This marble stopper bottle came from the Warrnambool aerated waters manufacturer, John Rowley. A marble stopper bottle was filled upside down so that as soon as the filling stopped the stopper was forced down to seal the bottle against the rubber ring. Pressure inside the bottle would keep the marble pressed against the top of the bottle. To open the bottle the marble was pressed down where it would fall into the neck chamber below. The marble would stay inside the chamber when the bottle was tilted up for drinking. John Rowley (1837-1893) was born in England and came to Australia in 1856. In 1865 he opened a branch of the Geelong Corio Brewery at the corner of Timor and Banyan Streets, Warrnambool, bottling the beer, not brewing it. In 1870 this business was closed and Rowley developed his soft drinks business which he had established in 1868. In 1872 the business was called the Warrnambool Steam Aerated Works when a steam engine was purchased from Melbourne. By this time the factory was turning out 600 dozen bottles a day. For some time Rowley also had a factory in the Western District town of Hamilton. By the 1880s the Warrnambool factory was occupying half an acre of land, was employing 13 people and manufacturing 20 varieties of drinks. Rowley was active in community affairs, serving four years on the Warrnambool Council and he was on the committees of the Warrnambool Hospital and the Mechanics’ Institute.This bottle is of great interest as it comes from the factory of the prominent 19th century Warrnambool aerated waters manufacturer, John Rowley. This is one of the few bottles we have from the Rowley factory. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over 100 years and John Rowley was a key figure in this industry. This is a marble stopper green-coloured glass bottle. The body is rounded with a round base and it has deep indentations at the top of the body that narrows to form a small chamber. The neck tapers to the top of the bottle which has a moulded glass top and a rubber ring inside the top. A green marble is loose in the neck chamber. Details of the soft drinks manufacturer are impressed into the glass on the side of the bottle. ‘J.S.Rowley’s Aerated Waters Warrnambool & Hamilton’ ‘D. K.’ john searle rowley, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This item is a Sharpe Bros stone jar, presumably from the Warrnambool factory. The Sharpe Bros soft drinks factories in Australia and New Zealand existed from 1903 to 1972 and at one stage they had 35 factories. They were best known for their home deliveries of ginger beer and other brewed beverages in one gallon stone jars. The Warrnambool Sharpe Bros factory was established in 1919 and existed until 1951. It was situated at the old Rowley cordial factory at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. It was established by the founder of the Sharpe Bros business, John Sharpe. The signature on the base of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society Sharpe Bros jars is that of John H. Sharpe who for many years was the manager of the Sydney Sharpe Bros factories. He put the signature on the jars when he was visiting History House in Warrnambool in the mid 1980s. This demijohn is of considerable importance as it comes from the Sharpe Bros aerated waters factory, a business that was prominent in Warrnambool for over 30 years. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over 100 years.This is a cylindrical stone jar with a buff-coloured base, a light brown top and a composite material screw topper. The top above the neck is bulbous-shaped and above this it is dome-shaped. A metal handle is attached to the neck. The maker’s information is on the sides in black printing. Part of this information includes a horseshoe-shaped scroll and a decorative pattern. There is a signature and other writing on the base of the jar in blue ballpoint pen. Health Beverages When empty return to Sharpe Bros Australia & New Zealand Persons damaging, retaining or trading with this jar are liable to be prosecuted John H. Sharpe Jar made prior to 1914 sharpe bros soft drinks factory warrnambool, john h. sharpe, history of warrnambool

This jar comes from the Sharpe Brothers Warrnambool factory. John Sharpe founded the soft drinks business in 1903 and it existed until 1972. At one stage the company had 35 factories in Australia and New Zealand. It specialized in the home deliveries of ginger beer and other brewed beverages in one gallon earthenware jars. The Warrnambool factory opened in 1919 at the site of the Rowley cordial factory at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. It continued until 1951. John H. Sharpe, the former manager of the Sydney factories, put his signature on the base of this jar when he visited the Warrnambool and District Historical Society headquarters at History House in the mid 1980s. This jar is of considerable importance as it is a fine memento of the Sharpe Bros soft drinks factory that operated in Warrnambool in the 20th century for over 30 years.This is a stone jar in beige/brown colouring with a cylindrical base with a bulbous-shaped piece above the base and a dome-shaped top above that. A metal handle is attached to the neck and there is a composite material screw top. The maker’s information is printed on both sides of the jar. Keep this stopper tight This jar is the absolute property of, and must be returned to, Sharpe Bros Australia & New Zealand Original and largest hygiene brewers Caution. Persons Damaging, Willfully Retaining, Trading with or Misappropriating the use of this jar WILL BE PROSECUTED John H. Sharpe. Jar made prior to 1914 sharpe bros factory, john h. sharpe, history of warrnambool

