangement in South Africa (provided that he is not assassinated by the ANC and the black consciousness movement), and requesting a private meeting with Thatcher to discuss the situation before
her meeting with Buthelezi
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/9 8 July 1986
Laurens to Tom Bedford: inadvisable to arrange a pilot meeting in London because of its likely impact on Buthelezi’s reputation, praise for Buthelezi, criticism of the stance of the Church of England bishops and clergy towards South Africa, plans
for his speech at Michaelhouse School, declining an invitation by the South African Hunters’ Association, and helping to arrange a possible meeting between Buthelezi and “the man in the clink”, i.e. Nelson Mandela
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/10 1 June 1988
Buthelezi to Laurens: thanking Laurens for his support, suggesting that his overtures are being ignored by the South African government, and arrangements for visiting the UK
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/11 30 June 1988
Laurens to Charles Powell (partial copy), Baron Powell of Bayswater: preparations for Buthelezi’s meeting and his respect for Buthelezi in turning down the South African Prime Minister’s offer of a government position
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/12 3 February 1989
“Madiba” [Nelson Mandela] to “Shenga” [Buthelezi]: thanking him for his 70th birthday greetings and his campaign for the release of all political prisoners in South Africa, the huge
support from the public towards him and other prisoners, the task of national unity, his wish to join forces for the common good, and his shock at the current levels of violence in South African communities
1 letter (photocopy)
VDP/A2/5/13 [1989]
[Laurens] to Sir Robin Renwick, British Ambassador (Pretoria): congratulating him on his knighthood, and praise for Buthelezi
VDP/A2/5/14 [1989]
[Laurens] to Sir Robin Renwick, British Ambassador (Pretoria): congratulating him on his knighthood, and praise for Buthelezi
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/15 24 April 1989
Laurens to Buthelezi: apologising for not being able to realise his plan, his hope that the ANC can be persuaded to renounce violence, and criticism of the ANC generally
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/16 6 May 1989
Buthelezi to Nelson Mandela: commending his message of peace, hoping for his release from prison and reiterating his stance that he will not begin negotiations until this happens, promoting the idea of the national will over black consciousness,
and the treatment of Winnie Mandela
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/17 29 May 1989
Buthelezi to Laurens: his meeting with de Klerk and representatives in Durban and his optimism over peace negotiations, criticism of the ANC External Mission members, a meeting between the ANC, the UDF and COSATU and its attempts to discredit
Buthelezi and the peace negotiations as well as their refusal to meet with Buthelezi unless the meeting takes place in a “neutral venue” , the need to inform “our Lady” [?Margaret
Thatcher] of the situation, and his hesitation about attending a function by the Welsh Regiment to present colours to Prince Charles
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/18 29 July 1989
Laurens to Sir Ian Gow: sending him his correspondence with Buthelezi, his willingness to make a contribution, and his view that Buthelezi is a precious link with Mandela and should be taken more seriously than the latter
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/19 29 July 1989
Laurens to [?Buthelezi]: preparations for the November meetings, Margaret Thatcher's hectic schedule, and thanking [?Buthelezi's] for allowing him to use his correspondence with Nelson Mandela
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/20 15 August 1989
Laurens to Sir Ian Gow: arrangements for a meeting with Buthelezi in October in which Laurens intends to invite influential American friends to raise Buthelezi’s profile
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/21 3 October 1989
Laurens to Buthelezi: arrangements for the forthcoming meeting including a list of his American friends
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/22 October 1989
Memorandum entitled
“Memorandum presented by Mangosuthu G. Buthelezi, chief minister of Kwazulu South Africa, and president of Inkatha at a meeting with American friends of Sir Laurens van der Post”
1 memorandum
VDP/A2/5/23 13 February 1990
Laurens to Sir Ian Gow: the shock of de Klerk’s announcement removing the banning order from the ANC, criticism of George Bush and Margaret Thatcher’s reaction, and criticism of Mandela’s political manoeuvring
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/24 7 June 1991
Buthelezi to Laurens: his anger at Renwick for wanting to keep their meeting with Margaret Thatcher a secret from the South African people, and criticism of Renwick generally in favouring the ANC
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/25 March 1992
Laurens to Buthelezi: his concern over the South African referendum
1 fax
VDP/A2/5/26 29 November 1992
Laurens to John Aspinall: his meeting with Buthelezi
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/27 8 December 1992
Aspinall to Mr and Mrs Bedford: whether Teddy Goldsmith could also attend Laurens’s storytelling event
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/28 21 February 1993
“The Oubaas” [Laurens?] to Buthelezi: Buthelezi's wish to create a federal democracy in South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/29 19 March 1993
Alasdair Macaulay to Laurens: asking him to become a Trustee of the Defence of Democracy Trust and enclosing the trust deed
1 letter & 1 deed
VDP/A2/5/30 30 April 1993
Laurens to Macaulay: agreeing to become a Trustee
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/31 5 September 1993
Laurens to Charles, HRH Prince of Wales: enclosing a memo which Buthelezi has drawn up for him as well as a letter from de Klerk who favours Mandela over Buthelezi (not extant) and asking for it to be passed on to the Foreign Office, Mandela and
de Klerk eroding South African identity and his concern that there will be a drift into chaos if the current course is continued, the need for a proper Constitution before any election and asking Charles to arrange an initiative at a high level to
discuss a Constitution, the attitude of the South African government towards Buthelezi, his proposed meeting with de Klerk in October, Tom Bedford’s meeting with de Klerk in which the latter confided that the ANC are controlling events, and
criticism of Mrs Chalker
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/32 7 October 1993
Buthelezi to Laurens: memorandum for presentation during Laurens’s trip to Johannesburg on the situation in South Africa
1 memorandum
VDP/A2/5/33 30 October 1993
Laurens to Constand Viljoen: urging him not to use violence to achieve Afrikaner aims
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/34 30 November 1993
Buthelezi to [?Laurens]: a possible split in the Inkatha Party, criticism of
Financial Times journalists describing the IFP as “Zulu-based”
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/35 1 December 1993
“Kleinbaas” (?Laurens) to Buthelezi: offering advice on how to deal with the ANC
1 fax
VDP/A2/5/36 3 December 1993
Laurens to Christian Sommerfeldt: secret consultations in South Africa and its likely impact on the rumours that Buthelezi may take part in the elections
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/37 15 December 1993
Constand Viljoen to Laurens: the hostile press and public reaction over his inability to reach an agreement with the ANC, enclosing a Freedom Alliance statement
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/38 20 December 1993
Laurens to John Aspinall: his concerns over South Africa and in particular the weakness of de Klerk
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/39 20 December 1993
Buthelezi to Laurens: negotiations with the ANC and the government over the constitution
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/40 15 – 20 December 1993
Laurens to Buthelezi: negotiations between the Zulus and the government/ANC
5 faxes (extracts)
VDP/A2/5/41 21 December 1993
Laurens to Buthelezi: reply to above
1 letter (extract)
VDP/A2/5/42 28 December 1993
Buthelezi to Laurens: thanking him for his message of support
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/43 28 December 1993 & 5 January 1994
Laurens to Buthelezi: Laurens’s work in ensuring that Zulu interests are represented in the constitution (28 December 1993); urging him to work with Constand Viljoen but suggesting that he remain firm in his stand for constitutional rights (5
January 1994)
2 letters (extracts)
VDP/A2/5/44 11 January 1994
John Aspinall (dictated to Sue Hurst) to Laurens: his friendship with Laurens, Ian Player and Buthelezi, and wishing to host a dinner in Laurens’s honour
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/45 20 January 1994
Laurens to Buthelezi: the importance of the Zulus in South African identity, recommending an alliance with the Afrikaners, criticism of the elections, Constand’s attempts to appeal to the right-wing, and suggesting that he opens negotiations with
Constand
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/46 1 February 1994
John Aspinall to Laurens: arranging a dinner to discuss the South African question
Also includes a pen note expressing his admiration for Buthelezi in spite of the enormous pressure
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/47 3 February 1994
Laurens to Buthelezi: recommending a legal expert
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/48 7 February 1994
Laurens to Buthelezi: urging him to respond to his fax
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/49 7 February 1994
Laurens to Buthelezi: his concern over press reports on the possibility of Constand resorting to violence, Mandela discarding de Klerk, and suggesting that Buthelezi attacks the idea of the election
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/50 17 February 1994
Laurens to Buthelezi: praising him for his response to Mandela and urging him to fight for federal autonomy for Kwa Zulu
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/51 9 March 1994
Laurens to Christian Sommerfeldt: the deteriorating situation in South Africa which he believes is descending into chaos and civil war
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/52 4 April 1994
Laurens to Christian Sommerfeldt: the illegality of the Republic of Bophuthatswana, the weakness of the de Klerk government, the Johannesburg killings, and Mandela’s wish to destroy the Zulu government
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/53 6 April 1994
Laurens to Christian Sommerfeldt: a meeting between Viljoen and Buthelezi at Ulundi, the declaration of a state of emergency, his concerns over Mandela’s likely arrogance at a proposed meeting with Buthelezi and the Zulu king, and criticism of
the current mediation policy
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/54 24 April 1994
Press statement by Buthelezi calling for tolerance and the facilitation of free and fair elections, with a covering note by Laurens describing the importance of this statement to Buthelezi’s character
1 fax
VDP/A2/5/55 18 May 1994
Laurens to Buthelezi: the status of Natal and urging Buthelezi to concentrate his efforts on this
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/56 25 May 1994
Laurens to Buthelezi: the importance of Natal and urging Buthelezi to create a Kwa Zulu Natal as a model of a new world in Africa, making suggestions and offering support for the development of Ulundi
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/57 3 June 1994
Laurens to Buthelezi: urging him to talk to the Kleinbaas on plans for a Kwa Zulu Natal
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/58 9 June 1994
Laurens to Buthelezi: his thoughts on international mediation
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/59-62 4 - 18 June 1994
Faxed reports produced from the Inkatha Freedom Party of meetings held and transcripts of official speeches by Mangosuthu Buthelezi
4 reports
VDP/A2/5/63 30 June 1994
Laurens to Buthelezi: suggesting that Norway act in the role of mediator
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/64 6 July 1994
Laurens to Buthelezi: suggesting that Norway act in the role of mediator
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/65 13 July 1994
Buthelezi to Laurens: his attendance at the President Mitterrand dinner and the question of international mediation
1 fax
VDP/A2/5/66 18 July 1994
Laurens to Buthelezi: the importance of a Kwa Zulu Natal state
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/67 23 August 1994
Buthelezi to Laurens: thanking him for sending
The dark eye in Africa, his view that the Truth Commission may threaten the Government of National Unity, disagreements between the ANC and Inkatha over Kwa Zulu Natal, and President Mugabe’s visit
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/68 6 October 1994
Laurens to Buthelezi: the urgent need for a federal democratic Constitution for South Africa
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/69 18 November 1994
Laurens to John Aspinall: criticism of a review of James Goldsmith’s new book
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/70 19 November 1994
Laurens to Buthelezi: his detachment from the situation in South Africa, willing him to resign from the South African government, and his meeting with “the men of ice and snow” on the subject of the South African
Constitution and mediation
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/71 8 March 1995
Laurens to Christian Sommerfeldt: Sommerfeldt’s recommendation of him to the Nobel Prize Committee, criticism of the British media in its narrow focus in reporting South African news, and Buthelezi’s resignation from the government over the lack
of movement on the new Constitution
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/72 9 March 1995
Buthelezi to John Aspinall: enclosing copies of Aspinall’s letter to the Zulu king, with amendments
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/73 25 March 1995
Laurens to John Aspinall: asking him to urge Buthelezi to respond to his fax
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/74 27 March 1995
Laurens to Buthelezi: the lack of progress on the question of international mediation
1 fax (copy)
VDP/A2/5/75 6 April 1995
Laurens to Christian Sommerfeldt: the lack of progress on Norway’s involvement in South African mediation and criticism of the Government of National Unity generally, Winnie Mandela’s following amongst the teenagers of South Africa, his concern
that South Africa appears to be descending into chaos, and Wilbur Smith’s decision to leave the country
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/76 29 June 1995
Laurens to John Aspinall: criticism of a ban by the city council on Aspinall’s tigers
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/77 16 August 1995
Laurens to Buthelezi: defence of a friend in Gloucester
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/78 18 October 1995
Laurens to Christian Sommerfeldt: John Aspinall’s report of the Chaka Day Anniversary, Buthelezi strengthening his position, and the deteriorating state of South Africa
1 fax
VDP/A2/5/79 10 February 1996
Laurens to Lady Powell: declining an invitation to a dinner in honour of John Aspinall
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/80 12 March 1996
Laurens to Buthelezi: his optimism that Norway can still assist with mediation
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/81 15 March 1996
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: enclosing a letter from Buthelezi to Tom Bedford describing Mandela and de Klerk’s treatment of Buthelezi, his refusal to abandon hope on Norway becoming a mediator, criticism of the Common Market and socialism, Mandela’s
policy in Cuba, the refusal of the press to report Buthelezi’s speeches, the deteriorating state of South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/82 [?March 1996]
Laurens to Buthelezi: offering his support
1 fax
VDP/A2/5/83 10 June 1996
Laurens to John Aspinall: his thoughts on the passing of time
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/84 26 June 1996
Aspinall to Laurens: praise for Buthelezi
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/85 9 August 1996
Laurens to John Aspinall: his belief that Buthelezi made a mistake in taking a position in the government
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/86 22 October 1996
Laurens to Aspinall: criticism of the press
1 letter
VDP/A2/5/87 4 April 1998
Transcript of an address by Mangosuthu Buthelezi at the opening of the Philippolis Memorial Garden in honour of the memory of Sir Laurens van der Post
1 lecture
VDP/A2/6 26 April 1987 – 1 November 1996
Correspondence between Anna Campbell (later Anna Lyle) and Laurens, mostly on the subject of Anna’s father, Roy, and her attempts to publish his biography
1 file
VDP/A2/7 March 1994 – 15 May 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and Janet Campbell (Lauren’s former housekeeper), mostly on news of family and social engagements, with occasional comments on world events
1 file
VDP/A2/8/1-23 [?November 1925] – [1934]
Correspondence between Laurens and Roy Campbell (1901-1957), South African poet and satirist:
1 file
VDP/A2/8/1 [?November 1925]
Campbell to Laurens: asking him to assist with the Afrikaans in
Voorslag
1 letter
VDP/A2/8/2 [?1929]
Campbell to Laurens: his impressions of Martigues in France
1 postcard
VDP/A2/8/3 [?1929]
Campbell to Laurens: arrangements for visiting; and William Plomer’s address in London
1 postcard
VDP/A2/8/4 [?1929]
Campbell to Laurens: inviting Laurens and Enslin Du Plessis to stay
1 postcard
VDP/A2/8/5 [?1929]
Campbell to Laurens: inviting him to stay
1 postcard
VDP/A2/8/6 [1929]
Campbell to Laurens: sorry to hear that he has returned to South Africa; and wishing him well in his career in journalism
1 postcard
VDP/A2/8/7 [?1929]
Campbell to Laurens: inviting Laurens and Enslin Du Plessis to stay
1 postcard
VDP/A2/8/8 [?1929]
Campbell to Laurens: news of family and friends
1 postcard
VDP/A2/8/9 [?1930]
Campbell to Laurens: opinions of William Plomer
1 postcard
VDP/A2/8/10 [?1930-1933]
Campbell to Laurens: asking him to visit his home in Martigues because it is much cheaper than the Riviera
1 letter
VDP/A2/8/11 [?1928-1933]
Campbell to Laurens: his homesickness for South Africa and publishing his poems which are likely to be “uncongenial” to the South African press
1 letter
VDP/A2/8/12 [?1928]
Campbell to Laurens: enjoying his recent move to France; and “W. P.” (William Plomer) to visit soon and asking Laurens to visit too
1 letter
VDP/A2/8/13 [?1925]
Mary Campbell to Laurens: notices about
Voorslag in the press
1 letter
VDP/A2/8/14 [?1928]
Campbell to Laurens: detailed instructions for finding his home, the recent publication of “W. P.” (William Plomer’s) poems [probably
Notes for poems]; the reception of The wayzgoose in the press; and seeking information on Enslin Du Plessis
1 letter
VDP/A2/8/15 [1934]
Campbell to Laurens: his eagerness to read Laurens’s new novel,
In a province; and a long self-defence against Leonard Barnes’s critique of his poetry
1 letter
VDP/A2/8/16 [?1930]
Campbell to Laurens: thanking him for assisting with publishing his poems in South Africa and Laurens’s appreciation of
The snake; his dislike of William Plomer’s “broken-backed intellectuals and nancy-boy” friends, while conceding that it is unlikely Plomer appreciates his friends including T. S. Eliot;
his behaviour at a party and criticism of Plomer’s defence of a painter; his appreciation of De Plessis’s painting; his surprise that Plomer enjoyed watching a boxing match at Comrade’s Hall in Camden Town; his fame in London; praise for Liam
O’Flaherty and description of a night out at a celebrity party in Dublin (under the protection of the Irish police); his return to Martigues; winning the jousting championship; and his opinion of the Bloomsbury Group
1 letter
VDP/A2/8/17 [?1930]
Campbell to Laurens: publication of poetry fragments; bull-fighting in Martigues; praising the young Frank Prince’s poetry; and the effect of Wyndham Lewis’s
Apes of God
1 letter
VDP/A2/8/18 [?1930]
Campbell to Laurens (photocopy): encouraging Laurens to visit him in Martigues and suggesting the best route; news of William Plomer in Bloomsbury; and asking Laurens to bring newspapers with him so that he can be informed of world events;
1 letter
VDP/A2/8/19-22 [?1930]
Draft manuscript poems by Campbell of
Scripture, The sleeper, Silence and Sonnet
4 items
VDP/A2/8/23 1995
Programme for the play
Dark outsider, based on Roy Campbell's life
Produced by the Performing Arts Council Transvaal (PACT)
1 programme
VDP/A2/9 3 August 1990 – 10 October 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and Ronald Cohen (b1945), businessman and polticial figure, or letters from Laurens to others about Cohen, mostly on work for Laurens’s foundational work, as well as correspondence between Laurens and Sir Kenneth
Baker, Foreign Secretary, on reconsideration of an application of naturalization for Cohen
1 file
VDP/A2/10/1-12 8 May 1993 – 25 April 1994
Correspondence between Laurens and the 14th Dalai Lama (Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso) (b1935), as well as letters from Laurens to others about the Dalai Lama:
1 file
VDP/A2/10/1 8 May 1993
Photocopy of a fragment of a memo from Laurens to Prince Charles: the difficulties of arranging a meeting between Prince Charles and the Dalai Lama, praise for his (the Dalai Lama’s) character, and wanting to arrange for him to journey to the
South African wilderness
1 memo
VDP/A2/10/2-3 19 May 1993
Laurens to Sylvia van Kleef, enclosing a letter to the Dalai Lama agreeing to help organise a trip to South Africa
Pencil note by Laurens expressing Prince Charles’s disappointment at not being able to meet with the Dalai Lama
2 letters
VDP/A2/10/4 4 June 1993
Mrs Kesang T. Takla (representative of H.H. the Dalai Lama) to Laurens: the success of the Dalai Lama’s trip to the UK and meeting with Laurens
1 letter
VDP/A2/10/5 5 June 1993
Laurens to the Dalai Lama: arrangements for the Dalai Lama’s visit to the South African wilderness
1 letter
VDP/A2/10/6 24 June 1993
Mrs Kesang T. Takla (representative of H.H. the Dalai Lama) to Laurens: asking him to support the Tibet House Project
1 letter
VDP/A2/10/7 9 July 1993
Laurens to Mrs Kesang T. Takla (representative of H.H. the Dalai Lama): wishing to help the Tibet House Project and suggesting that he may be able to help by rallying influential friends such as Lady Margaret Thatcher
1 letter
VDP/A2/10/8 11 August 1993
Laurens to the Dalai Lama: his appreciation of the film
Compassion in exile and opinions on the tragedy of Tibet; his refusal to be involved in broadcast dialogue between himself and the Dalai Lama and his willingness to assist in a trip to South Africa; and the political
situation in South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/10/9 24 August 1993
The Dalai Lama to Laurens: his encouragement by Laurens’s attitude towards Tibet; his wish to be involved in a broadcast dialogue and his interest in visiting South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/10/10 21 February 1994
Fax of a letter from Tahkchen Choeling to Sylvia van Kleef: a letter from the Dalai Lama not received by Laurens and its impact on arrangements for the former’s trip to South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/10/11 26 February 1994
Copy of a fax from Jane Bedford to Sylvia van Kleef, with a further fax she would like to be sent from Laurens concerning his (Laurens’s) wish to await the results of the April elections in South Africa before deciding whether a trip for the
Dalai Lama would be possible in June
1 letter
VDP/A2/10/12 25 April 1994
Laurens to the Dalai Lama: awaiting the election results to decide whether a proposed trip for the Dalai Lama to South Africa would be feasible; and his impressions of the Chinese and their designs on Tibet
1 letter
VDP/A2/11 9 January 1953 – 24 April 1998
Correspondence between Laurens and Sophie and Gertrude Dann, mostly of a personal or trivial nature relaying news of family and friends
1 file
VDP/A2/12/1-7 7 January 1975 – 1 May 1992
Correspondence between Laurens and Nadine Gordimer (1923-2014), South African author and political activist:
1 file
VDP/A2/12/1 7 January 1975
Laurens to Gordimer: the possibility of Gordimer attending the Aldeburgh Festival and contributing to a memorial for William Plomer (organised by Benjamin Britten)
1 letter
VDP/A2/12/2 31 January 1975
Gordimer to Laurens: declining the offer of attending the Aldeburgh Festival; and attempting to establish a literary prize in William Plomer’s name for both blacks and whites in South Africa, as well as a prize specifically aimed at militant
blacks
1 letter
VDP/A2/12/3 6 May 1975
Laurens to Gordimer: his role in judging the Grand Aigle d’Or prize at the Festival International du Livre and recommending Gordimer for the prize; as well as his impression of the ladies (feminists) who attended
“Women of the Year” at the Festival
1 letter
VDP/A2/12/4 4 August 1975
Laurens to Gordimer: arrangements for a possible visit to Durban; his admiration for her in setting up a literary prize for whites and blacks; and views on the concept of protest in art
1 letter
VDP/A2/12/5 14 February 1978
Gordimer to Laurens: praising Laurens for speaking out on the Biko affair; assisting the dependents of South African black writers in prison; and successfully suing an Afrikaner professor for libel
1 letter
VDP/A2/12/6 19 March 1978
Gordimer to Laurens: the Afrikaner professor libel case being settled out of court and a public apology in the
Sunday Times; her opinion of Louis Heron; and her meeting with Justice Lammie Snyman, chairman of the Censorship Appeal Board, concerning the banning of a television programme
1 letter
VDP/A2/12/7 1 May 1992
Laurens to Jillian Gordon: his disillusionment over Gordimer’s literary ability
1 letter
VDP/A2/13 11 October 1956 - 22 September 1960
Correspondence between Martha Jaeger (Jungian therapist) mostly of a personal nature, as well as the organisation of a lecture to the Analytical Psychology Club of New York and other conferences and publications
1 file
VDP/A2/14 26 August 1980 - 19 August 1996
Correspondence, mostly letters from Tobina Johnson, to Laurens, some undated and incomplete, mostly of a personal nature concerning friends and family and describing her affection for him
1 file
VDP/A2/15 15 May 1966 - 13 April 1996
Two letters from [?] to Laurens enclosing English translations of Ingrid Jonker's poems and draft of a legal document assigning Laurens's Ingrid Jonker papers to her sister, Anna Jonker, as well as a letter from Anna to Laurens, with reply from
Laurens on Ingrid's papers
1 file
VDP/A2/16 27 August 1949 - 25 November 1981
Letters from Rosamund Lehmann (1901-1990) (novelist) to Laurens, mostly of a personal nature about family, friends, and her health
1 file
VDP/A2/17 14 February 1977 – 2 December 1995
Correspondence between Helen Luke (1904-1995) and Laurens, with many letters referring to the Apple Farm Community established by Luke in 1962 and influenced by the writings of Karl Jung, as well as her thoughts on Jungian psychology and the
publication of her books
1 file
VDP/A2/18 14 January 1988 – 29 July 1996
Correspondence between Frank N. McMillan III, his wife Mabel, and Laurens, mostly of a personal nature about family and friends but also including the establishment and work of the Jungian Association in Cape Town and Lauren's Foundation
1 file
VDP/A2/19 6 November 1983 – 13 November 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and Sister Maria Basini of the Carmelite Monastery in Quidenham, mostly of a personal nature dealing with theological/spiritual subjects
1 file
VDP/A2/20 10 May 1955 – 15 October 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and Dr Alan McGlashan, mostly of a personal nature relating to friends and family, prescriptions for medicine, and comments on books and book reviews. One letter from McGlashan to Laurens (undated) concerns his
opinions on the analysis of poltergeist dreams
1 file
VDP/A2/21 14 June 1956 – 21 January 1988
Correspondence between Laurens and Captain Katsue Mori, and correspondence about Mori, mostly of a personal nature, news on William Plomer, and the publication of Mori’s biography, but also including Laurens to the Managing Director of Osaka
Shaosean Kaisha seeking information on Mori’s location in order to send him a book, as well as Laurens to Mori (14 June 1956); note by Mori expressing his disappointment at Laurens’s new book
Bar of shadow for its portrayal of the cruel nature of the Japanese race (11 February 1957); Laurens to Mori apologising for the offence taken at his new book, with a transcript of the 14 June 1956 letter (5 April
1957); Laurens to Mori (photocopy) concerning a dinner with Benjamin Britten and his (Britten’s) interest in Mori (22 September 1971); Laurens to Mori on praise for his new book A story like the wind (21 June 1972);
Laurens to Mori enclosing a typescript of an introduction to Mori’s new book (27 March 1975); Laurens to Mori concerning the celebration of William Plomer’s life at Aldeburgh (3 July 1975); Michael Herbert to Mori with attached photocopies of
letters from William Plomer to Mori (16 December 1975); and Mori to Laurens congratulating Laurens on his knighthood (15 January 1981).
