These two buttons are tailors' buttons for clothing made in Warrnambool. The brown one is from the firm of Frederick Williamson who had a tailoring business at 157-159 Liebig Street, Warrnambool. His father Edward had started the tailoring business with a shop in Timor Street in the second half of the 19th century. Frederick Williamson was a Warrnambool City Councillor on three occasions (1924-1930; 1934-1939; 1942 -1945) and Mayor 1942-1943. The black button came from the Liebig Street, Warrnambool clothing and haberdashery store of Cramond and Dickson who employed tailors and dressmakers to make clothing to order. John Cramond and James Dickson opened their Warrnambool store in 1855 and it was a dominant business in Warrnambool for 119 years, closing in 1974. It was common practice in the first half of the 20th century for tailors and large clothing stores to have their own buttons for their suits etc.These two buttons are of some interest as examples of buttons made specifically for two local Warrnambool businesses. .1 Round button, light-brown in colour with four holes in the centre, a curved back and imprinted letters around the edge. .2 Round black button with four holes in the centre, a curved back and imprinted letters around the edge..1 F. Williamson Warrnambool 2. Cramond & Dicksonfrederick williamson warrnambool tailor, cramond & dickson warrnambool

This poster has been produced as a saleable item by the firm of McCarron Bird & Co of Melbourne about 1900. This firm was founded in 1872 and is best known for its publication of the two-volume work, 'Victoria and its Metropolis' (1888). The poster was intended to be hung on a wall for decorative and advertising purposes. It contains four attractive lithographs of the towns, Warrnambool, Port Fairy, Portland and Hamilton and a great number of advertisements and illustrations, some from Melbourne and the rest from the Westen District towns mentioned above. One Warrnambool advertisement is for the general merchant business of William Caffin in Kepler Street and two others are advertisements for the coastal ships, Flinders, Dawn and Casino which came into the port of Warrnambool. This poster has local historical significance as it has a descriptive drawing of the town of Warrnambool about 1900 and shows the buildings that were existing at that time.This is a cream-coloured sheet of paper with a coloured centre piece showing the title of the poster, four coloured lithographs of Western Victorian towns and advertisements printed and illustrated in black and white. The edges of the poster are frayed and the paper is torn at the centre left edge.warrnambool 1900, western victorian towns 1900, william caffin general merchant warrnambool

This book details the history of Victoria’s Rural Finance Corporation. For more than 70 years farmers and other agricultural businesses had access to Government programs and assistance from this corporation. In 2014 the Rural Finance Corporation’s business and assets were transferred to the Bendigo and Adelaide BankThis book is kept as a library copy because its contents contain several references to Warrnambool and district and the Rural Finance Corporation was well-known to local people, particularly those in the agricultural sector and it was appreciated by so many in the district.This is a hard cover book of 197 pages. It has a multi-coloured front cover showing a child on a tractor with three adults nearby and four colour photographs on the back cover. The dust cover has similar images. The book has a message from the Treasurer, a foreword, seven chapters of text, a timeline, references and an index. The book has many black and white and colour photographs, diagrams and other illustrations. There is a loose page which contains names relating to some of the photographs. history of warrnambool

This plane, used for shaving or shaping materials such as wood, is a Stanley No 78 model. The Stanley Tool Works was a business originally established in U.S.A. in the 1840s. In 1937 Stanley Tool Works set up in Sheffield, England. In 2010 the company merged with Black and Decker and still operates today. Planes are still used today in woodworking.This item has no known local significance but is retained as an example of a tradesman’s tool from the past. This is a metal tool with a solid base, a large handle, one screw and two wing nuts. It is somewhat greasy. ‘Stanley No. 78’ ‘Patent D. 6-7-10’tradesmen’s tools, warrnambool, wood plane