The design of the bottle is called a Codd, sometimes referred to as a marble bottle or "Codd's patent bottle". During the mid-to-late 1800s, there were many inventions to keep the fizz in carbonated drinks such as ginger ale, soda water, and fruit drinks. Hiram Codd, an English engineer invented a successful process that he patented as "Codd's patented globe stopper bottle" in 1872. The Codd-neck bottle (commonly called Codd or marble bottle) is manufactured in two parts. The body of the bottle is cast in two sections. At the time of joining the sections, glass marble and rubber seal are inserted into the neck section. The lip is then applied to the top of the bottle. The Codd bottle is filled upside down as the pressure of the gas from the carbonated liquid holds the marble up and out of the way. When the bottle stands upright the gas pushes the marble up against the washer, creating a firm seal to keep the fizz inside. The bottle is opened by pushing the marble down firmly to allow some of the gas to escape. The marble drops down and is caught in a depression formed in the neck. When the bottle is tilted to pour or drink the liquid the marble rests in a dimple. Two Ballarat miners, Evan Rowland and Robert Lewis started manufacturing mineral and aerated waters, bitters, cordials, and liqueurs in 1854, in a tent on the shores of Lake Wendouree Ballarat. Another 13 firms at that time employed manual operations, whereas they introduced Taylor's No. 1 machine that speeded up the process and laid the foundation for their fortune. Evan Rowland was a pioneer in the aerated water trade in Australia. He was born on August 2, 1826, in North Wales. In 1852, during the gold rush, he emigrated to Melbourne, and in 1854 he went to Ballarat and formed a partnership with Robert Lewis, the firm being called ‘‘Rowlands & Lewis’’. Their next step was to secure a supply of pure water. Using mineral Waters that they found via a natural spring at Warrenheip, Victoria. From the outset, the beverages made from this water gained repute and were in great demand. Their business prospered so well that in 1858 they were able to build a factory at the corner of Sturt and Dawson Streets, Ballarat, and to fit with the most up-to-date machinery then in use. By 1870 their business had increased so much and demand had grown to such an extent that Mr. Rowlands erected another factory, covering over an acre of ground at the corner of Dana and Doveton Streets, costing £13,000. The factory was fitted with the most modern equipment of the time to manufacture cordials and aerated water. In 1873 Rowlands established an agency at 116 Collins St, Melbourne, because the demand for the products of the Melbourne factory became so large. The company expanded to Sydney opening a factory at the corner of Burns & Hay Streets Darling Harbour obtaining spring water to supply this plant from Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. The water was brought to Sydney by rail. In the meantime, the Melbourne concern had progressed so rapidly that in 1888 a magnificent factory embodying all the latest ideas and equipment was built in King Street Melbourne. Robert Lewis was a fellow Welshman born in 1816, and he arrived in Port Phillip in 1853 and became a partner in the early day with Evan Rowland but with lesser and shorter involvement in the firm, from which he retired in 1876. Robert Lewis was perhaps better known as Ballarat's first mayor and a Member of the Legislative Assembly. He was a strong supporter of local charities, president/treasurer of the Eisteddfod Committee, a major force in the development of the Ballarat Hospital, and he was the mayor of Ballarat five times, the first in 1863, (having been a counsellor as early as 1859) and for the last time in 1881. Lewis died in 1884 of a stroke in Ballarat. Rowlands continued in the firm and invented and patented an improved soda water bottle. The water used in Rowlands products was filtered four times but his attempts to use local corks failed on quality grounds. He was a stickler for quality, which was so good that many outside Victoria were prepared to pay the 'premium' imposed by inter-colonial customs duty payable at that time. By the 1890s, Rowlands had factories in Ballarat, Melbourne, Sydney, and Newcastle. He died in 1894 but his company continued until well after the Second World War when it was sold to Schweppes.An early manufacturing process producing the first mineral waters in Australia was invented and developed by an early Welsh migrant to Australia. The Evan Rowlands story gives an insight into the early development of manufacturing industries in Australia that allowed their workers and the towns they were situated in to prosper and develop into what they are today. Bottle; clear glass Codd neck bottle with small marble in top. Once contained soda water or soft drink. Manufactured in 1921 by E. Rowlands of Ballarat, Melbourne, Katoomba and Sydney. The bottle is 'recyclable' - the message on the base says that it remains the property of E. Rowlands Pty Ltd."E. ROWLANDS BALLARAT MELBOURNE KATOOMBA AND SYDNEY". Imprinted into bas "1921" "THIS BOTTLE REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF E. ROWLANDS PTY LTD"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, bottle, codd bottle, hiram codd, glass marble bottle, e. rowlands bottle manufacturer, soda bottle australia, early recyclable bottle, codd's patent bottle, marble bottle

