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Typescript and sound recordings relating to 'Sparkie Williams'

 Collection
Held in our offsite storage facility

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Comprises:

  1. Photocopy of 'Sparkie Williams, the talking budgerigar', an unpublished typescript of a book by Mattie Williams, i + 171 pages, n.d. [c.1973]
  2. 3 open reel tapes (7 1/2 ips) of Sparkie talking and rhyming, n.d. [c.1954-c.1962] (= Closed)

Dates

  • Creation: n.d. [c.1954-c.1973]

Extent

0.11 Linear metres (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

  • English

Conditions Governing Access

Some material is closed.

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries, MS. 15500.

Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.

Full range of shelfmarks:

MSS. 15500/1-2

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 15500

Abstract

Typescript and sound recordings relating to 'Sparkie Williams'.

Biographical / Historical

'Sparkie Williams' (1954-1962) was a talking budgerigar owned by Mattie Williams who taught him to speak and recite songs and nursery rhymes. He won the BBC International Cage Word Contest in July 1958 and fronted the advertising campaign for Capern's bird seed for two years. When Sparkie died he was stuffed and is now held in the collections of the Great North Museum: Hancock.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Transferred from the Alexander Library of Ornithology, 2018.

Title
Typescript and sound recordings relating to 'Sparkie Williams'
Status
Published
Author
EAD version by Sarah Thiel and Marion Lowman
Date
2019
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom