This series contains restricted items.

This series consists of a set of 12 double-sided records and accompanying notes (6 foolscap typescript pages) by Professor A.P. Elkin. The records include a selection of recordings that were captured on wire by Colin Simpson of the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) on the 1948 Arnhem Land expedition, jointly sponsored by the Australian government, the National Geographic Society and the Smithsonian Institution. The original wire recordings were processed by Columbia Graphophone Homebush factory in 1949 and 1950 and distributed by the ABC, being available for sale under the title Music of the Australian Aborigines between 1953 and 1956 for around £6 (including the accompanying notes by Professor Elkin).

The recordings include Aboriginal songs and ceremonies, in which dancing, voices and instruments can be heard. The final record (parts 23-24) includes recordings of bird life in Arnhem land, while the other recordings are believed to be taken primarily during breaks from the official expedition. Locations, names and information about the recordings were taken from Elkin's accompanying notes, which are thorough despite Elkin not being present on the expedition.

This set of records is the third in a series of Australian Aboriginal music recordings made available for study by the University of Sydney Department of Anthropology. Therefore, the set begins at record 16 and ends with record 27.