This 20th century business machine was used by the firm of D.H.Wood Motors of 169 Koroit Street Warrnambool. This firm advertised that it sold mainly Peugeot and Studebaker cars and Hillman and Humber cars and commercial trucks. This machine has local provenance as it came from the 20th century business of D.H.Wood Motors. It also has some historical interest as an example of a business or office machine used in the early to mid 20th century before the general use of computers. This is a grey rectangular-shaped metal box with rounded edges. The box has four metal studs on the base to keep the box stable. The box has a hinged section for the insertion of the paper dockets and a turning mechanism for removing the dockets, one at a time from a slot at the top of the machine. The dockets have a white (customer's) copy and a pink duplicate copy for the business to file. Two of the dockets have been removed from the machine to show the contents. The number of dockets in the machine is unknown. The metal surface of the machine is rubbed and rusty and the paper is stained. 'Paragon' 'D.H.Wood Motors, 169 Koroit Street, Warrnambool' 'Lamson Paragon Limited Wiz Register' vintage business machines, warrnambool

These medals were issued by the Town of Warrnambool in 1897 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the reign of Queen Victoria of England. Walter John Hickford, the Mayor Warrnambool at that time, has his name on the medal. Walter Hickford (1855-1928) was a Warrnambool businessman, setting up a shop in Liebig Street in 1880, supplying the paint materials for householders, contactors, painters and artists. He also carried out decorative work in private homes, businesses and churches. Hickford was active in civic life in Warrnambool, serving as a Councillor from 1890 to 1903 and he was Mayor from 1895 to 1897.These medals are of considerable importance as they were produced for the Town of Warrnambool in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. They have both a local and a wider national significance.,1These two circular bronze medals have profiles of Queen Victoria as a young woman and as a crowned monarch on the reverse and the Warrnambool Coat of Arms on the obverse. Both have a punched hole with a metal ring on the top. .2 As above .3 These five circular medals, four of which are bronze and one brass are identical with those described above..1Queen Victoria 60th year of reign 1837 to 1897 obverse Town of Warrnambool W. J. Hickford Mayor .BY THESE WE FLOURISH Reverse .2 As above .3 As for .3 above Note one of the bronze ones has a fabric cord attached through a hole at the top.medals, queen victoria 60th anniversarry, warrnambool, mayor john hickford

This is a badge of an Australian association of fellmongers, wool sorters and scourers. This group may have been part of the Amalgamated Fellmongers, Wool Sorters and Wool Scourers Union of 1912-1918 or it may have been an earlier association. A fellmonger was a dealer in the hides or skins of animals, especially sheep, or a person who removed the skins from animals. There were several fellmongery and wool scouring establishments in 19th century Warrnambool and district. These included the Dallimore Fellmongery at Lake Gillear, the Bennett Merri Bank Fellmongery at Dennington and the fellmongery businesses of James Evenett and Henry Mawbey on the Merri River in South Warrnambool.Although it has no known local provenance, this badge is of interest because there were several fellmongery establishments in the Warrnambool district in the 19th century so it may have belonged to a local person.This medallion has a gold coloured image of a suspended lamb on a circular royal blue enamel background which in turn is surrounded by a white enamel annulus with text. The external brass edging is filigree. The medallion has an attached ring at the top with narrow gold ribbon threaded through an additional ring FELLMONGERS WOOL SORTERS & SCRS' . AUST. WOOLANDSKIN 82? G.P.O.PLACE W fellmongers, warrnambool history, dallimore fellmongery, bennett merri bank fellmongery, james evenett, henry mawbey

This plaque comes from the Warrnambool SoundHouse building in Timor Street, Warrnambool. The Warrnambool SoundHouse was one of the Australian SoundHouses foundations which were established to promote music in schools. It was sponsored by Brash’s Music Store in Melbourne but when the Brash company ceased business in 1998 the funding for the Warrnambool SoundHouse stopped and the foundation closed. Thi plaque is retained as a memento of the Warrnambool SoundHouse foundation which promoted music in the local schools in the 1980s and 90s. This is a gold-coloured metal plaque with black printing. The back edges have had adhesive on them to affix the plaque to a door or wall. ‘SoundHouses Association of Australia welcomes Warrnambool SoundHouse as a member Friday 10th September 1983’warrnambool soundhouse