Although glass containers for wine and beer are probably 1,600 years old, much of their use began only in the late 17th century. In the United States, large-scale production of bottles was pioneered by Caspar Wistar in 1739 at his New Jersey plant. In the 1770s the carbonation process for producing soft drinks was developed, and so began an entirely new bottling industry. At the Great Exhibition of 1851 in the Crystal Palace in London, one million “pop” bottles were consumed. The first beer pasteurised in glass was produced in Copenhagen in 1870. Pasteurisation of milk followed soon after. The moulding of a screw thread on a container was invented by John Mason in 1858. The principles of the “press-and-blow” process for making wide-mouth jars were shown in the United States by Philip Arbogast in 1882, and the “blow-and-blow” process for making narrow-neck containers was demonstrated by Howard Ashley in England in 1885. These processes employed manual delivery; fully automatic jar forming by a suction-and-blow process was perfected by Michael Owens over the period 1895–1917 at the Toledo (Ohio) Glass Company, which subsequently became the Owens Bottle Machine Company. The automatic single-gob feeder was developed in 1919–22 by Karl Peiler at the Hartford-Fairmont Company in Connecticut. Fully automatic machines followed, but the true rugged survivor, utilising fully automatic gob delivery to the maximum versatility, was the Individual Section, or IS, machine invented by Henry Ingle at the Hartford Empire Company in 1925. Source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/glass-properties-composition-and-industrial-production-234890/History-of-glassmakingUnlike item 4018, this is a much smaller ink bottle, and was probably used by an individual, as against the supply of ink to pupils from a much larger bottle.Cotton Reel Ink Bottle, green glass, small, chipped around the lip, bubbles in glass.None.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, ink, bottle, glass

Ralph Reeves purchased an established cordial factory in the early 1900’s from the estate of J Fletcher. It was operated by the Reeves family, firstly Reginald, followed by his son-in-law Murray Moon until the latter part of the 20th century.A common object familiar to a large number of people in the Warrnambool area with links to one of Warrnambool’s longest established family businesses. Two clear glass. Cylindrical with 12 ribs. Chrome metal top with lever and spout. Logo etched on front of bottles Inscriptions and Markings: “R. J. Reeves” engraved on side of lid. “R. J. Reeves Warrnambool in oval surrounding RJR. This syphon remains the property of R. J. Reeves Warrnambool and its use by others is prohibited.British syphon company Limited London.warrnambool, reeves, soda syphon, reeves soft drink, reeves cordial.

