The name ‘Ruttledge’ may have no local significance thought the name ‘Rutledge’ is important in our history, commencing with William Rutledge who purchased the Farnham Special Survey in the 1840s( Tower Hill to Dennington). The name ‘Swinton’ is prominent in our history. Mrs John Swinton (Charlotte Scott nee Dunn, 1871-1944) was married to John Swinton, the son of William and Ann Swinton who came to Warrnambool in 1854. William established a store in Timor Street in the 1850s and opened branches of this store in several local towns. The Swinton family still has commercial interests in Timor Street. This book is of interest because it belonged to Charlotte Swinton, a member of the Swinton family important in Warrnambool’s commercial and community history. This is a black leather-covered book of 656 pages plus a Supplement of Hymns of 32 pages. The cover has gold lettering on the front and the spine. The pages have a gilt edging. The inscriptions are handwritten in pencil. The cover is somewhat scuffed and worn. ‘Mrs John Swinton’ ‘A. Ruttledge, 317 Wattletree Rd., E. Malvern’ swinton family, warrnambool, john swinton, charlotte swinton, history of warrnambool

This book has been in the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society for many years and little is known of its origins. ‘Anne Watson’ may be Annie Watson, nee Grant (1830-1906), the wife of John Watson who came to Victoria in 1855 and had a farm in the Cudgee area. There is a reference to a ‘G. Geary’ as a member of the Belfast (Port Fairy) Choral Society in 1860. This is an early memento of settlers in the Warrnambool area and their religious adherence and, as such, is of some interest. This is a hard cover book of 391 pages. The cover is brown leather with gold lettering on the spine. The pages are gilt-edged. The inscription is handwritten in black ink. There are two mauve stamps of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society on the front and back pages. The cover is a little scuffed. ‘Presented to Anne Watson by her nephew, Godfrey N. B. Geary, Oct. 4th 1856’. history of warrnambool, anne watson

This book was given as a prize to Dorothy Donalson who was a pupil at the Warrnambool State School. No. 1743. This school was opened in 1876 in Jamieson Street, Warrnambool, following the 1872 Education Act bringing free, secular and compulsory education to Victoria. Several other Government- sponsored primary schools that existed in Warrnambool in the early 1870s closed when the school in Jamieson Street opened. The school still operates today. The name, ‘Dorothy Donalson’ may be a spelling mistake and may be meant to be Dorothy Donaldson who was living in Derby Street, Warrnambool at that time. Her father Cyril and his brother had a timber yard in Raglan Parade.This book is an excellent example of the type of book given as a prize to school girls in Victoria in the 1930s. The author, May Wynne was a popular and prolific writer of the time. If the book belonged to a member of the Donaldson family, then this is of interest as the Donaldson timber business was a prominent one in Warrnambool at the time. This is a hard cover book of 255 pages. The cover is grey with black lettering on the front and the spine and an image of two schoolgirls in black and grey on the front cover. The book also has a dust cover with a multi-coloured image of the same two schoolgirls on the front cover. The dust cover has been reinforced with white paper pasted on the inside of the cover. The name plate is blue-coloured and has an ornamental edging with the information handwritten in black ink. The book contains 18 chapters and has a full-page black and white illustration at the front of the book.‘S.S. No. 1743 Warrnambool Presented to Dorothy Donalson, First Prize, Grade V11 Girls, 1934’ warrnambool state school, dorothy donaldson

This is a reader produced for schools in Victoria in 1909. It contains many simple fables and stories and some phonetic instruction at the beginning of the short articles. It has no specific Australian content. The inscription includes the name ‘Stanley Bell’. There were several Bell families in the Wangoom area early in the 20th century, including one teacher associated with the Wangoom State School. Stanley Bell may have belonged to one of these families. Walter Davies had a book shop in Timor Street, Warrnambool from the late 19th century and three generations of the Davies family were proprietors of this shop over the years. This book is of educational and social interest as an example of the readers used by primary school children in the early 20th century. This is a soft cover book of 80 pages. The cover is brown with black printing. The pages are partly torn across and very tattered. The inscriptions are handwritten in black ink and pencil and there is some scribble on the first pages. The text has many black and white illustrations. There is a blue stamp of Walter Davies, the Warrnambool bookseller, on the first page. ‘Stanley J. Bell, Warrumyea, Wangoom’ ‘Walter Davies, Bookseller, Warrnambool’ walter davies, stanley bell

