The notebook is one of three known to exist which contain Gillen's anthropological fieldnotes taken during his 1901-1902 'Across Australia' expedition with WB Spencer (AA 301). The other two books are in the Mortlock Library (PRG 54/2/1-2) covering the periods 25 August 1901 to 15 November 1902 and 16 November 1901 to 5 January 1902.

The original forms part of the EC Stirling collection (see AA 309/4/5).