This handmade green glass bottle was made using the turn-moulded or rotated-moulded method, a variation of the mould-blown process. The bottle has the remnants of a cork seal in its mouth. It possibly contained ginger beer, soda or mineral water, flavoured drinks, liquor or wine. TURN-MOULDED BOTTLE production method This bottle was handmade using the ‘turn-moulded’ process, one of a variety of mould-blown processes that followed the earlier mouth-blown method. The maker would add a portion of hot soft glass to the end of his blowpipe then blow air through the pipe while placing the end inside a bottle mould. The mould was then turned and twisted, giving the bottle a round, seamless body, and usually a round indented base. The cooled body of the bottle would then be finished with the addition of an applied top. A small amount of soft glass would be applied to the top of the bottle and a lip would be formed using a tooling implement. A concentric ring would also form below the lip, caused by the rotated lipping tool. The bases of bottles made with the turn-moulded method were generally not embossed but would commonly have a mamelon or ‘dot’ in the centre of the base. SEALING THE BOTTLE After filling this type of bottle with its contents it is then sealed with a straight, cylindrical cork with the aid of a hand operated tool called a bottle corker. The bottle corker compresses the cork as it is driven into the bottle. Once inside the bottle the cork expands evenly into the opening to tightly seal the contents – the denser the cork the better the seal. This turn-moulded glass bottle is made distinctive due to its round seamless body and indented base.Bottle, dark green glass. Handmade turn-moulded bottle with seamless body and tooled lip. Deeply indented base has push-up mark with a ‘mamelon’ bump in the centre. Bottle is straight from base to half height, then tapers to a shoulder over the next quarter, than almost straight up to the mouth. There is a portion of cork in the bottle’s mouth and dry remnants in the bottle’s base. Possibly used for ginger beer. Produced in 1880s to 1910’s. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, green glass bottle, handmade glass bottle, bottle with indented base, turn-moulded bottle, rotate-moulded bottle, tooled lip on bottle mouth, applied lip bottle, bottle corker

This handmade green glass bottle was made using the turn-moulded or rotated-moulded method, a variation of the mould-blown process. The bottle has the remnants of a cork seal in its mouth. It possibly contained ginger beer, soda or mineral water, flavoured drinks, liquor or wine. TURN-MOULDED BOTTLE production method This bottle was handmade using the ‘turn-moulded’ process, one of a variety of mould-blown processes that followed the earlier mouth-blown method. The maker would add a portion of hot soft glass to the end of his blowpipe then blow air through the pipe while placing the end inside a bottle mould. The mould was then turned and twisted, giving the bottle a round, seamless body, and usually a round indented base. The cooled body of the bottle would then be finished with the addition of an applied top. A small amount of soft glass would be applied to the top of the bottle and a lip would be formed using a tooling implement. A concentric ring would also form below the lip, caused by the rotated lipping tool. The bases of bottles made with the turn-moulded method were generally not embossed but would commonly have a mamelon or ‘dot’ in the centre of the base. SEALING THE BOTTLE After filling this type of bottle with its contents it is then sealed with a straight, cylindrical cork with the aid of a hand operated tool called a bottle corker. The bottle corker compresses the cork as it is driven into the bottle. Once inside the bottle the cork expands evenly into the opening to tightly seal the contents – the denser the cork the better the seal. This hand made, green glass bottle is representative of bottle making before mass production and is made distinctive due to its round seamless body and indented base.Bottle, dark green glass. Handmade turn-moulded bottle with seamless body and tooled lip. Deeply indented base has push-up mark with a ‘mamelon’ bump in the centre. Bottle is straight from base to half height, then tapers to a shoulder over the next quarter, than almost straight up to the mouth. There is a portion of cork in the bottle’s mouth and dry remnants in the bottle’s base. Possibly used for ginger beer. Produced in 1880s to 1910’s. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, green glass bottle, handmade glass bottle, bottle with indented base, turn-moulded bottle, rotate-moulded bottle, tooled lip on bottle mouth, applied lip bottle, bottle corker

Given its size, this keg was used either for beer, or a soft drink.Ceramics have evolved over thousands of years.Tan coloured ceramic cask with light and dark brown rings as decoration.There is a hole at the top and one near the base on the side that takes a wooden bung.H 46 (symbol) 113flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, keg, ceramic, liquid