1 file
VDP/A2/22 17 June 1974 – 21 July 1997
Correspondence between Laurens and Hiroaki Mori, mostly on Hiroaki’s father, Captain Kastue Mori
1 file
VDP/A2/23 28 December 1983 – 13 November 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and Harry Oppenheimer (1908-2000) (South African businessman), mostly of a personal nature but also including Laurens to Oppenheimer offering to entrust his archives to Oppenheimer (28 December 1983); Oppenheimer to
Laurens concerning his gratitude to have lived long enough to see change in South Africa and his opinion on Nelson Mandela; Laurens to Oppenheimer criticising Mandela and the situation in South Africa, as well as the possible re-unification of
Germany (12 March 1990); Laurens to Oppenheimer on the media bias towards the ANC and de Klerk (11 June 1990); Laurens to Oppenheimer recalling a visit with Prince Charles to Botswana painting the baobab trees (3 February 1991); Laurens to
Oppenheimer concerning his opinions on Roy Campbell’s politics (31 August 1991); Laurens to Oppenheimer enclosing a tribute by Laurens to Roy Campbell (11 June 1994); Laurens to Oppenheimer enclosing photocopies of two letters from William Plomer
and one from Captain Mori (5 September 1994); and Laurens to Oppenheimer praising General Constand Viljoen (23 February 1995)
1 file
VDP/A2/24/1-51 7 September 1938 – 7 September 1968
Letters from William Plomer (1903-1973), author, to Laurens:
1 file
VDP/A2/24/1 11 December 1928
Plomer to Laurens: wishing him Happy Birthday
1 telegram
VDP/A2/24/2 4 September 1929
Plomer to Laurens: urging him to eat properly (unlike Roy Campbell), news of Marjorie and [?John], his wish to write about the colour bar in England, has written an article on Charles Darwin's grandfather (Erasmus Darwin), praise for the play
Martin Luther, the possibility of an American edition of Ula Masondo, and impressions of his landlady and her husband
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/3 7 October 1929
Plomer to Laurens: recommending Laurens's potential novel to an American publisher, Mary Campbell staying, his portrait painted by Ted Wolfe, news of Enslin, his articles in the
Cape Times, urging him to eat regular meals, his contributions to The Nation and The New Adelphi, being warned off Middleton Murray
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/4 21 October 1929
Plomer to Laurens: Enslin, Desmond Young, news of Marjorie, Roy and Mary Campbell's intended stay, Ted Wolfe's portrait, an anecdote about Bernard Shaw
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/5 [?1929]
Plomer to Laurens: arrangements for Laurens's visit, trying to find a title from the Bible which could be used for Laurens's book, his impressions of W. H. Auden, seeing a poor film, tea party at Rosamund Lehmann's house, Rhodes, Enslin, Walpole,
and the likelihood of needing to change his publisher
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/6 [?1929]
Plomer to Laurens: suggesting the title of his book
“In a province” (taken from Ecclesiastes)
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/7 [?1930 x 1931]
Plomer to Laurens: dropping in Laurens's manuscript [?
In a province] to Warner, Lillian [Bowes-Lyon]'s recent illness, watching films with Tony [?Butts] at the cinema, criticism of the new Somerset Maughan play, and news of other friends
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/8 April 1936
Plomer to Laurens: the postponement of Morgan's operation
1 postcard
VDP/A2/24/9 7 September 1938
Plomer to Laurens: suggesting Laurens should write a book on South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/10 12 September 1947
Plomer to Laurens: wishing to keep some of Laurens's confidential papers in his possession until he next sees him, and his appreciation of Laurens
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/11 9 February 1948
Plomer to Laurens: his admiration for Laurens in surviving the Japanese POW camp during the Second World War
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/12 24 April 1951
Plomer to Laurens: praise for Laurens’s new book
Venture to the interior
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/13 27 April 1953
Plomer to Laurens: the poor reviews of
The face beside the fire, and quoting John Henry Newman
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/14 14 March 1957
Plomer to Laurens: wishing to meet with him in London
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/15 15 March 1957
Laurens to Plomer: agreeing to meet with Plomer for lunch
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/16 2 October 1957
Plomer to Laurens (first leaf only): the death of [Roy Campbell] his admiration for
A bar of shadow
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/17 12 November 1957
Laurens to Plomer: Roy Campbell's death
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/18 5 November 1960
Plomer to Laurens: arrangements for a luncheon, Ingaret's recovery from illness and his wish to see her, and floods near his home
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/19 5 November 1961
Plomer to Laurens: thanking him for sending
Heart of the hunter and hoping for good reviews, briefly meeting with Ingaret, his role as judge for the Guinness Awards for Poetry, and Richard Rumboed's dairy
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/20 31 July 1962
Plomer to Laurens: recommending Richard Frieslich’s book on the Bondelswarts affair
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/21 12 December 1962
Plomer to Laurens: his sympathy for Ian Horobin and his homosexuality and his criticism of the way in which such cases are dealt with by the legal system
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/22 7 February 1963
Plomer to Laurens: his and Charles’s poor health, and the death of Daniel George’s wife
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/23 3 April [?1963]
Plomer to Laurens: congratulating him on his honorary doctorate
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/24 3 September 1963
Plomer to Laurens: Laurens's introduction to a new edition of
Turbott Wolfe, and his brother, James, and his criticism of the Canadian navy
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/25 24 February 1964
Plomer to Laurens: eagerly awaiting Laurens’s contribution of an introduction for a book on
Turbott Wolfe; praise for Laurens’s Journey into Russia; his collaboration with Benjamin Britten for the Aldeburgh Festival; proofreading Richard Rumbold’s A
message in code; opinion of his brother’s book; and his opinion of Olive Schreiner
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/26 8 June 1964
Plomer to Laurens: awaiting Laurens’s contribution to an introduction for a book on Turbott Wolfe; his collaboration with Benjamin Britten for the Aldeburgh Festival and his intention of reading a poem at the Festival about the assassination of
President Kennedy
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/27 28 July 1964
Plomer to Laurens: praising Benjamin Britten and Curlew River; criticism of modern novelists who concentrate on trivialities; praise for Kingsley Amis; and his book on
Turbott Wolfe
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/28 10 January 1965
Plomer to Laurens: sending the address of Diogenes Verlag
1 postcard
VDP/A2/24/29 3 February 1965
Plomer to Laurens: wishing to meet with Laurens
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/30 9 February 1965
Plomer to Laurens: wishing to meet with Laurens
1 postcard
VDP/A2/24/31 12 April 1965
Plomer to Laurens: sending Laurens photographs of him taken during the 1920s; and the delay in publication of the Turbott Wolfe book
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/32 29 May 1965
Plomer to Laurens: wishing to inscribe a copy of a book to Mori and Enslin; and reading a proof of Sukarno’s autobiography
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/33 13 August 1965
Plomer to Laurens: Ingrid Jonker's last hours
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/34 10 January 1966
Plomer to Laurens: address for Diogenes Verlag
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/35 24 June 1966
Plomer to Laurens: his disappointment that a libretto has not been printed in time; the need to revise Ingrid Jonker’s poems; and his views on the white population in Rhodesia
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/36 8 August 1966
Plomer to Laurens (first leaf only): praising him for a radio broadcast, and recommending the Afrikaans text of Jack Cope's poems
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/37 6 January 1967
Plomer to Laurens: the publication of a book of Ingrid Jonker’s poems
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/38 29 September 1967
Plomer to Laurens: arrangements for meeting
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/39 3 October 1967
Plomer to Laurens: his opinions of Rosamund [?Lehmann’s] new book
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/40 14 November 1967
Plomer to Laurens: praise for
The hunter and the whale, a possible broadcast with both Laurens and William speaking about Ingrid Jonker's poems
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/41 7 January 1968
Plomer to Laurens: being awarded a CBE
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/42 1 February 1968
Plomer to Laurens: his health
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/43 7 May 1968
Plomer to Laurens (first leaf only): Laurens's account of [?the Aldeburgh Festival]
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/44 13 May 1968
Plomer to Laurens: praise for Laurens's letter in
The Times [possibly on the racism of South African playwrights]
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/45 15 May 1968
Plomer to Laurens: thanking him for lunch
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/46 7 September 1968
Plomer to Laurens: his opinion on the Czechoslovakian uprising
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/47 12 August 1970
Plomer to Laurens: praise for
The night of the new moon
Enclosure: newspaper cutting of a review of the book
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/48 [?1957 x 1973]
Plomer to Laurens: Benjamin Britten working on an idea for the Aldeburgh Festival
Written with headed notepaper: “The Red House, Aldeburgh-on-Sea” , i.e. Benjamin Britten's house
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/49 [?1957 x 1973]
Plomer to Laurens: Hubert de Plessis's illness, has read
Out of Africa to Benjamin Britten, and accepting Laurens's request to show his film at the Aldeburgh Festival
Written with headed notepaper: “The Red House, Aldeburgh-on-Sea” , i.e. Benjamin Britten's house
1 letter
VDP/A2/24/50-51 [?1950 x 1970]
Plomer to Laurens: wishing him Happy Christmas
2 Christmas cards
VDP/A2/25 3 December 1981 – 20 May 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and Jean-Marc Pottiez (author and journalist), mostly on the publication of works and new editions of Laurens’s books, as well as television/film productions
1 file
VDP/A2/26 21 May 1981 – 6 August 1994
Correspondence between Laurens and Dr Kathleen Raine, mostly concerning her work as editor of
Temenos, with many of the letters relating to attempts to secure Prince Charles’s support for the journal
1 file
VDP/A2/27 7 June 1931 – 1 April 1995
Correspondence between Laurens and T. C. Robertson, mostly of a personal nature, but also including a translated extract of a letter, with photocopy of the original letter, from Laurens to Robertson, on his poor impressions of England, Roy
Campbell’s mental health, writing a play to give himself a sense of direction in his life, and staying with William Plomer (7 June 1931); photocopy of a letter from Laurens to Robertson concerning his financial difficulties in England ([?1931];
Laurens to Robertson on his opinion of John Bond and the vulgarity of modern South Africans (14 June 1956); Robertson to Laurens on the Capricorn Africa Society, and the plans to “tame” the bushmen and make them work
on farms as labourers near the Angolan border (16 July 1957); correspondence between Laurens and Robertson on plans to make a conservation film with Ian Player for the BBC on the South African white rhino (5, 25 October 1973, 17 February, 1 March
1974); and Laurens to Robertson relating to his views on Jung and the meaning of history (25 February 1975)
1 file
VDP/A2/28 4 February 1988 – 19 November 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and Armand Simone, mostly on the establishment and management a centre of Jungian studies in Cape Town, as well as the political situation in South Africa at the end of the apartheid era
1 file
VDP/A2/29/1-84 24 October 1992 – 28 October 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and Christian Sommerfeldt (1916-2003), Norwegian diplomat:
1 file
VDP/A2/29/1 24 October 1992
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: arrangements for a meeting
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/2 21 November 1992
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: praising his smoked salmon
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/3 11 January 1993
Jane Bedford to Sommerfeldt: passing on newspaper cuttings showing the true situation in South Africa, in particular the pessimism over its future
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/4 18 March 1993
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: smoked salmon, praise for Harry Oppenheimer, the Wilderness Conference, and his Foundation
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/5 26 April 1993
Sommerfeldt to Laurens: accepting Laurens’s invitation to become a Friend of the Wilderness Foundation
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/6 5 May 1993
Sommerfeldt to Laurens: sending him pictures of stone drawings found in Norway
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/7 18 June 1993
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: sending a holding reply to Sommerfeldt’s letter
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/8 21 July 1993
Laurens to Sommerfelt: asking him to assist with Ronald Cohen's Trust to advance the education of South African universities
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/9 4 August 1993
Sommerfelt to Laurens: suggesting that Ronald Cohen, chairman of the Laurens van der Post Foundation for the Advancement of the Humanities, should send a formal letter of application for Laurens to receive the Noble Prize for Peace or Literature,
enclosing a letter to Cohen and his curriculum vitae
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/10 [4 August 1993]
Laurens to Sommerfelt: American support for Nelson Mandela, the implications of ignoring de Klerk, his plans to speak on the future of South Africa, Harry Oppenheimer and Anton Rupert wishing to nominate Laurens for the Nobel Peace Price and
seeking advice from Sommerfelt on how to approach the Committee, and the work of his Foundation
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/11 7 August 1993
Laurens to Sommerfelt: thanking him for his letter to Cohen
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/12 10 August 1993
Laurens to Sommerfelt: sending him a copy of his new book; outlining the purpose of the Laurens van der Post Foundation; and the oversimplified media portrayal of South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/13 16 August 1993
Ronald Cohen to Sommerfelt: Sommerfeldt’s appointment as a trustee of the Lauren’s van der Post Foundation
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/14 25 August 1993
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: thanking him for sending information to aid his application for the Nobel Prize
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/15 29 September 1993
Sommerfeldt to Laurens: an account of the recent Wilderness Congress; and suggesting that Laurens should apply for the Literature rather than Peace Prize
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/16 21 October 1993
Cohen to Sommerfeldt: thanking him for sending his letter to Laurens concerning the Nobel Prize
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/17 1 November 1993
Sommerfeldt to Laurens: the Norwegian view of South Africa; and the possibility of arranging a conference with Harry Oppenheimer
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/18 3 November 1993
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: suggesting Norway as a possible venue for an international conference on South Africa with de Klerk and Nelson Mandela as possible delegates; and Nadine Gordimer’s opinion on Mandela
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/19 8 November 1993
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: the deception of the leaders in South Africa and Laurens’s pessimism over the future direction of the country; a Foundation meeting; and Harry Oppenheimer’s health
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/20 24 November 1993
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: Buthelezi’s willingness for Norway to act as a mediator in South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/21 29 November 1993
Notes on a telephone conversation between Laurens and Sommerfeldt: a meeting between Buthelezi and the Secretary of State for Norway
1 note
VDP/A2/29/22 29 November 1993
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: the possibility of arranging an earlier meeting
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/23 30 November 1993
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: Mandela’s expectation that Buthelezi would be willing to negotiate over the position of the Zulus in a future South African government
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/24 6 December 1993
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: a rift between the Zulus and Buthelezi
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/25 8 December 1993
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: sending a confidential report on the deception of Buthelezi and the Freedom Alliance in the South African negotiations
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/26 9 December 1993
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: De Klerk’s misleading information that Buthelezi is willing to join in with the proposed election in South Africa
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/27 17 December 1993
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: his concerns over the deteriorating situation in South Africa
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/28 23 December 1993
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: the misrepresentation of South Africa and Buthelezi in the media; and the effect of the political situation on the Afrikaner community
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/29 29 December 1993
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: their inability to influence the South African situation
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/30 January 1994
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: the Freedom Alliance’s refusal to take part in the election
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/31 16 January 1994
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: the death of Norway’s Foreign Secretary
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/32 18 January 1994
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: the situation in South Africa; the death of Norway’s foreign secretary; his interest in Carl Jung; and news of the Foundation
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/33 [?January 1994]
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: the deteriorating situation in South Africa; criticism of Mandela and de Klerk; and the need for a proper constitution
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/34 2 February 1994
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: the misrepresentation of South Africa and Buthelezi in the media and increasing concern over Mandela’s plans for South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/35 7 February 1994
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: the lack of knowledge of South Africa in the Norwegian media
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/36 9 February 1994
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: the upcoming election in South Africa; no possibility of mediation; and his hope that the Laurens Foundation will receive financial support
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/37 21 February 1994
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: the recalling of the South African parliament to amend the Constitution
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/38 26 February 1994
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: sending a copy of a letter written to the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs on South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/39 7 March 1994
Note of a telephone conversation between Laurens to and Sommerfeldt: Sommerfeldt’s meeting with Jan Egeland, Tom Vraalsen and Jan Helgesen on Norwegian assistance for mediation in South Africa
1 note
VDP/A2/29/40 8 March 1994
Laurens to Sommerfelt: South Africans advised to accept Norway’s offer to mediate
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/41 11 March 1994
Laurens to Tom Vraalsen: the effect of the riots in Bophuthatswana
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/42 14 March 1994
Laurens to Vraalsen: the effect of the riots in Bophuthatswana
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/43 16 March 1994
Laurens to Vraalsen: Mandela’s meeting with the Zulu king
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/44 20 April 1994
Jane Bedford to Sommerfelt: sending arrangements for meeting Laurens
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/45 25 April 1994
Laurens to Sommerfelt: the need to await the result of the election before introducing the possibility of mediation
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/46 18 May 1994
Laurens to Sommerfelt: Buthelezi’s triumph in the South African election and his hopes for the introduction of a federal system of government
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/47 25 May 1994
Laurens to Sommerfelt: requesting his attendance at a Foundation meeting
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/48 8 June 1994
Laurens to Sommerfelt: the need for Norway to play a role in international mediation in South Africa to stop the damage caused by de Klerk and Mandela
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/49 13 June 1994
Sommerfelt to Laurens: arrangements for a meeting between Sommerfelt, Laurens and Vraalsen
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/50 17 August 1994
Laurens to Sommerfelt: Mandela and de Klerk’s apathetic attitude towards Norway as international mediators
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/51 24 August 1994
Laurens to Sommerfelt: praise for Buthelezi
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/52 31 August 1994
Laurens to Sommerfelt: arrangements for a Foundation meeting
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/53 3 September 1994
Laurens to Sommerfelt: his advice to Buthelezi to make a stand on the question of the South African Constitution
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/54 8 October 1994
Laurens to Sommerfelt: Ronald Cohen’s poor health
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/55 17 October 1994
Sommerfelt to Laurens: Ronald Cohen’s poor health; and arrangements for a Foundation meeting
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/56 22 October 1994
Laurens to Sommerfelt: postponement of the Foundation meeting because of Cohen’s poor health; and arrangements for a dinner in London for Ian Player
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/57 19 November 1994
Laurens to Sommerfelt: operation on his spine
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/58 19 December 1994
Sommerfelt to Laurens: enclosing a copy of his letter to John Aspinall
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/59 9 January 1995
Laurens to Sommerfelt: postponement of the Foundation meeting because of Cohen’s poor health
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/60 19 February 1995
Ian Craig to Helvor Astrup: enclosing copy of a letter to the District Commissioner in Maralal on the formation of the Nanamyuak Wildlife Conservation Trust
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/61 25 February 1995
Sommerfelt to Laurens: praise for
The dark eye in Africa and his belief that Laurens deserves both the Nobel Prize for Literature for his writing and the Nobel Prize for Peace for his Foundation work; his desire to influence the Prime Minister of
Norway against the pro-ANC view of South Africa; and the situation on the estate in Kenya
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/62 8 March 1995
Sommerfelt to Laurens: Buthelezi’s ultimatum to Mandela for international mediation; the reorganisation of the Council of the United World Colleges; his informal talk with the General Secretary of the Peace Prize Committee concerning a possible
application by Laurens; and the decline in moral standards throughout the world
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/63 25 March 1995
Laurens to Sommerfelt: his dialogue with the Zulus of South Africa; his irritation with the Queen for her talk on
“The miracle of South Africa” in spite of the clear deterioration of conditions in the country caused by the appointment of blacks into every office regardless of qualification
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/64 28 March 1995
Laurens to Sommerfelt: enclosing a fax from General Vilijoen calling for international mediation
1 letter & 1 fax
VDP/A2/29/65 21 May 1995
Laurens to Sommerfelt and Jane Bedford to Sommerfelt: Sommerfeldt’s operation
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/66 1 June 1995
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: the success of his operation; awaiting news on the Laurens Foundation and South Africa; the opening of the new Nordic United Colleges with Laurens as a guest; and a report of a conference at the University of Oslo attended
by his daughter in which Laurens was the most quoted source of reference
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/67 14 June 1995
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: the success of Sommerfeldt’s operation; and asking whether Sommerfeldt can attend his talk to the Imperial College of Defence Studies
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/68 1 July 1995
Laurens to Mangosuthu Buthelezi: enclosing his letter to Sommerfeldt on the visit of the Norwegian Prime Minister to South Africa and the role of Norway in mediation
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/69 25 August 1995
Sommerfeldt to Laurens: his improving health; Laurens’s comments to the Norwegian Prime Minister on South Africa to assist with her visit to the country; the Prime Minister’s support for Nelson Mandela; report on the Arctic Wilderness Congress;
the Nordic United World Colleges meeting; and recommending Kristin [?Oblasen]
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/70 11 September 1995
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: promising to write again when he has more time
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/71 30 September 1995
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: his disappointment that the Norwegian Prime Minister was unable to arrange a meeting with Buthelezi during her visit to South Africa; and criticising the “phoney God Mandela” for his running
of the country
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/72 13 October 1995
Sommerfeldt to Laurens: Sommerfeldt’s meeting with Jan Egeland, State Secretary of the Foreign Office in Norway, on international mediation for South Africa; Mandela’s influence over the Norwegian Prime Minister; and the opening of the new United
World College on the west coast of Norway
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/73 18 October 1995
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: John Aspinall’s view of the liberal media’s false reporting of the Chaka Day Anniversary in South Africa; ANC-Zulu clashes and violence in Johannesburg; his shock at the Norwegian Prime Minister’s attitude towards South
Africa; and his hope that Buthelezi can achieve a high enough share of the vote in the elections to be able to influence the Constitution
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/74 23 November 1995
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: arrangements for his visit
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/75 10 February 1996
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: The Afrikaner newspaper
Rapport’s views on international mediation
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/76 13 February 1996
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: agreeing to fax Sommerfeldt a report of Buthelezi’s meeting with the Norwegian Prime Minister
1 fax
VDP/A2/29/77 15 March 1996
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: refusing to give up hopes for international mediation in South Africa; criticism of Germany and France’s alliance in the Common Market; criticism of socialism; criticism of Mandela (particularly his policy towards Cuba);
the lack of reporting of Buthelezi’s speeches in the press; and asking Sommerfeldt to do everything possible to influence the Norwegian government against Mandela
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/78 15 May 1996
Laurens to Mr and Mrs Astrup: wishing to arrange a meeting with Lucia van der Post on the Astrup’s vision of Mozambique
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/79 13 June 1996
Sommerfeldt to Laurens: praising Laurens’s recent lecture; the position of women in Norway; the Astrup family; and his hope that Buthelezi will one day be able to influence the Constitution
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/80 14 June 1996
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: promising to write when he has more time
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/81 12 September 1996
Laurens to Sommerfeldt: his book reception at the Imperial War Museum; the South African Court of Appeal’s rejection of the current Constitution; and Buthelezi’s wish for mediation
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/82 28 September 1996
Sommerfeldt to Laurens: arrangements for his arrival in London; his belief that the Norwegian government will not take part in international mediation for South Africa; his hope that Laurens’s new book will be translated into Norwegian; and the
progress of the new United World College
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/83 18 October 1996
Sommerfeldt to Jane Bedford: the lack of involvement of Norway in South African affairs; the United World College; and arrangements for attending Laurens’s lecture in December
1 letter
VDP/A2/29/84 28 October 1996
Jane Bedford to Sommerfeldt: arrangements for Laurens's lecture to the Royal College of Defence Studies
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/1-102 February 1976 – 8 July 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and Baroness Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013), British politician, as well as letters to others about Thatcher:
1 file
VDP/A2/30/1 February 1976
Laurens to Airey Neave: outlining his thoughts on the identity of the Conservative Party and the direction it should be taking
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/2 18 May 1977
Laurens to Margaret Thatcher: opinion of David Owen
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/3 [?1977]
Letter from Thatcher to Laurens: anxious to hear his latest advice on Africa; and the lack of movement on the Rhodesian issue
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/4 9 August 1977
Laurens to Charles Jansen: his meeting with Charles Douglas Home about David Owen’s lack of control over the Foreign Office and his indecisiveness over the Rhodesian question; and his favourable impression of Thatcher and her interest in
Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/5 23 August 1977
Thatcher to Laurens: wishing to arrange a dinner in London
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/6 27 September 1977
Laurens to Thatcher: agreeing to arrange a dinner engagement
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/7 [?1977]
Laurens to [Airey Neave]: enclosing his thoughts on the Rhodesian situation (not extant)
1 note
VDP/A2/30/8 15 May 1978
Thatcher to Laurens: suggesting dates for a meeting
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/9 24 July 1978
Thatcher to Laurens: thanking him for dinner
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/10 24 May 1979
Thatcher to Laurens: thanking him for sending his congratulations on her appointment as Prime Minster and hoping that their dialogue will continue
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/11 25 July 1979
Laurens to Thatcher: advice on the Rhodesian question
1 memo
VDP/A2/30/12 28 July 1979
Laurens to Thatcher: advice on the Rhodesian question
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/13 30 July 1979
Laurens to Ian Smith (former Rhodesian Prime Minister): advising him that Thatcher is supportive of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/14 31 March [?1980]
Dennis Thatcher to Laurens: his busy schedule in visiting countries
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/15 10 April 1980
Laurens to Charles [?Jansen]: Thatcher’s attitude to the EEC
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/16 30 May 1980
Charles [?Jansen] to Laurens: critical of Thatcher’s approach to Europe
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/17 16 July 1980
Thatcher to Laurens: Sue Finley and Carol
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/18 2 September 1980
Laurens to Dr F. van Zyl Slabbert: the difficulty of arranging a meeting in September with Thatcher
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/19 17 December 1980
Thatcher to Laurens: thanking him for sending a copy of his new book
The night of the new moon
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/20 17 December 1980
Carol Stephens to Laurens: thanking him for forwarding Charles Njonjo's letter to Thatcher
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/21 [?December 1980]
Christmas card from Margaret and Dennis Thatcher [?to Laurens]
1 Christmas card
VDP/A2/30/22 11 February 1981