These are souvenir medals of the Warrnambool Industrial and Art Exhibition of 1896-7. This exhibition organised by a local committee under the chairmanship of the Mayor, Walter Hickford was one of the most important events in Warrnambool's history. It ran for three months and was said to have attracted 70000 visitors. It was held in Liebig Street and utilised both the civic centre buildings and temporary buildings erected for the event. It had several exhibition courts featuring art worksand business exhibition stands, competitions,entertainments and visiting experts in various fields. These medals were made at the exhibition at the stand of Stokes and Son. Visitors to the exhibition were able to get a gold silver or bronze medal made while they watched and the medal was then perforated ready to put on a watch chain or pendant. Thomas Stokes came to Australia in the 1850's and established a successful business in Melbourne manufacturing buttons, medals and tokens. The business was called Stokes and Son following a fire in 1893.These medals are of great significance as a memento of an important event in Warrnambool -The Warrnambool Industrial and Art Exhibition of 1896-7. Medals such as these would have been in the homes of many residents of Warrnambool and district and beyond after 1896..1 This silver circular medal has text around the outer rim and an image of Queen Victoria on the reverse. On the obverse is text and an image of the Warrnambool Exhibition building erected for the occasion. The medal is secured by a red thread , button and clear tape to a piece of card. On the card is a hand drawn sketch the Warrnambool Exhibition building and a hand drawn sketch of a profile of Queen Victoria . .2This silver circular medal has text around the rim and an image Warrnambool Exhibition building on the reverse and on the obverse a stylised coat of arms topped by the rising sun . Inside the field is a sailing ship, a pick and shovel , a sheep and sheaf of wheat .1 on the Reverse : around the rim, Struck at the Exhibition mint. On the obverse : Industrial exhibition 1896 Warrnambool. .2 On the obverse : Industrial exhibition 1896 Warrnambool.warrnambool, great exhibition of warrnambool, 1896 exhibition warrnambool, warrnambool exhibition medal

These two soda syphons were used to dispense soda water. They are marked ‘J. Fletcher’ with one of the bottles having the extra label of ‘Reeves’. The bottles come from the cordial factory in Koroit Street, Warrnambool. John Fletcher worked as a young boy in Rowley’s cordial factory in Banyan Street, Warrnambool and then worked for John Davis who had established the Union Cordial Factory in Koroit Street in the 1860s. John Fletcher bought the Davis business in 1885 and operated this factory until 1930. He then sold to Ralph Reeves who initially used the Fletcher bottles and syphons. At least one of these syphons comes from the Koroit Street factory during the proprietorship of Ralph Reeves.These soda syphons are of interest as they come from a local Warrnambool cordial factory in Koroit Street. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over100 years. These are two soda syphons made of glass with heavy round bases and ridged surfaces on the bottle bodies. The metal tops contain the pump and valve mechanisms and the inside of the bottles have glass tubes attached to the top mechanisms. The sides of the bottle have the Fletcher trade mark symbol of the stylized letters J and F, Both metal tops are corroded. Both bottles contain a small amount of liquid.‘J. Fletcher’ “J. Fletcher Trade Mark Warrnambool’ ‘Soda Water’ ‘This syphon is the property of John Fletcher Warrnambool and cannot be legally used by others’ ‘British Syphon Co. Ltd. London Reg. No 762’. ‘Reeves Soda Water’ (one bottle only) cordial manufacturing in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This ink well could have been used in a household or a business office. It would have been an attractive addition to a desk or office and served in a practical way to enclose the ink needed for writing purposes. Today the ink well has been replaced by firstly the use of fountain pens and later, after 1950, the widespread use of ballpoint pens. Although it has no known local provenance this item is retained as an interesting example of an ornamental ink well from100 years ago. This is a brown rectangular-shaped metal stand elevated from the floor by four jutting side pieces. There are two upright semi-circular side metal pieces acting as protective shields. The base of the metal stand has an open fretwork pattern with a circular hole in the middle. This contains a china ink well. It is enclosed by a hinged metal lid. The protective uprights and the metal stand also have ornamental fretwork with patterns of fronds and flowers. The ink well is a little chipped.‘Rd. No. 44197’writing aids 20th century, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

Alexander Black was a painter and decorator who operated a business in Timor St below Swintons. This ledger has entries which relate to work completed at the time including local names such as Coulsock, Landmann, McFarlane,Redford Allendale, McGennan & Co,Water Works Trust Wm Ardlie.This book lists a number of local names providing local social significance. Local handwritten ledgers such as these were commonly used by many businessesVery worn cardboard cover originally dark blue .with black binding. Rectangular in shape with lined pages. The front pages are filled with names and amounts.Dates range from 28/04/1900 to March 1922: Mr Alex Black Timor Street WarrnamboolLate Black & Eveleigh. White piece of paper has been pasted to front cover..Inside front cover warrnambool, painters and decorators, alex black, alexander black