This soda syphon (or siphon) was distributed by John Fletcher of Warrnambool, and made by the British Syphon Mfg. Co. Ltd. of London between the 1900s-1930s. It comprises a multi-sided clear glass bottle, an internal glass tube and a metal release valve and spout on the top. It was used to dispense pressurised, effervescent soda water. It was often used as an alternative to water or added to fruit juices and cordials. The text on this bottle states that it remains the property of the retailer, John Fletcher, and must be returned to him. Customers were asked for a deposit on the bottle, which would be refunded when the bottle was exchanged or continued as the deposit on a fresh bottle. Returned bottles would be cleaned and recharged with the gas and sold again. Soda syphon are bottles, glass or metal, with a release valve and spout on the top. The valve lever on the top of the syphon, when depressed, causes the gas in the syphon to force the water up through the tube and out of the spout. The bottle’s mechanism gives the water an effervescent quality to make bubbly drinks such as sparkling mineral water, soda water and sparkling water. ABOUT JOHN FLETCHER John Fletcher bought the Union Cordial Factory in Koroit Street, Warrnambool that was previously owned by John Davis. Fletcher operated the factory as J Fletcher, John Fletcher and Fletcher’s. He eventually sold his business and stock in 1930 to Ralph Reeves, who may have continued using Fletcher’s supply of drink containers before renewing them with stock showing his own brand. The soda syphon is representative of drink containers used in the later 19th and early 20th century. It also represents the system of returnable, recyclable containers. Soda syphon (or siphon). Glass bottle, clear, multi sided, tapered from a heavy glass base to a narrower shoulder, with glass tube at centre connected to metal pump mechanism at the top. Has elaborate frosted label for J. Fletcher of Warrnambool. Made by the British Syphon Mfg. Co. Ltd. London. Bottle remains the property of John Fletcher, Warrnambool.Metal syphon has impressed "J FLETCHER" and logo "S S" in centre of two concentric circles with text between circles "BRITISH SYPHON MFG. CO. LTD. LONDON". Etched into glass "J. FLETCHER / WARRNAMBOOL", "TRADE "[stylised] F" / MARK", "SODA WATER", "THIS SYPHON IS THE PROPERTY / OF JOHN FLETCHER / WARRNAMBOOL AND CONNOT BE / AND CONNOT BE LEGALLY USED BY OTHERS / BRITISH SYPHON CO. TLD. LONDON / - - - - "flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, john fletcher, fletcher, john fletcher of warrnambool, soda siphon, soda syphon, british syphon mfg co ltd of london, soft drinks, soda drinks

This bottle has come from the aerated waters factory of John Fletcher of Warrnambool. This factory in Koroit Street was established in the mid 19th century by John Davis. As a young boy John Fletcher worked at the cordial factory of John Rowley in Banyan Street, Warrnambool and then worked for a number of years for John Davis at his Union Cordial Factory. In 1885 John Fletcher succeeded John Davis and continued in this business until 1930. The business was then taken over by Ralph Reeves. John Fletcher manufactured aerated waters, soda, tonic waters, lemonade, ginger ale, hop beer, hop bitters, sarsaparilla and cordials. The bottle would have been sealed with a cork stopper. The torpedo shape of the bottle would ensure that it was stored on its side, keeping the cork moist so that it didn't shrink and cause the bottle to leak its contents.The bottle is significant for its unusual torpedo shape and for being sold by the long standing John Fletcher's soft drink business in Warrnambool who was a prominent soft drinks manufacturer in Warrnambool for over 40 years.Torpedo shaped green glass bottle, name of manufacture of contents, John Fletcher Late and J. Davis, of Koroit St Warrnambool, is impressed in the glass."John Fletcher Late and J. Davis Koroit St Warrnambool"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, torpedo shaped glass bottle, torpedo bottle, bottle, john fletcher late and j. davis koroit st warrnambool, john fletcher late and j. davis, john fletcher late, j. davis