Laurens to Michael [Scholar] (Private Secretary to the Prime Minister) to Laurens: the situation in South Africa, and his wish to arrange a meeting with Thatcher
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/23 4 June 1981
Laurens to Doris Langley: unable to get to Aldeburgh owing to Thatcher’s wish that she accompany him and Ingaret to the Trooping of the Colour
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/24 27 July 1981
Caroline Stephens, Private Secretary to Margaret Thatcher, to Laurens: arranging a tea meeting with Thatcher
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/25 27 July [?1981]
Caroline Stephens, Private Secretary to Margaret Thatcher, to Laurens: wishing to meet with him during her holidays
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/26 31 July 1981
Laurens to Michael [Scholar] (Private Secretary to the Prime Minister) to Laurens: thanking him for his note
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/27 20 November 1981
Letter from Laurens to [?] on his lack of political affiliation; his willingness to work with the Prime Minister on the Zimbabwe question; and the presentation of Thatcher in the media and whether a programme could be commissioned on the subject
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/28 7 April 1982
Draft memo from [Laurens] to Thatcher: advising her on the strategy to take on the Falkland Islands question
1 memo
VDP/A2/30/29 11 May 1982
Laurens to Caroline [?Stephens]: the possible commission of a television programme on Thatcher directed by Michael Gill, as well as an additional programme on French television
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/30 12 May 1982
Caroline Stephens to Laurens: thanking him for sending a further memo on the Falkland Islands, with an enclosed draft copy of the memo
1 letter & 1 memo
VDP/A2/30/31 12 May 1982
Caroline Stephens to Laurens: recommendations for political biographies to read, and unable to find a time for the Prime Minister to meet with Peter Bevan
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/32 11 November 1982
Charles [?Jansen] to Laurens: his thoughts on the distinction between moralistic and iconic statements in language and how this has influenced Laurens’s writing; and his opinion of [?Alexsandr] Zinoviev
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/33 [?November 1982]
“Sub-Eminence Jaune” (Charles Jansen) to “Eminence Grise” (Laurens): offering advice on how to approach the Thatcher documentary and suggesting possible questions to address her
1 memo
VDP/A2/30/34 12 December 1982
Charles Jansen to Laurens: their forthcoming meeting with “Boadicea” (Thatcher) on preparations for the television programme and his opinion of Thatcher’s character
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/35 16 May 1983
Laurens to Winifred Clark: his inability to visit because of the demands of his role as an advisor to Margaret Thatcher during the 1983 General Election
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/36 7 June 1983
Laurens to Robert L. Schwartz: his inability to visit because of the demands of his role as an advisor to Margaret Thatcher during the 1983 General Election
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/37 10 August 1983
Thatcher to Laurens: thanking him for his message following her eye operation
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/38 7 February 1985
Thatcher to Laurens: arranging to meet Laurens and Mangosuthu Buthelezi
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/39 8 October 1985
Laurens to Thatcher: advising against the policy of sanctions against South Africa
1 memo
VDP/A2/30/40 18 June 1986
Laurens to Tom [?Bedford]: his scepticism that British television is unlikely to commission an interview on the subject of South African sanctions
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/41 24 March [?1989]
Note by [?Laurens] to Thatcher: recommending Neville Beale for employment
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/42 5 April 1989
Thatcher to Laurens: assuring him that she will consider Neville Beale
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/43 31 May 1989
Thatcher to Laurens: her success in the NATO summit with exposing the complacency of certain members concerning developments in the Soviet Union
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/44 2-27 October 1989
Laurens to Thatcher: on the plight of the bushmen and ethnic minorities in Namibia, enclosing correspondence with Christopher K. Mitchell-Heggs
1 memo & 2 letters
VDP/A2/30/47 17 November 1989
Thatcher to Laurens: promising to assist the ethnic minorities in Namibia
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/48 29 November 1989
Laurens to Thatcher: the collapse of communism in Russia, enclosing two newspaper cuttings (transcript and photocopy) and one letter from Christopher Booker to Laurens
1 memo, 2 newspaper cuttings and 1 letter
VDP/A2/30/49 3 December 1989
Charles Powell to Laurens: thanking him for sending the memo on Russia
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/50 6 February 1990
Laurens to Ian Gow: the effect of de Klerk’s statement in South Africa; his lack of response from Thatcher to a recent memo; and his concerns over the wish to solve the world’s problems instantaneously
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/51 10 February 1990
Laurens to Ian Gow: sending a document [?on South Africa]
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/52 15 February 1990
Laurens to Charles Powell: a missing letter to Thatcher
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/53 16 February 1990
Charles Powell to Laurens: a missing letter to Thatcher
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/54 19 February 1990
Laurens to Ian Gow: a missing letter to Thatcher
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/55 3 March 1990
Laurens to Charles Powell: quoting Harry Oppenheimer and a young African on the situation in South Africa; and criticism of Chancellor Kohl
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/56 25 April 1990
Laurens to Charles Powell: the need for more reliable information for Thatcher on the situation in South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/57 30 April 1990
Laurens to Thatcher: expressing his support for her
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/58 1 May 1990
Charles Jansen to Laurens: his views on the European and Russian situation
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/59 7 May 1990
Laurens to Jansen: views on Russia
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/60 9 May 1990
Laurens to Powell: wishing to arrange a meeting between Richard Steyn and the Prime Minister
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/60 9 May 1990
Laurens to Ian Gow: thanking him for lunch, and the close connection between Thatcher and Prince Charles on the subject of Europe
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/61 11 May 1990
Powell to Laurens: Steyn’s wish to delay his visit until after de Klerk and Mandela have visited
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/62 14 May 1990
Laurens to Ian Gow: missing letters to Thatcher
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/63 18 July 1990
Laurens to Gow: arrangements for meeting Buthelezi and others on his visit to South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/64 18 July 1990
Laurens to Mark Lennox-Boyd: wishing to arrange a meeting with Thatcher to discuss Buthelezi
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/65 24 July 1990
Rt Hon Peter Morrison (Parliamentary Private Secretary) to Laurens: agreeing to assist Laurens in passing on his messages to Thatcher
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/66 30 July 1990
Laurens to Morrison: thanking him for his assistance
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/67 1 August 1990
Laurens to Jane Gow: Ian Gow’s murder by an IRA bomb
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/68 13 August 1990
Laurens to Morrison, enclosing letter to Thatcher: Ian Gow’s murder by an IRA bomb
2 letters
VDP/A2/30/69 30 April 1991
Laurens to Thatcher: thanking him for the volumes on Jan Smuts
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/70 6 May 1991
Laurens to Thatcher: expressing his admiration in the way in which she dealt with her departure from office but advising her against going to South Africa so soon
1 memo
VDP/A2/30/71 6 May 1991
Laurens to Thatcher: reiterating his advice not to go to South Africa
1 memo
VDP/A2/30/72 9 May 1991
Laurens to Thatcher: enclosing a letter to A. P. Treurnicht on the situation in South Africa, and advising her on how she can help
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/73 13 May 1991
Thatcher to Laurens: thanking him for the books on Smuts; and her apprehension about the situation in South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/74 28 May 1991
Laurens to Thatcher (draft): hoping that she appreciated the warmth of her welcome in South Africa in contrast to the way in which she has been treated by her parliamentary colleagues; and arranging an interview for her with
Figaro
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/75 May 1991
Published transcript of a lecture by Margaret Thatcher entitled
“A time for greatness”, delivered for the Jan Smuts Memorial Lecture
1 transcript
VDP/A2/30/76 18 September 1991
Laurens to Thatcher (draft): attempting to arrange a meeting between Thatcher and Jean-Marc Pottiez for
Figaro
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/77 10 October 1991
Laurens to Thatcher (draft): Harry Oppenheimer’s wish to have a meeting with Thatcher
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/78 16 October 1991
Thatcher to Laurens: arrangements for Laurens meeting with Kenneth Baker
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/79 [?1991]
Laurens to Thatcher (draft): Kenneth Baker intervening in a case to assist him
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/80 17 October 1991
Laurens to Kenneth Baker: wishing to arrange a meeting
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/81 27 December 1991
Laurens to Sam Francis: thanking him for his generous contribution to the Laurens van der Post Foundation for Africa; and his lecture at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/82 1 May 1992
Laurens to Caroline Ryder: his positive impression of John Major
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/83 30 November 1992
Laurens to Thatcher: wishing to arrange a meeting with Christopher Booker
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/84 30 November 1992
Laurens to Jessica Douglas-Home: apologising for not being able to write an article for
The Times on the EEC and hoping to arrange a meeting with her and Thatcher
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/85 [?December 1991]
Laurens to Thatcher (extract): wishing to arrange a meeting with her
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/86 19 January 1993
Laurens to Thatcher: his despair at the attacks on the British monarchy following Prince Charles’s divorce from Diana Spencer
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/87 20 January 1993
Thatcher to Laurens: her sympathy for the monarchy and enclosing a cutting of her interview with Charles Moore in the Sunday Telegraph
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/88 21 January 1993
Laurens to Thatcher: his belief that there is a plot among the intellectual elite against the monarchy
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/89 12 June 1993
Laurens to Thatcher: the barring of the Dalai Lama by the UN convention on human rights and the BBC’s unwillingness to report it
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/90 24 June 1993
Thatcher to Laurens: wishing to quote in her memoirs an extract of his letter on the subject of the Falklands War
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/91 2 July 1993
Laurens to Thatcher: praising her intervention to the Foreign Office concerning the Dalai Lama; and agreeing to her previous request
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/92 9 July 1993
Laurens to Thatcher: his concerns over the chaotic state of South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/93 10 August 1993
Laurens to Thatcher: sending her a copy of his latest book; and the chaotic situation in South Africa and wishing to arrange a meeting with her to discuss it
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/94 2 September 1993
Clare Lowther (PA to Margaret Thatcher) to Laurens: acknowledging receipt of his new book
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/95 10 September 1993
Thatcher to Laurens: arrangements for meeting
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/96 26 September 1993
Laurens to Thatcher: asking her to read Buthelezi’s memorandum before her meeting with de Klerk
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/97 5 October 1993
Laurens to Thatcher: his discussions with de Klerk, Buthelezi and others on South Africa
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/98 12 November 1993
Laurens to Thatcher: his belief that matters are coming to a head in South Africa; praise for her memoirs; criticism of Howe and Lawson in their treatment of her, praise for the South African Freedom Party; and his hope that Parliament will
address the South African question in the correct manner
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/99 26 May 1994
Laurens to Thatcher: praising her role as Prime Minister
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/100 1 July 1996
Laurens to Thatcher: thanking her for her support in the House of Lords on behalf of the bushmen following the seizure of their land by the Botswana government; and Britain’s attitude to Europe
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/101 8 July 1996
Thatcher to Laurens: her wish that the rights of the bushmen will continue to be defended; and her opinions on Europe and Germany
1 letter
VDP/A2/30/102 [?1991 x 1996]
Christmas card from Margaret Thatcher to Laurens, with portrait photograph
1 card
Military Career
This section includes papers relating to Laurens's army service in the Dutch East Indies during the Second World War and Indonesian independence.
VDP/B1/1-15 5 November 1942 – 20 July 1997
Papers relating to Laurens van der Post’s internment in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp in Bandung, Java:
3 files
VDP/B1/1 [?1942 x 1945]
Photocopy of a certificate of attainment in Afrikaans issued by the “Prisoner of War School” in Bandung to R. E. Bryer
Signed by L. van der Post, W. Nichols and P. M. Rees
1 certificate
VDP/B1/2 5 November 1942
Photocopy of a certificate of appreciation for Laurens van der Post ( “Senior Educational Officer” ) from the staff of the “Camp Library”
2 pages
VDP/B1/3 12 November 1942
Cutting from
Mark Time entitled “The general’s inspection”
1 cutting
VDP/B1/4 24 December 1942
Mark Time Christmas Number, v.1, no.8
Magazine printed and published by British Prisoners of War in Bandung, Java, N.E.I.
24 pages
VDP/B1/5 May 1943
Photocopy of a cutting from
Mark Time of an illustration entitled “Bound for Rio”
1 cutting
VDP/B1/6 29 August 1943
Cutting from
Mark Time Sporting Weekly entitled “Radio City theatre notes: under the sun” (p. 2)
1 cutting
VDP/B1/7 12 December 1943
Cutting from page 3 of
Mark Time Sporting Weekly
1 cutting
VDP/B1/8 [?1942 - 1943]
Photocopy of a cutting from
Mark Time: article entitled “Remarkable R.A.F. achievement”
1 cutting
VDP/B1/9 1942 – 1943
Fragments of papers with lists of soldiers who died in the camp, including army number, rank name, unit, date of death, place of burial and grave number
10f
VDP/B1/10-12 [July] - 30 July 1943
Letter from the British Red Cross Society to [?Ingaret Giffard], with reply from Giffard (through Keith Crichten-Miller) concerning Laurens's status as a Prisoner of War
3 letters
VDP/B1/13 16 May 1944
Note from W. T. H. Nichols, Wing Commander, R.A.F. and Camp Commander to Senior Officer, Dutch Prisoners of War, concerning Laurens van der Waal’s [?Post's] ownership of a clock and money placed in the Prisoner of War Camp Fund
1 note
VDP/B1/14 26 August 1944
Collection of draft manuscript and typescript essays on camp life in Bandung
Possibly produced for
The Voice of Nippon, a Japanese propaganda newspaper
1 file
VDP/B1/15 23 May 1956 - 21 August 1999
Correspondence between Laurens and former Bandung POW's, as well as a letter to Lucia van der Post and J. D. F. Jones, recounting their memories of their time in the camp, including James Whitaker, George F. Webb, Tony Leland, Ron Bryer, Bernard
Weller, Basil Long, Tom Clarke, S. G. Donaldson, John Christmas, William Taylor, John Retallack, Philip Reed, and others
1 file
VDP/B2 25 September 1945 – January 1946
Memoranda/notes by Van der Post describing the situation in Java
1 notebook
VDP/B3/1-76 28 September 1945 – 12 June 1948
Papers, mostly official correspondence relating to Laurens van der Post’s role as intelligence officer in Java:
1 file
VDP/B3/1 28 September [1945]
Copy of the text of a telegram on the whereabouts of Laurens van der Post
1 telegram
VDP/B3/2 25-30 October 1945
Letter from Paul Grey, British Embassy in the Hague, to Laurens, enclosing a copy of a letter from Dr A. G. Bak to Grey, copies of letters from Dr J. W. Mayer-Ranneft, former president of the Volksraad (Board of People) of the Netherlands East
Indies, addressed to Laurens and Grey, and copies of replies from Grey to Mayer-Ranneft and Bak: discussions at a meeting between British and Dutch representatives on the possibility of re-establishing the Netherlands East Indies
5 letters
VDP/B3/3 26 October 1945
Letter from M. [?Spanjaard] (secretary to the Prime Minister) to Sir Neville [?]: asking him to pass letters on to Laurens
1 letter
VDP/B3/4 1 December 1945
Letter from Laurens to Major Norton, with reply from Norton on the same sheet: seeking information on the policy of evacuation for RAPWI
1 letter
VDP/B3/5 18 December 1945
Letter from Laurens to Sutan Sjahrir: outlining the steps he has taken to bring order to Djakarta
1 letter
VDP/B3/6 1 January 1946
Letter from C. H. Buitenhuis to Laurens: request for a meeting
1 letter
VDP/B3/7 31 January 1946
Letter from the Far East Publicity Division to Laurens: the embarrassment caused by an intelligence signal from an Intelligence Officer (not identified) and the need to recall the guilty party
1 letter
VDP/B3/8 14 February [1946]
Letter from Brigadier L. M. Murphy, Headquarters of the Allied Land Forces (South East Asia) to Laurens: the rejection of United Nations intervention [?in Indonesia]
1 letter
VDP/B3/9 [March 1946]
Signal from Laurens to Weld: arrangements for Colonel Hamilton to arrive in England and provide details of the Horobin papers
1 signal
VDP/B3/10 5 March 1946
Signal from Laurens to Brigadier Murphy: enclosing signal from Hamilton concerning his decision to resign his military post
1 signal
VDP/B3/11-12 2 - 7 March 1946
Letters from HQ Allied Forces to Laurens and Mr Kitchener: rejecting their application for an entertainment allowance
2 letters
VDP/B3/13 [?March 1946]
Signal from H.Q. Afnei to HMS Norfolk (for Laurens): requesting his presence at the proposed meeting of the War Establishments Committee in Singapore
1 signal
VDP/B3/14 15 March [1946]
Draft note [?by Laurens]: arrangements for the War Establishment Committee; the need for staff; and his wish to be attached to the Foreign Office
1 note
VDP/B3/15 25 March 1946
Language: Dutch
Signal from Afnei to M. Surabaya on the subject of Laurens
1 signal
VDP/B3/16 20 March 1946
Letter from H.Q. Afnei to Force Paymaster: asking him to investigate the matter of Laurens's pay
1 letter
VDP/B3/17 18 – 26 March 1946
Letter from H.Q. Afnei to W. C. Pitts, enclosing letter from the War Crimes Investigation Team NEI, Batavia, to Laurens: arrangements for a private meeting between Pitts and van der Post
2 letters
VDP/B3/18 3 April 1946
Signal correspondence between Laurens (Afnei) and D. of I. (Sacsea): arrangements for meeting
3 signals
VDP/B3/19 10 April 1946
Letter from Captain [?], on behalf of the British Army Pay Office (Officers Accounts Branch), to the Allied Forces H.Q., Netherlands East Indies: Laurens's pay
1 letter
VDP/B3/20 11 April 1946
Letter from Brigadier L. M. Murphy to Laurens: Laurens leaving the Netherlands East Indies and thanking him for his work in Java
1 letter
VDP/B3/21 15 April 1946
Letter from Captain [?], Political Intelligence HQ Afnei to O. C. 402 Riasc Coy. H.Q. 15 Corps: the loss of his jeep
1 letter
VDP/B3/22 19 April 1946
Telegram from the Main 26th Ind. Division to H.Q. Afnei: arrangements for Laurens’s arrival in Batavia
1 telegram
VDP/B3/23 22 April 1946
Letter from [Laurens] to Mr C. McCornick: diplomatic assistance for McCornick who is stranded in South Africa
1 letter
VDP/B3/24 24 April 1946
Letter from [Laurens] to Lt. P. A. Vermeer: agreeing to help Vermeer’s friends who have been interned on the interior
1 letter
VDP/B3/25 24 April 1946
Letter from Laurens, Batavia, to Mr P. E. K. van Oest: agreeing to help van Oest’s friends who have been interned on the interior
1 letter
VDP/B3/26 26 April 1946
Letter from [Laurens] to Mr MacKereth, British-Consul General in Batavia: agreeing in principle to a request from the Australian Government
1 letter
VDP/B3/27 28 April 1946
Letter from Louis Mountbatten to Laurens: thanking Laurens for arranging the meeting with Sjahrir, Surahman and Mrs Santosa, and his hope that Sjahrir will be able to keep his promises
1 letter
VDP/B3/28 April 1946
Telegram from the chief secretary of the Malayan Union to H.Q. AFNEI, Batavia: arrangements for Laurens entering Malaya
1 telegram
VDP/B3/29 29 April 1946
Letter from [Laurens] to Lt. Cor. C. H. Buitenhuis in London: arrangements for contacting Buitenhuis
1 letter
VDP/B3/30 29 April 1946
Letter from [Laurens] to David Wyller in Cremorne: expressing his appreciation for his work; news of Sonai’s arrest in Singapore; and advising him against a career in politics
1 letter
VDP/B3/31 30 April 1946
Letter from [Laurens] to Brig. H. P. L. Hutchinson: Mr Plaetsman
1 letter
VDP/B3/32 30 April 1946
Letter from the Officer of ADPR Afnei in Batavia (David Wyller?) to Laurens: a controversy surrounding the passing of a message to General Mensergh
1 letter
VDP/B3/33 26 April - 2 May 1946
Memoranda from [?G. Stirling], Captain GS for Brigadier, General Staff, to H.Q. 23 Ind. Div. (GSI): enclosing arrangements for Mr D. P. Plaatsman’s travel and position
2 memoranda
VDP/B3/34 2 May 1946
Letter from Colonel [?], Deputy Military Secretary, to the British Army Pay Office: authorisation for Laurens’s appointment at H.Q. Allied Forces NEI in October 1945
1 letter
VDP/B3/35 [May 1946]
Signal from H.Q. Alfsea to HQ Afnei: authorisation for Laurens’s appointment
1 signal
VDP/B3/36 3 May 1946
Letter from the Lt. Gen. of the CCC-in-C, H.Q. Afnei to H.Q. Alfsea: regularisation of Laurens's rank
1 letter
VDP/B3/37 5 May 1946
Letter from Captain F. A. Clarke to Laurens: asking whether Laurens's recommendation of a decoration for him has been actioned
1 letter
VDP/B3/38 6 May 1946
Affidavit by Captain Michael Telfer-Smollett: recalling a letter from General Christison to Laurens in early October 1945 in which he (Laurens) was ordered to report to SAC at Kandy and suggesting that he should report to the Hague on the
situation in the Netherlands East Indies
1 affidavit
VDP/B3/39 7 May 1946
Language: Dutch
Letter from Tan. Kiat. Jang to Laurens
1 letter
VDP/B3/40 10 May 1946
Letter from [?] to Laurens, enclosing embarkation forms for Laurens
1 letter
VDP/B3/41 13 May 1946
Letter from Brig. [?] to HQ Alfsea 2nd Echelon Jhansi: confirming Laurens's age and service group
1 letter
VDP/B3/42 13 May 1946
Letter from Laurens to Mrs M. C. Stephen in Bognor Regis: agreeing to provide as much information as he can about her deceased son who was a former Japanese Prisoner of War
1 letter
VDP/B3/43 13 May 1946
Letter from Laurens to Mr Tan Kiat Yeng: asking for information on money owing to him during his time at the Bandung camp
1 letter
VDP/B3/44 17 May 1946
Language: Dutch
Letter from Tan. Kiat. Jang to Laurens
1 letter
VDP/B3/45 20 May 1946
Letter from Captain [?], GSI, H.Q. Afnei, to “A” Branch: enclosing a voluntary deferment application form for Laurens
1 letter
VDP/B3/46 21 May 1946
Office note from Major J. V. Eva to Laurens, forwarding letter from the Deputy Military Secretary to the British Army Pay Office: Laurens's date of appointment
1 note
VDP/B3/47 25 May 1946
Letter from Neville Bland, the Hague, to Laurens: news of Portia; his opinion of the situation in Indonesia; his desire to visit Laurens, Winston Churchill’s reception during his recent visit to Amsterdam; and news of staff in the Hague
1 letter
VDP/B3/48 26 May 1946
Letter from Laurens to Captain F. A. Clarke: Clarke’s request for a decoration
1 letter
VDP/B3/49-50 10 – 25 June 1946
Language: Dutch
Letters from [?N. V. Winkel] to Laurens
2 letters
VDP/B3/51 12 June 1946
Letter from Ross Hannen (War Office) to Laurens: money owed to Mr Tan and the Government's inability to pay off this debt and asking Laurens to obtain an accurate amount of the money owed
1 letter
VDP/B3/52 12 June 1946
Letter from Ross Hannen (War Office) to Laurens: his hope that Laurens is not overworking, thanking Laurens for the information he has provided and praising his work, and the Communist infiltration of the Dutch East Indies
1 letter
VDP/B3/53 3 July 1946
Letter from [Laurens] to Claude J. Saywell, Argus South African Newspaper in London: recommending Captain John Falls for an appointment at his firm
1 letter
VDP/B3/54 8 July 1946
Letter from Laurens to R. W. D. Blackwood in Singapore: introducing Marco Polo Taji who assisted the prisoners in Java
1 letter
VDP/B3/55 23 June - 23 July 1946
Letter from G. Glagoleff to Laurens, enclosing correspondence between Glagoleff and the Department of Communications concerning Glagoleff’s request for the return of his car
3 letters
VDP/B3/56 19 July 1946
Letter from Miss S. E. Beher (secretary to Laurens) to Major and Mrs Wilson: Laurens's inability to attend their wedding owing to illness
1 letter
VDP/B3/57 [?July 1946]
Telegram from General Stopford to Laurens: congratulating him on his O.B.E.
1 telegram
VDP/B3/58 1 August 1946
Grant of the dignity by King George VI of an Additional Officer of the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire to Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary) Laurens Jan Van der Post
1 certificate
VDP/B3/59-60 3 - 10 August 1946
Letter from [W. A. Copier], Captain for the Establishment Officer, to Laurens: the introduction of rationing cards for textiles in the officers’ shop, with acknowledgement reply from Laurens
2 letters
VDP/B3/61 12 August 1946
Memorandum from Laurens to “H. M. Minister” [?of NEI] : recommendations for rewarding individuals following the liberation of the Japanese POW camps
1 memorandum
VDP/B3/62 13 August 1946
Letter from Laurens to Lt. Col. Jim Fuglesang, enclosing a signal from Laurens to Burn of the 26th Division, agreeing to assist Fuglesang
1 letter & 1 signal
VDP/B3/63 14 August 1946
Letter from Laurens to Paul Grey, The Hague: asking Grey to assist Mr Tan Kiat Jang with his journey from Holland to England
1 letter
VDP/B3/64 15 August 1946
Laurens to Mrs Giffard Young and Wing Commander W. C. H. Nichols enclosing note introducing Mr Tan Kiat Jang and his assistance towards British prisoners in the Japanese POW camps
2 letters
VDP/B3/65 20 September 1946
Memorandum from Colonel [?] (Australian Military Forces) to Laurens: information on Captain Gill and Lt. Stuart
1 memorandum
VDP/B3/66 [?1946]
Letter from [?], Government of India Department of Food to Laurens, enclosing a bar receipt for Laurens
1 letter & 1 receipt
VDP/B3/67 9 May 1947
Photocopy of a letter from G. T. Walker, British Claims and Hirings NEI, to Mr P. W. N. Kriek: the provision of food and money for British personnel in Java
1 letter
VDP/B3/68 27 August 1947
Note from the Colonial Office to Laurens: requesting reply from Laurens on a report on a candidate for an appointment in the Colonial Administrative Service
1 letter
VDP/B3/69 1 March 1948
Letter from A. H. Irisen, War Office, to Laurens: the transfer of £4,500 to Mr Tan Kiat Jang’s bank account
1 letter
VDP/B3/70 6 March 1948
Pass card for Laurens
1 item
VDP/B3/71-76 16 March – 12 June 1948
Correspondence between Laurens, the War Office and the Air Force concerning an investigation into information on whether No. 43 Special Mission had clearance to fight in Java
6 letters
VDP/B4/1-198 20 October 1945– November 1946
Confidential signals sent and received by Laurens during his role as Intelligence Officer in Java, mostly relating to mediation between Indonesian nationalists and the Dutch government:
1 file
VDP/B4/1 20 October 1945
From: SACSEA (Browning)
To: Cabinet Offices (Van der Post)
Laurens's meeting with the Prime Minister
1 page
VDP/B4/2 9 February [1946]
From: AFREI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Sutan Sjahrir and cabinet arrival in Batavia; Sjahrir’s claims that he has been given permission by Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta to negotiate with the Dutch; Sjahrir’s rejection of Tan Malakas’s conditions; and his (Laurens's) plans to present an
official statement from the Dutch to Sjahrir at a lunch engagement with Sjahrir and H.E. Hubertas van Mook
1 page
VDP/B4/3 9 February [1946]
From: SLK. 1265 (Murphy)
To: Ray. 239 (Van der Post)
Asking Laurens to keep him informed of further developments; and requesting that H.E. Sir Archibald Clark and Laurens’s command are made aware of the meeting
1 page
VDP/B4/4 13 February [1946]
From: SACSEA (Murphy)
To: AFNEI (Hamilton)
The removal of John Amory; and asking Murphy to thank Van der Post for his signals which the Commander in Chief has seen
1 page
VDP/B4/5 13 February 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Murphy)
Report of a meeting between van Mook, van Bylandt and Idenborg with Indonesian delegates including Sjahrir and Agoes Salim at Sir Archibald Clark Kerr’s house; Indonesians in Batavia arguing violently over van Mook’s proposals; the unfavourable
effect of United Nations discussions on Indonesian negotiations; the possibility of Russian involvement and its likely effect on Tan Malaka; criticism of Agoes Salim and his poor relationship with Sjahrir; and proposed meeting with Van Mook and
Sjahrir
1 page
VDP/B4/6 15 February 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Murphy)
Report of a meeting between van Mook and Sjahrir and his (Laurens's) belief that both men will be eager to broker an agreement; Sjahrir’s secret meeting with a deputation from Central Java in which he was advised to break off the negotiations
1 page
VDP/B4/7 [21 February 1946]
From: GSI HQ AFNEI (West)
To: Main 5 Ind. Div. (Van der Post)
Sjahrir’s meeting with Sukarno, Hatta and Sjarifuddin and his (Sjahrir’s) refusal to change the cabinet; and the potential influence of the Socialists and the Islamic Party in the National Assembly
1 page
VDP/B4/8 [21 February 1946]
From: Main 5 Ind. Div. (Van der Post)
To: AFNEI (West)
Arrangements for a meeting between the High Commissioner and Soaheir [?Sjahrir]
1 page
VDP/B4/9 [22 February 1946]
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEI (Murphy)
Asking Murphy to send Ferguson to Borneo, and a proposed meeting between Sjahrir and the High Commissioner
1 page
VDP/B4/10 23 February 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEI (Murphy)
Report of Sjahrir’s meeting with the High Commissioner including Sjahrir’s opinion on being forced to change his government and the possibility of his resignation as Prime Minister, negotiations likely to be delayed until early March, the High
Commissioner's opinion that the Indonesians may lose sympathy with the world if an agreement is not made, and Laurens’s pessimism of the likely outcome
1 page
VDP/B4/11 24 February 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Murphy)
Report of a meeting between van Mook and Sjahrir in which van Mook informed Sjahrir that a timetable for independence has not yet been set, Laurens's opinion that van Mook is pessimistic over future negotiations which are likely to result in a
violent outcome, Sjahrir to travel to Djockja, the fatalistic attitude of the Indonesian government with the extremists gaining the upper hand over the intellectuals, and Sjahrir likely to resist Tan Malaka being appointed to the Cabinet
1 page
VDP/B4/12 25 February 1946
From: SLK 1475 (Murphy)
To: RAY 285 (Van der Post)
Dutch troops likely to enter Indonesia on 5 March
1 page
VDP/B4/13 25 February 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Murphy)
Indonesian opinion pessimistic over negotiations with the Dutch; Dermawan’s opinion on the deteriorating situation in the interior; Laurens and Abdul Kadir assisting Sjahrir in preparing for his meeting with the National Convention; arrangements
for a meeting between Sjahrir, Sir Archibald, Sukarno and Hatta in Semarang before the National Convention meeting; and the High Commissioner's wish to stress upon the nationalists the urgency of the situation
1 page
VDP/B4/14 [25 February 1946]
From: AFNEI (Wingrove)
To: 5 PARA BDE (Brigadier Darling)
Arrangements for a meeting between Sir Archibald Clark Kerr, Soekarno, Hatta and Sjahrir
1 page
VDP/B4/15 [25 February 1946]
From: AFNEI (Darling)
To: 5 PARA BDE (Wingrove)
Agreeing to make the necessary arrangements
1 page
VDP/B4/16 [26 February 1946]
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: 5 PARA BDE (Darling)
Arrangements for meeting Indonesian nationalists
1 page
VDP/B4/17 26 February [1946]
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Murphy)
Sir Archibald Clark Kerr suffering from malaria but will leave for Semarang to meet with Indonesian nationalists
1 page
VDP/B4/18 27 February [1946]
From: AFNEI (West)
To: HMS NORFOLK (Van der Post)
Sjahrir currently with Sukarno
1 page
VDP/B4/19 27 February [1946]
From: AFNEI (West)
To: HMS NORFOLK (Van der Post)
Hatta and Sukarno unable to attend meeting because of ill health and its possible implications
1 page
VDP/B4/20 27 February [1946]
From: AFNEI (Eberlie)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Hatta and Sukarno unable to attend meeting because of ill health and its possible implications
1 page
VDP/B4/21 27 February [1946]
From: AFNEI (Eberlie)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Meeting with Clerk Kerr postponed because of Hatta and Sukarno’s ill health
1 page
VDP/B4/22 27 February [1946]
From: SLK. 1494 (Murphy)
To: RAY. 288 (Eberlie)
Asking to be kept informed when the Dutch land in Bali and Java
1 page
VDP/B4/23 27 February 1946
From: GOC in C.
