A letter written on 6th January 1948, by Dr A Wetmore of the Smithsonian Institution, with instructions for Charles Mountford regarding the American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land. The letter includes comprehensive lists of equipment to be shipped out for the use of Wetmore's staff.

The equipment was provided for Frank Setzler, Deputy Leader and Archaeologist, Herbert Deignan, Ornitholigist, David Johnson, Mammalogist, Robert Miller, Ichytologist and NGS photographer, Howell Walker.

This document provides an insight into the huge amount of items needed for a long and remote Expedition, and into the logistical and organisational effort required to prepare, ship and manage such a large range of equipment. The items listed include blue [denim] jeans, string, tools, chemicals, stationery, fish traps, weapons, medicines, lighting etc

Once in the field, it was not possible to rush off and buy anything that was forgotten or broken - so everything had to be considered in advance and flown/shipped in to the field.

In addition, the storage and transport of the material needed to be managed on the ground in Arnhem Land, where heat, humidity and insects posed a risk to the equipment.