This boot belonged to Thomas Rome and may have been either an apprentice’s model or a display item in his boot and shoe shop or both. Thomas James Rome (1873-1974) worked in John Younger’s store in Beechworth before both came to Warrnambool in 1888. Rome worked in Younger’s store in Liebig Street, Warrnambool for 17 years and then established his own boot and shoe store at 115 Liebig Street in 1907, retiring in 1962. He married Amelia Saltau and they lived at Murweh at the corner of Liebig and Princess Streets, Warrnambool. Thomas Rome is mostly remembered today for his purchase and use of an Edison phonograph machine in the late 1890s and the sound recordings he made with this machine at the Warrnambool Industrial and Art Exhibition of 1896-7. These recordings were found intact after Rome’s death and are regarded as the earliest sound recordings still surviving in Australia today. This sample boot is of great significant as an example of the bootmaker’s art in the early 20th century and as a memento of Thomas Rome, important in Warrnambool’s history as a businessman and in the history of sound recording in Australia. This is a small sample black leather boot (probably a lady’s boot). It has double ridged stitching across the instep with a soft leather upper part and stitching separating the soft leather section from the smooth leather. The right side of the boot has seven button holes and seven buttons attached with metal clips. The sole is leather with a small heel and the name of the owner stamped on the sole. ‘10’ ‘T.J.Rome’ thomas rome, history of warrnambool, antique lady's boot, leather boot vintage

A courting chain was carved by a man and given to the girl he was courting. This was a common European practice in the past, with Welsh courting chains surviving from the 17th century, though the practice may have gone back even further than that. The chain indicated that man was a capable artisan and was occupying his hands in a healthy way, particularly when the lady was present. The many types of loops and chains carved all had symbolic meanings. The cage with the wooden balls inside was said to indicate the desire of the man for children and the number he would like. The symbolism of the arm and hand with the two digits touching is not known. This courting chain has no known local provenance but it is an interesting object as an example of the customs of the past. It will be useful for displays. This is a wooden carved courting chain. One end is in the shape of an arm and hand with the thumb and first finger touching at the tips. Then there are three chains linked to the arm with a peg inserted into another loop at the end. Next, joined to this, is another loop attached to a wooden cage which has two wooden balls inside. The chain is finished with a carved turret structure at the end. courting chains, history of warrnambool

This jug would have been used in a household some time in the 20th century. It was probably used to hold milk or could have been used as a vase. It has no known provenance.This jug has no known local provenance and may be useful for display. It has been an attractive object.This is a jug with a blue floral pattern covering most of the jug, except for the white handles. The top and base are edged with gold decoration but this is mostly faded away. The top has a fluted edge and there is a small chip on the lip and a crack at the top.‘Dee’ noritake jug, warrnambool

The Davidson brothers, James and John, were pioneer settlers in the Warrnambool district, with John establishing th property of Rosebrook in Woodford and James establishing the homestead of Woodend in West Warrnambool. Another brother William was an early storekeeper in Woolsthorpe. He died in 1904 and may be the W. Davidson who was the recipient of this book. The Midgleys came to the Yangery Creek area in 1852 and established the property of Yangery Grange. Mrs Midgley presumably belonged to one of these families from pioneer times. Ethel Davidson would be a descendant of one of the Davidson families but there were several women with this name born in the 19th century though one born to a William Davidson in 1887 may be the later owner of this book. This book is of interest because of its connection to members of the Davidson families – pioneer settlers in the Warrnambool area.This is a hard cover book of 461 pages. The cover is dark red with some ornamental borders and gold lettering. The book has two black and white full page illustrations, with the first one protected with tissue paper. The inscriptions are handwritten in blue and black ink. ‘To W. Davidson from Mrs Midgley’ ‘Ethel M. Davidson’ william davidson, ethel davidson, history of warrnambool.