To: Van der Post
Possibility of persuading Hatta and Sukarno to meet with Sir Archibald Clark Kerr before the National Convention tomorrow
1 page
VDP/B4/24 27 February 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: 5 PARA BDE (Archibald Clark Kerr)
Remote chance of meeting between Clark Kerr and Indonesian leaders; Sukarno wanting to persuade the Indonesian people about the necessity of negotiations; and arrangements for another meeting with Clark Kerr and Sukarno after the National
Convention
1 page
VDP/B4/25 28 February 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: 5 PARA BDE (Archibald Clark Kerr)
Sukarno’s proposal to begin negotiations on 4 March
1 page
VDP/B4/26 28 February 1946
From: 5 PARA BDE (Clark Kerr)
To: AFNEI (Van der Post)
Travelling to Priok
1 page
VDP/B4/27 28 February 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Murphy)
Sukarno’s proposal to begin negotiations on 4 March; critical meeting of the National Convention now taking place; Tan Malaka likely to remain irreconcilable; and the possible implications on negotiations if Sjahrir is not returned
1 page
VDP/B4/28 1 March 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Murphy)
National Convention has returned Sjahrir with support from Sukarno
1 page
VDP/B4/29 2 March 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Murphy)
Reports that Sjahrir and cabinet have in fact resigned; negotiations unlikely to start before 6 March; Sjahrir broadcasting to the Indonesian people; and Clark Kerr’s meeting with van Mook, Bylandt and Idenborg about the situation
1 page
VDP/B4/30 3 March 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Sukarno requesting Sjahrir form a government; West wanting to bring Sukarno and Hatta to Batavia for a meeting; and implications of delaying arrival of Dutch troops
1 page
VDP/B4/31 3 March 1946
From: SLK 1530 (Murphy)
To: SUM 228 (Van der Post)
The impossibility of negotiations beginning on 6 March; wanting Dutch troops to apply pressure on Indonesians; and implications of delays on the shipping and repatriation of British, Indians and Japanese in Indonesia
1 page
VDP/B4/32 3 March 1946
From: SLK 1544 (Murphy)
To: SUM 228 (Van der Post)
[Copy of previous signal]
1 page
VDP/B4/33 4 March [1946]
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Darmawan (ex-Minister of Economic Affairs) pessimistic over future; local Hadjis selling talismans and immunity against bullets on the understanding that fighting is likely to break out; the composition of Sjahrir’s cabinet; and cabinet ordered
to declare complete independence before negotiations begin
1 page
VDP/B4/34 5 March 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
West to arrive without Sukarno in Batavia this afternoon; Sjahrir being asked to form cabinet three days later with support from Tan Malakan and names for the new cabinet submitted; Sjahrir ready to begin negotiations; Sukarno’s influence waning;
and the impact of the arrival of Dutch troops which is likely to affect Sjahrir’s position and accusations that he is a British-Dutch agent
1 page
VDP/B4/35 6 March 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Sukarno’s arrival and wish to set up a meeting with Clark Kerr; the need to keep in touch with Djockja over the situation in the interior; and Clark Kerr and other officials frustrated with delay in negotiations
1 page
VDP/B4/36 7 March 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Report of a meeting between Clark Kerr and Sjahrir in which the former broke the news of the imminent arrival of Dutch troops and the current Bali operation; Sjahrir concerned with the introduction of the new Nica currency which is likely to
affect his position; and Van Mook's accusation towards Laurens of bad faith and too much appeasement to the Indonesians; and Laurens’s view that the Dutch are resisting an agreement
1 page
VDP/B4/37 8 March [1946]
From: AFNEI (Eberlie)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Clark Kerr pleased at Sjahrir’s refusal to go to Djokja; Sjahrir favouring Laurens’s wish to travel to the interior and negotiate with the Indonesians, and Van Mook threatening to resign over Laurens's invitation to negotiate seeing it as
appeasing the Indonesians; and Laurens required to defend the new currency from expected attacks
1 page
VDP/B4/38 10 March [1946]
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Sjahrir and four ministers to meet van Mook tomorrow; Clark Kerr pleased with Sjahrir’s new proposals; negotiations to take place without Sukarno; new Cabinet formed; Indonesian claim that the attack on a Batavia-Bandung convoy is directly due to
the landing of fresh Dutch forces with Sjahrir protesting to Stopford
1 page
VDP/B4/39 13 March [1946]
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Report of a meeting of the Dutch and Indonesian delegations including the need to refer to the Hague before accepting Sjahrir’s proposals, Sjahrir adding to his proposals in calling for the withdrawal of Dutch troops from Indonesia following the
conclusion of an agreement, a general amnesty for political and associated crimes, promotion of Dutch Government of Indonesia to full membership of U.N.O., and cessation of all troop movements
1 page
VDP/B4/40 17 March [1946]
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
The lack of decisions following yesterday’s meeting with Sjahrir with his wish for the withdrawal of troops the main difficulty, the setting up of sub-committees to address Sjahrir’s proposals, and Laurens’s optimism over the progress of
negotiations
1 page
VDP/B4/41 19 March [1946]
From: AFNEI (Taylor)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Laurens’s poor health; the political sub-committee currently studying Sjahrir’s proposals with the first proposal a major stumbling block; draft proclamation concerning Japanese; and the need for a meeting to ensure Indonesian neutrality
1 page
VDP/B4/42 21 March [1946]
From: AFNEI (West)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Sjahirir agreeing to West’s proposals for withdrawal including leaflets to be dropped warning armed personnel to hand in arms otherwise tear gas may be used; situation in Western and Central Java deteriorating; sub-committee has reached a
deadlock over sovereign rights; meeting between Sjahrir and van Mook; and Laurens unable to return from Sourabaya
1 page
VDP/B4/43 21 March 1946
From: Norfolk
To: ALFNEI
Laurens's poor health and inability to travel
1 page
VDP/B4/44 23 March 1946
From: AFNEI (West)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Plenary meeting to satisfy foreign correspondents who are spreading rumours of stagnation; Van Mook to make a statement arguing the Dutch have not come with any aggressive intent; Sjahir to ask minister (?Sjarifuddin) to make a report on the
prospect of an early evacuation; new sub-committee formed to discuss contentious use of the word “republic”; further meeting to discuss Bandung operations; and likely withdrawal of TRI following Sjahrir’s orders.
1 page
VDP/B4/45 25 March 1946
From: SACSEA (Department of Intelligence)
To: AFNEI (West)
Asking him to report in detail on TRI’s movements
1 page
VDP/B4/46 25 March 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Cordial meeting between Van Mook, Sjahrir and delegates in which both Dutch and Indonesians seem favourable to the Annamite treaty; and concerns over the effect of military developments on Sjahrir’s position
1 page
VDP/B4/47 28 March 1946
From: AFNEI (West)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Meeting between Sjahrir and Van Mook in which the former handed the latter Indonesian counter proposals including the need for Sumatra to be included in the republic; proposal for Lauder; Crook and Laurens to hold a conference with Sukarno and
TRI at Djokja on Japanese evacuation; and arrest of extremists by the Indonesian government
1 page
VDP/B4/48 30 March 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Proposals for treaty agreed by Van Mook and Sjahrir; Laurens’s opinions of Van Mook’s choice of Indonesians to accompany him to the Hague; and an unauthorised report by Ferguson to Nefis
2 pages
VDP/B4/49 3 April 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Murphy)
Meeting between van der Post and Indonesian representatives setting out terms for the Japanese evacuation; attempt by TRI to include its members in the Hague delegation has failed; and the High Commissioner's role in Dutch-Indonesian talks
1 page
VDP/B4/50 5 April 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: Sir Archibald Clark Kerr
Nationalist rally at Tasikmalaya producing nothing alarming and showing the willingness of Indonesians to work with the Dutch if independence is agreed
1 page
VDP/B4/51 [5 April 1946]
From: SLK 1911 (Department of Intelligence)
To: RAY 397 (Van der Post)
Requesting his return from Medan and seeking his views on a possible separate agreement with the Dutch
1 page
VDP/B4/52 6 April 1946
From: RAF
To: AFNEI Q Branch; Lt Col. van der Post; Ord. (Mov), A.H.Q., NEI; and Airstaff, A.H.Q., N.E.I.
Itinerary for Laurens's Sumatra tour
1 page
VDP/B4/53 7 April 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Department of Intelligence)
Agreeing to the above request
1 page
VDP/B4/54 [7 April 1946]
From: SLK 1915 (Department of Intelligence)
To: RAY 399 (Van der Post)
Requesting van der Post send the text of Indonesian counter-proposals by signal
1 page
VDP/B4/55 8 April 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Department of Intelligence)
Full text of Indonesian proposals
3 pages
VDP/B4/56 9 April 1946
From: SACSEA (Department of Intelligence)
To: MEDAN (Van der Post)
Asking Van der Post’s opinion on the Sumatran problem
1 page
VDP/B4/57 [April 1946]
From: AFNEI (West)
To: GSI HQ 26 Division (West)
The question of the best method of sending arms for the Japanese evacuation
1 page
VDP/B4/58 13 April 1946
From: SUM 171 (Holker)
To: RAY 026 (Van der Post)
The movements of Indonesian nationalists
1 page
VDP/B4/59 17 April 1946
From: Van der Post
To: West
The arrangements for his return with Holker
1 page
VDP/B4/60 [17 April 1946]
From: SKL 1955 (Murphy)
To: SUM 291 (Holker)
Information for RAY 411 (Van der Post)
Ferguson’s report on illegal trading between Sumatra and Malaya, with an enclosed report
3 pages
VDP/B4/61 18 April 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Department of Intelligence)
Laurens to leave for Singapore
1 page
VDP/B4/62 29 April 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Burn)
Sjahrir’s satisfaction on the release of his brother
1 page
VDP/B4/63 [April 1946]
From: SLK 19001 (Van der Post)
To: RAY 426 (West)
Arrangements for a meeting with Indonesian leaders
1 page
VDP/B4/64 1 May 1946
From: SLK 204? (Van der Post)
To: RAY 457 (West)
Laurens’s scheme; and arrangements for Diana’s passage
1 page
VDP/B4/65 2 May 1946
From: AFNEI (West)
To: SACSEA (Van der Post)
Opinion of Indonesians that the Hague talks have achieved nothing; Dutch reticent because of forthcoming elections; new proposals submitted; and requesting the postponement of future Dutch operations until after the election
With additional copy
1 page
VDP/B4/66 5 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Brig. Alms)
Arrival in Batavia of arms; and a proposed meeting with Sjahir and MacKereth on negotiations over the monthly import of rice into Allied controlled areas
1 page
VDP/B4/67 6 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Brig. Alms)
Pandit Nehru’s offer of Indian rice for Indonesia; Sjahrir disappointed with Hague negotiations and an inability to receive signals; Max Alkadri (Sultan of Pontianak) complaining about his poor reception by Van Mook in Holland; and receiving a
liberty ship of 95 Indonesians in Fermese
1 page
VDP/B4/68 7 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Sultan of Pontianak’s view of the disappointing negotiations; threats to the power of Sultans by the Popular People's Front in Java; reports of the kidnapping of Sultan Sunan of Solo unconfirmed; Sukarno’s popularity waning because of his
association with women; increase in Dutch anti-British feeling; and news of the Australian murder suspects
2 pages
VDP/B4/69 [?May 1946]
From: SUM 206 (Holker)
To: RAY 029 (Van der Post)
Cordial meeting with Hassan and other Indonesians; Atjeh leaders more disposed to negotiations; arrest of extremists on the east coast; internal discord within the Popular People’s Front movement; and lack of arms for TRI
3 pages
VDP/B4/70 8 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Transmitting Holker’s signal above
2 pages
VDP/B4/71 [May 1946]
From: RAY 469 (Pendred)
To: SLK 2077 (Van der Post)
Extract from
Basic News blaming Lord Mountbatten and Dutch authorities for the troubles in Java, asserting that the Indonesians were pro-Dutch after the Japanese surrender, and asking Laurens’s opinion on the article
2 pages
VDP/B4/72 8 May 1946
From: SLK 388 (Van der Post)
To: RAY 407 (Alms)
Vote of confidence passed in the Dutch Parliament for Van Mook’s performance; Sjahrir agreeing to new military perimeters around Batavia; rice negotiations; Sultan Pontianak’s views on Indonesian independence
1 page
VDP/B4/73 8 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Department of Intelligence)
Responding to the
Basic News article which he considers inaccurate and listing reasons
2 pages
VDP/B4/74 9 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: Main 26 Ind Div (Holker)
Van Mook’s return and asking Holker to be wary of the Van Mook’s vote of confidence
1 page
VDP/B4/75 9 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Sjahrir agreeing to limited military operations in Batavia; Van Mook’s assertion that there will be no further movement in Dutch-Indonesian negotiations until after the election; leaking of information concerning the Singapore conference;
inaccurate report on a battle between Dutch and Indonesians near Bekassi; and Indonesian claims of 100 million guilders available for Indonesian nationalists for social reconstruction
1 page
VDP/B4/76 13 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Beginning of the operation to stabilise the Batavia perimeter which has been agreed by Didi Kartasasvita who was later wrongfully arrested by the Dutch; Sjahrir unlikely to have met with Soekarno; Van Mook has made no effort to contact
Indonesians; progress of rice negotiations and Dutch opposition; and further political developments after the Dutch elections
1 page
VDP/B4/77 14 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Meeting between General Mansergh and van Mook; van Mook to present Sjahrir with modified proposals after the Dutch elections; van Mook’s objections to TRI bringing Rapwi into Batavia because of likely clashes; van der Post’s belief that the Dutch
are preparing a vigorous military policy in Java; his opinion of van Mook; and Indonesians anxious for British involvement
1 page
VDP/B4/78 14 May 1946
From: SUMATRA (Hedley)
To: AFNEI (Van der Post)
His impressions of an interview with Hassan and his appreciation of Harmani
1 page
VDP/B4/79 15 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Wishing to replace West; local Dutch population in Indonesia entirely anti-van Mook and have drawn up a petition against his policy; the question of exporting rice to India; and progress of the Batavia perimeter
1 page
VDP/B4/80 15 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: HQ 26 Div (Hedley)
Thanking him for his signal
1 page
VDP/B4/81 15 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Forwarding Hedley’s signal on his meeting with Hassan
1 page
VDP/B4/82 15 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: HQ 26 Div (Hedley)
Informing him that two officers are on their way to join Laurens's staff
1 page
VDP/B4/83 15 May 1946
From: SACSEA (Alms)
To: AFNEI (Van der Post)
Advising him on correct signal procedure; Cabinet Office’s decision on Java expected today and on Sumatra on 17 May; and his wish to accompany the Commander in Chief to Batavia
1 page
VDP/B4/84 16 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: Holker
Requesting information on the fate of two British Indians kidnapped by Indonesians
1 page
VDP/B4/85 16 May 1946
From: SUMATRA (Holker)
To: AFNEI (Van der Post)
Woods and Titchener have arrived; Hassan and Harmani expecting to bring Popular People’s Front East Coast into line; and Hassan more agreeable generally
1 page
VDP/B4/86 17 May 1946
From: SUMATRA (Holker)
To: AFNEI (Van der Post)
Informing him that he had no knowledge of the kidnapped British Indians
1 page
VDP/B4/87 17 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Taylor and Van der Post)
To: 26 Div (Holker)
Col. Hoorweg (Director of NEFIS) requesting Holker to visit AFNEI to discuss general coordination in Sumatra with NEFIS
1 page
VDP/B4/88 17 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Agreeing with signal procedure; rumours that Sjahrir will move the government to Djokja and that there is a serious rift between Indonesian leaders; increasing build-up of Dutch forces and reports of imminent departure of British troops; Sardjong
appointed head of the Indonesian Communist Party; protests against [?Dutch] policy; forwarding a transcript of Holker’s signal from 16 May; Sjahrir fearing that he may have to leave Batavia; Sjahrir attending cabinet conference at Djokja on 21 May;
and Indonesian pessimism over negotiations
2 pages
VDP/B4/89 18 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Eberlie)
(Requesting signal to be sent to Vice Admiral Patterson)
Asking Patterson to arrange passage for Lt. Col. Taylor to England from Singapore or Colombo
1 page
VDP/B4/90 18 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Indonesians shocked at Sourabaya and Semarang being handed over to the Dutch and growing fears of Dutch encroachment; Sjahrir worrying that he will be unable to carry on if Batavia falls to the Dutch; Laurens suggesting Dutch should withdraw from
Indonesia to allow negotiations to take place; and inconclusive Dutch election results
1 page
VDP/B4/91 18 May 1946
From: SUM 219 (Holker)
To: RAY 039 (Van der Post and Taylor)
Arranging an intelligence coordination conference to clarify relationship between NEFIS and Dutch Forces and chain of command
1 page
VDP/B4/92 20 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Taylor and Van der Post)
To: 26 Div (Holker)
Clarifying that it is too late to offer any advice for the conference but requesting his presence in Batavia
1 page
VDP/B4/93 20 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Cowper)
Van Mook handing Sjahrir a protocol wishing to hold a conference on the role of the Dutch in Java and the rest of Indonesia; Sjahrir’s anger that Indonesians are being offered less in this arrangement; and his (Sjahrir’s) belief that an
independent India would assist their cause
1 page
VDP/B4/94 21 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Eberlie)
Asking him to pass a signal to SACSEA on information about the murder of an Australian by the Japanese
1 page
VDP/B4/95 21 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Alms)
To: ALFSEA (Eberlie)
Arrangements for his car
1 page
VDP/B4/96 21 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Holker and Van der Post)
To: 26 Div (Burns)
Asking him to urgently arrange for Brondgerst to be sent to Batavia
1 page
VDP/B4/97 [21 May 1946]
From: SUM 220 (Burn)
To: RAY 040 (Van der Post)
Mohd Sjafei (Education Minister) visiting Pakanbarce on 23 May for a lecture on education; and Sjarifuddin’s party touring Kampongs and Benkoelen
1 page
VDP/B4/98 [21 May 1946]
From: SUM 221 (Burn)
To: RAY 041 (Van der Post)
Information on the kidnapping of two British Indians by Indonesians
1 page
VDP/B4/99 [21 May 1946]
From: SUM 223 (Burn)
To: RAY 042 (Van der Post and Holker)
Brondgerst to be sent tomorrow, and Hearn to leave Medan
1 page
VDP/B4/100 22 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: 26 Div (Burn)
Information about the kidnapping of British Indians who work for Malwani & Sons
1 page
VDP/B4/101 22 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Asking him to assist West who arrives on Friday
1 page
VDP/B4/102 22 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Alms)
To: ALFSEA (Van der Post)
Opinion on Van Mook’s broadcast speech concerning Dutch proposals; van Bylandt in trouble for not communicating proposals; Van Mook to bring a delegation with him to Singapore; Indonesian cabinet meeting and the possibility of Indonesians leaving
Batavia for the interior; and the diplomatic impact of the Australian murder
1 page
VDP/B4/103 24 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Pope)
To: ALFSEA (Van der Post)
Cabinet members requiring more time to consider Dutch proposals; possible changes in Sjahrir’s cabinet with possible friction between Sjahrir and Sjarifuddin
1 page
VDP/B4/104 25 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Pope)
To: ALFSEA (Van der Post)
Sjahrir outlining the reasons why the Dutch proposals are unacceptable to the cabinet; and the possible implications of Sjarifuddin replacing Sjahrir and the Prime Minister
1 page
VDP/B4/105 [25 May 1946]
From: SUM 227 (Hedley)
To: RAY 045 (Van der Post)
General Spits and Colonel Schaltan arrived in Batavia on 22 May for conference
1 page
VDP/B4/106 25 May 1946 (17:10)
From: SLK 2153 (Van der Post)
To: RAY 050 (Pope)
Confirmation copy of message passed by telephone
Commander’s order for Alfred
1 page
VDP/B4/107 25 May 1946 (17:15)
From: SLK 422 (Pope)
To: RAY 449 (Van der Post)
Confirmation copy of message passed by telephone
Commander’s order for Alfred
1 page
VDP/B4/108 26 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Sjahrir and cabinet leaving for a National Convention in Solo; Sjahrir’s pessimism over van Mook’s protocol and his (Sjahrir’s) view that the Dutch proposals have been a great shock to the Indonesians; the possibility of Australia intervening;
Alfred’s unofficial approach to Sjahrir; and the possibility of serious fighting if negotiations fail
1 page
VDP/B4/109 27 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Eberlie)
Arrangements for “boy” to arrive in Singapore
1 page
VDP/B4/110 27 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: 26 Div (Hedley)
Will investigate Hedley’s request
1 page
VDP/B4/111 28 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
The possibility of Suwandi and Darmawan being lined up by van Mook for a puppet Dutch Indonesian government when negotiations break down; preventing Sourabaya operation because of poor intelligence information; and Alfred in hospital
1 page
VDP/B4/112 29 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Assuring him that all his and Alfred’s signals are seen by MacKereth
1 page
VDP/B4/113 29 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Van Mook likely to call a future meeting of Indonesian representatives; Sjahrir to form a new cabinet; Sjahrir wanting to send counter-proposals; and Alfred
1 page
VDP/B4/114 30 May 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Reorganisation of Sjahrir’s cabinet; rumour that Spoor will replace Van Mook; Rapwi evacuation proceeding well; rice agreement; and Alfred
1 page
VDP/B4/115 1 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Indonesian negotiations continuing in the interior; Dutch plans for forming an Indonesian shadow cabinet; Cowper’s signal concerning Tan Malaka and the communist threat in Indonesia; Hoker’s depressing reports concerning Sjarifuddin and Djamil;
Judge Kirby from Australia arriving to investigate murder; significance of a shooting incident between Dutch and Indian soldiers; and the possibility of Japanese workers becoming pro-Indonesian
1 page
VDP/B4/116 1 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: 26 Div (Hedley)
General Spits visit to Batavia; Van Mook to organise a conference of Indonesian leaders in the outer islands; and the need to brief Colonel Fuglesang on the Sumatra situation
1 page
VDP/B4/117 2 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Returning Indonesian cabinet ministers uncommunicative about meeting discussions; urging caution over rumours and lack of information; Cowper’s request for information; West’s request; and Kirby’s views on the Australian murder and friction with
Van Mook
1 page
VDP/B4/118 [3 June 1946]
From: Alms
To: Van der Post
Relaying an earlier signal expressing his hope that MacKereth will still allow Laurens to continue sending his informative signals; and asking for West to be sent to investigate his compassionate grounds
1 page
VDP/B4/119 4 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Chain of command, Dutch arrest of the entire Indonesian civil police in Semarang because of links to TRI; Judge Kirby; Taylor to arrive in Singapore; and MacKereth wanting Laurens to go to Australia
1 page
VDP/B4/120 4 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Meeting with Sjahrir in which he was evasive about cabinet changes; Sjarifuddin has been too weak with extremists; drafting counter proposals along Inverchapel lines; Laurens’s view that Sjahrir seems to be subordinate to Sukarno; rumours from an
American correspondent of the detail of counter-proposals concerning possible republican areas; news on Djokja; Alfred’s “baby”; and opinion of Sjahrir’s mentality
1 page
VDP/B4/121 6 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: 26 Div (Holker)
Spits to resign; and Sjahrir’s view that his (Sjahrir’s) position will be untenable if Sumatra is excluded from Indonesian republican areas
(On same signal)
From: Fuglesang
To: Holker
Asking information about the increase in the number of Japanese desertions
1 page
VDP/B4/122 6 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Meeting with Sjahrir in which he reiterated preparing counter-proposals; the question of the involvement of Bali in negotiations; little hope for rice imports into Allied areas; Sjahrir pessimistic over Dutch negotiations; the Indonesians united
on the independence question; position of Chinese in Indonesia; and Kirby ordering Sjahrir to hand over Australian murder suspects
1 page
VDP/B4/123 7 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
SLU note enclosing a signal on the authenticity of the signal
Sjahrir’s discussion with Alfred on Dutch counter-proposals and pessimism over their likely acceptance; discussion of ways to avoid fighting including approaching the Australian Government to raise the issue to the United Nations which was
accepted by the cabinet; verbatim transcription of preliminary proposals concerning independence; and Indonesian capture of Japanese evacuation ship at Tegal
3 pages
VDP/B4/124 7 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post and Fuglesang)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Incident in Tangerang in which 600 Chinese have been murdered by Indonesian extremists and its implications
1 page
VDP/B4/125 7 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Asking for secrecy on plans between Alfred and Sjahrir; unwarranted rumours of Sukarno proclaiming a state of siege in Solo; Sjahrir condemning Tangerang incident; and the need to speed up Rapwi evacuation
1 page
VDP/B4/126 9 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: HOLKER
Requesting information on Sumatra and the likely consequences of a British evacuation
1 page
VDP/B4/127 10 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Awaiting the final draft of Sjahrir’s counter-proposals; Mackereth agreeing to convey a message of congratulations and goodwill to the provisional government of India; the murder of Australian officers; rumours of social revolution in Soho
greatly exaggerated; and Van Mook to visit outer areas to arrange a political settlement
1 page
VDP/B4/128 10 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: 26 Div (Holker)
Unable to come to Sumatra and asking for his personal opinion on developments
1 page
VDP/B4/129 10 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Sjahrir’s orders for Australian murder suspects to be handed over; counter-proposals almost ready; Chinese reaction to Tangerang incident; Sukarno’s proclamation of a state of emergency in the interior; and Fuglesang's
1 page
VDP/B4/130 12 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
His opinion on Sjahrir’s counter-proposals; reports of TRI disturbances caused by rumours of rice collection for allied-occupied areas; and Batavia not included as the seat of negotiations in Sjahrir’s counter-proposals
1 page
VDP/B4/131 13 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Fuglesang keen on Albert’s “baby” (i.e. plan); leaked intelligence signals; possible diplomatic incident over the seizure of two Indonesian guns by the Dutch in Bekassi; Spoor’s confidential document to the Dutch
