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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Spoon, William Page & Co, Circa 1853-1878
This spoon, made by William Page & Co., is electroplated nickel-silver and was recovered during the late 1960s to early 1970s from an unnamed shipwreck along the coast of Victoria. The shipwrecks in the area range from around the 1840s to the early 1930s. The spoon is part of the John Chance Collection. This spoon is likely to have been recovered be from the wreck of the Loch Ard (1873-1878) as other cutlery in the Flagstaff Hill’s Shipwreck Collection made by William Page was also recovered from the Loch Ard. The ship’s Manifest included a large quantity of cutlery. Also, other objects in the John Chance Collection were also recovered from wreck of the Loch Ard. In the mid-1800s electroplated cutlery became a popular substitute for the traditional but more costly sterling silver pieces. The ‘new’ cutlery was made from a more common base metal, such as nickel or a nickel alloy, then electroplated (coated) with a very thin layer of silver. The eating utensils looked like the expensive, pure silver version but eventually, through use and wear, the base metal would show. Some producers warranted their electroplated silver to be ‘white throughout’. WILLIAM PAGE & CO., BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Although the electroplated cutlery of William Page & Co. was made in Birmingham, it does not include the embossed Birmingham Assay’s mark of an ‘anchor’ because the metal used for the spoons is not silver. William Page used various Maker’s Marks on his cutlery. The pattern of five embossed marks on this spoon is a typical example, with the embossed sunken crown containing ‘W P’ being the first in the column of symbols. - ‘W P’, within raised diamond outline, within sunken crown - ‘Cross above Triangle’ symbol within sunken oval - ‘Maltese Cross’ symbol within sunken, six-sided shape - ‘crab-like’ symbol within sunken oval - ‘R D’ within sunken diamond William Page established his business in 1834, according to the text around a printed Trademark. The firm William Page & Co. began electroplating in 1855, and from 1880 it operated from Cranemore Street, Cattle’s Grove and also at 55 Albion St, Birmingham. The firm registered a new Trademark [‘W P’ within a diamond boarder within a sunken diamond] in 1897; previously the Mark were the initials WP within a crown, but the British legislation prohibited the use of a ‘crown’ mark on electroplated ware in 1895. In 1936 the firm became William Page & Co. Ltd and became a supplier of spoons to the British Government in 1938, marking its products with the ‘broad arrow’ symbol. The firm also traded with the brand names Armour, Asrista, Bolivian Silver, Roman Silver, Roumanian Silver, Silverite and Trevor Plate. Although this spoon is not linked to a particular shipwreck, it is very likely to have come from the wreck of the Loch Ard; the ship’s Manifest includes a large quantity of cutlery. Regardless, it is recognised as being historically significant as an example of cutlery carried onboard a ship as either personal belongings or cargo and brought into Colonial Victoria in the 19th to early 20th century; through this we have added opportunity to interpret Victoria’s social and historical themes of those times. The spoon also has significance for its connection with many similar William Page pieces of cutlery in our collection that were recovered from the wreck of the sailing ship Loch Ard (1873-1878). William Page & Co. of Birmingham is one of the renowned 19th century manufacturers and electroplaters and was supplier of spoons to the British Government in 1938. The spoon has added significance, as it was recovered by John Chance, a diver of wrecks, including the Loch Ard, in Victoria’s coastal waters in the late 1960s to early 1970s. Items that come from several wrecks have since been donated to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village’s museum collection by his family, illustrating this item’s level of historical value.Spoon; teaspoon, electroplate nickel-silver, silver discoloured to brown. Fiddle design. Five embossed Hallmarks. Five embossed Maker’s Marks on back of handle, arranged in a column from tip towards bowl. Made by William Page and Co., Birmingham. The spoon no longer has its silver plating. Bowl has a cut in the side, and is nicked and dented. Embossed Maker Marks - ‘W P’, within raised diamond outline, within sunken crown - ‘Cross above Triangle’ symbol within sunken oval - ‘Maltese Cross’ symbol within sunken, six-sided shape - ‘crab-like’ symbol within sunken oval - ‘R D’ within sunken diamondflagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck artefact, john chance, loch ard, cutlery, flatware, silverware, tableware, eating utensils, dining, spoon, electroplated cutlery, william page & co, william page & co. ltd., birmingham plate, silversmith, antique, vintage, fiddle design, fiddle pattern, teaspoon -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Engine
