This butter or cheese knife is a decorative example of electroplated cutlery that had become an affordable alternative to more expensive silver cutlery in the late 1800s to early 1900s. The knife has stamp marks in the back of its handle that are a combination of letters and symbols used by British silversmiths to identify their workmanship. The design and type of this knife was not normally used by everyday people but rather those of a higher social class with time and money to have a particular decorative knife to serve butter or cheese. The marks on the handle tell that it was made of nickel silver, and electroplated with superior quality Stirling silver. The Barker Brothers of Birmingham made the knife between 1885 and 1907, but most likely before 1895. It was made for the British, or British colonial, people, connected with a government department such as the navy or defence. This story may be slightly inaccurate, as some silversmiths added extra ‘pseudo marks’ to their wares to disguise the quality. THE MARKS and their meaning – - ‘A1’ The silver used in electroplating this knife was the highest level, ‘superior quality’, measured in grams of silver per table spoon or table fork, with ‘A1’ being 2 2/3 grams, and ‘D’ being 0 1/2 grams of silver. - ‘BB’ The Baker Brothers used these initials from 1885 to 1907. - ‘[crown symbol]’ – This symbol is used for Sterling silver but this knife is a metal alloy. The crown is also the town mark of Sheffield (appointed by the Sheffield Assay Office) but this knife was made in Birmingham, which has the town mark of an anchor. The Barker Brothers may have added the crown mark to this electroplated silverware as a ‘pseudo hallmark’, leading the buyer to think that it was actual Sterling silver. The use of pseudo hallmarks by electroplaters of the Victorian era was common practice but it was illegal. In 1895 the unlawful practice was seen as imitating the Sheffield Silver Mark and the law was firmly applied to eradicate the deception, so items with this mark probably date before 1895. - [EPNS] Electro Plated Nickel Silver, called nickel silver or German silver, is a metal alloy that usually combines copper, nickel and zinc (60 percent copper, 20 percent nickel, 20 percent zinc). It has a silver-white appearance and is sometimes referred to as ‘white ware’. It does not contain any silver but is often used as a base for electroplating, when the item is covered with a thin layer of silver to give it the polished appearance of pure silver. It became popular in the late 19th and early 20th century as an affordable substitute for sterling silver. - Broad Arrow - an official stamp that indicates it was once the property of Britain government, either in Britain or one of its colonies, and used in the defence force. In Great Britain, from an 1875 government act, it was, and still, is a crime to forge or wrongfully use, the broad arrow symbol. The BARKER BROTHERS of Birmingham - Barker Brothers were one of the earlies firms of Birmingham silversmiths, established in 1801 by Mary Barker. They became Barker & Creed, then William and Matthias Barker, then from 1885 they were the Barker Brothers. They were operating in Paradise Street in 1871 until in 1903 they moved to Unity Works, Constitution Hill, in Birmingham. The firm also had a showroom at 292 High Holborn, London, from the early 1900s to the 1980s. In 1907 the firm became Barker Brothers Silversmiths Ltd, then in the 1960s they merged with Ellis & Co, becoming Barker Ellis Silver Co. Ltd. In 1979 they were registered in USA as Ellis & Co., Barker Ellis, and Ellis Barker. The business went into administration in 1992, after almost 200 years of production. The firm advertised as specialists in electroplating, and used the trademarks BRITANOID, UNITY PLATE and THE HYGENIA.This knife is historically significant, dated from 1885 to 1907 but most likely pre-1895, and made by the longstanding Birmingham silversmiths, the Barker Brothers, established in 1801. The knife is an example of decorative flatware used by people of ’class’. It also has the broad arrow stamp, connecting it to the British government, in particular the ordinance department. The stamp also connects it to other items in our collection with that stamp. It may have been connected to pre-Federation government organisations and officials such as the army Garrison, government naval vessel, police, lighthouse keepers, harbour masters. The knife is the only example of its kind in our collection, being a decorative silver butter or cheese knife, made by the Barker Brothers of Birmingham. Butter knife, or cheese knife, electroplated nickel silver (EPNS). Upper blade edge has decorative shape and engraved motifs, lower blade edge is bevelled to a cutting edge, and narrow plain handle flares out to a wide, rounded end. Maker’s marks are stamped on the reverse. Made by Barker Brothers of Birmingham in the late-19th century. Stamps: “flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, butter knife, cheese knife, electroplate, electro plate, nickel silver, nickel alloy, alloy composition, copper nickel zinc, german silver, epns, barker brothers, birmingham, london, silversmiths, victorian era, 19th century, a1, bb, crown inside square, broad arrow, flatware, tableware, cutlery, cutler, dining utensils, eating utensils, superior quality, pseudo hallmark, stirling silver, silver-white metal, mary barker, barker & creed, william barker, matthias barker, barker brothers silversmiths, barker ellis silver co, ellis & co, barker ellis, ellis barker, britanoid, unity plate, the hygenia, british, colonial, government use, defence department use, naval use, knife, serving knife

Silver spoon with easy-to-grasp handle with a loop. Silver pusher with a flat piece at right angles to the handle - to be held in left hand. It is used to push food onto the spoon. Rodd were established by George Rodd in 1919. Early name of company was G & E Rodd. Their markings had trade name Apex. When it became a public company in 1945 the marking was changed to Rodd. The business continued until 1985 - merged with Grosvenor and later Mytton.Spoon: APEX EPNS A1 Pusher: RODD EPNS A1.toddler's cutlery