This book is a reprint of a rare 19th catalogue of Australian tradesmen’s tokens. A token was a coin to the value of one penny produced in the mid 19th century to benefit businesses at a time when there was a shortage of English pennies. The token or penny had the name, business and date on the coin and could only be used in that particular business. In Warrnambool two businesses, those of William Jamieson of Liebig Street and William Bateman of Banyan Street, had tokens (1855 and 1862). Today examples of these local tokens are highly valued because of their historical interest. This book is of interest as a reprint of a 19th century catalogue of Australian token coins. It will be useful as a reference book.This is a soft cover book of 80 pages. It has a yellow cover with black print within a white background frame. The text contains many black and white images of tokens.tradesmen’s tokens in australia

This padlock and key are heavy duty items but were probably used in households or businesses for locking sheds and outhouses. Padlocks used today are more lightweight.These items have no known local significance but are retained as examples of padlocks used in the past..1 This is an iron padlock with a ridged circular bolt which is now fused into the lock. .2 This is an iron key with a circular handle. It fits into the end of the base of the padlock. Both items are very rusted. antiquarian household items, warrnambool

These bottles came from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of Charles and Frederick Flett. They were sold under the name of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. This business was first established in the 1920s by Joseph Lescai who had a fruit shop in Fairy Street, Warrnambool (his brother James also had a fruit shop in Liebig Street). Joseph Lescai began to make cordials and moved his business to another location in Fairy Street. His cordial business was sold to a company of local businessmen who employed a cordial maker. In the 1930sThomas Hill then purchased this business, followed by the Flett brothers’ purchase in the 1940s. Charles and Frederick Flett, the sons of William Flett, a Timor Street tinsmith, also operated their father’s plumbing business for some time. In the 1960s Frederick Flett, the surviving brother, sold the Warrnambool Cordials business to Thomas McKenzie.These bottles are of interest because they are examples of the soft drinks bottles sold by the Flett brothers in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. The Warrnambool Cordials business was a prominent one in Warrnambool for many years. These are two glass bottles with a round base and body and rounded neck with a moulded glass opening at the top. The stoppers are missing. The bottles have the contents maker’s details impressed into the body of the bottle.‘Fletts Warrnambool’ ‘Net Contents 6½ fl.oz.’ ‘Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd Warrnambool’ ‘This bottle is the property of the Warrnambool Cordials Pty. Ltd. Warrnambool’ ‘39 L103’ charles and frederick flett, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle came from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of Charles and Frederick Flett, with the business known as Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. This business had been established by Joseph Lescai in the 1920s. He had a fruit shop near the corner of Lava and Fairy Streets and then moved further north in Fairy Street. His cordial business flourished and was bought by a company of local businessmen before being sold to Thomas Hill in the 1930s. In the early 1940s Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd was purchased by Charles and Frederick Flett. Their father, William was originally a tinsmith in Timor Street and the two sons continued on his plumbing business until the 1950s as well as operating the cordial factory. In the 1960s Frederick sold the cordial business to Thomas McKenzie and it became McKenzie’s Cordials. This bottle is of interest as a memento of the Flett brothers cordial business in Warrnambool in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd was a prominent business in Warrnambool for 40 years.This is a clear glass bottle with a rounded base and a circular body tapering to a narrower neck with a moulded glass open top. The stopper or bottle top is missing. The details of the manufacture of the soft drink are impressed into the glass on the sides of the bottle.‘Fletts Warrnambool’ ‘Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd Warrnambool’ ‘This bottle is the property of the Warrnambool Cordials Pty. Ltd. Warrnamnbool’ charles and frederick flett, warrnambool, warrnambool cordials pty ltd, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle came from the aerated waters factory of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. This business was established by Joseph Lescai who had a fruit shop in Fairy Street, Warrnambool in the 1920s. He began to make soft drinks and eventually this became his core business. A group of local businessmen took over the business and in turn it was bought by a local garage proprietor, Thomas Hill, in the 1930s. By this time it was called Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. In the early 1940s the business was purchased by Charles and Frederick Flett and later sold to Thomas McKenzie in the 1960s. The business operated until the 1980s. It appears that the contents of this bottle were made during the Second World War in the time of either Thomas Hill or the Flett Brothers.This bottle is of interest as it comes from the aerated waters business of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. This company was in operation for over 50 years. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over 100 years. This is a glass lemonade bottle with a round base and a rounded body tapering to a narrower round neck with a moulded glass top at the opening. There is a stopper made of composite materials. The information on the maker of the lemonade is impressed into the glass on the side of the bottle.‘War Grade’ ‘Lemonade’ ‘Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd’ ‘Bottle not complete without stopper’ ‘This bottle is the property of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd Warrnambool’ warrnambool cordials pty ltd, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool

