Liquor ammonie was an antidote for snake bites in the late 19th century. George Halford, a medical professor at Melbourne University promoted ammonia injections to stimulate the heart and reinvigorate the blood. Inspired by experiments in dogs, his suggestion to intravenously dose snakebitten patients with an acknowledged poison was certainly controversial. The prevailing treatments, for doctors and laity, were ligature, cutting and sucking the wound, rest (or vigorous exercise), and prodigious quantities of alcohol. Support for ‘Halford’s injection’ nevertheless grew: Victorian doctors, chemists and citizens extolled its effectiveness in both human and animal patients. (Info. from Spectacular serpents: Snakebite in colonial Australia)This item is a useful research tool.A one sheet tabular list of cases of snake bite treated by the injection of liquor ammonie. There are pinholes in each corner.on front - Harry Richardsonsnake-bite australian-medical-journal halford-george

A geographical dictionary or gazetteer of the Australian colonies : their physical and political geography : together with a brief notice of all the capitals, principal towns, and villages. William Wells travelled to Australia as a sponsored immigrant in 1838. Her became a freelance surveyor with an office in Bligh Street, Sydney. He wrote this book in order to better inform the British public on the colonies of Australia. The information contained in the book is both topographical and statistical and was a very useful refernece book at the time.This book is a rare detailed contemporary record of the Australian colonies in the mid 19th century.A hard back 453 pp book with a dark brown patterned cover which has a white label with the title, "Dictionary of Geography" over a map of Australia. It is illustrated with numerous maps and drawings.history-australia wells-william-henry geographical-dictionary-of-the-australian-colonies

Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This was a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. When Dr James Kerr came to be Orbost's first residential doctor, he was sponsored by M.U.I.O.O.F. This item reflects those times. A ledger/cash book with a blue and tan fabric cover. on spine on red felt/suede in gold lettering - NIGHT BOOK

The Lady's Realm was a illustrated monthly women's magazine published in London in the 19th century, initially edited by W. H. Wilkins. It also published 36 volumes between 1896 and 1914. The Lady's Realm was a British women's magazine published from 1896 until 1914, possibly until 1915. It primarily targeted upper-class readers as well as an aspirational middle-class audience, featuring photographs, poems, fiction, and columns by popular authors such as Marie Corelli, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Jack London, and H.G. Wells. (Wikipedia) Founded in 1833, the Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts is the longest running School of Arts (also known as a "Mechanics' Institute") and the oldest continuous lending library in Australia. These magazines reflect women's interests in the early 20th century. Women’s magazines developed rapidly through the 1800s, reflecting both marketing developments and social changes. As the century progressed, publications aimed at women changed from the middle-class drawing-room journals of the 1830s and 1840s to the cheaper, chattier, more domestic magazines of the 1880s and 1890s. This item oi an example of a publication aimed at a particular social class.A thick hard back book with a dark blue and red fabric cover. It contains short stories by various authors. "SYDNEY MECHANICS SCHOOL OF ARTS 225 PITT STREET" on front cover.literature-lady's-realm short-stories

Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows (MUIOOF) had its origins in Manchester, England. It was established in Melbourne on 7 December 1840 when Augustus Greeves, a member of the MUIOOF in England, migrated to Australia and formed the first friendly society. In 1840 Manchester Unity IOOF was founded in Victoria.Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This was a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times. A small hard cover blue book holding certificates of M.O.O.O.F. members.m.u.i.o.o.f. friendly-society

Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This book was used in a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.A brown book with ablue spine. It contains pink paper copies of correspondence from M.U.I.O.O.F. (Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows)on front cover - handwritten in pen "M.U.I.O.O.F Orbost Branch"m.u.i.o.o.f. friendly-society manchester-unity

This item probably belonged to Albert Coulson a farmer of Brodribb. Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This book was used in a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.A small grey book with the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows. At the bottom of the cover in black print is the society's Coat of Arms showing a woman holding a child with two children beside her. On the right is a woman holding an anchor with her arm around a woman holding a cross. There is an images of a group of people holding a scroll beside a reclining lion."Brother A.H.J. Coulto was initiated a member of the Loyal Orbost Lodge 8 Sept 1909"

Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This item was used in a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.An account book for M.U.I.O.O.F. (Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows ). It has a dark blue fabric cover. It contains hand-written accounts.m.u.i.o.o.f. friendly-society accounts-book

Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This item was used in a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits and reflects those times.A very large cash book with a blue fabric cover , a brown spine and edges.

