Dr Gilson (1925-1963) collected this background material, manuscripts, notes and publications on C.19 and early C.20 Samoa for his book Samoa 1830-1900 (Melbourne: M.U.P. 1970).

Bibliographic card file and 201 folders arranged by Dr Gilson under the headings: Ethnology, tradition, field notes(folders 1-11); Missions(folders 12-32); Naval(folders 33-41); Visitors and Residents(folders 42-47); Residents, histories, political publications(folders 48-59); Press Samoan Reporter, Samoan Times (folders 60-71); Proclamations, Samoan bibliographies, maps(folders 72-74); Samoan Government Papers(folders 75-99); Consular and other foreign official data (excluding naval) (folders 100-200); Graf Papers (folder 201).<P>Reel 1 plus small amount on Reel 1A: Preliminaries and detailed contents list; card index; folders 1-8<BR>Reel 2: Folder 8 continued - folder 36<BR>Reel 3: Folder 36 continued - folder 58<BR>Reel 4: Folder 59 - folder 83<BR>Reel 5: Folder 83 continued - folder 109<BR>Reel 6: Folder 110 - folder 118<BR>Reel 7: Folder 118 continued - folder 130<BR>Reel 8: Folder 130 continued - folder 137<BR>Reel 9: Folder 137 continued - folder 154<BR>Reel 10: Folder 155 - folder 174<BR>Reel 11: Folder 174 continued - folder 198<BR>Reel 12: Folder 198 continued - folder 201 (The Graf papers contain material on the Mau; German history and administration; the 'Tupu' and Samoan beliefs).<P>A detailed list of the contents is available on request together with PMB notes and information on related sources.<P>NOTE: At the time of filming the following folders were missing and therefore not copied: folder 34; folders 44, 46; folder 57; folders 85, 89, 94.<P>Folders 65-69 are listed but do not seem to have been used.
See Finding aids for details.