Historical information

These bottles were used in the Warrnambool pharmacy of R. F. Kennedy & Co. Richard Frank Kennedy (1826-1903) was born in England and came to Warrnambool in the early 1880s, establishing a pharmacy in Timor Street. This was a retail, wholesale and manufacturing business. In 1891 Kennedy erected a new building which was described as one of the most elegant and best-stocked chemist’s shops in Victoria. Kennedy was active in Warrnambool community affairs and was a foundation member of the Warrnambool Bowls Club, being its first Vice-President and an early President. His business continued on after his death, trading as ‘R.F.Kennedy and Co.’

Significance

Richard Frank Kennedy was one of the most significant businessmen in Warrnambool in the late 19th century. The products of his shop and factory were distributed all over Victoria and beyond. These bottles are good examples of the types used in the Kennedy pharmacy. They show the well-known Kennedy lighthouse symbol. Warrnambool still has two working lighthouses today.

Physical description

These are two clear glass chemist’s bottles. They are identical in size and shape. They have a rectangular-shaped body with rounded edges, a circular-shaped neck and a moulded top with an opening. There are no stoppers. The sides of the bottles have the Kennedy logo of a lighthouse on a rocky cliff on the coastline with ships in the distance and the name of the chemist (R.F.Kennedy).

Inscriptions & markings

‘2/3 viii’
‘R.F.Kennedy & Co. Chemists Warrnambool’
‘L 389 M’
‘A.G.M.’