This book was used by the Orbost Manchester United Independent Order of Oddfellows. Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This record book was created in a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.A hard back book with a red and blue mottled cover and a dark blue spine. On the front cover is a large brown rectangular label with "Record of Sickness" in black print inside an ornate black frame.on label - handwritten above title - "M.U.I.O.O.F."m.u.i.o.o.f. friendly-societies book-keeping

This book contains M.U.I.O.O.F. (Manchester Unity Independent Order Of Oddfellows) accounts of the Orbost group. Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This account book was used in a a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.A hard back book with a blue cover and a brown spine.on spine on red flock in gold lettering "NIGHT BOOK:m.u.i.o.o.f.friendly-societies

This book was used byb the Orbost branch of M.U.I.O.O.F. (Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows)Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This was a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.A hard back book with a green / blue mottled cover with a brown binding. It includes a receipt book with no cover. It holds M.I.U.O.O.F. (Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows) accounts.friendly-society m.u.i.o.o.f. accounts

This minute book was used by the Orbost branch of M.U.I.O.O.F. (Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows)Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This was a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.A large thick hard back minute book used by M.U.I.O.O.F. ( Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows). It has a blue cover with a red spine.

Owned by Alexander Cameron who arrived in Australia in 1853. Alexander Cameron ("Big Alex") was an early settler on the Snowy River flats. he worked the paddle steamer Cheviot for a while, having a wharf and sheds on the Snowy River in 1900. Later moved to Cann River.This item is an example of a handcrafted religious ornament of the late 19th-early 20th century.Handmade, round, religious text ornament of celluloid and cardboard with silver writing.Front - "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?"ornament handmade religious

From Grand United Order of Oddfellows. MU100F - membership and competition. 1966-67 winners in "B" Class - Loyal Orbost Lodge.Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This was a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.Membership and competition certificate from Bairnsdale district. Large certificate with large painting of Collins Street Melbourne in wood and glass frame.document oddfellows certificate lodge muioof

Belonged to Mary Gilbert who was a passionate local historian. She was awarded a British Empire medal in recognition of her work for education and the community. Mary Isabelle Gilbert was born in 1905 in Orbost, Australia. She was born to John Gilbert and Annie Cameron Gilbert, and had seven sisters and one brother. Four siblings died at a young age. .She was a teacher historian loved and respected by her family and the wider community.This item is an example of late 19th century English porcelain.Hand-painted Conway plate with illustrations of birds, sunsets, butterflies and sailing ships. Cream background.Back - British coat of arms. 3 logos.plate domestic crockery porcelain conway gilbert-mary

Doily was hand made by Riuth Woodward who was the daughter of Alan Richardson, a sawmiller at Tabbara. He held ticket for the paddlesteamer Curlip.This item represents an important pastime of Australian women of the late 19th to mid 20th century. Women's focus was the home and its decoration was important. Embroidery and crochet work was an affordable way to personalise and add aesthetic value, and examples of embroidered and crocheted pieces could be found in most Australian homes, decorating or protecting furniture, floors and walls, and keeping off flies and insects from food.Small square needlepoint doily with kangaroo pattern and beaded triangular fringe. Centre is white with pink clear beading.doily handcrafts needlework beading richardson-alan

Yokes like this one were key components used to control bullock teams. These teams were very important in Australia during the 19th century, hauling heavy loaded wagons of goods to remote settlements and rural produce to cities and ports over rough unmade roads. The bullocks were yoked together in pairs. Chains joined the yoked pairs. A heavy wooden bullock yoke with only one metal collar. One is missing. The fittings are iron. There is a small leather patch tacked on to one end. The yoke is made from a length of wood of roughly rectangular cross-section. It has been shaped to form curved depressions that allow it to rest across the necks of two bullocks and yoke them together. bullock-yokes transport

Stereoscope slide viewers were popular throughout the late 19th and early 20th century. The dual photographic images gave a three-dimensional view of popular tourism sites and sometimes news events.This is the only stereoscope in the collection intended for general use. Others held in the collection were intended for study of ocular anatomy or visual training.Stereoscope slide viewer. Wood with metal eyeshield engraved with eagle decoration. Folding wooden handle. Detachable sliding target slide holder.Clip mount stamped 'PATENT/AUS', unclearstereoscope, stereopsis, views, tourism, souvenir

This is the 1854 fourth edition of a book on diseases of the eye by William MacKenzie (1791-1868) first published in 1830. William MacKenzie was surgeon oculist in Scotland to Her Majesty (Queen Victoria), lecturer in the University of Glasgow and a surgeon in the Glasgow Eye Infirmary. This fourth edition appeared just after Helmholtz's invention of the ophthalmoscope, but Mackenzie did not at this stage have much understanding of the internal diseases of the eye. Nor did he properly understand refractive errors which were soon to be elucidated by the work of Donders. MacKenzie did however recognise the hardness of the eye as being an essential sign of glaucoma.This book is significant historically as it shows contemporary understanding of eye disease in the early nineteenth century. It is not rare as copies still turn up at book markets and also are held in other Australian institutions.This book, bound in full calf leather (probably later 19th Century) with 1107 pages including an index and is followed by a publisher's catalogue. It is the 1854 fourth edition of William MacKenzie's 'A practical treatise on the diseases of the eye' first published in 1830. It has a long (32 pages) introductory section on the anatomy of the eye by Thomas Wharton Jones, FRS. There are 27 chapters on eye disease. Chapter 24 is on refractive errors and presbyopia.eye, ocular anatomy, ocular disease