government in which there is a strong anti-Mook tendency and suggesting that he (Laurens) and MacKereth are interfering with British policy in Java; and Natsir and the Indonesian version of the Tangerang incident
2 pages
VDP/B4/132 14 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Counter-proposals have not yet materialised; reports of shooting in Batavia; van Mook intending to hold his outer possessions meeting; refusing to have West back; serious leakages in intelligence signal; and the capture of an Indonesian armaments
truck
1 page
VDP/B4/133 16 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
MacKereth relaying all information correctly; Sjahrir to present counter-proposals to van Mook; refusal of a proposal to evacuate 10,000 Chinese from Tangerang into Batavia; and Kirby attempting to neutralise Australian press reaction
1 page
VDP/B4/134 18 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Van Mook to refer Sjahrir’s proposals to the Hague; possible negotiations to take place in MacKereth’s house; and urgently needing West’s relief because of the amount of work
1 page
VDP/B4/135 [20 June 1946]
From: SLK 2179 (Cowper)
To: RAY 520 (Van der Post)
Secret report of Tan Malaka visiting Cheribon with Sukarno and Sjarifuddin; ex-Australian communist Tamin being included in the new cabinet; Sjarifuddin and Tan Malaka’s authority in Java; and his concerns over the revival of communism in the
area
1 page
VDP/B4/136 20 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Sjahrir incensed that his proposals have been published in a Dutch newspaper; Sjahirir's lack of awareness over a rice conference in Singapore; and unfounded rumours over reports of the destruction of a Bekassi railway bridge
1 page
VDP/B4/137 21 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: 26 Div (Holker)
Relaying information from the Punjabi representative of the Indian Government in Batavia concerning Cheetar’s investigation into Indian communities in Indonesia
1 page
VDP/B4/138 22 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Spoor insistent that he intends to undertake operations himself in the Sourabaya area; Dutch attitude to Java; British soldier killed by Dutch forces in Batavia; proposed meeting between Sjahrir and van Mook; the rice question; and more Chinese
being brought into the area
1 page
VDP/B4/139 [22 June 1946]
From: Burn
To: Fuglesang and Van der Post
Interception of a message from Lampongs Residency to Hassan: receipt of five Indonesian Air Force planes in Lampongs, with comment from Burn
1 page
VDP/B4/140 24 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Report of a meeting between Van Mook and Indonesians including Van Mook expressing surprise that the first article of the Indonesian proposals excluded any mention of Dutch sovereignty and Van Mook requesting Sjahrir to form an informal committee
for discussing further procedure; MacKereth urging the necessity of negotiations with the Dutch as soon as possible; and MacKereth and Sjahrir to implement a plan for a cease fire while negotiations take place
1 page
VDP/B4/141 [?24 June 1946]
From: SLK 2222 (Cowper)
To: RAY 542 (Van der Post and Fuglesang)
Intelligence signal leakages relating to the Tangerang incident
1 page
VDP/B4/142 26 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Sjahrir sending van Mook a written request for the opening of formal discussions at MacKereth’s house on 1 July and to initiate a cease fire; and Van Mook’s conference with outer possessions fixed for 17 July
1 page
VDP/B4/143 27 June 1946
From: SLK 2297 (Alms)
To: RAY 578 (Van der Post)
Praising Van der Post for his informative telegrams; Sjahrir helping to open up negotiations; requesting opinion of Dutch military capabilities against Indonesian army; MacKereth's report on Killearn relating to Indonesian-Dutch relations; and
Mansergh's proposed boundary
2 pages
VDP/B4/144 29 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Sjahrir expected to return for further talks; the peaceful state of the interior; Sukarno's political influence in contrast to Sjahrir's; Dutch attack on the port of Banyuwangi on the Bali strait; Indonesian and Dutch military strength; negative
opinion by the Indonesians of British military administration; recommending military evacuation; current state of Dutch-Indonesian negotiations; Holker unlikely to resign from his present post; Pope to be released; Australia's role in
Chinese-British situation; Kirby to report; and latest signal from newly-installed Indonesian president ousting Sjahrir
2 pages
VDP/B4/145 [30 June 1946]
From SLK 2307 (Alms)
To: RAY 584 (Van der Post)
Sjahrir's kidnapping; and replacement for Pope
1 page
VDP/B4/146 30 June 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Detailed account of Sjahrir's kidnapping
1 page
VDP/B4/147 [June 1946]
From: SLK 2233 (Alms)
To: RAY 547 (Van der Post)
Vacancy for West and provision for a suitable replacement
1 page
VDP/B4/148 [June 1946]
From: SLK 2241 (Fuglesang)
To: RAY 551 (Van der Post)
Replacement for West
1 page
VDP/B4/149 [June 1946]
From: SLK 2244 (Alms)
To: RAY 553 (Van der Post)
Agreeing to Fuglesang’s reorganisation plans; agreement between Lauder and Sjarifuddin at Solo for Allied forces to enter the area, and Mackereth and Alfred
1 page
VDP/B4/150 [June 1946]
From: SUM 242 (Holker)
To: RAY 048 (Van der Post)
Medan in a quieter state; possible meeting with the Popular People’s Front at Sarwano; Karim unable to control extremists; military movements in Medan; and tour by members of Ministry of Information of Sumatra for propaganda purposes
1 page
VDP/B4/151 [June 1946]
From: SUM 244 (Holker)
To: RAY 050 (Van der Post)
Sending appreciation by signal
1 page
VDP/B4/152 [June 1946]
From: SUM 242 (Holker)
To: RAY 048 (Van der Post)
Holker’s opinion concerning a plan to intern all Chinese at Sumatra and a copy of resolutions of the People’s Front of the West Coast on the Chinese question
1 page
VDP/B4/153 1 July 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Sjahirir and cabinet members released
1 page
VDP/B4/154 1 July 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Pope has retrieved Sjahirir who has relayed an account of the kidnapping to him
1 page
VDP/B4/155 [?2 July 1946]
From: SUM 259 (Holker)
To: RAY 059 (Van der Post and Fuglesang)
Reactions to the state of emergency declared by Sukarno including a meeting of 10,000 inhabitants (including TRI, People's Front and People's Army); and the cancellation of a proposed tour by “newspaper men” caused
by the hindrance of British officials
1 page
VDP/B4/156 [?2 July 1946]
From: SUM 259 (Holker)
To: RAY 059 (Van der Post and Fuglesang)
Proposal to set up a Defence Council for Sumatra and Palembang
1 page
VDP/B4/157 4 July 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Postponement of a meeting between Sjahrir and van Mook; and unstable situations in the interior
1 p
VDP/B4/158 [?5-8 July 1946]
From: SLK 2318 (Eberlie)
To: RAY 589 (Van der Post to pass to Fisher Hoch)
Mauretania delayed and due to arrive in Singapore on the 18th at the earliest
1 page
VDP/B4/159 [?5-8 July 1946]
From: SUM 267 (Fuglesang)
To: RAY 065 (Van der Post)
Asking for a report on the situation in Batavia; and advising that no other liaison is to take place outside the perimeter unless G.O.C. advises
1 page
VDP/B4/160 [?5-8 July 1946]
SLK. IFA 041 (Lonnon)
To: RAY 592 (Fuglesang)
Making arrangements for relief of R.A.F. S.L.U. personnel to send Squadron Leader Thornton to Batavia, asking to arrange for S.L.U. detachment to work in H.Q. AFNEI
1 page
VDP/B4/161 9 July 1946
From AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Lonnon)
Asking him to send Thornton
1 page
VDP/B4/162 [?9 July 1946]
From SUM 268 (Fuglesang)
To: RAY (Van der Post)
Dispute with Holker over a signal with ALFSEI
1 page
VDP/B4/163 9 July 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: 26 Div (Holker)
Dispute with Holker over a signal with ALFSEI; the continuation of the evacuation of Rapwi; Government arrests in the interior; the exaggeration of Sjahrir's kidnapping story; and van Mook has not yet arranged to meet Sjahrir
1 page
VDP/B4/164 9 July 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Return of Sjahrir although Sukarno refusing to hand over power to him
1 page
VDP/B4/165 12 July 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Account of Pope's interview with Sjahirir
VDP/B4/166 17 July 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Pope and Judge Kirby's meeting with Sukarno and Sjarifuddin about Australian murders; his impressions of Solo and Djokja; Tan Malaka's organisation in East Java, Sjarifuddin denying an agreement with Lauder; use of rice trucks; his disappointment
with Sukarno; arrangements for the new cabinet with Sjahrir remaining Prime Minister; his meeting with Mrs Manx, alias Sourabaya Sue; Sukarno would tour with Sjahrir at Banyuwangi to ease tensions; and his impressions of Sjahrir and Sjarifuddin's
friendship
2 pages
VDP/B4/167 20 July 1946
From: AFNEI (Pope)
To ALFSEA (Alms)
Will remain in charge while van der Post is in hospital; Sjahrir asked by MacKereth to form a new cabinet; Judge Kirby to return from Australia
1 page
VDP/B4/168 22 July 1946
From: RAY 604 (Pope)
To: SLK 545 (Alms)
Sjarifuddin accusing the Allied command with having violated the Djokjakarta Rapwi agreement because of Dutch military actions
1 page
VDP/B4/169 22 July 1946
From SUM 287 (Burn)
To: RAY 078 (Fuglesang)
Asking whether Youssouf Medan could be flown to Batavia
1 page
VDP/B4/170 23 July 1946
From: RAY 608 (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Asking Alms to meet with him
1 page
VDP/B4/171 25 July 1946
From RAY 610 (Pope)
To: SUM 063 (Burn)
Youssouf not to be dispatched to Batavia until further instruction
1 page
VDP/B4/172 [?25 July 1946]
From: SLK 2376 (Alms)
To: RAY 626 (Van der Post)
Hoping to meet as soon as possible
1 page
VDP/B4/173 25 July 1946
From: RAY 611 (Pope)
To: SLK 551 (Alms)
Djajadiningrat (Soedibjo's second in command) ordering the RAPWI evacuation to be discontinued until further notice
1 page
VDP/B4/174 26 July 1946
From: RAY 616 (Pope)
To: SLK 556 (Alms)
Suspension of evacuation authorised and likely reasons for this ultimatum
1 page
VDP/B4/175 28 July 1946
From: AFNEI (Pope)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Attack on Sjahrir's house by Tri guard; van Mook postponing the rice ship Empire Favour's departure from Batavia; report by Spey of military attacks on Indonesians in Banyuwangi; Sukarno's speech at Solo on Apwi
suspension policy; and Sukarno's private view that he is waiting for Sjahrir to return to Djokje to form government
1 page
VDP/B4/176 30 July 1946
From: RAY 622 (Van der Post)
To: SLK 541 (Alms)
Sending Alms report of current situation including Sjahirir arguing that failure of Dutch to implement March negotiations has created a crisis of confidence, Dutch attitude towards Indonesia hardening, Sjahrir having no confidence in van Mook and
the latter's lack of confidence in Sjahrir's ability to form a stable government in Indonesia; Indonesian's disillusionment over Dutch role, little chance of negotiations taking place, and his poor health
2 pages
VDP/B4/177 30 July 1946
From: AFNEI (Pope)
To: ALFSEA (Alms)
Sjahrir expecting to leave for Djokja; and Empire Favour departing
1 page
VDP/B4/178 31 July 1946
From: RAY 623 (Van der Post)
To: SLK 563 (Alms)
Report by a Swiss mining engineer on the Bantamenese nationalist situation in Western Java
1 page
VDP/B4/179 1 August 1946
From: RAY 629 (Pope)
To: SLK 568 (Alms)
Likely exaggerated report of a Dutch destroyer preventing Empire Favour unloading gunny bags in Cheribon because of the belief that they are likely to be used to arm Indonesians
1 page
VDP/B4/180 6 August 1946
From: RAY 636 (Van der Post)
To: SLK 573 (Alms)
His meeting with MacKereth and the General tomorrow
1 page
VDP/B4/181 26 October 1946
From: RAY 798 (Van der Post)
To: SLK 699 (Alms)
Personal report of present situation outlining his scepticism over the perceived success of the current Indonesian-Dutch negotiations
1 page
VDP/B4/182 29 October 1946
From: RAY 804 (Van der Post)
To: SLK 705 (Alms)
Sudirman to arrive on 1 November; Civil Affairs Committee meeting; critical constitutional meeting tomorrow; and the Sultan of Djokja's arrival in Batavia
1 page
VDP/B4/183 30 October 1976
From: RAY 808 (Van der Post)
To: SLK 709 (Alms)
Constitutional meeting has not materialised; Catholic campaign against van Mook in Holland; Sukarno supporting Sjahrir, and Sultan Djokja encouraging negotiations
1 page
VDP/B4/184 31 October 1946
From: RAY 815 (Van der Post)
To: SLK 713 (Alms)
Constitutional meeting to take place on Friday and Dutch-Indonesian tensions in the press
1 page
VDP/B4/185 1 November 1946
From: RAY 820 (Van der Post)
To: SLK 718 (Alms)
The importance of the forthcoming constitutional meeting including Sjahrir's and Schmerhorn proposed speeches; opposition to Indonesian-Dutch agreement in Holland; reports of tensions in the interior; Sukarno returning the chairmanship of the
Supreme Defence Council to Sjahrir; and the return of Sudirman without incident
1 page
VDP/B4/186 [?2-3 November 1946]
From: SLK 2634 (Tuzo)
To: RAY 828 (Van der Post)
Asking him to avoid the term EMERGENCY OPS except for messages requiring action
1 page
VDP/B4/187 4 November 1946
From: RAY 822 (Van der Post)
To: SLK 720 (Tuzo)
Report of the progress of the Dutch-Indonesian negotiations
1 page
VDP/B4/188 5 November 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Tuzo)
Progress of the negotiations
1 page
VDP/B4/189 6 November 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Tuzo)
Progress of the negotiations
1 page
VDP/B4/190 6 November 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (James)
Requiring another Military Assistant
1 page
VDP/B4/191 7 November 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Tuzo)
Progress of the negotiations
1 page
VDP/B4/192 8 November 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Tuzo)
Asking to arrange a return air passage for him
1 page
VDP/B4/193 8 November 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Tuzo)
Progress of the negotiations and Van Mook convinced agreement will be reached
1 page
VDP/B4/194 13 November 1946
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: ALFSEA (Tuzo)
Details of agreement reached
2 pages
VDP/B4/195 []?November 1946]
From: SUM 395 (Holker)
To: RAY 152 (Fuglesang and Van der Post)
Thanking them for all their assistance
1 page
VDP/B4/196 [?1946]
Note on Chinese [?rice]
1 page
VDP/B4/197 [?1946]
From: AFNEI (Van der Post)
To: SACSEA (Weld)
Attempts to find Horobin's personal papers and his opinion of him; and the lack of news from his family
1 page
VDP/B4/198 [?1946]
From: SACSEA (Weld)
To: AFNEI (General Browning)
Horobin's papers buried at Bandung; and Laurens's family
1 page
VDP/B5 January 1947
Report of a political and economic survey covering the period of the occupation of the Netherlands East Indies by the British Imperial Forces.
Sent from the British Consulate-General in Batavia to the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
Political and economic sections written by Laurens van der Post and T. C. Sherman respectively
Includes numerous draft reports
1 file
VDP/B6 8 January 1949
Language: Dutch
Report on Paul Vogt
1 report
Surveyor, Colonial Development CorporationVDP/C1 10 September 1948
Sir E. Wood, Controller of Operations for the Colonial Development Corporation to Laurens: arrangements for a meeting with Laurens to discuss his involvement in the Colonial Development Corporation
1 letter
VDP/C2 30 June – 11 July 1949
Diary, mostly notes, of Laurens’s mission to the Nyika and Mlanje areas of Nyasaland to survey their agricultural potential
1 notebook
VDP/C3-5 7 March - 29 April 1950; 18 August - 28 September 1951; 1 November - 8 December 1952
Notebook with draft telegram messages sent during Laurens’s missions to Bechuanaland (the first led by Frank Debenham) to assess the potential of the remote Kalahari desert for cattle ranching
3 notebooks
VDP/C6 1948 - 16 October 1952
Letter from the Commonwealth Relations Office to A. Gaitskell enclosing the following report:
1 letter & 1 report
VDP 1948
Colonial Office,
Report on the water resources of the Bechuanaland Province, the Nyasaland Protectorate, Tanganyika Territory, Kenya and the Uganda Protectorate. By Frank Debenham, O.B.E., M.A., professor of Geography at Cambridge
University (London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1948)
1 printed report (84 pages)
VDP/C7 28 October 1952
Letter from G. S. Butham, acting chief secretary to the High Commissioner for Basutoland, the Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland, to Laurens: the appointment of a mission to investigate the possibilities of economic development in the
western portion of the Bechuanaland Protectorate and setting out the mission’s terms of reference
1 letter
VDP/C8 1954
Commonwealth Relations Office,
Report of mission to the Bechuanaland Protectorate to investigate the possibilities of economic development in the Western Kalahari 1952, (London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1954)
Report signed on p. 35 by A. Gaitskell, C. U. Pickrell, B. Curry, Tshekedi Khama, Bathoen II, and L. van der Post
1 printed report (50 pages)
Foundation PapersVDP/D1 3 May 1952 - 7 December 1996
Papers relating to Laurens van der Post's involvement in the Capricorn Africa Society, including correspondence, newsletters, reports, and press cuttings
The Capricorn Africa Society was founded in 1949 as a multi-racial group of Africans, Europeans and Asians calling for equal rights for all Africans of different races with a view to eventual self-government. It was formally dissolved in
1961.
1 file
VDP/D2/1-3 30 July 1973 - 17 April 1996
Papers relating to the Wilderness Foundation
The Wilderness Foundation (later the WILD Foundation) was established in 1974 by Laurens and the South African game ranger, Ian Player, in 1974, as an environmental pressure group to protect the Earth for the benefit of wilderness and
communities.
6 files
VDP/D2/1 30 July 1973 - 27 August 1996
Papers, mostly correspondence, relating to the management of the Wilderness Leadership School (a school providing an educational wilderness experience for people of all backgrounds)
File 1: 30 July 1973 - 31 December 1979
File 2: 3 January - 3 November 1980
File 3: 12 January 1988 - 27 August 1996
3 files
VDP/D2/2 13 May 1975 - 13 February 1996
Papers relating to the establishment and management of the Wilderness Congresses
2 files
VDP/D2/3 10 January 1980 - 17 April 1996
Papers relating to the management of the Wilderness Foundation Trust
1 file
VDP/D3 18 September 1980 - 18 November 1996
Papers of the Laurens van der Post Foundation for the Advancement of the Humanities, mostly correspondence with its main benefactors (Bob Schwarz, Doug Greene, Arman Simone, Bill Palder, Ronald Cohen, Jane Bedford, and Christer Salon)
The Laurens van der Post Foundation for the Advancement of the Humanities was set up to promote “the mental and moral improvement of man” through advancing public education in all spheres of knowledge and
understanding. It was officially recognised as a charity in December 1992 and disbanded in 2000.
File 1: 18 September 1980 - 28 December 1991
File 2: 24 January 1992 - 2 December 1993
File 3: 31 January 1994 - 18 November 1996
3 files
VDP/D4 22 October 1984 - 1 November 1995
Papers concerning the establishment and management of the Cape Town Jungian Centre and Library, established as a centre of training for Jungian psychotherapists and analysts
This was partly funded by the Laurens van der Post Foundation for the Advancement of the Humanities
File 1: 22 October 1984 - 28 December 1988
File 2: 11 January - 8 December 1989
File 3: 8 January 1990 - 28 December 1992
File 4: 7 January - 7 December 1993
File 5: 20 January 1994 - 27 October 1996
5 files
VDP/D5 11 June 1991 - 1 February 1995
Papers of Laurens van der Post's involvement with Environment Action, in particular correspondence with Nicholas Slabbert, as well as the establishment of the Laurens van der Post Foundation for the Environment
1 file
Literary Career1. Draft Manuscripts: BooksVDP/E1/1 1931-1932
Manuscript draft of
In a province, published in 1934
6 notebooks
VDP/E1/2 [1950 - 1951]
Typescript drafts of
Venture to the interior, published in 1951
1 file
VDP/E1/2a [1952 - 1953]
Typescript drafts of
Face beside the fire, published in 1953
1 file
VDP/E1/3 1 November 1954
Manuscript draft of
The seed and the sower, published in 1963
2 files
VDP/E1/4 [?1954]
Typescript draft of
Flamingo feather, published in 1955
2 files
VDP/E1/4a [?1954]
Typescript drafts of
The dark eye in Africa, published in 1955
1 file
VDP/E1/5 March 1956
Typescript draft entitled
“An African diary”
Not published. Laurens notes at the foot of page 24 that it was “never completed, am not a diary man”
24 pages
VDP/E1/6 [1960]
Manuscript draft of
The heart of the hunter, published in 1961
3 files
VDP/E1/7 [?1961]
Typescript draft of a section of
Patterns of renewal, published as a booklet in 1962
1 file
VDP/E1/8 [1963]
Typescript drafts of
Journey into Russia, published in 1964
9 files
VDP/E1/9 [1965 x 1966]
Manuscript and typescript drafts of
The hunter and the whale, published in 1967
8 files
VDP/E1/10 [1966]
Manuscript and typescript drafts of an unpublished work on the subject of India
Also includes photocopy of an article by Laurens entitled
“The ageless mosaic of India”, probably published in Holiday
2 files
VDP/E1/11 [1967 - 1968]
Typescript draft and proof-copy of
A portrait of Japan, published in 1968
2 files
VDP/E1/12 [1969]
Manuscript draft, research notes, and photocopies of South African cookery books for the publication of
Recipes: African cooking by Time Life in 1970
2 files
VDP/E1/13 [?1970]
Typescript drafts of
The night of the new moon, published in 1970
2 files
VDP/E1/14 [1971]
Typescript drafts of
A story like the wind, published in 1972
16 files
VDP/E1/15 [1973 - 1974]
Typescript drafts of
A far off place, published in 1974
16 files
VDP/E1/16 [1974]
Typescript and manuscript drafts, with printed proofs, of
A mantis carol, published in 1975
7 files
VDP/E1/17 [1974]
Typescript drafts of
Jung and the story of our time, published in 1975
28 files
VDP/E1/17a [1977]
Typescript draft of
First catch your eland, published in 1977
1 file
VDP/E1/18 [?1980]
Anna Campbell Lyle,
“Son of valour: a memoir of the poet Roy Campbell and their family life together by his daughter”, Volume I, unpublished manuscript
132 pages
VDP/E1/19 [1980 x 1981]
Manuscript and typescript drafts, with research notes, of
Yet being someone other, published in 1982
7 files
VDP/E1/20 [?1980 x 1989]
Typescript draft by Laurens van der Post of a section of [?an unpublished work] entitled
“A kind of dreaming”
pp. 1-72
VDP/E1/21 [?1982 x 1983]
Typescript draft by Laurens van der Post entitled
“Witness to a last will of man”, a section of New testament to the bushmen (with Jane Taylor), published in 1984
1 file
VDP/E1/22 [1982]
Typescript drafts of
The seed and the sower, The sword and the doll and [?A bar of shadow], all published in Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, 1983
Also includes uncorrected proofs
4 files
VDP/E1/24 [1985]
Manuscript and typescript drafts of
A walk with a white bushman, published in 1986
8 files
VDP/E1/25 [1990]
Typescript drafts of
About Blady, published in 1991
6 files
VDP/E1/26 [July 1992] - 1993
Word processed drafts and proof copy of
The voice of the thunder, published in 1993
5 files
VDP/E1/27 [1994 x 1996]
Word processed drafts of
The admiral's baby, published in 1996
15 files
VDP/E1/28 [1997]
Manuscript and word processed drafts of
The rock rabbit and the rainbow: Laurens van der Post among friends, published in 1998
2 files
VDP/E1/29 [?2000]
Word processed transcript of a draft of a novel by Laurens van der Post entitled
“The Sleepwalkers”, originally dated 15 August 1951
Unpublished
pp. 1 - 246
2. Draft Manuscripts: Book ChaptersVDP/E2/1 1948
Photocopy of an article by Laurens van der Post:
“Pigs, Japanese and the moon”, The Countryman, XXXVIII, no. 2 (Summer 1948)
pp. 200-203
VDP/E2/2 1950
Photocopy of an article by Laurens van der Post:
“The real Kalahari”, The Countryman, XLII, no. 2 (Winter 1950)
pp. 265-273
VDP/E2/3 1952
Photocopy of an article by Laurens van der Post:
“The witch-doctor's come back”, The Countryman, (1952)
Also includes a review of
Venture to the Interior from the same publication
pp. 69-75; 148-151
VDP/E2/4 October 1956
Photocopy of an article by Laurens van der Post:
“Tracking the first African”, Holiday (October 1956)
pp. 56-61, 126-133
VDP/E2/5 [?1963 x 1964]
Manuscript draft of an introduction to the third edition of William Plomer's
Turbott Wolffe, published by Hogarth Press in 1965
1 file
VDP/E2/6 August 1974
Draft typescript and manuscript of an introduction by Laurens van der Post to
Edward Seago 1910-1974 - memorial exhibition (Marlborough Fine Art, London, 1974)
Includes, additional typescript drafts probably used for an earlier exhibition on Edward Seago
1 file
VDP/E2/7 March 1975
Typescript drafts by Laurens van der Post of his introduction to a book by Captain Katsue Mori
1 file
VDP/E2/8 [?1977-1978]
Manuscript and typescript drafts by Laurens van der Post entitled
“The other side of silence”, published in Ian Player (ed) Voices of the wilderness in 1978
1 file
VDP/E2/9 [1978]
Typescript draft by Laurens van der Post of the introduction to Michael Wood,
Go an extra mile: the adventures and reflections of a flying doctor (London, 1978)
pp. 1 - 11
VDP/E2/10 October 1984
Draft of Laurens van der Post,
“The rhinoceros and the self: a contribution to the festschrift of Professor Dr. C. A. Meier”, probably unpublished
12 pages
VDP/E2/11 1988
Draft of
“Some reflections on a shadow that refuses to go away”, epilogue to Anelia Jaffé, From the life and work of C.G. Jung (Daimon Verlag am Klosterplatz, 1989)
11 pages
VDP/E2/12 March 1989
Draft introduction by Laurens van der Post to Abt, Theodor,
Progress without loss of soul: toward a holistic approach to modernization planning (Chiron, 1989)
6 pages
VDP/E2/13 [?1990]
Typescript draft introduction by Laurens van der Post to an unidentifiable book entitled
The Living Word
pp. 1-10
VDP/E2/14 [?1990]
Word processed draft introduction by Laurens van der Post for a book (published in 2012) by Frank McMillan III,
Finding Jung: Frank N. McMillan Jr., a life in quest of the lion
2 draft articles
VDP/E2/15 [?1990]
Manuscript notes and photocopy of a book chapter by Laurens van der Post entitled
“The tempest”
pp. 164 - 170
VDP/E2/16 [1990]
Word processed draft of
“Camphill and the shadow of our time”, published in Cornelius M. Pietzner (ed), A candle on the hill: images of Camphill life (Anthroposophic Press, 1990), pp. 7-14
14 pages
VDP/E2/17 [?1996]
Word processed drafts of an introduction (not used) to
The secret river, published by Barefoot Books in 1996
2 draft articles
3. Draft Manuscripts: ArticlesVDP/E3/1 [?1950 x 1959]
Typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“Countrymen in gaol: how some British Prisoners of War in Japanese hands cultivated slight and desperate land”
16 pages
VDP/E3/2 1 October - 23 November 1955
Typescript draft despatches by Laurens van der Post on his Kalahari expedition for publication in
The Times
These articles were heavily amended in the published version
3 articles
VDP/E3/3 April [1956]
Typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“Race prejudice as self rejection”
Subsequently published as
“Race prejudice as self rejection: an inquiry into the psychological and spiritual aspects of group conflicts” ([Workshop for Cultural Democracy], 1957)
26 pages
VDP/E3/4 [?1960 x 1969]
Typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“Traveller's paradox”
3 pages
VDP/E3/5 [?1960 x 1969]
Untitled typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post describing his experiences in the Japanese POW camp in Bandung during the Second World War
10 pages
VDP/E3/6 [?1960 x 1969]
Two typescript draft articles by Laurens van der Post, probably drafts of the same article, on the spirit of Africa
Manuscript note on first article:
“For an African paper”
2 articles
VDP/E3/7 [?1960 x 1969]
Typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“Africa”
Possibly published in
Holiday
48 pages
VDP/E3/8 [?1960 x 1969]
Manuscript draft by Laurens van der Post entitled
“Report on South Africa”
Possibly published in
Holiday
1 file
VDP/E3/9 [1960 x 1961]
Manuscript draft notes for an article by Laurens van der Post on a conversation with Isaiah Mloyiswa Mdliwamafa Shembe at Inanda in either 1926 or 1927.