This compass would have been used in a school or other educational institution for drawing a circle or part circle on a blackboard or whiteboard. A compass similar to this has been used in schools for many decades and may still be used. This school blackboard compass has no known local provenance but was a common classroom item and will be useful for display.This is a wooden blackboard compass with two wooden prongs hinged at the top end with three metal screws. The other end of one prong has a pointed nail protruding for fixing to a blackboard or whiteboard and the end of the other prong has a metal part around the tip of the prong with a metal screw for adjustment and a hollow part to insert chalk or other large writing medium. The maker’s name and an outline of a map of Australia are engraved into the top part of one of the prongs. ‘Rulex’ education in the western district, history of warrnambool, blackboard compass

Pen and ink sets were common household and business items in the 19th century and up to the mid 20th century (prior to the introduction of ballpoint pens). They would have been placed on a writing desk or table. The items here are attractive ones and would have been a relatively expensive purchase.These items are connected to the Toleman family from Warrnambool and may have been used by the donor’s father who was an accountant. These are four items:- .1 An oblong glass dish, partly rounded at the ends and with a criss-cross pattern on the base. Inside the dish, towards the ends, are two ridges for holding four pens or pencils. .2 An oblong polished black stone tray with a curved front and a ridge for holding a pen. On the oblong section are two square metal bases with four side clips on each to hold the inkwells. These metal pieces are attached to the black tray with metal screws. .3 & .4 Two glass (crystal?) cubes with a hollow inside for holding ink. The tops of the cubes are metal with circular openings. The lids are metal with metal hinges and polished black stone topshistory of warrnambool, writing implements and associated items, household items from the past

This book has been given to John Ardlie by Lewis Gilles in 1866. John Martin Ardlie came to Warrnambool in 1852 as the Clerk of Courts and remained in this position until 1868. He died in 1872. He was a leading figure in community affairs for twenty years and Ardlie Street in Warrnambool is named after him. His family home was Wyton, site of the old convent at Emmanuel College today. Lewis Gilles, important in the early history of Tasmania as a bank owner and breeder of cattle, came to Warrnambool in 1854 as the first resident Police Magistrate. He remained until 1866 when he went to England (the occasion of his presentation of this book to John Ardlie). He died in 1884 in South Australia. Gilles Street in Warrnambool is named after him.This book is of high significance because of its connection to two very important early residents of Warrnambool – John Ardlie and Lewis Gilles. This is a hard cover book of 336 pages. The cover is brown with gold ornamentation and lettering on the front cover and spine. The pages are gilt-edged. The first letter of each hymn is ornamented and there is an illustration covered with tissue paper on the first page. One page shows silverfish damage and the cover is partly detached from the binding. The cover is frayed in places and a little stained. The inscription is handwritten in black ink. ‘Presented to J. M. Ardlie by his friend and comrade L.W. Gilles 1864 Worthing Sussex on departing from Warrnambool 4 May 1866’. john ardlie, lewis gilles, history of warrambool

This object was used to light gas burners, lamps, lights etc. The tapers were used to light a burner that was hard to reach. It may also have been used in a church to light candles. This taper and matches holder has no known local significance but is an attractive object and will be useful for display.This is a brass object made in two parts – a rectangular container holding six wax tapers and a squat jar-shaped container for holding matches. The match holder is welded to the taper holder. The tapers are bent or broken in several places. The taper holder has a hinged lid with a brass top. The match holder has an embedded shell-shaped emblem. social history, warrnambool history, metal candle taper

This book contains the Constitutions of the Freemason Lodges in Victoria. Freemasonry is a world-wide benefit society. Moves were made in the 1860s to establish a Masonic Lodge in Warrnambool with the first Lodge being St. John’s (No. 895). The Masonic Hall in Kepler Street was built in 1870. This book belonged to a member of the Flaxman family and John Flaxman was a prominent Warrnambool resident in the 19th century – an insurance agent and moneylender in the 1860 and 70s and an employee of the auctioneer, Samuel Macgregor. The book, however, seems to belong to a W. Flaxman. John Flaxman had a brother William but, as far as can be ascertained, he did not live in Warrnambool. There is nothing known so far to link this book with Warrnaambool but it is kept because of the name ‘Flaxman’ and so it may have some relevance.This is hard cover book of 142 pages. The cover is blue with gold lettering on the front cover. The cover is slightly marked. The inscription on the first page is handwritten in black ink. ‘Br W.S.B.J.Flaxman 24-2-25’ william flaxman, freemasonry in warrnambool

This brass goblet has been used by the now-defunct Apex Cub of Warrnambool as a jar to hold the fines money contributed by members at a meeting. It may have been made in India, North Africa or a Middle East country but nothing is known of its origin or provenance.This goblet’s history is sketchy and it may be of use now in displays. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society has other historical material associated with the disbanded Warrnambool Apex Club.This is a brass goblet (a bowl on a pedestal base). It is etched with ornamental patterns and floral shapes. Handwritten on base of object: ‘W’bool Apex Club Fines Jar’. apex club of warrnambool, warrnambool