Engine-Tangye's Patent size B engine 4 inch cyldiametre 8 inch stroke. 'Birmingham' painted green.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Plane
Moulding plane - hollow. Maker Atkin and Sons Sheffield Works, Birmingham. Owner W Worrall Size 14 stampedflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, moulding plane, atkin and sons sheffield works, w worrall -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Plane, Atkin & son
Plane, Moulding, Side Bead, single box. stamped JB, A & S BENEFACTUM, made by Atkin & son Sheffield Birmingham.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, plane, moulding, atkin & son -
Queen's College
Letter, January 16 1784
Letter 1784 January 16, London to Mr Richd Rodda at the Preachinghouse in Birmingham, from John Wesley. Holograph, signed. john wesley, richd rodda -
Bendigo Military Museum
Accessory - BUTTONS & COIN, 1910 onwards
Items in the collection re Patrick Joseph Morgan, pre WW1 service, No 3415 AIF, KIA. Refer Cat No 1848P for his service history..1) Metal uniform button base with possible shrapnel damage. Loop on rear still has string attached. .2) Metal uniform button base with possible shrapnel damage. Plain brass loop on rear in centre. .3) British penny with dent, possibly from a bullet or shrapnel. Most markings are destroyed..1) “Made in Birmingham" .2) “Made in London"uniforms-army, numismatics-coins -
Cheese World Museum
Milk weighing machine, Perfect Cheese company weighing machine
Perfect Cheese Company was founded in 1930 by newly-arrived Italian migrant Natale Paquale Italiano. The company specialised in traditional Italian-style cheese but also produced Greek, Cypriot and Maltese origin cheeses. The cheeses were sold in Australia and Italy with all products being matured and non-processed. The company remained in operation until the early 2000s.This weighing machine is significant as it represents the machinery used by an early cheese production company.Large metal machine with cast iron with a cast iron frame and a stainless steel rectangular bowl in a cradle. The round weighing scale at the top shows a weight scale up to 1100 pounds. A mesh stainless steel baffle strains the milk.Made in England Birmingham - AVERY SOLE AGENTSallansford, perfect cheese company, avery, cheese manufacturing, dairy industry -
Coal Creek Community Park & Museum
45 inch Tailors Ruler, J.Rabone & Sons
45 inch wooden tailors ruler with brass endsJ.Rabone & Sons Birmingham Made in England No 1516 -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Equipment - AVERY SCALES & WEIGHTS
Cast iron scales with porcelain plate and set of weights. Black enamel with red and gold banding, white porcelain plate with W & T Avery Ltd insignia underneath. Six weights, 2lb, 1lb, 8oz, 4oz, 2oz, 1oz.W & T Avery Birmingham to weigh 7lbsweighing, weights & measures, scales, k33.1.2.3.4.5.6.8 -
Anglesea and District Historical Society
Bottle
Small glass bottle with enamel lid. Silver lid with 2 pink/purple flowers and 2 flower buds on stem with green leaves on turquoise background - enamel top.Silver hallmarks: Anchor - Birmingham. Lion - British.enamel, bottle - glass -
Tennis Australia
Brooch, 1886
Birmingham silver brooch in shape of a horseshoe with tennis racquet and ball held by a hand. Inscribed: BEST WISHES. Materials: Silver/Metaltennis -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Domestic object - Manicure set, Levi & Salamon, 1898
Part of Graham Collection, donated by the Family of Misses Mary and Edith Maude Graham, of 4 Blair Street, Portland. Displayed in History House.Nail file, Cuticle knife, Cuticle press, button hook. (3724.1- 3724.4) Silver decorative handles.Front: Hallmarks: Lion passant. Anchor - Birmingham. - "Y" - 1898. L & S - Levi & Salamon, Birmingham (only readable on button hook).graham collection, personal care, manicure -
Bendigo Military Museum
Booklet - BROCHURES, 1) City of London .2) ASPRO Ltd .3) City of Birmingham