Manuscript pencil note:
“Apparently written by LVdP in 1960-61”
pp. 78 - 91
VDP/E3/10 1961
Manuscript and typescript draft of an article on Japan, published in
Holiday, October 1961
1 file
VDP/E3/11 [?1964]
Manuscript draft article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“The provisional city”
1 file
VDP/E3/12 [?1970 x 1979]
Typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“The mystery of the miracles”
20 pages
VDP/E3/13 [?1970 x 1979]
Draft article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“The mountains and snows of the world”
[50] pages
VDP/E3/14 [?1970 x 1979]
Typescript drafts of an article by Laurens van der Post on the concept of evil
1 file
VDP/E3/15 [?1970 x 1979]
Untitled typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post on Carl Jung
14 pages
VDP/E3/16 [?1970 x 1979]
Draft article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“On the spoor of the first man in Africa”
29 pages
VDP/E3/17 [?1970 x 1979]
Typescript drafts of an article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“The story of an unfinished dictionary”
2 draft articles
VDP/E3/18 [?1970 x 1979]
Manuscript and typescript draft by Laurens van der Post of an article entitled
“The end of the line” for the Union Castle Line newspaper
1 file
VDP/E3/19 1971 - 1996
Draft book reviews by Laurens van der Post
1 file
VDP/E3/20 4 November 1971
Typescript drafts of an article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“From Philippolis to Tibet and back”
1 article
VDP/E3/21 12 April 1972
Typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post on Ernst Robert Curtis
[1] page
VDP/E3/22 1973
Untitled typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post on the relationship between religion and apartheid
11 pages
VDP/E3/23 November 1976
Untitled typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post written for a British Wilderness brochure
2 pages
VDP/E3/24 [?1980 x 1989]
Untitled typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post on the wines of the Cape
4 pages
VDP/E3/25 [?1980 x 1989]
Untitled manuscript draft article by Laurens van der Post on Ian Parsons
[14] pages
VDP/E3/26 [?1980 x 1989]
Untitled typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post on Frances Baruch
5 pages
VDP/E3/27 [?1980 x 1989]
Typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“The desired earth”
44 pages
VDP/E3/28 [?1980 x 1989]
Typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“Voorslag”
6 pages
VDP/E3/29 [?1980 x 1989]
Typescript drafts of an article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“Melville's Moby Dick”
1 article
VDP/E3/30 [?1980 x 1989]
Untitled typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post on the African landscape
13 pages
VDP/E3/31 [?1980 x 1989]
Untitled typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“Son of the stars”
7 pages
VDP/E3/32 [?1980 x 1989]
Manuscript and typescript draft by Laurens van der Post of a section on Ethiopia for a proposed
Reader's Digest publication on Africa.
[9] pages
VDP/E3/33 7 May 1986
Untitled typescript draft article by Laurens van der Post on W. T. H. Nichols
4 pages
VDP/E3/34 18 January 1989
Word processed draft article by Laurens van der Post on T. C. Robertson
[4] pages
VDP/E3/35 10 July 1990
Untitled word processed draft article by Laurens van der Post on the Swiss referendum to decide whether or not to abolish the army
4 pages
VDP/E3/36 [?1990]
Manuscript and word processed drafts of an article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“Travelling the high way of Hesley”
1 article
VDP/E3/37 [?1990]
Untitled word processed draft article by Laurens van der Post on the concept of death
4 pages
VDP/E3/38 [?1990]
Untitled word processed draft article by Laurens van der Post on the British political system
5 pages
VDP/E3/39 [?1990]
Word processed draft article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“The story of a chair”
[2] pages
VDP/E3/40 26 - 29 April [?1990]
Manuscript drafts of a
“dream” diary by Laurens van der Post
1 article
VDP/E3/41 [?1990]
Word processed draft article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“On the death of my son: part I”
4 pages
VDP/E3/42 29 March 1991
Word processed draft article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“Memo after a dream”
2 pages
VDP/E3/43 [1 April 1991]
Untitled word processed drafts of an article by Laurens van der Post on the concept of national myths
1 article
VDP/E3/44 May 1991
Word processed draft article (with manuscript annotations) by Laurens van der Post entitled
“Thoughts for the future”
1 draft article
VDP/E3/45 [October 1991]
Article by [?Lauren's] on the awarding of the Nobel Prize for Literature to Nadine Gordimer
3 pages
VDP/E3/46 [1993]
Word processed draft article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“By the people for the people is good news indeed”
11 pages
VDP/E3/47 [?1996]
Word processed draft article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“Beginning the new search”
[1] page
VDP/E3/48 21 February 1996
Word processed drafts of an article by Laurens van der Post entitled
“Campbell, Plomer, Paton and myself”
1 article
VDP/E3/49 23 July 1996
Word processed draft article by Laurens van der Post describing a camping trip in South Africa
5 pages
4. Draft Manuscripts: Publications by othersVDP/E4/1 1950 - 1954
Photocopies of articles from
The Countryman (not authored by Laurens)
8 articles
VDP/E4/2 [?1960 x 1969]
Typescript draft by John Sullen of a [?book chapter] entitled
“Nine months in the Kalahari Desert”
pp. 91 - 121
VDP/E4/3 [?1960 - 1969]
Typescript draft article by Patrick Bowen entitled
“The ancient wisdom in Africa”
15 pages
VDP/E4/4 [?1960 - 1969]
Untitled typescript draft article by [?] on memories of his father's role in the Boer War
9 pages
VDP/E4/5 1963
Typescript draft by Norma Douglas-Henry,
“Poems”
Dated 1963 on final page
1 file
VDP/E4/6 1965
Typescript draft by Robert Guy Howarth of
I think they're lully, published in 1965
xlii pages
VDP/E4/7 [?1970]
Photocopy of a typescript memoir by an unknown New Zealander of his experiences in a Japanese POW camp
pp. 1-68
VDP/E4/8 [?1970]
Typescript draft article by Prof. R. Kajiki on Captain Katsue Mori
pp. 14-20
VDP/E4/9 [1972 x 1974]
Typescript draft by M. E. van der Post of
Theo Wendt (Tafelberg, 1974)
1 file
VDP/E4/10 [January 1975]
Language:
German
Typescript draft article by [?] entitled
“Anmerkungen zur Gesamtaufnahme der Klavierwerke Beethovens”
Manuscript dedication to Laurens van der Post
pp. 1 - 13
VDP/E4/11 1976
Typescript draft article by [?] entitled
“Freedom - 1976”
“Adapted from a lecture sponsored by the Kyrin Institute for Adult Education, Inc., in Garden City, New York on March 7, 1976”
31 pages
VDP/E4/12 [?1980]
Typescript draft of a book chapter from a book by Susan Bach
Life paints its own span
Dedicated as birthday present to Laurens van der Post from the author
pp. 1 - 4
VDP/E4/13 [?1980]
Draft poems by Richard Osler
[36] pages
VDP/E4/14 [/1980]
Typescript draft article by Alan McGlashan entitled
“The personal factor”
21 pages
VDP/E4/15 [?1980]
Photocopy of C. G. Jung,
“Erlebtes und Gedachtes”, edited by Aniela Jaffé (unpublished?)
117 pages
VDP/E4/16 [?1980]
Typescript draft article by Kimiyoshi Yura entitled
“Commentaries on Laurens van der Post's 'The creative pattern in primitive Africa”
Translated into English by Miss Akiko Toda
10 pages
VDP/E4/17 [?1980]
Typescript draft article by Ian Player entitled
“A portrait in black and white”
6 pages
VDP/E4/18 1981
Word processed draft article by Jean-Marc Pottiez on Laurens van der Post
Later copy of the original article
4 pages
VDP/E4/19 1981
Typescript draft by Susan Wood entitled
“A dusty mirror”, subsequently published as Reflections in a Dusty Mirror by AMREF in 1992
1 file
VDP/E4/20 1981
Typescript draft of a publication compiled by Rosa Villanova Witt entitled
“The white feather (a retrospective) as instituted through Laurens van der Post's writings”
Includes covering letter from Rosa to Laurens
132 pages
VDP/E4/21 May 1984
Typescript draft article by Suzanne Wagner entitled
“Death into life: the cry of Gaza”
With a manuscript note from the author wishing Laurens and Ingaret well
24 pages
VDP/E4/22 3 May 1989
Word processed draft article by Jean-Marc Pottiez entitled
“The fading away of the greatest sea captain of Japan: Captain Katsue Mori”
10 pages
VDP/E4/23 [?1989]
Typescript draft manuscript entitled
“Quest for the lion and eagle: the journals of Frank Ney McMillan, Jr”
Edited and prefaced by David H. Rosen. Introduction by Frank N. McMillan III. Foreword by Laurens van der Post
73 pages
VDP/E4/24 [?1990]
Word processed draft article [?by Jean-Marc Pottiez] entitled
“The mirror, the jewel & the sword: the dramatic reign and personal struggle of H.M. Hirohito, Emperor of Japan”
23 pages
VDP/E4/25 [?1990]
Word processed draft article by Satoko Akiyama entitled
“An independent woman's deep and meaningful friendship with a man”
5 pages
VDP/E4/26 [?1990]
Word processed draft article by Mario Schiess entitled
“Musings on Ascension Day”
12 pages
VDP/E4/27 [?1990]
Word processed draft article by Charles Jansen entitled
“A hero of our time”
3 pages
VDP/E4/28 [?1990]
Draft typescript of M. Sato's
“The search for scholarly identity: Renaming the field of history in late 19th century Japan”, published in Time and history: the variety of cultures, Vol.10 (2008) pp. 200-211
16 pages
VDP/E4/29 1990
Photocopy of
“Our mother which art in earth”: Address by and extract from a film interview with Sir Laurens van der Post, Interview conducted by Robert Hinshaw and Peter Ammann for Quadrant, volume
XXIII, no. 2 (1990)
pp. 9-19
VDP/E4/30 17 December 1990
Language:
German
Word processed draft article by Theodor Abt entitled
“Unbewusste Triebkräfte”
34 pages
VDP/E4/31 [?1990]
Unidentified word processed draft of a novel
Title page missing
1 file
VDP/E4/32 [?1990]
Word processed draft article by Vernon Brooks entitled
“Reflections on racism”
18 pages
VDP/E4/32a [?1990]
Word-processed draft artcile by Colin MacLaren:
“An old-fashioned incident: Java 1947”
17 pages
VDP/E4/33 September 1991
Word processed draft article by Nicholas Pearson entitled
“Laurens van der Post: biographical note”
Probably published in
Temenos
4 pages
VDP/E4/34 1992
Typescript draft of an unpublished book by Nancy Ryley of
Laurens van der Post: a journey of a different kind
1 file
VDP/E4/35 13 March 1993
Typescript transcript of an interview conducted with Laurens on his relationship with Japan
Interview conducted at Laurens's home
22 pages
VDP/E4/36 [1994 x 1996]
Word processed draft of an unpublished manuscript by an unknown author entitled
“Discovering Dante Alighieri: the Florentine”
Dedicated to Laurens van der Post
2 files
VDP/E4/37 1996
Word processed draft of a manuscript by Nancy Riles entitled
“The forsaken garden: soul, loss and recovery, and the healing of the planet”, including interviews with Laurens van der Post, Marion Woodman, Ross Woodman and Thomas Berry
Manuscript published as
The forsaken garden: four conversations on the deep meaning of environmental Iilness (Quest Books, 1998)
1 file
VDP/E4/38 [?1997]
Word processed draft of an article by William Atkinson entitled
“The scandal and the cry”
8 pages
VDP/E4/39 [2005]
Word-processed draft article by Frank N. McMillan III entitled
“The pattern of the lion: the inner quest of Frank N. McMillan, Jr. and the story of the creation of the world's first professorshipp in Analytical Psychology”
Subsequently published as McMillan, F. (2005).
“The Pattern of the Lion”. Mantis, 17(1), pp. 5-19
21 unnumbered pages
5. Publishers' PapersVDP/E5/1 1951 - 27 June 1996
Publisher's publicity papers for Laurens's books, including dust jackets and publisher's catalogues
1 file
VDP/E5/2 31 December 1951 - 12 June 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and William Morrow & Co., as well as royalty statements
2 files
VDP/E5/3 13 April 1955 - 20 May 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and European publishers, including La Chaora, Compositor Mestres, Diogenes Verlag, and Corbaccio, concerning the translation of his works
1 file
VDP/E5/4 14 April 1955 - 4 May 1977
Correspondence between Laurens and
Holiday Life on his articles
1 file
VDP/E5/5 30 September 1955 - 3 October 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and Chatto and Windas/Hogarth Press on the publication of his books
File 1: 30 September 1955 - 28 November 1989
File 2: 30 January 1990 - 28 December 1992
File 3: 3 January 1993 - 2 October 1994
File 4: 2 January 1995 - 3 October 1996
4 files
VDP/E5/6 31 January 1975 - 18 June 1993
Correspondence between Laurens and other American publishers, including Harcourt Brace, Henry Holt and Co., and others, on the publication of Laurens's works in America
See also VDP/E5/8
1 file
VDP/E5/7 16 June 1986 - 28 October 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and Dr Robert Hinshaw (publisher for Daimon Verlag), mostly of a personal nature as well articles and other publications on Jungian psychology
1 file
VDP/E5/8 6 December 1988 - 6 November 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and the Hearst Book Group over the publication of Laurens's books
See also VDP/E5/6
1 file
VDP/E5/9 4 February 1991 - 22 November 1996
Correspondence with Laurens and John Murray Ltd concerning the publication of
The admiral's baby
1 file
VDP/E5/10 5 March 1994 - 6 December 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and Barefoot Books on the publication of
The secret river: an African myth
1 file
VDP/E5/11 12 April 1994 - 11 October 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and various individuals concerning rights and permissions for his publications
1 file
VDP/E5/12 18 April 1995 - 20 November 1996
Correspondence with Laurens and Penguin concerning paperback publications of Lauren's best known works
1 file
VDP/E5/13 25 July 1995 - 18 November 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and the Indonesian publisher, Suara Pembaruan, concerning the publication of
The admiral's baby in Indonesia
1 file
VDP/E5/14 30 September 1995 - 31 March 1996
Random Century Group/Random House royalty statements
1 file
6. Newspaper CuttingsVDP/E6/1 9 December 1926 - [1996]
Articles from a variety of South African, English and German newspapers written by Laurens van der Post, including writings on Japan before and after the Second World War, the situation in Java in 1945, the Kalahari bushmen, and the political
situation in South Africa, as well as book reviews and letters:
File 1: 9 December 1926 - 5 June 1954
File 2: 1955 - 28 February 1969
File 3: 2 August 1970 - [1996]
3 files
VDP/E6/2 20 October 1926 - 15 January 2012
Articles from a variety of European, South African and English newspapers written about Laurens van der Post, mostly interviews with Laurens:
File 1: 20 October 1926 - 2 April 1969
File 2: December 1970 - 29 August 1979
File 3: [1981] - 4 December 1979
File 4: 3 November 1990 - 15 January 2012
4 files
VDP/E6/3 1931 - 1998
Cuttings of reviews of Laurens's books in a variety of English, American, South African and German newspapers
1 file
VDP/E6/4 13 December 1906 - 5 October 1998
Articles from a variety of South African, European and English newspapers written on miscellaneous subjects, mostly collected by Laurens, including the Kalahari bushmen, the political situation in Rhodesia and South Africa, Prince Charles,
obituaries of friends and notables, as well as articles on various members of the van der Post family:
File 1: 13 December 1906 - 1 May 1930
File 2: 2 February 1934 - 7 December 1979
File 3: 22 March 1980 - 5 October 1998
3 files
VDP/E6/5 5 May 1990 - 11 September 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and various newspaper editors and journalists, mostly concerning articles published
1 file
Films and Broadcasts1. Film Production PapersVDP/F1/1 April 1950 - 2002
Papers relating to the production of a film based on Laurens's novel
Flamingo feather, including copies of agreements, correspondence with film companies and individuals, and notes
This film was never produced
2 files
VDP/F1/2 29 February 1952 - 21 October 1996
Papers, mostly correspondence, relating to other film projects involving Laurens, including the potential filming of Laurens's book
Venture to the Interior
1 file
VDP/F1/3 22 February 1957 - 8 July 1996
Papers, mostly correspondence between Laurens and others, on film rights and permissions
1 file
VDP/F1/4 21 August 1976 - 6 May 1996
Papers relating to the production of the film
A Far Off Place based on Laurens's novels A story like the wind and A far off place, including copies of agreements, correspondence with film companies and
individuals, film reviews, and notes. Also includes a file of newspaper cuttings of features and reviews of the film
Released in 1993
3 files
VDP/F1/5 1 July 1977 - 28 February 1995
Papers relating to the production of the film
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, including later royalty statements and printed material
Released in 1982
1 file
VDP/F1/6/1-3 6 October 1981 - 25 April 1996
Papers relating to the production of a film entitled
Night of the new moon/full moon in Java (never realised) based on Laurens's novel
The night of the new moon
10 files
VDP/F1/6/1 6 October 1981 - 25 April 1996
Papers, including copies of agreements, correspondence with film companies and individuals, and notes. Divided into the following files:
File 1: 6 October 1981 - 28 November 1988
File 2: 5 April 1989 - 22 December 1993
File 3: 6 January - 22 December 1994
File 4: 19 January - 29 October 1995
File 5: 8 January - 25 April 1995
5 files
VDP/F1/6/2 1988
Survey notes
1 file
VDP/F1/6/3 [?1996]
Script of the proposed film
4 files
VDP/F1/7 [1984]
Papers relating to the production of a film
A testament to the bushmen, including script and photographs
Released in 1984
1 file
VDP/F1/8 [1985]
Script for
A Matter of Heart
Documentary on Carl Jung, including an interview with Laurens van der Post
Produced by George and Suzanne Wagner
28 pages
VDP/F1/9 18 November 1986
Script and letter from Laurens van der Post to Eva Monley on the adaption of a screenplay by Jean-Marc-Pottiez entitled
“Mount Fuji, the fire and the rose”, based on the life and works of Laurens van der Post
This film was never produced
1 file
VDP/F1/10 19 January 1988 - 31 October 1996
Papers, mostly correspondence between Laurens and others (including Val Kilmer) relating to the production of a film
A mantis carol based on Laurens's publication of the same name
This film was never produced
1 file
VDP/F1/11 24 May 1988 - 8 December 2000
Papers relating to the production of a film entitled
Sword and the doll based on Laurens's novel The seed and the sower, including copies of agreements, correspondence with film companies and individuals, and notes, as well as a transcript
of a meeting with Laurens van der Post, Sonia Herman Dolz and Eva Monley, and the treatment of the film
This film was never produced
3 files
VDP/F1/12 20 July 1993 - 14 November 1997
Papers relating to the filming of
Hasten Slowly, a documentary film based on the life of Laurens van der Post, including copies of agreements, correspondence with film companies and individuals
Produced and directed by Mickey Lemle
Released in 1996
1 file
VDP/F1/13 1994
Presentation pitch by Martin Baker, Robin Lough and Skyline Film and Television Productions Ltd for
Distant echoes: Yo-Yo Ma and the Kalahari bushmen, featuring Laurens
1 file
VDP/F1/14 12 October 1995 - 20 July 1996
Papers relating to the possible production of an adaption of Laurens's bushmen stories for children, including correspondence with Augusta Volz Renault and Eva Monley
1 file
2. Television and Radio Broadcasts(a) TranscriptsVDP/F2/1 14 May 1954
Transcript by Laurens of a BBC broadcast for London Calling Asia entitled
“Music and people”
Broadcast on 29 May 1954, 13:30 GMT
Produced by Sunday Wilshin
4 pages
VDP/F2/2 26 May 1954
Transcript by Laurens of a third programme of a series on a proposed Afrikaner dictionary
Broadcast on Wednesday 26th May 1954, 6.30-7.00 pm
11 pages
VDP/F2/3 July 1954
Transcript by Laurens of a BBC broadcast entitled
“The story of a mission”
10 pages
VDP/F2/4 July 1955
Transcript (incomplete) by Laurens of a BBC broadcast entitled
“The eightieth birthday of Carl Gustav Jung”
14 pages
VDP/F2/5 3 October 1956
Transcript by Laurens of a BBC broadcast entitled
“Return to the Kalahari”
Broadcast on 3 October 1956, 7.45-8.00 pm
8 pages
VDP/F2/6 [?1960]
Transcript by Laurens of a broadcast entitled
“The travellers: No. 6, travelling in comfort”
3 pages
VDP/F2/7 18 March 1961
Language: German
Transcript (incomplete?) of a broadcast of an interview with Laurens
Interview by A. Blatter
1 page
VDP/F2/8 10 October 1967
Transcript of a BBC broadcast for
The world of books of an interview with Laurens for his new book A portrait of all the Russians
3 pages
VDP/F2/9 September 1969
Transcript of a BBC broadcast of an interview with Laurens entitled
“Trance or mystery?” for the BBC series The awakening spirit
Interview by Magnus Magnusson
4 pages
VDP/F2/10 9 April 1970
Transcripts and notes of a BBC broadcast for the BBC Radio 4 series
With great pleasure of an interview with Laurens
Broadcast on 9 April 1970, 19.30-22.00
1 transcript
VDP/F2/11 April - July 1971
Transcripts and shooting schedule of a BBC broadcast for
One pair of eyes
Broadcast on BBC2 on 10 July 1971 at 22.25
1 file
VDP/F2/12 1971
Transcripts, probably of a three-part BBC broadcast entitled
The story of Carl Gustav Jung hosted by Laurens
1 file
VDP/F2/13 1 May 1972
Transcript of a talk by Laurens entitled
“The Van der Post tapes”
Introduced by Robert Trostle
131 pages
VDP/F2/14 18 December 1974
Transcript of a BBC World Service broadcast entitled
“Is there anybody there?” hosted by Laurens
Producer: Rev W. D. Kennedy-Bell
Transmitted: 2, 3 and 4 March 1975
4 pages
VDP/F2/15 1975
Transcript of a BBC broadcast entitled
All Africa within us, for the series The world around us
4, 5 pages
VDP/F2/16 March 1978
Schedule and transcript of a BBC broadcast for a contribution by Laurens to
With great pleasure concerning the poetry and prose that has inspired him
Reader: Ingaret Giffard
Broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 28 April 1978 at 17:15
1 file
VDP/F2/17 15 December 1978
Transcript of an interview with Laurens van der Post by Suzanne Wagner on Carl Jung
Probably for
A Matter of Heart (VDP/F2/17)
51 pages
VDP/F2/18 August 1981
Transcript of a BBC broadcast entitled
“Zulu wilderness - Black Umfolozi rediscovered” for the BBC 1 series The world about us
Broadcast on 28 August 1981 at 18:50
14 pages
VDP/F2/19 July 1983
Transcripts by Laurens of a BBC broadcast entitled
“The tempest: a personal view” for the Shakespeare in Perspective series
1 file
VDP/F2/20 [?1990]
Transcript of an interview with Laurens van der Post
[30] pages
VDP/F2/21 March 1991
“A quest for a white bushmen: a story of discovery and inner exploration” by Richard Osler, including a transcript of a radio interview between Osler and Peter Gzowski and a transcript of a conversation with
Laurens
31 pages
VDP/F2/22 18 July 1991
Extracts from a conversation between Laurens and Rene Manzor
[10] pages
VDP/F2/23 28 March 1994 - January 1996
Three transcripts of taped conversations between “RH” (probably Robert Hinshaw) and Laurens for the publication of a book (never realised)
The third transcript is on the subject of Carl Jung
1 file
VDP/F2/24 [1960?] x 1996]
Incomplete transcripts of broadcasts
1 file
(b) Audio RecordingsVDP/F3/1 15 May 1957
Tribute to Roy Campbell
Provided by Radio Programme Sales
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/2 27 May 1957
The meaning of the veld (Laurens van der Post)
Provided by Radio Programme Sales
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/3 21 July 1965 - 25 November 1971
Running order:
1971:
Attitude of Japan towards the past
21 July 1965:
Talks about Africa, with Don Davis
25 November 1971:
Memories of Jung, with Sue McGregor
6 December 1970:
Subject for Sunday with Wilfred De'Ath
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/4 2 June 1977
Peter Broomfield in conversation with Laurens van der Post for
Open house
Provided by Radio Programme Sales
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/5 2 September 1977
Talking of books (Laurens van der Post)
Provided by Radio Programme Sales
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/6 2 September 1977
Views on wildlife by Laurens van der Post for
Sunday at home
Provided by Radio Programme Sales
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/7 2 December 1983
Christopher Dingle interview with Laurens van der Post for
Radio Today
Provided by Radio Programme Sales
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/8 26 August 1985
Steve Britten in conversation with Laurens van der Post for
Radio Today
Provided by Radio Programme Sales
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/9 29 August 1985
Talking of books (Laurens van der Post)
Provided by Radio Programme Sales
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/10 August 1985
[?