Silver Coated Ladle. (Previously #94 from Mechanics Institute, Eaglehawk) Stamped with A1 hallmark 'M T R Crown Crown A1'M T R Crown Crowncottage, miners

Poster produced by Swanston Trams following the 2000 Melbourne Grand Prix - congratulations to staff - features several staff photos, quotes - John Taylor Director of Public Transport, Bernie Carolan - Operations Director Trains and TRams, and some statistics.Yields information about some of the staff involved in the 2000 Grand Prix.Poster - A1, full colour folded to A4.tramways, melbourne, grand prix, swanston trams, poster

This reproduction of the 1958 architectural drawings for 290 Walsh Street gives insight into Boyd's design. The finished building differs from these plans in some interesting ways - for example, the upstairs balcony cantilevers twice as far as originally drawn.Working Drawing, Colour copy, Paper type A1

Silver fruit stand with a square plate and a round base. Plate has a bud design at the edge with curled indent on each side.Crusader Plate E.P.N.S. A1crusader, plate, dish, tableware, fruit stand

Benola Singers collection, trophy won by The Benola Singers, EPNS Candelabra with 3 candle holders, liquorice twist arms, circular base with decoration and a fluted column. Engraved Bendigo Competitions 1963 First Prize Benola Singers.Rose Plate E.P.N.S. A1trophies & awards, public events, music

BHS CollectionSouvenir spoon - Flynn's Church Alice Springs. EPNS> Oval shaped motif of Flynn's Church at Alice Springa. Leaf shaped pattern on handle.Peninsula Plate EPNS A1ephemera, mementoes, silver plated spoon

This item is a boxed set of teaspoons from the Rodd Silverware Company. G. & E. Rodd Pty Ltd was founded in Melbourne in 1919 and by the 1930s it was the leading manufacturing jewellery business in Australia. In 1948 the business was taken over by Max Rodd, the son of one of the founders and by that time it was known mostly for its household silverware. Rodd products were very popular wedding presents in the mid 20th century. This item has no known local significance but is retained as an excellent example of the Rodd Silverware that was found in so many households in Australia in the early to mid 20th century. It will be useful for display.This is a black leather-bound box with a gilt rim around the edge of the lid. The lid is attached to the box by two metal clips. One of these is broken. The box has a gilt metal clasp for closing the box. The box is lined inside with purple satin material and contains five electro plated nickel silver teaspoons. There should be six in the set but one spoon is missing. The spoons are held in grooves cut into a purple block across the middle of the inside of the box (perhaps made of wood). The box is somewhat stained and the leather is scuffed in places. The teaspoons are in excellent condition.Back of spoons: ‘Rodd E.P.N.S. A1’ rodd silverware, household items

Triangular pennant, laminated. Blue felt with yellow printing. Inscription in black.A1 GRADE / 1989 - 90 / YENDONbuninyong tennis association, yendon tennis club, premiers

Triangular pennant, laminated. Red felt with yellow printing. Inscription in black.A1 GRADE / 1988 - 89 / YENDONbuninyong tennis association, yendon tennis club, premiers

These tea warmers were used to keep the teapot warm when it was filled with tea, hence the name. This one was owned and used by Mrs M Larer, New Gisborne "Elderslie" in the 1920's.A silver plated round single burner tea warmer with a removable top grid with five support arms. It has a retractable metal 'wick' operated by turning a small round flat knob attached to the side. This knob is joined to the 'wick' with a long silver rod on the outside of the mechanism so the operator does not burn their fingers. The reservoir has two curved small handles on the side and an ornate filigree style pattern at the top rim. Inside the 'wick' section there is also a small knob with a tiny hole in the top to turn which releases pressure in the reservoir. stamped on the base is 'EPNS A1 London'containers, teapots, teapot warmers, tea accessories, pots

The M.V. Manunda is a ship owned by the Adelaide Steamship Company, that became a registered hospital ship in 1940, during World War 2. The Manunda serviced injured personnel in the Pacific and Middle East. This letter knife is highly significant to the Returned Nurses collection. Though there is a few recorded pieces of memorabilia from the M.V. Manunda, they are few and far between. This item could potentially draw attraction and attention to this collection. Silver, chrome-plated letter knife, with decorative kookaburra hilt handle. Due to age [and perhaps storage] the letter knife has turquoise and brown erosion, corrosion and rust spots, primarily upon the blade faces. One blade face includes a small, raised enamelled flag, with gilding around the flag boarder. The flag itself is white, with a blue cross and an eight-pointed red star in the centre, it is the logo of the Adelaide Steamship Company. On the same blade face as the flag, is the name of the vessel, 'M.V. Manunda'. On the opposing blade face is 'EP A1 NS', silver quality marking, and the maker's mark, 'Angus & Coote Lt.' Due to the metallic property of the letter knife, it often feels cool to the touch. Though this is true for the kookaburra hilt too, the kookaburra hilt has more texture and feels rough to the touch. 'EP A1 NS' (Silver quality marking) / 'Angus & Coote Lt.' (Markers mark) / 'M.V.MANUNDA' (Naval vessel identifier.) papua new guinea, middle east, pacific, aans, japan, world war ii, world war 2, world war two