Items were collected by Arthur COWLEY No 50704, RAAF. Refer Cat No 354.5 for his service details..1) Travel Brochures about London for British & Allied Visitors, black & white print. .2) Cartoon booklet of Aussies in London B&W ( sponsored by ASPRO. Put out by the RAAF for RAAF Welfare Fund. Cost 2/6. .3) Travel Guide to Birmingham 1944. Forward by Mayor of Birmingham. Colour Produced for the Armed Services.documents - pamphlets, travel -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Lamp
Lamp carbide motor vehicle lamp, made of nickel plated brass, incomplete. Glass is loose inside. Maker Powell & Hanmerl, Birmingham.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Pen and Nib
Silver Pen - Criterion No.3505. Made in England. Nib marked Criterion,Setten & Durward Ltd, Birmingham, Made in England. Length 3¾"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, pen, criterion, setten & durward ltd -
Tennis Australia
Brooch, Circa 1889
Brooch in shape of a racquet and ball. Stamped 'p' (1889) and anchor mark (Birmingham) and 'AP' (Arthur Price?) on reverse. Materials: Silver/Metaltennis -
Tennis Australia
Spoon, 1930
Turner & Simpson, Birmingham silver spoon with tennis player represented at end of handle. Engraved on reverse: CAP/1930. Materials: Silver/Metaltennis -
Tennis Australia
Brooch, Circa 1890
Brooch in shape of a racquet and ball. Stamped 'q' (1890) and anchor mark (Birmingham) and makers mark '...&M' on reverse. Materials: Silver/Metaltennis -
Coal Creek Community Park & Museum
Ink well & Pen holder with wax seals and pen nibs
8716.1 - Glass ink well and pen holder. 8716.2 - Pen nib. 8716.3 - Pen nib. 8716.4 - Pen nib. 8716.5 - Pen nib. 8716.6 - Pen nib. 8716.7 - Seal wax chip. 8716.8 - Seal wax. 8716.9 - Seal wax. 8716.10 - Seal wax. 8716.11 - Seal wax. 8716.12 - Seal wax. 8716.13 - Seal wax.8715.2 - MACNIVEN & CAMERON - WAVERLEY - BIRMNGHAM 8716.3 - R - MACNIVEN & CAMERON - WAVERLEY - BIRMINGHAM 8716.4 - BASTFORD'S - AUSTRALIAN No9 - AUSTRALIA 8716.5 - CBRANDAUER & COMPANY - BIRMINGHAM - ENGLAND - MIDLAND 8716.6 - CBRANDAUER & COMPANY - BIRMINGHAM - ENGLAND - MIDLAND -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Scale and weights, 1860-1900
The subject item was made in England by W&T Avery a British manufacturer of weights and weighing machines. The company was founded in the early 18th century and took the name W & T Avery in 1818. The undocumented origin of the company goes back to 1730 when James Ford established the business in the town of Digbeth. On Joseph Balden, the then company’s owner’s death in 1813 William and Thomas Avery took over his scale making business and in 1818 renamed it W & T Avery. The business rapidly expanded and in 1885 they owned three factories: the Atlas Works in West Bromwich, the Mill Lane Works in Birmingham and the Moat Lane Works in Digbeth. In 1891 the business became a limited company with a board of directors and in 1894 the shares were quoted on the London Stock Exchange. In 1895 the company bought the legendary Soho Foundry in Smethwick, a former steam engine factory owned by James Watt & Co. In 1897 the move was complete and the steam engine business was gradually converted to pure manufacture of weighing machines. The turn of the century was marked by managing director William Hipkins who was determined to broaden the renown of the Avery brand and transform the business into specialist manufacture of weighing machines. By 1914 the company occupied an area of 32,000m² and had some 3000 employees. In the inter-war period, the growth continued with the addition of specialized shops for cast parts, enamel paints and weighbridge assembly and the product range diversified into counting machines, testing machines, automatic packing machines and petrol pumps. During the second world war, the company also produced various types of heavy guns. At that time the site underwent severe damage from parachute mines and incendiary bombs. Then from 1931 to 1973, the company occupied the 18th-century Middlesex Sessions House in Clerkenwell as its headquarters. Changes in weighing machine technology after World War II led to the closure of the foundry, the introduction of electronic weighing with the simultaneous gradual disappearance of purely mechanical devices. The continued expansion was partly achieved through a series of acquisitions of other companies. After almost a century of national and international expansion, the company was taken over by GEC in 1979. Keith Hodgkinson, managing director at the time, completed the turn-around from mechanical to electronic weighing with a complete overhaul