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Pictorial material from the Agnes Newton Keith papers.
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Collection Overview
Title:
Pictorial material from the Agnes Newton Keith papersCreator/Contributor:
Keith, Agnes Newton., creatorCreator/Contributor:
Johnston, Don.Abstract:
Includes original drawings made by Keith while she lived in Sandakan, Sabah (then North Borneo). Drawings depict indigenous
peoples, flora, fauna, landscapes and architecture. Also includes original drawings depicting her experiences and observations
while she was interred by the Japanese in prisoner-of-war and civilian internee camps in various locations in Borneo during
World War II. Many of the drawings were used to illustrate Keith's book, including Land Below the Wind (1939), Three Came
Home (1947), White Man Returns (1951) and Children of Allah (1966). Several works are annotated or accompanied by notes refering
to these publications. Photographs depict indigenous peoples, flora and fauna of North Borneo, especially in the vicinity
of Sandakan. Includes album of professional photographs, possibly taken in Borneo, many featuring an unidentified western
woman posing with indigenous people. Also includes photographs of views taken in Libya, post-World War II health care efforts
in the Philippines, as well as snapshot photographs depicting Keith, her husband Harry, and their son Henry, among others.
Date:
ca. 1934-ca. 1975, bulk ca. 1939-ca. 1966 (issued)Subject:
a-bn--- -- a-ph---World War, 1939-1945 -- Concentration camps -- Borneo -- Pictorial works
World War, 1939-1945 -- Prisoners and prisons, Japanese -- Pictorial works
Guerre mondiale, 1939-1945 -- Camps d'internement -- Bornéo -- Ouvrages illustrés
Guerre mondiale, 1939-1945 -- Prisonniers et prisons des japonais -- Ouvrages illustrés
Internment camps
Borneo -- Pictorial works
Sandakan (Sabah, Malaysia) -- Pictorial works
Philippines -- Pictorial works
Libya -- Pictorial works
Bornéo -- Ouvrages illustrés
Borneo
Libya
Malaysia -- Sandakan (Sabah)
Philippines
Keith, Agnes Newton -- Pictorial works
Keith, Henry G -- Pictorial works
Keith, Agnes Newton
Note:
Some drawings bear artist's signature or initials: Keith; A.K. Most are unsigned. Includes a few ink drawings signed by Don
Johnston, who co-illustrated with Keith her second book, Three Came Home.
Various photographers, unidentified.
Title devised by cataloger.
COLLECTION STORED, IN PART, OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for use.
Transferred from the Agnes Newton Keith papers (BANC MSS 86/161 z).
Gift ; Of Maddalena Antoniazzi; 1986.
Printing plate of an illustration from White Man Returns transferred to the Historical Objects collections of the Bancroft
Library (BANC PIC 19xx.031:177--OBJ).
Agnes Jones Goodwillie Newton Keith was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1901. While she was still young, her family moved to
California. Her father was a founder of the Del Monte Company. Agnes attended the University of California, Berkeley, graduating
in 1924. In 1934 she married Henry G. "Harry" Keith, an Englishman who was an acquaintance from Agnes' childhood, and was
then a forester employed by the Government of North Borneo. The Keiths lived in Sandakan, North Borneo from 1934 to 1945.
During the Japanese invasion of Borneo in World War II the Keiths were imprisoned at various internee camps. After the liberation
of Borneo, the Keiths moved to British Columbia, Canada. They returned to Sandakan in 1947 and remained there until 1952.
The Keiths later lived in the Philippines and Libya before retiring to British Columbia. Agnes Newton Keith died in 1982.
Harry Keith died later that same year. Agnes is best known for her books depicting her experiences in Borneo.
Type:
graphicPictorial works
Drawings.
Photograph albums.
Physical Description:
drawing
photoprint
2 boxes and 1 oversize box (ca. 580 drawings and ca. 300 photographic prints) and 1 oversize folder (3 drawings) : 30 x 48
cm or smaller.
Language:
English
Origin:
Various placesCopyright Note:
COLLECTION STORED, IN PART, OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for use.