Willcox and Gibbs: Serial No. 158679. The Willcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Company was founded in 1857 by James E. A. Gibbs and James Willcox and opened its London Office in 1859 at 135 Regent Street . By 1871 the Company's Chief Office for Europe was at 150 Cheapside, London, this office was later moved (post 1885) to 94 - 96 Wigmore Street, then 37 & 39 Moorgate Street (by 1891 to post 1907) and later 20 Fore Street, London . Right from the initial production the manufacturing of the Company's single thread, chain stitch machine was undertaken by Brown & Sharpe, Rhode Island and this continued up until 1948. A special hand crank mechanism was produced in England for the European market, but the general design of the Willcox & Gibbs remained essentially the same throughout its production. The only major improvement was in 1875 when the glass tension discs were replaced with an automatic tension device which ensured the machine could not get out of adjustment. In addition to the domestic hand and treadle machines the company produced a wide range of industrial models. The Company finally closed in 1973. This Willcox & Gibbs came complete with its wooden carry case. The machine was made in America in the late 1860's but it has the ornate hand crank produced at Coalbrookdale near Telford, England which was, in Victorian times, renown for producing high quality ornate iron castings. This machine has the glass tension discs which were used on domestic models until 1875. The Willcox & Gibbs badge is located on the rear of the base casting and it also has a deep wooden base. The cloth plate has various American patent dates, four dating between 1857 & 1860 relating to J. E. A. Gibbs, three dating between 1860 & 1864 relating to Chas H. Willcox (son of James Willcox), the machine was also licensed under five other patents including the infamous Elias Howe patent of 1846. There are only two English patents one for J. E. A Gibbs and the other for James Willcox. In 1887 a W & G Sewing Machine sold in England for 6 pounds , with its box and bits, at a time when the average wage was less than 10/- shillings per week. The early settlers of Moorabbin Shire had to be self sufficient making their own clothes, tableware, bed coverings, furnishings and equipment. The women were skilled dressmakers and craft workers.Willcox and Gibbs: Serial No. 158679. A single thread, chain stitch Sewing Machine with a special hand crank mechanism produced in England for the European market, and the glass tension discs which were used on domestic models until 1875. This Willcox & Gibbs came complete with its wooden carry case. The machine was made in America c1870 but it has the ornate hand crank produced at Coalbrookdale near Telford, England which was, in Victorian times, renown for producing high quality ornate iron castings. This machine has the glass tension discs which were used on domestic models until 1875. The Willcox & Gibbs badge is located on the rear of the base casting and it also has a deep wooden base. The Willcox & Gibbs badge is located on the rear of the base castingsewing machines, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, brighton, gibbs james, willcox james, willcox henry, new york, america, dressmaking, mateial, machine makers, wrought iron work, telford england

These stockings were very popular with women c1920 -- 30A pair of Beau Monde, size 8 1/2, unworn ladies grey cotton lisle stockings. Back seam, with fully fashioned heel and toe. (Stockings were held up by a garter belt.)BEAU MONDE / Size 8 1/2 clothing, lingerie, hosiery, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, beau monde pty ltd, market gardeners, early settlers, maggs nancy

The photograph is pre 1914-18. It is showing Cheltenham Market Gardeners having a picnic. The Market Gardeners gave Moorabbin it's first industry, which was to prove the most durable and resilient. The ladies and gentlemen are dressed in very fine clothes. All of the men are wearing suits with waistcoats and white shirts with neck ties. One man has a Boater hat , 4 have Bowler hats and 5 have Stetson hats. 5 men are standing and 4 men are kneeling or sitting with the ladies. The ladies are seated on the ground around a table runner on which items of food are seen. Most of the ladies are wearing white dresses, one lady has a dark coloured skirt with a white frilly blouse, and all have large wide brimmed fashionably decorated hats . They all seem to be dressed in their best clothes.The photograph depicts a group of men and women, 16 altogether, having a picnic pre World War 1 1914-1918 . They are surrounded by trees and bushes outside.Front of mount : R. McGeehan Photograph, Beechworth. Back of Mount Address Balaclava / C Whitehead / Gardeners Picnic / Pre World War 11914-18, moorabbin. picnic, market gardeners, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin shire, cheltenham, fashion, dressmaking, bowler hats, boater hats, stetson hats, bonnets, chapeau, menswear, neckties, beechworth mcgeehan r, photographs,