This spectacle case is designed to be worn attached to a belt or waistband in the style of a 'chatelaine'. It is made of electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) and is lined with blue velvet. This style of spectacle case was used late in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.This spectacle case is one of the most ornate in the collection.Chatelaine spectacle case with elaborately pierced pattern decoration made of electroplated nickel silver. Empty cartouche. Deep blue velvet lining. Small chain links case to holding clasp.Rear of clasp hook stamped 'EPNS W Ltd'spectacle case, epns, chatelaine

This photograph was taken at the junction of the Snowy and Brodribb Rivers. The Snowy River starts in New South Wales on the slopes of Mt Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest mountain, in New South Wales. It flows into Bass Strait at Marlo in Victoria. The Brodribb River is a tributary of the Snowy which enters the estuary at Marlo. This is a pictorial record of a road in Marlo near Orbost in the late 19th-early 20th centuries. It also depicts the transport used at that time.A black / white photograph of four men in suits seated in a horse - drawn buggy on a dirt road alongside a creek or river. There appears to be another horse - drawn vehicle behind them.on back - "at the Brodribb - Snowy junction. this road was corduroy (packed logs of tea trees?)brodribb-river snowy-river marlo transport-horse-drawn

Link with item 1178. This is a surveyors' camp in the McCulloch Ranges, Murrangowar, April, 1897. Included in the photograph are: L. Thorn; Pearson; L. Coburn, Clem Bates; Sam Blacklock with a packhorse. They were surveying for a road or railway. Surveyors were among the first European settlers to arrive in Australia. A Surveyor-General was present on the First Fleet, as well as the first two ships which landed in South Australia. These men were issued with instructions to record observations in a journal that included the country’s general appearance, its soil, flora and fauna and the customs and language of local inhabitants. The conditions they worked in were harsh and they embarked on journeys with drays carrying cumbersome surveying and camping equipment, spending months camping out in the bush and mapping the land. It was not until well into the second half of the nineteenth century that the professional training of surveyors became mandatory in Australia.This is a pictorial record of a surveyors' camp in the late 19th century.A black / white photograph of a group of men standing in front of a tent / camp in a dense bush setting.surveyor's-camp-mccullochs-ranges-murrangowar land-settlement

Image of a Tom Roberts painting on front of soft covered book titled The Artists' Camp at Box Hill - Eleanor Finlay, Marjorie MorganFOREWORD by William Dargie Kt., C.B.E., FRSA (London) FRAS (NSW) As one born between two worlds I find it difficult to identify wholly with either Australian art of the late 19th and early 20th centuries or the infinitely varied styles of today. At the beginning of the 1930s, when I first began to take any sort of interest in art, I had the natural feeling of youth that anything that had happened thirty to forty years ago was already far down the dark and backward abysm of time. As for today, all that one of my generation can do is to enjoy what is enjoyable and avert one's eyes and close one's ears against the rest. This is the time of life one realizes that distaste, as well as taste can be cultivated. Well, youth repeats itself in each generation and among the young there will always be .some determined and dedicated to the making of new images of the physical world. All artists throughout history have shared this common experience. All have remembered the suddenly-formed friendships, the sketching expeditions and camps, the first exhibitions, the formation of groups, the 'manifestos' - these last to return in later life all too often as embarrassments - but above all, the enthusiasm. 'Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive but to be young was very heaven'. Thus we can be time-travellers back one hundred and six years to that first plein-air camp set up by Roberts, McCubbin and Abrahams on part of David Houston's property at Box Hill. This was indeed the prelude to all that followed: Mentone and the meeting with the young Streeton painting on the rocks, and Heidelberg later.

The invention of a hand drill is credited to Arthur James Arnot and William Blanch Brain of Melbourne, Australia who patented the electric drill in 1889. In 1895, the first portable handheld drill was created by brothers Wilhem & Carl Fein of Stuttgart, Germany. Hand-powered devices have been used for millennia. However, during the last quarter of the 19th century a radically improved generation of tools appeared. These tools took advantage of modern mass production machinery and processes (like interchangeable parts) and an increased availability in superior material (metal instead of wood). One of the outcomes included an array of new drilling machines. These human-powered tools were a vast improvement over earlier tools.This item is an example of a commonly used domestic tool - pre power tools.A Stanley hand drill with two wooden handles. The red wheel is painted metal. On red wheel - STANLEY ENGLANDwoodwork tool hand-drill