of the product range of retail sales of industrial platform scales. In 1993 GEC took over the Dutch-based company Berkel and the Avery-Berkel name was introduced. In 2000 the business was in turn acquired by the US-American company Weigh-Tronix, who already owned Salter, and is today operating as Avery Weigh-Tronix.An item used by grocers and merchants throughout the then British colonies of England to weigh store-bought goods around the mid to late 19th century. This item gives an insight into the daily lives of early colonial settlers and is a significant part of the era’s social history of the time.Balance scale and weights with removable dish, two round weights glued to tray 4oz and 8oz. Scales 'to weigh up to 28lb. Printed in gold on black labels each side "W & T AVERY LTD", "BIRMINGHAM" warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, scale and weights, food preparation equipment, w t avery ltd, balance scale, grocers scales, james ford, william & thomas avery, birmingham uk -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - PORTRAIT OF A LADY
Small head and shoulder portrait of a lady. The portrait is very pale. She is wearing a dark dress with a wide lacy collar and a brooch at the neckline. She is wearing a lacy type of hat. Photo mounted on cream card with rounded corners and black printing on the front and back. The back has a Coat of Arms and printing: - By Special Appointment. Photographer to His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and patronized by H. R. H. The Prince of Wales and H. R. H. the Duke of Cambridge. Date printed on the back is 1887.J. T. Haden, 255 Broad Street, Birminghamphotograph, portrait, female, portrait of a lady, j t haden -
Cobram Historical Society Inc
Spirit Level
Wooden and brass spirit levelJ.Rabone & Sons Birmingham , made in England ,warranted correct -
Ballarat Diocesan Historical Commission
painting, Baptism of Jesus watercolour
One of three preparatory watercolour paintings of windows for St Patrick's Cathedral Ballarat c. 1908. Hardman and Powell Birmingham stamp to lower right of paper.cathedral, ballarat, birmingham, hardman. st patrick's. -
Mont De Lancey
Spirit Level, J. Rabone & Sons
Brass and wood Spirit Level.J. Rabone & Sons Makers Birmingham. Warranted Correct. -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Pen Nibs, 1920's
The two cards of nibs are retail display cards of the dip pen nibs that William Mitchell Calligraphy produced, dating back to around the 1920’s, which was the time of the Great Exhibition in the UK. At that time dip pens with steel nibs were the main writing instruments. British Pens Ltd. had recently formed as a company and its subsidiaries included the the company William Mitchell, which is why British Pens Ltd. is named on the cards as well. One card (1) has the Round Hand nib, which is widely used today for calligraphy scripts. The other card (2) has the Script nib that has round upturned points for monocline or unshaded lettering that is also used for calligraphy. The nibs also have a detachable reservoir. The pen nibs are shaped to fit into a slot in the base of a wooden or Bakelite pen holder. The hole at the front of the nib is for collecting ink from a well, which is then stored in a reservoir at the back of the nib. The nibsare stamped with their nib size and Pedigree (what type of nib it is) and maker’s details. William Mitchell Calligraphy still makes these nibs today with a slightly difference finish. (ref: Sales and Marketing Director of William Mitchell Calligraphy in 2016). HISTORY of the Ink Pen Quills and ink were common writing tools until the early 19th century when the pen trade began mass producing steel nibs and pens. The steel nibs each have a hole in the middle that acts like a well for the ink. When the nib is dipped into the ink well the writer needs to ensure that it is dipped to only just past that well. India Ink was one of the most popular inks used with the nib pens, notable for its satin-like smooth flow. This ink is composed of a particularly fine carbon mixed with water; it can also be obtained as a dry stick that is then crushed and mixed with water as required. The Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham had the largest concentration of independent jewellers in Europe. Birmingham became the centre of the world’s pen trade for many years -, during the 1800’s over 100 factories, employing 1000s of skilled workers, manufactured the ‘Birmingham Pen’. ABOUT WILLIAM MITCHELL CALLIGRAPHY LTD.