Ostrich eggs were a novelty item found in many homes in the 19th and early 20th centuries, though in Australian homes they were more likely to be emu eggs. Some ostrich eggs may have been brought to Australia from South Africa after the Boer War or purchased by travellers to foreign lands at other times. This ostrich egg has no known provenance.This ostrich egg has been in the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society for 45 years and the only known connection it has to Warrnambool is seen in the fact that the donor was Mrs Uebergang and the Uebergang name is well-known in our district as the Uebergangs were pioneering settlers in the Allansford/ Warrnambool area. This is a cream-coloured ostrich egg resting in a circular cavity in the centre of a rectangular wooden frame. The egg has a small hole on the top and has paintings of an African woman and child on one side of the egg and huts with palm trees on the other side. history of warrnambool, ostrich eggs, painted ostrich egg

This book was given in 1929 to Alma McCullagh by the Dennington Sabbath (Sunday) School with the teacher being R. Conn. The Dennington Presbyterian Church was originally established in Drummond Street in 1918. In 1951 it was moved to Lindsay Street and demolished in 1968. R. Conn may be Ruby Conn who was born in Warrnambool in 1890 to Joseph and Ann Conn. Joseph Conn was a blacksmith from Illowa in the late 19th century (today in that area we have Conn’s Corner and Conn’s Lane). The McCullagh family had a property in Yangery named Oak Grove.This book is of interest because of the 1920s connection to the Dennington Presbyterian Church, the Conn family and the McCullagh families.This is a hard cover book of 256 pages. The cover is green with red and black lettering and an image of two men and two women inside a building. The cover is torn away on the back right hand corner. There are five full page black and white illustrations scattered throughout the text. The inscriptions are handwritten in black ink. There is a stamp of a lion on the first page.‘Presbyterian Sabbath School Dennington, Prize awarded to Alma McCullagh, January 1929, R. Conn, Teacher’ ‘Alma McCullagh Dennington’ ‘Alma McCullagh’ alma mccullagh, joseph conn, illowa, history of warrnambool

This small book, a prize given to George Powell in 1891, is believed to have come from the Warrnambool South State School. The signature in the book is that of John Sloss and he was the first Head Teacher of Warrnambool South State School which opened in 1877 and closed in 1995. The Powell families were in business in Warrnambool in the 1890s and the recipient of the prize may have been George Powell who was born in Warrnambool to George and Kate Powell in 1878. This book is of considerable interest because it appears to have been a prize awarded by Warrnambool South State School in 1891. The book is one of the few items we have connected to the early years of the Warrnambool South School. The book is a mixture of fact and fiction and the stories are meant to be instructive as well as entertaining.This is a hard cover book of 62 pages. The cover, dark green with a coloured floral pattern on the front and back, has been partly detached from its cloth binding. The book has several black and white sketches, with some pages missing at the beginning of the book. There are advertisements for other books on the inside of the covers. The pages and the cover are much stained. The inscription on the first page is handwritten in black and blue ink.‘3rd Prize, Upper 1st Class, Won by George Powell, Marks obtainable 200, Marks obtained 120. John Sloss, H.Teacher, 17/12/91.’ george powell, warrnambool south state school

There is no information available on this dress which has been in the Historical Society’s collection for many years. It may have been a wedding dress. This is an interesting item as an example of a woman’s dress worn about the 1880s. It is a wonderful display item. This is a claret-coloured dress with a full length skirt with bustle. It is made of good quality heavy satin mounted on organza with a back fastening. There is a rosette in the same fabric with two pendant panels. There is a matching fitted jacket with hooks and eyes to fasten and full length narrow sleeves edged with claret lace (much tattered). The jacket is faded and torn in parts. Machine and handsewn. claret-coloured dress, warrnambool, 1860's ladies dress

A keepsake badge which relates to the tumultuous period of the English royal family with the death of George V when his son Edward V111 abdicated from the throne due to his involvement with divorcee Wallis Simpson. His brother Albert was crowned as King George VI on May 12 1937. This badge is of interest as the dates are a mere two weeks before the abdication. The Christ Church fetes and flower shows have been a part of Christ Church social and fundraising agenda since the 1890’s, with the ladies’ guild playing a large part in their organization and operation. This object has significance as it commemorates a long running and popular event on the social and religious calendar for the parishioners and people of Warrnambool. It also is linked to an event of world- wide interest.Small white badge with red writing and symbol of crown in the centre. Pin at the back.1936 Coronation Fair Christ Church Warrnambool Nov 25 & 26.christ church fete 1936, coronation fete warrnambool