Saice banquet] (Laurens van der Post)
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/11 26 September 1985
Linder (Laurens van der Post)
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/12 8 December 1985
Network (Laurens van der Post)
Provided by Radio Programme Sales
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/13 12 May 1986
Prince Charles speaking at the Diet
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/14 7 December 1987
Woman's world (Laurens van der Post)
Provided by Radio Programme Sales
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/15 10 January 1988
Interview by Rosemary Hart with Laurens van der Post for
Sixty plus
Provided by Radio Programme Sales
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/16 1988
Night of the new moon
Radio play based on Laurens's novel
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/17 8 November 1990
Report by Barbara Jooste on a speech by Laurens in Stellenbosch for
Monitor
Provided by Radio Programme Sales
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/18 21 December 1990
Insights (Laurens van der Post)
Provided by Radio Programme Sales
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/19a-b 19 November 1991
Third ear (Laurens van der Post and Anthony Howard)
Duplicate copy
2 cassette tapes, in plastic cases
VDP/F3/20 20 December 1992
Sermon by Laurens van der Post at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/21 30 June 1993
From age to age (Laurens van der Post)
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/22 26 January 1994
The art of travel with Laurens van der Post
BBC World Service broadcast
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/23 28 - 29 March 1994
Speaking with Laurens van der Post
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/24 1 April 1994
Talks with Laurens van der Post
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/25 8 May 1994
Talk by Laurens van der Post entitled
“The destination”, delivered to the C. G. Jung Education Centre of Houston
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/26 16 October 1994 - 12 December 1995
On your farm and A childhood in the veld (Laurens van der Post)
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/27a-b 1994
A mythic journey: dialogues with Sir Laurens van der Post, pts 1 and 2
Produced by New Dimensions Radio
2 cassette tapes, in plastic cases
VDP/F3/28a-c 1994
The day of the dead moon, pts 1-3
Copyright: Fugitives' Draft Productions
3 cassette tapes, in plastic cases
VDP/F3/29 17 December 1995
Sermon by Laurens van der Post at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/30 November 1996
Desert island discs with Laurens van der Post
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/31 8 December 1996
Sermon by James Carroll at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/32 10 December 1996
A bushman in the King's Road
BBC Radio 3 production on Laurens's life
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/33 12 January 1997
Desert island discs with Laurens van der Post
Re-broadcast
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/34 1997
“The way of the woman” by Helen Luke
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
VDP/F3/35 [1990 x 1996]
Time of my life (Laurens van der Post)
1 cassette tape, in a plastic case
(c) Video/DVD RecordingsVDP/F4/1 1972
The story of Carl Gustav Jung
BBC broadcast hosted by Laurens
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/2 1975
BBC broadcast :
All Africa within us, for the series The world around us
Produced for the BBC 1 series
The world around us
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/3 [?1980 x 1989]
Biography of Helen Luke entitled
“Journey into simplicity”
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/4 [?1980 x 1989]
French broadcast (
Reperes) concerning Laurens in Paris to publicise new French translations of his books
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/4a [?1980 x 1989]
“A fly in amber”
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/5 22 February 1980
The Tempest
Produced for the BBC series
Shakespeare in Perspective
Broadcast 22 February 1980
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/6 1982
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence
BBC production by Jonathan Steddall
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/7 25 June 1983
The Levin interviews
Bernard Levin interviewing Laurens van der Post
BBC broadcast, 25 June 1983
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/8a-b 1983
Sheridan Morley meets: Laurens van der Post
BBC East broadcast
2 VHS video cassettes
VDP/F4/8c 1985
A matter of heart: the extraordinary journey of C. G. Jung into the soul of man (1985)
1 DVD
VDP/F4/9 1986
Laurens van der Post at 80
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/10 1986
Video of a speech of Laurens van der Post at Michaelhouse Boarding School in Balgowan, South Africa
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/11-12 1986
Matter of heart
Biography by Laurens van der Post of Carl Jung
2 VHS video cassettes
VDP/F4/13 16 December 1989
Interview with Laurens van der Post
Interview conducted by Robert Hinshaw and filmed by Peter Ammann
1 compact disc
VDP/F4/14a-c 1990
The lost world of the Kalahari & the Royal Geographical Television Lecture of the Year 1990: “Exploration”
Produced by Royal Geographical Society Films
3 VHS video cassettes
VDP/F4/15 1991
[?Documentary on Rand Afrikaans University]
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/16 7 October 1991
A Question of attribution
BBC broadcast on 7 October 1991
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/17 22 October 1991
The story of Carl Gustav Jung, pt. 3 “The mystery that heals”
BBC broadcast on 22 October 1991
Produced by Jonathan Stedall
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/18 1992
Hlonpia: journey into wilderness
Trek by Robert Hinshaw and Ian Player into the African wilderness, inspired by Laurens and his stories
Filmed by Peter Ammann
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/19 1992
“Conversations with Laurens van der Post”
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/20 [?1992]
Video entitled
“The living cathedral: Saint John the Divine”
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/21 1994
Distant echoes: Yo-Yo Ma and the Kalahari bushmen
Produced by Skyline Film & Television Productions
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/22 7 December 1994
The new age, programmes 1-6
Copyright Diverse Productions
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/23 10 April 1995
Jonathan of Arabia
Produced for the series
World in Action
Release date: 10 April 1995
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/24 12 May 1995
Convocation for the conferring of degrees, University of Calgary
Produced by Communications Media
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/25 19 June 1996
[?
The story of Carl Gustav Jung]
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/26 28 October 1996
Feature on Laurens van der Post
Produced by ITN Video Facilities
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/27 1996
Hasten slowly: the journey of Sir Laurens van der Post
Produced and directed by Mickey Lemle
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/27a December 1996
Two news items following the death of Laurens van der Post
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/28 28 December 1997
Voice from the Bundu
A film in tribute to Laurens van der Post for the BBC by Jonathan Stedall
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/29 [?1980 x 1997]
“Search for the bushmen”
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/30 [?1980 x 1997]
Video footage of [?Laurens's house] in Philippolis
1 VHS video cassette
VDP/F4/30a 2010
Laurens van der Post: the bushmen and their stories. Three lectures
Produced and directed by Peter Amman
3 DVDs
(d) 16mm Film Reels VDP/F5/1 1956
BBC Television Transcription Unit
The lost world of the Kalahari:
No. 1, episode:
“The vanishing people”. Transmitted by the BBC on 15 June 1956
No. 2, episode:
“First encounters”. Transmitted by the BBC on 22 June 1956
No. 3, episode:
“The spirits of the slippery hills”. Transmitted by the BBC on 29 June 1956
No. 4, episode:
“Life in the thirst-land”. Transmitted by the BBC on 6 July 1956
No. 5, episode:
“The great eland”. Transmitted by the BBC on 13 July 1956
No. 6, episode:
“Rain song”. Transmitted by the BBC on 20 July 1956
6 film reels
VDP/F5/2 10 July 1971
BBC transmission
One pair of eyes: a region of shadow
1 film reel
VDP/F5/3 1975
All Africa within us
1 film reel
VDP/F5/4 [?1950 x 1970]
Label on case:
“Black ampifilori”
1 film reel
(e) Other PapersVDP/F6/1 7 March 1978 - 13 November 1996
Papers, mostly correspondence between Laurens and others, concerning various BBC broadcasts
1 file
VDP/F6/2 May 1988
Script of an opera “for children and those like-minded” adapted from
A story like the wind and A far off place by Laurens
1 script
H. LecturesVDP/H1 July 1923
Photocopy of a typescript draft by M. Esther Harding and Kristina Mann of unauthorised and long-hand notes of Carl Jung's “Cornwall Seminar”,
“Human relationships in relation to the process of individuation”, given at Polzeath, Cornwall, England
Subsequently unpublished
27, 11 pages
VDP/H2 1 November 1945
Photocopy of a typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens on the situation in Java
5 pages
VDP/H3 [?1950]
Typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens on the subject of Afrikaner identity
11 pages
VDP/H4 24 April 1952
Printed transcript of a lecture entitled
“The Africa I know: an address given by Colonel Laurens van der Post (Author of Venture to the interior) at a joint meeting of the Royal African and Empire Societies on April 24th, 1952”
6 pages
VDP/H5 3 March 1954
Typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens entitled
“Marta Ghlap or the appearance of the dark eye in Africa: a talk on the psychological origin of African unrest delivered at a combined meeting of the C.G. Jung Institute and Psychological Club at Zurich on March 3,
1954”
34 pages
VDP/H6 20 October 1961
Published transcript entitled
“Memorial address in honour of Dr. Jung”, delivered by Laurens at the Analytical Psychology Club memorial meeting in honour of Carl Jung
10 pages
VDP/H7 5 October 1963
Typescript transcript of a lecture entitled
“Colonel Laurens van der Post, October 5, 1963”
Printed by the Montreal Young Women’s Christian Association
8 pages
VDP/H8 July 1972
Typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens entitled
“Jung and the future”
Delivered to the Centre for Spiritual & Psychological Studies at the Royal Overseas League, London, July 1972
Printed by A.M. Barnard, Honorary Secretary for the Centre
8 pages
VDP/H9 2 June 1973
Typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens entitled
“Man and his shadow”
Introduced by D. M. A. Leggett
Delivered to the Centre for Spiritual & Psychological Studies at the Royal Overseas League, London, 2 June 1973
Printed by A.M. Barnard, Honorary Secretary for the Centre
30 pages
VDP/H10 15 June 1975
Papers relating to
“William Plomer: a celebration”, including programme and notes, for readings by Jill Balcon, Laurens van der Post and Colin Graham
1 file
VDP/H11 July 1975
Typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens entitled
“Nature and the undiscovered self”
Delivered to the Centre for Spiritual & Psychological Studies at the Royal Overseas League, London, July 1975
10 pages
VDP/H12 6 May 1976
Typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens entitled
“Religion and the renewal of man and his societies”
Westminster Pastoral Foundation's Annual Lecture
12 pages
VDP/H13 22 November 1977 – 30 June [1978]
Typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens entitled
“The dark eye in the world”
Delivered to the Centre for Spiritual & Psychological Studies at the Royal Overseas League, London, 22 November 1977
Covering letter from Alison Barnard, Honorary Secretary for the Centre, to van der Post, dated 30 June [1978] requesting permission to translate the lecture into Dutch
1 letter and 10 pages
VDP/H14 20 July 1978
Typescript transcript of an unscripted address by Laurens at Keith Miller-Jones's funeral service, St. Saviour's Church, London
4 pages
VDP/H15 11 December 1978
Edited typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens entitled
“A new Act of Union”
Delivered to the South African Society, Charing Cross Hotel, London Talk edited by Ray Hampton
Published by the Society
5 pages
VDP/H16 1 - 5 October 1979
Transcript of a paper by C. A. Meier entitled
“Science and conscience as seen by analytical psychology as a science”, given at the Colloque International “Science et conscience” conference at Cordoue, 1-5 October 1979
15 pages
VDP/H17 24 November 1979
Typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens, probably delivered to the Centre for Spiritual & Psychological Studies at the Royal Overseas League, London
15 pages
VDP/H18 1979
Typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens entitled
“World unrest as a loss of meaning”
Delivered in San Francisco
21 pages
VDP/H19 [?1980]
Typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens on the subject of Carl Jung and the Wilderness Foundation
Delivered to the Wilderness Foundation at the Hohenhort Hotel, Cape Town
16 pages
VDP/H20 24 November 1981
Typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens entitled
“The shadow of the future”
Delivered to the Centre for Spiritual & Psychological Studies at the English-Speaking Union
18 pages
VDP/H21 [?1982]
Typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens entitled
“Leaves of grass” concerning the publication of General Smuts’s address book
Manuscript note explaining that this lecture was delivered by van der Post to students at Stellenbosch University
10 pages
VDP/H22 24 May 1984
Typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens entitled
“The importance of Smuts in the future of the Afrikaner”
The Jan Smuts Memorial Lecture
22 pages
VDP/H23 December 1984
Address by Laurens van der Post at the memorial service of Norah Smallwood, OBE
8 pages
VDP/H24 12 April 1985
Printed transcript of a lecture by Laurens entitled
“Science and religion”, St George’s House Eighth Annual Lecture
9 pages
VDP/H25 27-29 January 1986
Printed transcripts of three lectures by Laurens delivered as part of the C. G. Jung Institute Seminars, Zurich
Videotaped by Peter Armann
25, 20, 23 pages
VDP/H26 [?1987]
Typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens entitled
“Random reflections on the meaning of free enterprise”
7 pages
VDP/H27 4 November 1988
“Oral evidence given by Laurens on the spiritual needs of modern man, and a note of the Revd Dr Brian Borne’s introduction to his paper on 'The theology of creation, and the discussion that followed it,' delivered to the
ACORA Commission Meeting: Wednesday 12 October 1988”
7 pages
VDP/H28 [?1990]
Typed transcript of a lecture by Laurens entitled
“A view of Fuji-san”
19 pages
VDP/H29 22 December 1991
Typescript transcript of a sermon by Laurens entitled
“A child of the stars”
Given at the cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, on the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Transcribed and edited by Richard Osler
6 pages
VDP/H30 December 1992
Typescript transcript of a sermon by Laurens entitled
“Let in the wind”, given at the cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, on the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Transcribed and edited by Richard Osler
9 pages
VDP/H31 12 July 1993
Typescript transcript of a sermon by the Rev Dr James Donaldson Given at the state funeral service for Sir Edward “Weary” Dunlop, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, Victoria
10 pages
VDP/H32 [March] 1994
Extracts from a programme of events for
“Temenos: a sacred space” at the C.G. Jung Educational Center in Houston, including four lectures by Laurens
pp. 1-2, 9-10, 21-24
VDP/H33 10 April 1994
Typescript transcript of a lecture by Laurens entitled
“Odysseus”
19 pages
VDP/H34 13 May 1995
Typescript transcript of a speech by Laurens delivered to the Calgary Glencoe Club
Beginning of the introduction by Richard Osler not transcribed
23 pages
VDP/H35 17 December 1995
Typescript transcript of a sermon by Laurens entitled
“There is a darkness”
Probably given at the cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, on Advent Sunday
5 pages
VDP/H36 9 November 1996
Laudatio for Laurens van der Post by Theodor Abt, on the occasion of the presentation of the prize of the Research and Training Centre for Depth Psychology according to C. G. Jung and Marie-Louise von Franz,
Guildhouse, Zurich
8 pages
VDP/H37 [22 December 1997]
Word-processed transcript of a talk by Ian Player on Laurens van der Post
9 pages
J. Personal and Family PapersVDP/J1/1-32 1928 - 1995
Personal diaries and note books, mostly entries for appointments and social engagements with little description
1. 1928-1931
2. 1949
3. 1950
4. 1951
5. 1952
6. 1953
7. 1954
8. 1955
9. 1956
10. 1959
11. 1960
12. 1961
13-14. 1962
15. 1964
16. 1965
17-18. 1966
19. 1968
20. 1971
21. 1972
22-23. 1973
24. 1979
25. 1981
26. 1983
27. 1984
28. 1987
29. 1988
30. 1990
31. 1994
32. 1995
32 diaries and notebooks
VDP/J2 [early 20th century]
Papers, including original documents and photocopies, of Laurens's mother “Lammie”
Collected for a memoir on Lammie's life written by Dr Helen Classens (daughter of Laurens's sister, Marie)
1 file
VDP/J3/1-16 1915 - 30 May 1996
Sketch drawings:
16 sketches
VDP/J3/1-8 1952 - 30 May 1996
Portraits of Laurens van der Post (and one of Ingaret) by Nancy Lislei, Ethal Keane, Juliet Pannett, and others
8 sketches
VDP/J3/9-16 1915 - 1992
Miscellaneous sketches, some probably by Laurens, including portraits and landscapes
8 sketches
VDP/J4/1-5 20 November 1924 - 12 December 1996
Certificates, including Laurens's cadet discharge certificate, matriculation certificate, firearm certificate and certification of an Australian plaque commissioned by Laurens in honour of his friend Sir Ernest Edward “Weary” Dunlop
5 certificates
VDP/J5/1-11 1926 - 7 November 1996
Laurens's travel papers, including passports, authorisation certificates, correspondence and other documents
1 file & 10 passports
VDP/J6/1-9 11 October 1937 - 30 March 1996
Correspondence between Laurens and other members of his family:
VDP/J6/1 27 April 1932 - 11 March 1948
Language: Afrikaans and English
Correspondence between Laurens and Maria Magdalea Lubbe
“Lammie” (Laurens's mother), mostly news of friends and family, the management of the family farms, wishing he would return home, as well as Laurens to Lammie: surviving his incarceration in the Bandong Japanese POW
camp; his gratitude towards her; his work in Indonesia, Bevan's praise of him, his desire to trek through Indonesia, and criticism of the Japanese character (13 December 1945);
Three letters from Lammie (25 February, 3 April 1940 and 11 March 1948) are in Afrikaans with word-processed English transcripts
VDP/J6/2 5 November 1956 - 16 January 1995
Marjorie Wendt (Lauren's first wife), mostly relating to personal matters, in particular news of family and friends
34 letters/faxes
VDP/J6/3 11 October 1937 - 19 September 1984
Ingaret Giffard (Laurens's second wife)
File 1: 11 October 1937 - 20 November 1939
File 2: 5 February 1940 - 15 December 1941
File 3: 12 January 1942 - 3 October 1946
File 4: 27 February 1948 - 8 June 1949
File 5: 5 January 1950 - 4 December 1965
File 6: 4 May 1966 - 19 September 1984
File 7: [undated]
7 files
VDP/J6/4 24 August 1945 - 6 December 1984
Language: Afrikaans and English
Ella van der Post (Laurens's sister), mostly relating to personal matters, in particular news of family and friends, as well as the management of the family farm (Wolwekop)
The first letter is in Afrikaans with an word-processed English transcript
28 letters
VDP/J6/5 15 January & 8 August 1946
Language: Afrikaans and English
Pooi (Laurens's brother) to Laurens: John's future and his wish to become a civil engineer, Lammie's improvements to the farm to entice Laurens to return, news of friends, Smuts's poor management of South Africa, and meeting Laurens's English
officer friends (15 January 1946); and Pooi to Laurens: his poor health, and his love for John (8 August 1946)
Letters in Afrikaans with word-processed English transcripts
2 letters
VDP/J6/6 15 January 1946 - 19 November 1992
John van der Post (Laurens's son), and his wife Tessa, mostly relating to personal matters, in particular news of family and friends
9 letters
VDP/J6/7 [1970?] - 30 March 1996
Rupert van der Post (Laurens's grandson) and his wife Penny, mostly relating to personal matters, in particular news of family and friends
8 letters
VDP/J6/8 9 May 1983 - 30 September 1988
David Crichton-Miller (Laurens's grandson), mostly relating to personal matters, in particular news of family and friends
3 letters
VDP/J6/9 23 October 1979 - [?1980]
Emma Crichton-Miller (Laurens's granddaughter), mostly personal matters, in particular news of family and friends
3 letters
VDP/J7 August 1943 - 27 October 1994
Legal papers, including deeds and correspondence between Laurens and solicitors, including Joynson-Hicks & Co., Taylor Johnson Garrett, and Goodman Derrick concerning Laurens and Ingaret's will, power of attorney and other matters
2 files
VDP/J8 23 December 1945 - 11 August 2007
Formal invitation cards to Laurens, including Rear Admiral W. R. Patterson and Haile Selassie I (Emperor of Ethiopia), as well as royal invitations from the Queen and Prince Charles
Also includes an invitation to Lucia van der Post to attend a book launch for
Prisoners of Java
1 file
VDPJ9/1-6 1949 - [?1980]
Other personal items:
12 items
VDPJ9/1 1949
National Registration identity card
1 item
VDPJ9/2 14 June 1976
Driving licence
1 item
VDPJ9/3 [?1980]
Address book
1 item
VDPJ9/4 1983
Peninsula Women's Chorus, Patricia Hennings (Director),
Song of survival: music for a women's vocal orchestra. Originally sung in a World War II prison camp (1983)
1 item
VDPJ9/5a-b [20th century?]
Van der Post family's coat of arms
2 items
VDPJ9/6/1-6 19 June 1963 - 15 October 1993
Gifts presented to Laurens in appreciation of his work:
7 items
VDPJ9/6/1 18 June 1963
Coat of arms of Thorpe School
Silver plaque inscribed “Presented to Laurens van der Post by Thorpe School 19-6-63”
1 item
Size: 160 x 140 x 15 mm
VDPJ9/6/2 1963
CNA Literary Award medal presented to Laurens van der Post for
The seed and the sower
With inscription and decoration on medal
Case designed by John Pinches, London
1 item
Size: Case: 240 x 170 x 20 mmSize: Medal: 60 x 115 x 5 mm
VDP/J9/6/3 [28 August] 1986
Presentational scroll by Michaelhouse School in South Africa to Laurens van der Post following his speech at the school
1 item
VDPJ9/6/4 15 October 1993
Silver plaque inscribed: Fond memories, University of the Orange Free State, 15 October 1993
Originally attached to metal clock
1 item
Size: 70 x 20 mm
VDPJ9/6/5 29 September 1996
Commemorative award to Laurens van der Post from the Boulder Theater
Inscribed “To commemorate a lifetime of extraordinary noble service. The Boulder Theater proudly presents this lifetime achievement award to Sir Laurens van der Post on this 28th day of September, 1996.”
1 item
Size: 200 x 255 x 25 mm
VDPJ9/6/6 [20th century]
Coat of arms of Grey College, Bloemfontein
1 item
Size: 145 x 175 x 25 mm
VDP/J10 [?1950 x 1996]
Miscellaneous poems and prose (some in Laurens's hand)
1 file
VDP/J11/1-5 21 March 1964 - 12 May 1995
Papers relating to honorary degrees conferred on Laurens from various universities, including the University of Natal, the University of Surrey, the University of Liverpool, the University of St Andrew's, the University of the Orange Free State,
and the University of Calgary
1 file, 4 certificates (3 rolled)
VDP/J12 4 January 1967 - 2 July 1993
Memorial Orders of Service for various individuals, including T. S. Elliot, Winifred Rushforth, William Plomer, John Laurens van der Post, Michael Wood, Colonel David Stirling, Lady Helen Raeburn Dunlop, Sir Ernest Edward
“Weary” Dunlop, and Pamela Lyndon Travers
1 file
VDP/J13/1-3 July 1970 - 11 May 1995
Property papers:
5 files
VDP/J13/1 July 1970 - 10 November 1980; 21 December 1988 - 25 January 1993
Papers relating to the maintenance and sale of Laurens's Aldeburgh properties, including “Turnstones” and the South Lookout
2 files
VDP/J13/2 8 January 1988 - 11 January 1993
Papers relating to the maintenance of 27 Chelsea Towers, London
2 files
VDP/J13/3 5 July 1988 - 11 May 1995
Papers relating to the purchase and maintenance of 9 Chelsea Towers, London
1 file
VDP/J14 June 1976
Photocopies of tributes from various individuals including Laurens on the occasion of Ian Parson's 70th birthday
1 file
VDP/J15 2 December 1980 - 20 February 1981
Letters to Laurens from friends congratulating him on his knighthood
1 file
VDP/J16 1981
Papers relating to the Royal Wedding of HRH Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, including invitation, order of service and newspaper coverage
1 file
VDP/J17 17 October 1984 - 7 December 1994
Papers relating to the nomination of Laurens van der Post for the Nobel Peace Prize, including correspondence and references
1 file
K. Photographic Material1. Photograph AlbumsVDP/K1/1 [?1930]
Photographs of an unidentified social gathering
1 album (31 BW prints)
VDP/K1/2 [?1950]
Album of photographs with narrative descriptions taken during Laurens van der Post's expedition to the Kalahari Desert, particularly Mlanje
Photographs have been detached from the pages and are now in separate envelope for preservation purposes. The photographs are numbered so they can be linked to the descriptions in the album
41 BW prints
VDP/K1/3 28 November 1983
Photographs of the official opening by Laurens van der Post of Kirkman's Kamp on the farm Toulon (Sabi Sand Widtuin)
Organised by Mr and Mrs Michael Rattray
4 sleeves (16 colour prints)
VDP/K1/4 1986
Album entitled
“Primal song in the desert dawn”, compiled by Frieda Houser. Includes a long poem illustrated with photographs of the Australian desert.
Inscription on inside front cover “Dedicated to Sir Laurens van der Post for his 80th birthday, Frieda Houser”
1 album (7 colour prints)
2. Loose PhotographsVDP/K2/1 1919 - 1996
Laurens van der Post in profile
6 files
VDP/K2/2/1-241 1926 - [?1996]
Individuals: including Laurens:
8 files
VDP/K2/2/1 June 1926
William Plomer, Roy Campbell and Laurens
1 BW print
VDP/K2/2/2-3 [?1926]
Laurens and William Plomer
2 BW prints
VDP/K2/2/4-140 1926 - 1989
Photographs of Captain Katsue Mori, many including Laurens
36 BW prints/100 colour prints
VDP/K2/2/141 [?1930]
Jimmy and Ingaret Young
1 BW print
VDP/K2/2/142-143 1952
Laurens and Karen Blixen
2 BW prints
VDP/K2/2/144 1952
Ingaret, Karen Blixen, Laurens and [?]