This bottle once contained John Fletcher’s ginger cordial. It was found in August 2014 in the sand dunes at Levy's Point, near McKinnon's quarry, Warrnambool. ABOUT JOHN FLETCHER of WARRNAMBOOL John Fletcher Cordial (or Beverage) Co . Warrnambool, supplied cordial and aerated drinks to the Western district of Victoria. John Fletcher was named as a cordial manufacturer in the Warrnambool Standard of June 13th 1895, when he attended a Publican’s Association meeting. Mr John Fletcher, aerated water and cordial manufacturer of Koroit Street Warrnambool, had a summary of his factory printed in a short article in the Advocate, Melbourne, in February 1901. The article said “one of the most complete plants outside the metropolis … spacious … well appointed …old-established business … noted for the excellence of the quality … a trial [of the beverage] is solicited.” John Fletcher and Harold Caffin, trading as J.S. Rowley & co cordial manufacturers in 1903; were prosecuted in September 1903 when the Board of Health found an analysed sample of Raspberry Vinegar to contain coal tar colouring, which could be injurious to health, particularly to the kidneys. The factory was still in operation in December 1924, when sadly, Mr S. Fletcher, who was carrying bottles of aerated water at Mr John Fletcher’s cordial factory, sustained an eye injury when one of the bottles burst. Later the eye had to be removed at the Warrnambool Base Hospital. ABOUT CODD BOTTLES During the mid-to-late 1800s there were many inventions to keep the fizz in carbonated drinks such as ginger ale, soda water and fruit drinks. Hiram Codd, an English engineer invented a successful process that he patented as “Codd’s patented globe stopper bottle” in 1872. The Codd-neck bottle (commonly called Codd or marble bottle) is manufactured in two parts. The body of the bottle is cast in two sections. At the time of joining the sections a glass marble and rubber seal are inserted into the neck section. The lip is then applied to the top of the bottle. The Codd bottle is filled upside down as the pressure of the gas from the carbonated liquid holds the marble up and out of the way. When the bottle stands upright the gas pushes the marble up against the washer, creating a firm seal to keep the fizz inside. The bottle is opened by pushing the marble down firmly to allow some of the gas to escape. The marble drops down and is caught in a depression formed in the neck. When the bottle is tilted to pour or drink the liquid the marble rests in a dimple. Some have said that the bottle as a character, the shape having a face with its mouth keeping the marble out of the drink and eyes that catch the marble so that it doesn’t roll into the mouth of the drinker. The Codd bottle was expensive to produce and children loved to destroy the marbles to play with the marbles inside. Many shops and factories added a deposit to the cost of buying the drink to encourage children to return the bottles rather than break it for the marble. Codd bottles are still being produced in India and Japan for soft drinks. A Codd bottle with the same markings as this one is valued on today’s Australian auction sites from $35 - $75 AUD. Bottle, aqua/green glass, with glass marble inside. John Fletcher's Ginger Ale, Warrnambool. Container is often called a "Codd neck bottle", “marble bottle” or “Codd’s patent bottle”. Bottle made by Dobson. Inscription on bottle and base. c. 1905Marks moulded into glass; "JOHN FLETCHER / GINGER ALE / WARRNAMBOOL" and “DOBSON” and on base “G”. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, codd bottle, codd neck bottle, marble bottle, ginger beer bottle, john fletcher soft drinks, warrnambool soft drinks and cordials, john fletcher cordial (or beverage) co ., codd neck bottle, glass stopper bottle, hiram codd, antique bottle, harold caffin, john fletcher

This is a soda syphon for holding soda water used by the aerated waters business of Reeves of Warrnambool (possibly bottled in the 1970s or 80s). It is a Fletcher bottle. John Davis established a cordial business in Warrnambool in 1859 and this business was taken over by John Fletcher. Ralph Reeves purchased the Fletcher business from the estate of the late John Fletcher in 1931 and continued to use the Fletcher bottles. The business of Reeves soft drinks continued in Koroit Street until the 1980s.This soda syphon is of considerable importance as it links two prominent soft drinks makers in Warrnambool – Fletcher and Reeves. It will be useful for display as it tells of a time when this sort of soda syphon was in use.This bottle is a soda syphon with an oblong-shaped glass base and a metal spout. It has a solid glass base and a pink-coloured tube inside the bottle. It has a chip on the base and the spout is a little corroded. The name and logo (scrolls and patterns) of J. Fletcher of Warrnambool is etched into the glass. There is also a red and cream paper label of Reeves.Paper label: ‘Reeves soda water’ Glass etching: ‘J. Fletcher, Warrnambool, F. Trade Mark’ john fletcher, reeves family