1950. The St Matthew's Church of England, Cheltenham, Cinderella Dance in aid of the Church Tennis Club. The Dance was held in the Cheltenham Mechanics Institute and Temperance Hall. This building was demolished in 1960 to be replaced in the same year by the Cheltenham Hall and Library. Photograph is black and white. There are rows of men and women, either holding hands, or just standing. All the women are in gowns and the men are in suits. Also have flags of various countries hanging from the walls.Top of Mount : The hall is the 'Cheltenham Mechanics Institute and Temperance / Hall" demolished in 1960 to be replaced by the Cheltenham Hall / and Library / in 1960 Base of Mount : St. Matthews Church of England Cheltenham / Cinderella Dance in aid of the Church Tennis Club 1950cinderella dance, st. matthew's church of england, cheltenham, hall, 1950, methodist church, dancing, ball gowns, fashion, market gardeners, early settlers, city of moorabbin, temperance halls, mechanis institutes,

Circa 1918: Various Photos of the Cheltenham Methodist Youth Group. Row 1 and 2: "At Flinders". Row 3: 1st Left, "Holidaying at Cockatoo". in 1852 Stephen Charman, who had arrived in Melbourne 1842 aged 21 years as one of Henry Dendy's emigrants, purchased 160 acres in Spring Grove ( now Cheltenham). Stephen and his family lived in a wattle and daub hut and worked hard to establish a market garden, poultry and pig farm. The first Methodist Church Services were held at their home. In 1855 Stephen gave 1 acre of his land on Balcombe Road to the Methodist Church for a School, Burial ground and a Chapel which was built in 1857.The Methodist Church, Balcombe Road was the 2nd religious building to be erected in Spring Grove now known as Cheltenham c 18577 small black and white photographs of the Cheltenham Methodist Youth Group at Flinders, Cockatoo and unkown locations, c 1918 . First 3 photos are of male cyclists on a trip to Flinders, Victoria. Photo 4 shows 6 ladies and a man on holiday at Cockatoo in the Dandenong Ranges ,Victoria . Photos 5 to 7 show men, women and children in bushland surroundings of unrecorded locations.Photo 1 - 3 on back : Flinders 1918 Photo 4 left on back : Holiday at Cockatoo right on back : Whitehead Photo 5-7 nilcheltenham, cheltenham methodist youth group, 1914, 1918, charman stephen, gettens mary, spring grove, methodist church, charman road, balcombe road, dendy henry, henry dendy's special survey 1841, youth groups, social groups, market gardners, early settlers, pioneers, dairy farmers, poultry farmers, pig farmers,moorabbin, brighton,

Date unknown: Mrs Caroll and children. In 'Moorabbin A Pictorial History 1862 - 1994 ' by John Cribbin, The Carroll family migrated from Ireland and purchased land in the East Brighton ( now Bentleigh ) area of Henry Dendy's Special Survey 1841. Edward, J.W. & Daniel are shown in the Rate Book 1862 as owner occupiers and owner of property in Tuckers Road, Bryants Road and Centre Road.Photograph is black and white. There are three women in this photograph, a mother and her two children. The mother is sitting down on a chair to the left and her daughter sitting next to her, on the right (they are both holding hands), and her other daughter (child) right in between her mother and sister, with he arm around the mother's shoulder. All three of them are wearing their best dresses that have lace collars. As the clothes are similar to MAV Cat No. 00519 the photo may have been taken c 1910Front of Mount : Yeoman Co 287 Chapel St. Prahran, Victoria.children, chapel st, 287, prahran, carroll edward, carroll, j.w., carroll daniel, ireland, brighton, henry dendy's special survey 1841, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, dairy farmers, poultry farmers, bentleigh, mckinnon, ormond, prahran, yeoman photographers co.