These items were given to clients of the Mid City Motel (probably the one in Ballarat ). The Mid City Motel company was formed in 1963 by a syndicate with the motel in Raglan Parade, Warrnambool. It was later sold with the company liquidated in 1982. The expansion from Warrnambool to Ballarat occurred in 1970 with a building in Doveton Street North, Ballarat. Items such as the sewing kit and shower cap are still given out as promotional material in many motels today. These items are of little importance but are examples of the promotional activities of the motel/tourism scene 30 or so years ago. They may be useful for display.This is a small plastic bag containing a paper sewing kit and a paper folder containing two Alka-Seltser tablets. The sewing kit is red and white and the Alka Seltzer packet is mostly blue. The three items come from the Mid-City Motel and are intended to be kept in a car. Plastic Bag: Mid City Motels, Princes Highway, Warrnambool, 055 62 8026, Doveton Street, Ballarat, 053 31 1222, Travellers Aid Bag for your car with Sewing Kit, Alka Seltzer, Shoe Shine, Shower Cap, Have a Nice Day, Ballarat City Map.warrnambool, mid city motel, tourism

Paper patterns have been used by dressmakers and home sewers throughout the 20th century and are still used today. The Butterick Company was established in 1863 and was the first to mass-produce sewing patterns. The company was acquired by the CcCall Pattern Company in 2001. Jessen Dress Materials shop was at 116 Lava Street in the 1970s and 80s and Bargain Box Fabrics took over the shop in the 1990sThis pattern envelope is of minor interest as coming from a local Warrnambool shop. It may be useful for display This is a paper envelope containing the instructions and cut-out material for making a woman's dress (day and evening) The envelope contains four loose items. Butterick 6939 Dress Material. No Exchange, Average Moins facilewarrnambool, butterick patterns, jessen dress materials

Paper patterns have been used by seamstresses and home sewers throughout the 20th century and are still used today. The Simplicity Pattern Company was established in New York City in 1927 by James Shapiro and distributes patterns world-wide. Spotlight is the largest chain store in Australia selling fabrics, craft and interior decorator supplies at 100 stores throughout Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. It is currently situated in Warrnambool at 84 Raglan Parade. This dress pattern is of minor interest as coming from a local Warrnanmbool shop. It may be useful for display. This is a paper envelope containing the instructions and cut-out material for a child’s dress. There are three loose items inside the envelope. ‘Simplicity, 7009, Daisy Kingdom’ ‘No Exchange, Spotlight, Warrnambool’ spotlight store, warrnambool, sewing patterns, warrnambool

Paper patterns have been used by dressmakers and home sewers throughout the 20th century and are still used today.The Kwik Sew company has been making patterns since 1967 and is now part of the McCall Pattern Company, a multi-national company based in U.S.A. Bargain Box Fabrics, situated at 116 Lava Street, Warrnambool, sold patterns and materials in the 1980s and early 1990sThis pattern item is of minor interest as coming from a local Warrnambool shop. It may be useful for display. This is a paper envelope containing the instructions and cut-out material for making a child’s pants and top outfit. The envelope contains six loose items.‘Pattern 2074, Kwik Sew’ Stamp- ‘Bargain Box Fabrics , 11 6 Lava Street, Warrnambool, 3280, Phone, (055) 614055’ bargain box fabrics, kwik sew patterns

No information has been found regarding this exhibition in Warrnambool. The card design indicates that the exhibition may have been in the 1950s. The Warrnambool Chamber of Commerce has been operating at various times in the 20th century and was formed by the local businesses to promote Warrnambool as a city for business initiatives, tourism and economic development. These tickets are of some interest as an example of the activities of the Warrnambool Chamber of Commerce in the mid 20th century. These are two identical tickets, with black printing on a green background on one side and blank on the other side. The edges of the cards are gold- tipped in a serrated pattern.‘The President and Committee of the Warrnambool Chamber of Commerce requests the pleasure of the company of ….. at the Made in Australia Exhibition at the Warrnambool Town Hall on Thursday Evening, October 22nd, E. M. Dempster, Organizer’. made in australia exhibition, warrnambool, warrnambool, warrnambool chamber of commerce, e dempster