This wooden box was possibly a plain brown box which has been hand decorated with shells and pieces of glass. It might have been stored on a mantelpiece or dressing table and was used to store "bits and pieces". The Australian Natives' Association (ANA), a mutual society was founded in Melbourne, Australia in April 1871 as the Victorian Natives' Association. In 1872 it voted to extend membership to men born in the other Australian colonies and changed its name at the same time. The Association played a leading role in the movement for Australian federation in the last 20 years of the 19th century. In 1900 it had a membership of 17,000, mainly in Victoria. The ANA provided sickness, medical and funeral cover. Membership in the ANA was restricted to men born in Australia.The ANA consisted mainly of energetic middle-class men aged under 50. In 1880 the ANA committed itself to the federation of the Australian colonies, and provided much of the organisational and financial support for the Federation Leagues which led the campaign, particularly in Victoria. (ref Wikipedia)This item is an example of a small hand decorated container used to store domestic items. It might have been stored on a mantelpiece or dressing table.A wooden box with a hinged lid. The outside lid is decorated with shells and glass. There is a keyhole at the front. Inside the box is padded and lined with cream/gold decorated paper. It contains photographs, cards a 1906 calendar, postcards, postage stamps and a membership card for A.N.A. - Orbost Branch No.267container handcraft a.n.a.

this item was made to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth !! in 1953. In June 1953 , Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and Pakistan, and became the Head of the Commonwealth. Many souvenirs were made to mark this occasion. Some were unique and hand-made. The main sources for crochet and other needlework designs available to women were in journals, magazines and pattern books.This milk jug cover reflects an important pastime for Australian women of the late 19th to mid 20th century. Women's focus was the home and its decoration was important. Embroidery and crochet work was an affordable way to personalise and add aesthetic value, and examples of embroidered and crocheted pieces could be found in most Australian homes, decorating or protecting furniture, floors and walls, and keeping flies and insects away from food. It is also a tangible souvenir of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11.A rectangular jug cover hand crocheted in white thread. It has blue and red beads sewn into the edges. the design is "JUNE" above a crown with "E 11 R 1953" below the crown.

Daughter of George Temple and Mary McAuslane of Castlemaine, Hilda married James Kerr in 1893 and lived at Lincluden, Raymond Street, Orbost. Her husband was a Scot who had come to Australia as a ship's doctor and practised in NSW before visiting Orbost on a government vaccination programme. He liked Orbost and returned there, its first doctor, until his death in 1928. Hilda was sometimes referred to as 'Mrs Dr Kerr.' She and her sisters Mabel Stewart Temple and Margaret Ferrie Temple were all talented writers and musicians.This book is an example of the talent of Hilda Temple Kerr. Hilda Temple Kerr (1874-1956) grew up in Orbost. She was very talented and published several books. It is reflective of the style of poetry in the early 19th century. A small green covered book of children's poetry. The title is in gold print within a small frame above a stylised gold flower. Below in gold print - "Hilda C. Temple Kerr" and "Illustrated by Mr H. Sherwood, Orbost". There is an ornate border around this.temple-hilda kerr-hilda poetry book-the-little-birthday-queen literature

Awards for cheese quality have been part of the dairy industry since the 19th century and are designed to maintain and continue improving the quality and flavour of cheeses manufactured in Australia.Wooden trophy in form of cut-out shape of Victoria mounted on a plinth by two gold-coloured rods. Details of the award printed in black on the shaped area and a small plaque noting details of winner attached to the plinth.Rhodia DIAA Dairy Product Awards 2001/Rhodia Australia Award/Highest Scoring Cheddar Cheese - Mild in Class 7 Base plate - Presented to/Warrnambool/Cheese & Butter Factory Ltdallansford, dairy industry, cheese, warrnambool cheese and butter factory ltd, wcb, rhodia, dairy industry association of australia, trophies

The item was purchased from Robinson & Moffatt department store at Post Office Place Melbourne between 1884 when the store opened. Between 1911 and 1934 Robinson & Moffatt appeared to have sold out along with other businesses to became part of the Myer Emporium. Robinson & Moffatt were an early upmarket department store for the wealthy with a branch in Perth that was opened in 1899. During their time in business Robinson & Moffatt appear to have imported goods from England and Europe. The hatbox appears to be a British pattern made for a beaver type top hat around late 19th or early 20th century. A personal item made for Robinson and Moffatt department store, imported from England and sold to a wealthy colonial gentleman sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. The item was purchased from one of the earliest department stores in Melbourne, that later was incorporated into what has become an iconic Australian department store operating out of one of Melbourne's iconic building locations,the Myer emporium.Gents leather oval hat Box, with concave lid reinforcing strap and leather handle. Has metal locking device and key hole. Handle held to top with 2 studs. Velvet inside lid. Catch inside box."Made for Robertson & Moffatt Melbourne"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, hat box, gentleman's hat, gent's hat box, hatbox