1 BW print
VDP/K2/2/145-146 1954 & 1970
Laurens and Benjamin Britten
1 BW/1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/147 [?1960]
Laurens, Ingaret and Charles Jansen (husband of the Countess of Sutherland)
1 BW print
VDP/K2/2/148 [?1960]
Laurens and Yukio Mishima with two Japanese writers
Copyright: Hal Matson
1 BW print
VDP/K2/2/149 [?1960]
Laurens, Ingaret, Deirdre Hart-Davis and her husband [?Rupert]
1 BW print
VDP/K2/2/150 12 October 1982
Laurens and Sir Richard Luyt
1 BW print
VDP/K2/2/151 [1980 x 1989]
Jessica Douglas-Home (wife of Charles, editor of
The Times newspaper), Laurens, Lucia and Ingaret
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/152-154 [?1980 x 1989]
Laurens and Sister Maria Basini of the Carmelite Monastery in Quidenham
3 colour prints
VDP/K2/2/155 [?1980 x 1989]
Laurens and Elizabeth Sutherland in South Africa
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/156 November 1988
Laurens, Magqula Ntombela and Ian Player
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/157-158 [?1990]
Laurens and Robert Hinshaw
2 colour prints
VDP/K2/2/159-166 [?1990]
Laurens and Frances Baruch
1 BW print/7 colour prints
VDP/K2/2/167 [?1990]
[?Ian Player], Ingaret and Laurens
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/168-195 [?1990]
Bharani Gillian Torpy
27 colour prints
VDP/K2/2/196-197 July 1993
Laurens and Carolyn Fay
2 colour prints
VDP/K2/2/198 July 1993
Armand Simone, Fara Simone, Laurens and Carolyn Fay
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/199 July 1993
Frank McMillan III, Laurens and Carolyn Fay
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/200 October 1995
Laurens and Frank McMillan IV
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/201-202 December 1995
Matthew Wagner, Laurens and Christine Sampson
2 colour prints
VDP/K2/2/203 [?May] 1995
Laurens and David Parker
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/204 12 December 1996
Laurens with Weary Dunlop's grandchild
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/205 [?1990 x 1996]
Terry Petersen, Laurens and Susan MacPhail
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/206 [?1990 x 1996]
Tom Bedford, Laurens and [?Ian Player]
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/207 [?1990 x 1996]
Laurens and Paul [?Semack]
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/208 [?1990 x 1996]
Laurens and Annie Olav Kroner
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/209 [?1990 x 1996]
Laurens and Michael Loewe (friend of Carmel Blacker)
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/210-211 [?1990 x 1996]
Laurens and Charles Alfred Meier
2 colour prints
VDP/K2/2/212 [?1990 x 1996]
Laurens, Eddie de Rothschild and David Checketts
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/213 [?1990 x 1996]
Ian Player, Laurens and Vance Martin
1 colour print (copy)
VDP/K2/2/214 [?1990 x 1996]
Laurens and Yo-Yo Nea
Copyright: Robin Lough
1 BW print
VDP/K2/2/215-229 [?1990 x 1996]
Laurens, Eva Monley, Robert Hinshaw and others
15 BW prints
VDP/K2/2/230 [?1990 x 1996]
Eva Monley and Laurens
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/231 [?1990 x 1996]
R. Nightingale, Eva Monley, Robert Hinshaw and Laurens
1 colour print
VDP/K2/2/232 [?1990 x 1996]
Laurens and Ian Player
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/233 [?1990 x 1996]
Laurens and Princess Margaret
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/234-240 [?1990 x 1996]
Laurens and Eva Monley
7 colour prints
VDP/K2/2/241 [?1930 x 1996]
Unidentified photographs of Laurens with others, probably friends and acquaintances
2 files
VDP/K2/3/1-91 [?early 20th century] - 1996
Individuals: excluding Laurens
7 files
VDP/K2/3/1 [?early 20th century]
Eldon and Winnie Chambers
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/2 [?early 20th century]
Colin Chambers
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/3 [?early 20th century]
Alice Chambers (Vi and Olive's mother)
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/4 [?early 20th century]
Jimmy Young as a schoolboy
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/5 [June 1926]
William Plomer, Roy Campbell and Roy's wife, Mary Margaret Garman Campbell
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/6 [?1930]
Jimmy Young
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/7 [?1935]
Jimmy and Ingaret Giffard on their wedding day
Outsize
1 BW print mounted on card
VDP/K2/3/8 1938
Barbara and Franz, Lake Tahoe Calis
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/9 1948
Charles with Hilde Young, Montana
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/10 December 1948
(1) Including John Denham
(2) Including Admiral Patterson
2 prints in 1
VDP/K2/3/11 December 1948
(1) Including John Denham
(2) Including Admiral Patterson
(3) Including Enslin du Plessis
3 prints in 1
VDP/K2/3/12 1950
Maurice Silcock
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/13 [?1950]
William Plomer
Copyright: BBC Hilton Picture Library
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/14-16 July 1952
Baby Abys
3 BW prints
VDP/K2/3/17-18 [?1960]
Lotte Meitner-Graf
2 BW prints
VDP/K2/3/19-40 [?1960]
Carl Gustav Jung
22 BW prints
VDP/K2/3/41 [?1960]
Martha Jaeger
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/42 [?1960]
Franz Taaitosch in Colorado
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/43 [?1960]
Rosamund Lehman
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/44 26 May 1961
Oluf Allan Roeing-Sahow
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/45 14 July 1964
Mr Yerburgh with Mrs Mori and first and third son's wife
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/46-51 [?1967] - [?1996]
Frances Baruch
2 BW/4 colour prints
VDP/K2/3/52 [?1970]
Louisa Hermine with her husband (John) and son (Piers Hagon)
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/53 [?1980]
Dr Ingt. Fitzherbert, Miss Downes, Miss Tabernacle, Brigadier Sandford, and Mrs Sandford
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/54 [?1980]
Group including Professor Yura
Professor Yura was the translator of Laurens's works into Japanese
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/55 [?1980]
Sister Christa Mary and the nuns of the Sisters of Mercy Convent
1 postcard
VDP/K2/3/56 July 1982
Y. Murakami
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/57 27 August 1983
Baby Edward John Bainton
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/58 December 1983
Bets Rutgvist-O'Neil and her dog, Gustav, in the Lake District
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/59 18 May 1984
Mary Young
Addressed to Laurens from Desmond Sanders
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/60 13 December 1984
Cha[?] Hunter Jacobs
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/61 1 September 1987
Akiko with friend
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/62 1988
Akiyana Sutoleo with a praying mantis
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/63 June 1989
Alan McGlashan
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/64 [?1990]
Claire Yuin
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/65 [?1990]
Jean-Marc Pottiez and Claire Yuin
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/66-74 [?1990]
Eva Monley and Lesley Glaister
9 colour prints
VDP/K2/3/75 [?1990]
Jeanine and David Stuber
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/76 [?1990]
[?Edward “Weary” Dunlop]
Copyright: Dale Wright
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/77 [?1990]
Group including Mangosuthu Buthelezi
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/78 8 May 1990
Desmond Young
1 BW print
VDP/K2/3/79-80 [?1990]
Sister Maria Basini of the Carmelite Monastery in Quidenham
2 colour prints
VDP/K2/3/81 January 1992
Pietermaritzburg Jung Group at
“Phuzmoya”
Back row (l-r): Francis Clark, Elinor Driver, Betty Naude, Jenette Vorster, Pfotten Pauer (Merridy), Ann Player and Liz Fleming
Front row (l-r): Joan Bromberger, David le Brasseur and Ian Player
Dedicated to Laurens
Dedication and list of names from deframed board
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/82 May 1992
Frank N. McMillan IV
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/83 June 1992
Jack and Catherine Moriensen with their children, Chris and Leah
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/84 19 December 1994
Will Schwalbe, Patricia Ford, Jackie Deval, Al Marchioni, Lisa Queen and Larry Hughes
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/85 April 1993
Frank McMillan IV
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/86-87 4 March 1995 - [1996]
Alexander and Amanda Dunlop with children
Alexander was the son of Edward “Weary” Dunlop
2 colour prints
VDP/K2/3/88 12 May 1995
Richard Osler
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/89 August 1995
Alexander Dunlop standing next to a statute of his father in St Kilda Road, Melbourne
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/90 March 1996
Robinson Hall McMillan
1 colour print
VDP/K2/3/91 [?1900] - 1996
Unidentified photographs, probably friends and acquaintances of Laurens
1 outsize
4 files
VDP/K2/4/1-34 [?1976] - 1982
Photographs of Prince Charles:
1 file
VDP/K2/4/1 [?1976]
Prince Charles in naval uniform, possibly in command of HMS Bronington
1 BW print
VDP/K2/4/2-30 March 1977
Prince Charles, Laurens van der Post, and others, during a safari expedition to Kenya
7 BW/23 colour prints
VDP/K2/4/31 December 1977
Christmas card from Prince Charles to Laurens van der Post, with photograph of the Prince dressed as a native American (“Chief Red Crow”)
1 colour print mounted on card
VDP/K2/4/32 December 1981
Christmas Card from Prince Charles and Princess Diana to Laurens and Ingaret, with wedding photograph of the couple
1 colour print mounted on card
VDP/K2/4/33 [1982]
Formal group photograph of Prince Charles and Lady Diana (holding William), with Laurens van der Post in the back row
Copyright: PA Photos
1 BW print
VDP/K2/5/1-5 [?1988 x 1990]
Photographs of Margaret Thatcher:
1 file
VDP/K2/5/1 [?1988 x 1990]
Margaret Thatcher and Laurens van der Post during a television interview
1 colour print
VDP/K2/5/2 [?1988 x 1990]
Christmas card from Margaret and Dennis Thatcher to Laurens, showing the couple in the Great Hall at Chequers
1 colour print
VDP/K2/5/3 [?1988 x 1990]
Laurens van der Post, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, and Margaret Thatcher
1 BW print
VDP/K2/5/4-5 [?1988 x 1990]
Laurens van der Post, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Margaret Thatcher, and Dennis Thatcher
2 colour prints
VDP/K2/6 [?1940] - 1996
Photographs of Laurens and his second wife, Ingaret (some with family members)
3 outsize
45 BW/37 colour prints
VDP/K2/7/1-23 [late 19th century] - [?1996]
Family photographs:
1 file
VDP/K2/7/1 [late 19th century]
C. W. H. van der Post
1 BW print
VDP/K2/7/2-10 [1908 x 1922]
Van der Post family photographs with Laurens as a young child
9 BW prints
VDP/K2/7/11 [?1930]
Marjorie van der Post
Laurens's first wife
1 BW prints
VDP/K2/7/12 1959
Group photograph of the van der Post family at the wedding of John van der Post and Tessa Brook
Copyright: Blythswood Photos
Outsize
1 BW print mounted on card
VDP/K2/7/13 [?1960]
Laurens with his daughter, Lucia, on her wedding day
1 BW print
VDP/K2/7/14 [?1960]
Group photograph, including Laurens at the wedding of Ingaret's cousin in London
1 BW print
VDP/K2/7/15 [?1970]
Laurens, Rupert and John van der Post
1 colour print
VDP/K2/7/16 January 1977
James Robert [?van der Post]
1 colour print
VDP/K2/7/17 [?1990]
Ingaret and Rupert van der Post
1 colour print
VDP/K2/7/18 [?July] 1995
Mase van der Post
1 BW print
VDP/K2/7/19-22 [?1996]
Laurens and Rupert van der Post following the birth of Rupert's son, Max
4 colour prints
VDP/K2/7/23 [?1996]
Tom and Anna Bedford
1 colour print
VDP/K2/8/1-225 October 1926 - 1996
Special events/engagements attended by Laurens:
6 files
VDP/K2/8/1 October 1926
Group photograph, including Laurens van der Post, William Plomer and Katsue Mori at the Kamayana Hotel in Japan
1 BW print
VDP/K2/8/2 [?1951]
Laurens van der Post with group at his book launch for
Venture to the Interior in Sweden
1 BW print
VDP/K2/8/3 [?1960]
Laurens van der Post and Janie Malerba at a social event at the University of Natal
On reverse:
“To Laurens from E. G. + Janie, with love. A memento of a great occasion.”
1 BW print
VDP/K2/8/4-6 12 October 1967 - [?1995]
Laurens during recordings for radio and television interviews
Includes photograph of Laurens and Tamar Stokes discussing
Venture to the Interior for the French Language Service of the BBC European Services department
Two unidentified.
3 BW prints
VDP/K2/8/7 [?1970]
Laurens during the filming of
The Story of Carl Gustav Jung
1 colour print
VDP/K2/8/8 [?1970]
Laurens van der Post and guests dining in the Transvaal Room, Johannesburg
1 colour print
VDP/K2/8/9-20 [?1977]
Laurens at various social events on cruise ships, including Windsor Castle, Pendennis Castle and
Edinburgh Castle
1 BW print/11 colour prints
VDP/K2/8/21 12 August 1978
Laurens at the Hogarth Memorial Exhibition, Cambridge
4 BW prints
VDP/K2/8/22-26 1978
Laurens receiving his honorary doctorate at the University of Rhodes
Copyright: Akkersdyk Studios
5 BW prints mounted on card
VDP/K2/8/27 1980
Laurens receiving his honorary doctorate at the University of St Andrew's
1 BW print mounted on card
VDP/K2/8/28-49 April - May 1983
Laurens with Nagisha Oshima and Captain Katsui Mori at the screening of
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, Cannes Film Festival
22 colour prints
VDP/K2/8/50-145 5 October 1987
Laurens van der Post in Japan, mostly with Captain Katsue Mori, many at the Kaiun Club
91 colour prints
VDP/K2/8/146-202 1989
Funeral service of Captain Katsue Mori
57 colour prints
VDP/K2/8/203 16 July 1991
Laurens van der Post at the opening of Jerome House
1 colour print
VDP/K2/8/204 [1991]
Laurens van der Post at a book signing event for
About blady, with Amanda Both and Paul Semark
1 colour print
VDP/K2/8/205 [1991]
Laurens van der Post and Tom Bedford at the Man of Vision Award ceremony in South Africa
VDP/K2/8/206 [?December 1992]
Dean Morton showing to a group a display of eight biblical sculptures commissioned by Frances Baruch at St John the Divine Cathedral, New York
1 colour print
VDP/K2/8/207 [?1990 x 1995]
Group photograph including Laurens van der Post receiving an honorary degree [?by the University of Dundee]
1 colour print
VDP/K2/8/208-215 [May 1995]
Laurens van der Post receiving his honorary doctorate by the University of Calgary, Canada
1 BW print/7 colour prints
VDP/K2/8/216-220 September 1996
Laurens in Boulder for the Laurens van der Post Festival
5 colour prints
VDP/K2/8/221-224 September 1996
Laurens van der Post at the book launch of
The admiral's baby
4 colour photographs
VDP/K2/8/225 [1950 x 1996]
Laurens van der Post at various unidentified social events
1 file
VDP/K2/9/1-11 1940 - 1947
Laurens van der Post during active service:
1 file
VDP/K2/9/1 1940
No. 13 Platoon, 168 O.C.T.U., 1940
Back row (from l-r): J. Thornton, R. Massey, J. P. Smallbones, O. P. Edwards, E. M. Sykes, J. H. Golcher, J. C. Groth, A. S. Todd, W. Ellery-Anderson and D. D. Lennam
Middle row (from l-r): L. van der Post, H. J. S. Muriel, R. E. Williams, T. Donnelly, W. D. Carter, P. H. Schuberth, D. E. Bannerman, A. P. Craig, A. MacLachlen and J. B. Millington Buck
Front row (from l-r): R. M. McLeod, J. W. Barron, G. C. Burgess, G. A. H. Millard, Sergt. F. Cropper, Lieu. J. Marnham, K. Marshall, W. D. Rowling, J. C. Johnson, A. Laybourne and R. E. L. Shingles
1 BW print mounted on card
VDP/K2/9/2 December 1941
Laurens van der Post smelling a rose in Tobruk
1 BW print
VDP/K2/9/3 19 November 1945
Laurens van der Post, Batavia
On reverse: “For Ingaret with love L.”
1 BW print
VDP/K2/9/4 1946
Mrs David Weal, Liz Ebberly, Laurens van der Post, Sybil Bada and [?Daniel] Pope sitting on a wall in Aulaiele Mess, Batavia
1 BW print
VDP/K2/9/5 [?1946]
Laurens van der Post, Java
1 BW print
VDP/K2/9/6 1947
Laurens van der Post about to return to Britain from Indonesia
1 BW print
VDP/K2/9/7 [1952 x 1956[
Group including Laurens van der Post, Tony Sherman, Major David West, Miss Muriel Mackerell, and Gilbert Mackerell in Batavia
1 BW print
VDP/K2/9/8-11 [?1940 x 1947]
Unidentified photographs of Laurens in military uniform
4 BW prints
VDP/K2/10/1-35 [?1952 - 1984]
Photographs of Laurens's expeditions to the Kalahari Desert and the interior of Africa, including filming the 1956 BBC television series, San (bushmen) culture, wildlife, and landscape photographs
Many published in
Testament to the bushmen
2 files
VDP/K2/10/1 [1952]
Captioned:
“Bushwomen who had come running out of scrub begging for water making certain of leaf tobacco given to them. Women standing shows signs of mixed Bantu blood.”
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/2 [1952]
Captioned:
“What can be done with little money in Kalahari if water is found. Homestead at Ghanzi where mission recommends pilot-scheme should begin; this particular homestead is nine years old and bore-hole only 35 feet
deep.”
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/3 1952
Captioned:
“The Mission: left to right: Arthur Gaitskell, Tehekedi Khama, Brian Curry, Professor Pickrell, Chief Bathoen, Laurens van der Post; taken in northern Kalahari. In background is wild pomegranate which abounds.”
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/4 [1952]
Captioned:
“Massarwa: i.e., bushmen and Makalahari half-breeds. They are not true pygmies, but like pygmies live entirely off nature. They love tobacco and are seen taking tobacco from Van der Post.”
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/5 1953
Bushmen hunters for the Kalahari expedition, including Baukhai, Nhoux, and
“Tanner”
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/6 1954
Camp in the early morning during the Kalahari expedition
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/7 1955 x 1956
Royal Commission to Botswana (Bechuanaland) headed by Arthur Gaitskell with Tshekedi Khana, Brian Curry, Lawrenson, Financial Secretary of the Bechuanaland Protectorate
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/8 [?1952 x 1956]
Group of bushmen
Copyright: Libertas (Johannesburg)
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/9 [?1952 x 1956]
Kalahari landscape between Tsabong and Tsana
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/10 [1954 x 1956]
Kalahari camp at dawn, including (l-r) Johnnie Mannewick, John Raoulaghad, Charles Leonard, Laurens van der Post, Duncan Abraham, Brian Curry, Jeremiah (Barotse cook)
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/11 [1954 x 1955]
Laurens van der Post with Samtchau, Tsodilo Hills
Copyright: Chatto & Windus
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/12 [1954 x 1956]
Laurens van der Post with expedition group including Jeremiah (Barotse cook),
“Spode” (real name Pratt), Ben Halberal (guide), Uyau, Brian Curry, Momessin and Leonard
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/13 [1952 x 1956]
Captioned: “bushmen women playing their favourite game of musical rounders with a Xamma melon as a ball”
Reproduced by kind permission of the Hogarth Press
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/14 [1952 x 1956]
Desert wood in the Kalahari
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/15 [1952 x 1956]
Desert rock painting of eland and giraffe
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/16 [1952 x 1956]
Captioned:
“bushman draws his water supply from a sipwell”
Copyright: BBC
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/17 [1952 x 1956]
Peter Jones (BBC), Ian Player and Laurens van der Post
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/18 [1952 x 1956]
Near Cecil Rhodes grave
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/19 [1952 x 1956]
Eland in the desert
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/20 [1952 x 1956]
Life casts of Kalahari Bushwomen in the South African Museum, Cape Town
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/21 [1952 x 1956]
Dr Gusense with his wife and bushmen, Kalahari desert
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/22 [1952 x 1956]
Upper Ruo plateau
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/23 [1952 x 1956]
Chambe plateau
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/24 [1952 x 1956]
[?Mlauje]
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/25 [1952 x 1956]
Little Ruo plateau
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/26 [1952 x 1956]
Cedar forest at the heart of the Tikabula valley
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/27 [1952 x 1956[
Southern boundary of the Bechuanaland Protectorate
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/28-31 [1952 x 1956]
Views of Chambe
4 BW print
VDP/K2/10/32 [1952 x 1956]
View from Nijka
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/33 [1952 x 1956]
Big Ruo plateau
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/34 [1952 x 1956]
Top of the Tikabula valley, looking towards Tuchilla
1 BW print
VDP/K2/10/35 [1952 x 1956]
Unidentified photographs of the Kalahari desert, its wildlife and the San people
2 files
VDP/K2/11/1-78 December 1912 - 1999
Photographs of places and landscapes, mostly unidentified with the exception of the following:
3 files
VDP/K2/11/1 1922 x 1923
Donkin Street, Beaufort West
1 BW print
VDP/K2/11/2 1922 x 1923
The Karroo outside Beaufort West
1 BW print
VDP/K2/11/3-10 1925 - 1926
Photographs of steam liners in Durban, including RMS Arundel Castle, Harry Escombe, Dunluce Castle, RMS Kildonan Castle, and
RMS Caernarfon Castle
8 BW prints
VDP/K2/11/11-12 [?1930]
Two bull-fighting rings in Spain
Probably taken by Roy Campbell and sent to Laurens van der Post
2 BW prints
VDP/K2/11/13 1 September 1939
Morecambe Bay
1 BW print
VDP/K2/11/14 [?1930 x 1939]
Makwar Dam
1 BW print
VDP/K2/11/15 [?1930 x 1939]
Commercial photograph:
“Rob Roy Hotel, Botha's Hill, Natal, South Africa”
1 BW print
VDP/K2/11/16 [?1930 x 1939]
[?Khartoum] Races
Copyright: Tropical Photo-Stores, Karakashian Bros, Khartoum (Sudan)
1 BW print
VDP/K2/11/17 14 September 1950
Palmietfontein Airport
1 BW print
VDP/K2/11/18-33 [1952 x 1956[
Bushmen sculptures in rocks, including a buffalo head, zebra, aardvark, wildebeest, mongoose, hyena, giraffe, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, and eland
Outsize
16 BW prints
VDP/K2/11/34-46 [1960 x 1980]
Aldeburgh, including the beach and Lookout Tower
1 BW/12 colour prints
VDP/K2/11/47-48 [?1970]
Ladal (India) scene
2 colour prints
VDP/K2/11/49 [?1970]
View of Tibet from aeroplane
1 colour print
VDP/K2/11/50 1978
Venice Beach, Los Angeles
1 colour print
VDP/K2/11/51 [?1980]
Photograph of
“Donga” painting, with description
Outsize
1 colour print in card
VDP/K2/11/52 1985
Sculpture entitled
“Taking hold and letting go”, General Accident HQ, Perth
1 colour print
VDP/K2/11/53 25 May 1989
Tofukuhi Temple, Japan
1 colour print
VDP/K2/11/54 [?1990]
Parish Church of St Michael de Rupe, Brentor, Devon
1 colour postcard
VDP/K2/11/55 [?1990]
C. G. Jung Centre, Cape Town
1 colour print
VDP/K2/11/56-65 [?1990]
Photographs of paintings depicting South African life
10 colour prints
VDP/K2/11/66--70 [?1990]
Laurens van der Post's childhood home, Philippolis
5 colour prints
VDP/K2/11/71 16 April 1993
Camps Bay, Cape Town
1 colour print
VDP/K2/11/72-73 [?1999]
Maze at the Laurens van der Post Memorial in Philippolis, South Africa
2 colour prints
VDP/K2/11/74-77 1999
Colley Farm
4 colour prints
VDP/K2/11/78 [20th century]
Unidentified photographs of places and landscapes
2 files
3. Negatives
Reference: VDP/K3
Dates of creation: [?1950 x 1996]
Extent: 135 photographic negatives
Mostly duplicates of photographs
L. Death and LegacyVDP/L1/1-6 12 December 1996 - 22 April 1998
Papers relating to the death of Laurens van der Post
6 files
VDP/L1/1 12 December 1996 - 11 March 1997
Letters of condolence sent to Ingaret Giffard and Lucia Crichton-Miller on the death of Laurens, including Margaret Thatcher, the Dalai Lama, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, as well as other individuals and organisations, with responses from Jane
Bedford
1 file
VDP/L1/2 20 December 1996 - June 1997
Cuttings from newspapers/magazines and photocopies of articles with obituaries and tributes to Laurens
1 file
VDP/L1/3 16 - 31 December 1996
Papers relating to Laurens's funeral service, held at Christ Church, Chelsea on 20 December 1996
1 file
VDP/L1/4 18 December 1996 - 25 March 1997
Papers relating to the organisation of a service of thanksgiving for the life of Laurens, held at The Chapel in the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, on 18 March 1997, including correspondence, speeches and programme
1 file
VDP/L1/5 24 January 1997 - 21 July 2001
Two letters from Eva Monley to Colin [?], and letter from Colin to J. D. F. Jones, enclosing a booklet entitled
“Selamat Jalan to SIr Laurens van der Post: a selamatan to commemorate the 40th day of his passing”
1 file
VDP/L1/6 16 May 1997 - 22 April 1998
Papers relating to a memorial service for Laurens, held at Philippolis, South Africa, on 4 April 1998
1 file
VDP/L1/7 4 June 1997
Lucia van der Post, Emma and Neil Crichton-Miller, and Hiroaki and Etsu Mori, held at Lucia's home
4 colour prints
VDP/L1/8 10 December 1997
Poster advertising a tribute event
“On the life of Sir Laurens van der Post”, held at the American Museum of Natural History
1 item
VDP/L2 14 January 1997 - October 2004
Papers relating to the planning of various legacy projects to be set up in Laurens's name, including a Laurens van der Post Memorial appeal for the Countryside Restoration Trust; the commissioning of a documentary on Laurens's life on BBC2;
dedicating the conference
“Shared visions” in Laurens's memory; and the organisation of an annual Sir Laurens van der Post Memorial Lecture; and a Laurens van der Post Museum
1 file
VDP/L3 10 February 1997 - 9 March 2001
Papers relating to the management of Laurens's estate, including correspondence on rights and permissions to his work, as well as the future of his archive and preservation of material within it
1 file
VDP/L4/1-4 21 July 1999 - 26 July 2003
Papers relating to the publication of J. D. F. Jones's biography of Laurens van der Post,
Storytellers: the many lives of Laurens van der Post:
3 files & 1 cassette tape
VDP/L4/1 21 July 1999 - 5 August 2002
Papers, mostly correspondence, between Lucia van der Post, J. D. F. Jones, Neil Crichton-Miller, Mark Ingle, Andre Lubbe, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, and others, on the controversy surrounding Jones's biography and attempts to refute allegations
contained therein
Also includes a long letter from Lucia van der Post to J.D.F. Jones detailing her criticisms of the book
2 files
VDP/L4/2 16-17 February - 5 August 2002
Cuttings, including photocopies and originals, from a variety of newspapers, magazines, and online sources of reviews of J. D. F. Jones's book
Storyteller
1 file
VDP/L4/3 [?2002]
Photocopies of source material about Laurens, probably collected to refute the allegations against Laurens's character in J. D. F. Jones's
Storytellers
1 file
VDP/L4/4 26 July 2003
Audio recording of a radio broadcast of an Interview with J. D. F. Jones on
Storyteller
1 D90 cassette tape
VDP/L5 1996
Commemorative memorial stone inscribed “Sir Laurens van der Post. Died 16th December 1996. Aged 90 years”
The plaque is not attached to the base
1 object
Size: 150 x 80 x 40 mm
VDP/L6 30 June 1997 - 22 March 2012
Correspondence between Lucia van der Post and others, incluidng Hiroaki Mori, Professor Edwin Wilmsen, and Richard Chachere: mostly personal or enquiries about Laurens van der Post
1 file