This letter written by Mary Adams concerns the sale of a property, ‘my Hopkins land’, perhaps in the Warrnambool area. No information is available on Mary Adams or her ‘Uncle Jim’. There is a reference in the letter to ‘Mr Lawson’ and this may refer to a member of the Lawson family living in Warrnambool about this time, perhaps Richard Lawson who, in 1908, was Principal of a private school, Warrnambool College Academy. The Mountain Grand Guest House in Warburton was a well-known guest house in Victoria for many years and was still in existence in 1948. The letter came to the Society’s collection with other material relating to the Warrnambool Club. As no enlightening information is available on this letter or its contents it is of little importance at this time. Further research may render it a useful item to keep. This is a letter of two pages written in 1908 by Mary Adams to her Uncle Jim. The letter is handwritten in black ink. The letter is written on the green notepaper of the Mountain Grand Guest House Warburton, Victoria‘Mountain Grand, Warburton’ (on letterhead)mary adams

This is a ticket for admission to the Warrnambool Family History Group Seminar held at the Hammond Centre, Christ Church, Warrnambool on Saturday 16th May 2015. The Warrnambool Family History Group was established in 1980 for those interested in genealogy and family history. It holds a seminar each year, both as a fund-raising exercise and as a means of disseminating information on the latest developments in researching and recording family history. This ticket was issued to W.F.H.G. member, Barbara McLeod.This ticket is of minor interest as an example of the activities of the Warrnambool Family History GroupThis is a small buff-coloured ticket for admission to the Warrnambool Family History Group Seminar in 2105. It has black printed material on one side with the ticket number recorded in black biro. ‘Warrnambool Family History Group, Admission Ticket, Family History Seminar, Saturday, 16th May 2015, Hammond Centre, Christ Church, Ticket no 5, Price $25 ($20 for members)’warrnambool family history group, hammond centre, christ church, warrnambool

This plaque has been attached to a Warrnambool installation in 1933. It is not known to which site this refers but it may have been the Warrnambool Information Pavilion which was erected outside the old Warrnambool City Council Chambers. There have been many Warrnambool Chambers of Commerce over the years. These were established by Warrnambool businessmen and women to promote the interests of the town/city and to encourage the development of local industry and the tourism trade. This plaque is of great local interest but unfortunately does not have a clear provenance.This is a small brass plaque. The plaque has four holes at each corner for attachment to a building or other object. ‘Erected by the Chamber of Commerce, Warrnambool, 1933’warrnambool chamber of commerce, warrnambool city council chambers, plaque

No specific information is available on these buttons. As they have an emblem of the Scotch thistle they may come from Scotland. They would be used on a jacket, mostly for males, with the larger buttons used on the front of the jacket and the smaller ones on the sleeves. These buttons have no known provenance and are suitable for display only. These are fifteen metal buttons. They are diamond-shaped with five larger ones and ten smaller ones. They all have an etching of a Scotch thistle on them and a ring at the back for attachment to clothing. Etching of Scotch thistleetching of scotch thistle, buttons with scotch thistle emblem, buttons, warrnambool

No information is available on the history of this item but it was common in the 19th and early 20th centuries to have household items made from animal bone. Sometimes it was bone from more exotic animals from Asia and India. This item may have been used to attach a decoration to the hair. This item has no known local significance but it is of interest as an item used in the past and will be useful for display.This is a hair comb with a curved handle and a coarse comb section . It is made of some sort of animal bone and has one of the edges of the comb section broken off. It has three holes on the handle for attachment to other objects and there are several holes in the material, one around one of the holes in the handle.hair comb, warrnambool, bone hair comb

This is a protector used to cover the shirts or jackets of military or other uniforms that had brass buttons. The horseshoe shape enabled the button to be isolated from the rest of the top and made it easier to clean and polish without getting the jacket soiled. It would have been a common item in military or militia or band member families in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They may even be still used today for regimental uniforms. This item has no known local provenance but is of interest as an example of a cleaning object in days gone by. This is a brass button protector in the shape of a horseshoe with straight sides and rounded tips. It is slightly misshapen. It has an advertisement for Brasso metal polish etched into the brass. ‘Use Brasso Metal Polish’button cleaner/protector, brass, warrnambool, military