Sad-irons or "solid" irons were made by blacksmiths and used to smooth out material by pressing the hot iron over it. A piece of sheet -iron was placed over the kitchen fire and the irons placed on it could be heated whilst remaining clean of ash.. The women used 2 irons - one heating while the other was used. Thick cloth or gloves protected their hands from the hot irons. The handle was removed from the cool iron and re- attached to remove the hot iron from the fire. The cool iron was replaced on the fire or stove to heat again. These irons were cleaned with steel wool to prevent them marking the material. If the iron was too hot the material would scorch. Most homes set aside one day for ironing and some large households had an ironing room with a special stove designed to heat irons. However, most women had to work with a heavy, hot iron close to the fireplace even in summer.The Curtis family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1880 and used sad ironsA small, curved, flat iron, with attached handle, used for cuffs, collars and frillsSILVESTER'S/ PATENT/ SALTERS / No 3 with the pretzel & a arrow going through the centresad iron, kitchen equipment, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, sewing, craftwork, clothing, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, fireplaces, stoves

Early settlers in Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothes and tools. Knitting was a necessary task for the women of the families of these pioneers.Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the these families A pair of long wooden knitting needlesearly settlers, craftwork, knitting, pioneers, moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond, cheltenham, market gardeners

This type of sewing equipment was widely used in many homes, in an era when hand-made clothes were the “norm.”, and clothes and hosiery were mended, darned or ‘re-made’ into another garment.. These cotton and silk threads are examples of those used for dressmaking, crochet and needlework by the women of the early settler families who made, mended or darned the clothes and hosiery in Moorabbin Shire c1900A tin with lid, containing various packets of sewing threads and needlesPackets ; CLARKE’S Fine Filosheen Grist / 20 yards 3076 Squirrel / No 40 : PRESTIGE ; NEWEY’S Spring ; PARAMOUNT Linen Finish THREAD ; Embassy rustless needles ; sewing, prestige cotton, needles, threads, moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond, craftwork, dressmaking, early settlers, market gardeners

Hair curling tongs were used by women 1800 - 1950 to create appealing curls and ringlets in their hair. To achieve ringlets, the tongs were heated on a gas ring, stove top or flame and then thick weft of hair was wound around one side of the tongs. The tongs were then 'crimped' together and upon release a long ringlet of hair resulted . If the tongs were overheated the hair was singed producing a lingering malodour. A pair of lady’s steel tongs, with no clamp, for hair curling. toiletries, hairdressing, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, marcel waves

A photograph of 2 women c 1900 members of the Curtis family who were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireThe family of May Curtis were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireA black and white photograph of 2 unnamed women in a small circular frame with a wire support stand c 1900nilmoorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, early settlers, photographs, curtis may

A hat pin is a decorative pin for holding a hat to the head, usually by the hair that was styled in a Chignon or French Roll style and usually worn in a pair. They are typically around 20 cm in length, with the pinhead being the most decorated part. The hatpin was invented to hold veils in place, and was handmade. Birmingham, England was the centre of production when demand eventually outgrew the number that could be supplied by hand-making and they also began to be imported from France. In 1832, an American machine was invented to manufacture the pins, and they became much more affordable. During the 1880s, bonnets gave way to hats, some of which were very large and the popularity of hatpins soared. In the Victorian era, when appearance was everything, it just wouldn't do for a fashionable lady's hat to blow off in the wind. They remained a standard women's' accessory through the 1910s and were produced in a vast range of materials and types. Hat pin holder boxes were also produced. One of the most well-known makers of hatpins is silversmith Charles Horner, of Halifax, whose turn of the century jewellery company became a leader in the market by creating a series of mass-produced pins that were still of exceptional quality. As a result, thousands of Horner's pins are still on the market and on display in museums worldwide. Women of the 1920’s used hat pins as decoration on their Cloche hats that fitted snugly to their heads. The women of the pioneer families liked to dress up in their best hand made dresses and fashionable hats for Church gatherings and special occasions as a relief from the daily chores of hand washing, ironing with flat irons and cooking over open fires.2 lady's long steel hat pins with sequents in a flower design on mauve material bonnets, hats, veils, scarves, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, early settlers, pioneers, clasps, hairdressing, combs, steel pins, jewellery