These are milk bottles from the Warrnambool firm of Antarctic Ice. In the 1930s a pasteurising plant was set up in Warrnambool in conjunction with an ice works in Kepler Street, Warrnambool, known as Antarctic Ice (Good and Stevenson). This firm secured a milk supply from several dairy farmers in the Warrnambool district. Antarctic Ice at the Kepler Street site was eventually bought by the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Company and Kraft Foods as equal partners and the milk was marketed as the Sungold brand. A farmer, Kaye Ryan, had set up a pasteurization plant in East Warrnambool (Raglan Parade/Verdon Street) to treat his own milk in opposition to Antarctic Ice and later Sungold. Kraft and Warrnambool Cheese and Butter purchased the Ryan business and the Sungold operations moved to the Ryan site. Kraft sold its share of Sungold and in 1989 the Sungold plant was moved to the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory at Allansford where it operates today. These bottles are of great interest, firstly as examples of the pint bottles in which we used to receive bottled milk in the mid 20th century and secondly as examples of the bottles used by an important local Warrnambool firm, Antarctic Ice. These are six clear glass one pint milk bottles. They have round bases and bodies tapering through to the neck with a round moulded glass top. These bottles were originally sealed with a circle of waxed cardboard pressed into a recess at the top but there are no seals with these bottles. .1 bottle has a slight chip on the base and on the top opening.‘This bottle contains milk bottled for sale by Antarctic Ice Products Pty Ltd Warrnambool’ ‘Bottle is the property of the above. It is loaned and cannot be legally used by others.’ ‘497’ milk supply in warrnambool district, history of warrnambool

This item is an attractive one and has belonged to someone who was a more affluent member of society. It is an item that would have been kept in a bedroom on a dresser or table. It is surmised that the ‘H.D’ stands for Hope Dickson, a member of a prominent Warrnambool family. She was the daughter of Mary Glass Cramond and James Dickson. Her grandfathers, John Cramond and James Dickson, established a clothing and drapery store in Warrnambool in the 1850s and it continued as a major business in Liebig Street, Warrnambool until 1973. As an elderly woman in the 1970s, Hope Dickson donated many household and personal items to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society and this perfume bottle may be one of them. This item is significant because it is a high-quality household item that dates back 100 years. If it belonged to Hope Dickson then this local provenance gives it added importance. This is a glass bottle with a covering silver holder. The bottle body is round with two straight pieces on either side. The neck is rounded and short and the opening has a cork stopper that extends down the neck. The silver folder, which is cylindrical, covers the entire base of the bottle and is open at both ends. The silver holder has impressed silver patterns (chains, bows and discs).The bottle slides into the folder which is slightly rusted inside.‘H.D.’women’s boudoir items, perfume bottle, history of warrnambool

This pot contained ointment made by Thomas Holloway. The ointment was invented and produced by the Englishman Thomas Holloway from 1837 on. This particular pot was produced about the 1920s. The ointment was popular for those suffering from variety of ailments including gout, rheumatism, ulcers and bruises. The sales of Thomas Holloway’s patent medicines made him a wealthy man and amongst his endowments is the Holloway College in Surrey, England, now part of London University. This ointment pot has no known local provenance but is kept as an interesting example of patent medicines of the past. It will be useful for display. This is a white china pot with a lid fitting into a grooved top. The lid has a black and white image of the trade mark of the ointment firm – said to be the figure of the Muse, Hygeia and her brother Telesphorus. The child is holding a banner with the address of the Holloway business and the prices of the ointment jars. There is some slight chipping around the rim of the upper part of the pot. ‘113 Southwark Street London’ ‘in Pots at 1/3, 3/-, 5/-, 12/-, 24/- & 36/- each’ ‘Holloway’s Ointment Trade Mark 3s 0d.’ holloway’s ointments, patent medicines

