Significance

Supporting documentary letter outlining the literary activities of a group of residents in Kew and its environs, which operated from 1897 to c.1912.

Physical description

2-page letter from J. F. Richardson, outlining the donor's connection to The Pickwick Club of Kew which operated in Kew in the final decade of the 19th Century and the first two decades of the 20th Century. The transcript of the letter is recorded in the Inscriptions field.

Inscriptions & markings

22 Kalimna St.,
Balwyn VIC 3103
16th November, 1967

Mrs E. West,
Secretary,
Kew Historical Society, 24 Marshall Ave.,
Kew VIC 3101

Dear Mrs West,
In 1897 some residents of Kew formed a literary group which they called “The Pickwick Club”. My mother and father (the late Judge J.A. Richardson) were members of the group.
The Pickwick Club produced two issues of its “Proceedings”, issued under the title of “The Pickwick Portfolio”. The first issue was dated 1st October 1904, and the second was dated 1st January, 1912. I have no knowledge of any later issues.
I have one copy of each of the publications referred to above and I should be pleased to present them to the historical Society, if they were felt to be suitable material.
The issue of 1/1/1912 contains a list of members of the Club and this may be of interest to the older members of your Society.
Yours Sincerely
J.F. Richardson