A hat pin is a decorative pin for holding a hat to the head, usually by the hair that was styled in a Chignon or French Roll style and usually worn in a pair. They are typically around 20 cm in length, with the pinhead being the most decorated part. The women of the pioneer families liked to dress up in their best hand made dresses and fashionable hats for Church gatherings and special occasions as a relief from the daily chores of hand washing, ironing with flat irons and cooking over open fires. 1 long, lady's, steel, hat pin , padded and covered in black linen decorated with spherical shaped black sequins bonnets, hats, veils, scarves, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, early settlers, pioneers, clasps, hairdressing, combs, steel pins, jewellery

See 00630 A A hat pin is a decorative pin for holding a hat to the head, usually by the hair that was styled in a Chignon or French Roll style and usually worn in a pair. They are typically around 20 cm in length, with the pinhead being the most decorated part. The women of the pioneer families liked to dress up in their best hand made dresses and fashionable hats for Church gatherings and special occasions as a relief from the daily chores of hand washing, ironing with flat irons and cooking over open fires. A short, lady's steel hat pin, padded and covered in red and gold felt in a spiral patternbonnets, hats, veils, scarves, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, early settlers, pioneers, clasps, hairdressing, combs, steel pins, jewellery

See 00630 A A hat pin is a decorative pin for holding a hat to the head, usually by the hair that was styled in a Chignon or French Roll style and usually worn in a pair. They are typically around 20 cm in length, with the pinhead being the most decorated part The women of the pioneer families liked to dress up in their best hand made dresses and fashionable hats for Church gatherings and special occasions as a relief from the daily chores of hand washing, ironing with flat irons and cooking over open fires.A short steel lady's hat pin with a gold coloured metal ball at top with filigree decorationbonnets, hats, veils, scarves, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, early settlers, pioneers, clasps, hairdressing, combs, steel pins, jewellery

Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these familiesThe skill and craftsmanship shown in these infant's bibs, bonnet and bootees is an example of the clothing made by the pioneer settlers and market gardeners in Moorabbin Shire Baby's bibs, bootees and bonnet (i) booties crocheted silk (ii) 2 x embroidered bibs (iii) bonnet & bootees wool clothing, craftwork, knitting, crochetwork, moorabbin, cheltenham, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners

During the reign of Queen Victoria, whose long and conspicuous grief over the death of her husband, Prince Albert, appropriate dress for men and women for the period of mourning was strictly prescribed and rigidly adhered to. Widows were expected to wear special clothes to indicate that they were in mourning for up to four years after the death, although a widow could choose to wear such attire for the rest of her life. To change the costume earlier was considered disrespectful to the deceased and, if the widow was still young and attractive, suggestive of potential sexual promiscuity. Those subject to the rules were slowly allowed to re-introduce conventional clothing at specific time periods; such stages were known by such terms as "full mourning", "half mourning", and similar descriptions. For half mourning, muted colours such as lilac, grey and lavender could be introduced.. Special caps and bonnets, usually in black or other dark colours, went with these ensembles. There was special mourning jewellery, often made of jet. By the late 20th century, this no longer applied, and black had been widely adopted by women in cities as a fashionable colour. A lady's full length black fine wool dress with pleated bodice and skirt. A beaded detachable collar sits over the dress forming a V shape back and front and is attached by hooks and eyes on right shoulder . Centre front from neck to point is a row of small black circular sequins. clothing, dressmaking, craftwork, cheltenham, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, bentleigh

In the 17th century young girls were taught embroidery as a necessary skill for marriage, this also helped them make very beautiful handbags. By the late 18th century, fashions in Europe were moving towards a slender shape and women wanted purses that would not be bulky or untidy in appearance, so reticules were designed. Reticules were made of fine fabrics like silk and velvet, with wrist strapA lady's beige, beaded, silk lined, evening bag with press stud fastenerevening wear, purses, personal effects, handbags, fashion, needlework, craftwork, dressmaking, moorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers, cheltenham

In the 17th century young girls were taught embroidery as a necessary skill for marriage, this also helped them make very beautiful handbags. By the late 18th century, fashions in Europe were moving towards a slender shape and women wanted purses that would not be bulky or untidy in appearance, so reticules were designed. Reticules were made of fine fabrics like silk and velvet, with wrist strap often decorated with pearls, sequins, beads and embroidery. A lady's black velvet, silk lined, evening bag with draw-string and hand made tassels. The bag is decorated with beads in a floral designmoorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers, cheltenham, craft work, dressmaking