* (*The following text is quoted from the William Mitchell Calligraphy website) British based William Mitchell Calligraphy has been designing and manufacturing exceptional pens for almost 200 years. The William Mitchell heritage in making pen nibs began whilst working with his brother John Mitchell in the early 1820s. William Mitchell established his own business in 1825 to become one of the leading nib manufacturers and famous for lettering pens. Almost 100 years later William Mitchell merged with Hinks, Wells & Co, another pen manufacturer, to form British Pens, employing around 1000 people in the Bearwood Road area of Birmingham. During the early 1960s British Pens acquired the pen business of other pen manufacturers Perry & Co and John Mitchell, once again reuniting the two brothers. Joseph Gillott, who were famous for their artist drawing and mapping nibs, amalgamated with British pens in 1969. William Mitchell and Joseph Gillott established in Birmingham during the early part of the nineteenth century and [their products] are still proudly made here. British Pens were subsequently purchased by its current owner Byron Head, the owner of William Mitchell (Sinkers) in 1982, and was subsequently renamed William Mitchell (calligraphy) Ltd. Established in 1827 Joseph Gillott was one of the pioneers of mass steel pen nib manufacturing. The company was particularly strong in the American market, prompting Elihu Burrit, the American consul, to write “In ten thousand school houses across the American continent between two oceans, a million children are as familiarly acquainted with Joseph Gillott as with Noah Webster” (The compiler of the famous American dictionary). The company consequently received visits from many notable Americans, including president Ulysses S Grant. The early 19th century invention and mass production of pen nibs such these in our collection had a large impact on education and literacy because the nibs could be produced in great numbers and affordable prices.Pen nibs; 2 cards of steel dip pen nibs from the 1920’s. The steel nibs are attached to cards by 2 rows of entwined cotton cord. Reverse sides of cards have some hand written marks. Manufacturer; William Mitchell, Birmingham, England. Card issued by British Pens Ltd. Nibs have shaped ends, a hole in the centre with a well on the underside, and the tops are shaped approximately quarter circle. Inscriptions are pressed into each nib. The script pens have detachable reservoirs made of a metal different to the nib. (Card 1) Round Hand Pens, 11 nibs remain from card of 12. Printed on card “Round Hand Pens for Beautiful Writing, Twelve degrees of point, Square points. William Mitchell, Birmingham, England. This card is issued by British Pens Ltd. MADE IN ENGLAND” Also printed on top left of card is a pen drawing of a person writing at a desk, background of decorative 3-paned window in brick wall. (Card 2) Script Pens; 11 nibs remain from card of 12. “Script pens fitted with detachable reservoir. William Mitchell, Birmingham, England. This card is issued by British Pens Ltd. MADE IN ENGLAND” Also printed on top right of card is a pen drawing of a person writing at a desk, background of decorative 3-paned window in brick wall. On Card 1, - each nib is stamped with its size, and “Wm MITCHELLS / PEDIGREE / ROUND HAND / ENGLAND” - hand written on front bottom of card in ball point pen “Lettering 5 times size of nib” - hand drawn on back of card in red and blue ball point pen are scribbled lines On Card 2 - each nib is stamped with its size, and “WILLIAM / MITCHELLS / SCRIPT PEN / ENGLAND” - a black circle corresponding to the nib is printed on the card above each nib. - hand written on back of card in black felt tip pen are numerals - hand drawn on back, 4 parallel lines in red ball point pen with the numbers “10” between 2 of the lines flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, william mitchell calligraphy ltd, british pens ltd., pen nib, writing implement, dip pen, round hand nib, script nib, birmingham manufacturer, communication in writing, mass produced pen nibs -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Functional object - Retractable wired measuring tape, John Rabone & Sons, 1939