This letter holder could have been used in the past in an office or business or even in the home. It could have been used to hold letters that were to be answered or posted. Its size made it suitable for a small office. The item is of interest because of the testimonials on the label pasted on the base. One is from the British Prime Minister, William Gladstone and the other is from another British Prime Minister, the Marquis of Salisbury. Both testimonials indicate that they were written when the men were in office as Prime Ministers. This item has no known local significance but it is retained as an interesting example of office equipment in the past. This letter holder has a rectangular piece of wood acting as a base with a small hole at one end. The bottom of the base has a paper label pasted on. The label, a little torn, has black and yellow printing with details of the manufacturer. Affixed to the top of the base with metal clips is an arched piece of metal in a spiral shape. The spaces between the rings on the spiral metal piece are sufficiently taut to hold over 30 letters. The spiral rings are a little rusty.‘Iles’ Patent Premier Letter Rack’ office equipment, history of warrnambool

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

Plane tools for shaving wood date back to Roman times and are still in use today. This item is a vintage tool and could have been used in households or in businesses.This item has no known local provenance but is retained because of its age and interest as a hand tool from the past.This is a metal plane tool with an adjustable blade at the base and two screws for adjustment. The metal is much rusted.No. 113household tools, history of warrnambool, vintage tools

This corkscrew has obviously been used as a promotional handout for clients of James McGee and Co. Information on this firm has been difficult to find but there was a well-known commercial traveller, James McGee, resident in the Warrnambool district at the end of the 19th century and it is known that his sons headed a company, James McGee and Co. that bought Sheldrick’s New Brewery in Timor Street, Warrnambool, in 1894. This brewery had been founded in 1868. In 1922 the McGee company sold the goodwill of the Warrnambool brewery to the Ballarat, Melbourne Co-Operative and Carlton and United Breweries and the local brewery closed. No information has been found on Ballangarrock Whisky.This corkscrew is an important souvenir of the last few years of operations at the Warrnambool New Brewery in Timor Street. This business had operated in Warrnambool for over 50 years.This is a metal corkscrew with a wooden handle. There is black printing on the handle. This printing is faded in parts. The metal screw is rusty.‘Jas. W. McGee & Co. Importers Warrnambool’ ‘Drink Ballangarrock Whisky’ james mcgee & co., history of warrnambool

George Houghton established his camera business in London in the 19th Century and sold cameras all over the world.This camera would have been used by a professional photographer in the early 20th Century. It was British made and used extensively in Australia. This camera has no known local provenance but is retained as an interesting example of early photography in 20th Century Australia.This is a folding camera for professional use. It has a concertina mechanism that folds back into a leather case. The lens board can be tilted and the lenses can be changed. The case has a leather handle. The name of the maker is inserted into the case. The case is somewhat rubbed. ENSIGN Made by Houghtons Ltd. London British Made ENSIGNhoughton camera, early 20th century cameras, warrnambool

This button has come from an item of clothing made by George Wardrop, a well-known Victorian tailor who was apprenticed to a Mr J. Jones in Smith Street Collingwood in the late 19th century. George Wardrop was a partner in the Jones firm for seven years before opening his own tailoring business in Collingwood and later in Northcote. The business expanded, with a major store in Melbourne established in the 1930s, (Wardrops, My Tailor) and other stores opening in suburban and regional areas in Victoria. The business lasted until the early 1970s. This button is of interest as it was found in a Warrnambool garden and perhaps came from an item of clothing owned by a local resident and purchased from a Wardrop tailoring shop early in the 20th century.This is a round buff-coloured button with an eyelet and printing around the button edge. The item is slightly bent and discoloured.‘G. Wardrop Collingwood’wardrop, tailor