These hat pins represents women's fashion in the late 19thC and early 20thC. As the material used in the construction is not of a high monetary value it can be assumed it was everyday woman's apparel to keep the hat firmly fastened into the hair. It does indicate that fashion of the time was important and many women used their craftwork skills to create their own hat pins. This item is a reflection of the fashion mode of the late 19thC and early 20thC when long hair needed to be controlled by hair pins It is also an example of society's mores of tidiness 14 lady's steel hat pins in various styles numbered A -i A) 6x pearl tear-drop ; B) 1x pink metal beads;C) gold ball in 'oyster shell'; D) gold ball; E) pink plastic weave; F) silver metal ball; g) black bead; h) white ball; i) pale blue glass set in brassmoorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers, cheltenham, craftwork, clothing

As make-up became more mainstream and women were increasingly active outside the home, compacts became more popular. A 'bakelite' cylindrical, lady's compact with face powder c 1930 CASHMERE/ BOUQUET / FACE POWDER/ BY/ COLGATE/ company logomoorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers, cheltenham, colgate, cashmere bouquet powder, cosmetics

W & J Knox Ltd were cotton millers in Kilbernie, Scotland during the time after the Industrial Revolution when Great Brittain exported manufactured cotton products globally. The early settlers in Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing, napery, tools and household goods. The women were skilful dressmakers and craft workers.A wooden reel of 'Knox's Three Cord' sewing cotton . 100 yardsW..J.KNOX / KILBIRNIE SCOTLAND/ 50/ 100ydsmoorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers, cheltenham, knox pty. ltd. kilbirnie scotland, cotton mills, dressmaking

These hair pins were used to secure the fashionable hairstyles of the 20thC. Women could either manage their hair style themselves or attend a Hairdresser at a Salon.A box of 5 packs of 50 waved,hairpins made by Kirby-Beard Pty Ltd. Packs are wrapped in green paper. These pins became known as 'french hairpins' commonly used for 'up styles' of long hair- chignons, french roll etc,Paper wrapper STANDARD / KIRBY- BEARD/ Reg / QUALITY / HAIR PINS Box : SMEERKAAS 40 moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, hairstyles, combs, hairpins, early settlers, hairdressing, coiffure, kirby-beard pty ltd

These tin dippers were used on washing day for carrying water as requiredThis tin dipper is a reminder of wash days when women used coppers, wringers, mangles, large troughs and clothes lines before the introduction of washing machines and clothes dryers.c1930 A tin dipper for water, probably used in the Laundrypioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, laundry

This baby’s bonnet is an example of the skills and craftwork of the women of the pioneer families in Moorabbin Shire A fine wool baby’s bonnet, hand -knitted with crocheted edges and hand sewn flowers at crown and around face edge. C1900 knitting, crochetwork, craftwork, clothing, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin brighton bentleigh, embroidery

This baby’s hand crocheted silk bib is an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A hand crocheted cream silk baby's bibclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, craftwork, crochetwork, market gardeners, early settlers,

These baby’s hand crocheted silk bootees are an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Hand crocheted cream silk baby's booteesclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, craftwork, crochetwork, market gardeners, early settlers,

This calico baby’s bootee is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A calico infants bootee with lacesclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, calico, cotton, linen

This baby's crocheted outfit is an example of the clothing made for their children by the families who had settled in the Moorabbin Shire c1900. The Blackburn family were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireThis baby's crocheted cape and dress aesethetically significant as an example of the skill of the women of the families who were pioneer settlers and market gardeners in Moorabbin Shire who made their own clothing for their families. It was made by a member of the early settler Blackburn family and passed down through the generations. This is a white cotton baby's two piece, cape and dress outfit, with extensive hand-crotchet lace trim.clothing, moorabbin, crochet, bentleigh, pioneer settlers, baby outfit

This white, cotton, baby's pinafore with hand crochet work is and example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire.The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families.A white cotton infant's pinafore, with hand crochet work around armholes, and lower edge of garment. Feather stitch embroidery, and pin-tucking on bodice. Waist ties.clothing, crochet work, moorabbin, bentleigh, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, dendy special survey, brighton pioneers