Rabone & Sons had its origins in Birmingham, as rule and tool makers. The business was continued by John Rabone and his (John's) grandson, Eric Rabone. It worked under the name of John Rabone & Sons c1784-1953, becoming a public company in 1948. Control of the business remained with the Rabone family until 1962. In 1963 the company merged with a toolmaker from Sheffield to become Rabone Chesterman. The name E. M. Lock has been carved into the leather on one side. Edith May Lock was the mother of Arthur Lock who served in the 2/23 RD Australian Infantry Battalion, known as "Albury's Own".This item is part of a collection of items owned by Arthur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region.A retractable wire measuring tape with leather casing and brass centre and winding handle. The tape is 66 feet in length. The manufacture's name, John Rabone & Sons, is inscribed around the centre circle as well as the Number 401 and 66FTAround centre circle "JOHN RABONE & SONS/BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND". In the centre "NO401 66FT" On opposite side around centre circle "RABONE'S METALLIC WIRED TAPE". Engraved into the surface "E.M.Lock"world war 11, john rabone and sons, wired measuring tape -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Lamp
Lamp vehicle electric with lens, reflector and supporting rod. Rubber seal partly broken seals in glass. Metal plate on top of light. "Gisborne's Birmingham" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Ship Log
Log, taffrail rotor with eyelet attached to rope "T.W. CHERUB 360" Made by " T. Walker and Sons, Birmingham, England". Slight verdigris and patina on surface.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, log, taffrail rotor, t. walker and sons, t.w. cherub 360 -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Vehicle - BICYCLE LIGHT
Francis Powell (1861-) and Francis Hanmer (1858-1925) founded Powell and Hanmer Ltd in the Summer of 1885 for the manufacturer of bike and carriage lamps. Their first advertisements began to appear in November of 1885. Early models of the automobile, motorbike and bicycles used carbide lamps as headlamps. Acetylene gas, derived from carbide, enabled early automobiles to drive safely at night. Thick concave mirrors combined with magnifying lenses projected the acetylene flame light. These type of lights were used until reliable batteries and dynamos became available, and manufacturers switched to electric lights.Acetylene bicycle light carbide. Green and red side lens. 200 cm High. Inscription Powell & Hanmer Birmingham. Previous Catalogue Number 112.lighting, accessories, bicycle light -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Spoon, William Page & Co, Circa 1853-1878
This spoon, made by William Page & Co., is electroplated nickel-silver and was recovered during the late 1960s to early 1970s from an unnamed shipwreck along the coast of Victoria. The shipwrecks in the area range from around the 1840s to the early 1930s. The spoon is part of the John Chance Collection. This spoon is likely to have been recovered be from the wreck of the Loch Ard (1873-1878) as other cutlery in the Flagstaff Hill’s Shipwreck Collection made by William Page was also recovered from the Loch Ard. The ship’s Manifest included a large quantity of cutlery. Also, other objects in the John Chance Collection were also recovered from wreck of the Loch Ard. In the mid-1800s electroplated cutlery became a popular substitute for the traditional but more costly sterling silver pieces. The ‘new’ cutlery was made from a more common base metal, such as nickel or a nickel alloy, then electroplated (coated) with a very thin layer of silver. The eating utensils looked like the expensive, pure silver version but eventually, through use and wear, the base metal would show. Some producers warranted their electroplated silver to be ‘white throughout’. WILLIAM PAGE & CO., BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Although the electroplated cutlery of William Page & Co. was made in Birmingham, it does not include the embossed Birmingham Assay’s mark of an ‘anchor’ because the metal used for the spoons is not silver. William Page used various Maker’s Marks on his cutlery. The pattern of five embossed marks on this spoon is a typical example, with the embossed sunken crown containing ‘W P’ being the first in the column of symbols. - ‘W P’, within raised diamond outline, within sunken crown - ‘Cross above Triangle’ symbol within sunken oval - ‘Maltese Cross’ symbol within sunken, six-sided shape - ‘crab-like’ symbol within sunken oval - ‘R D’ within sunken diamond William Page established his business in 1834, according to the text around a printed Trademark. The firm William Page & Co. began electroplating in 1855, and from 1880 it operated from Cranemore Street, Cattle’s Grove and also at 55 Albion St, Birmingham. The firm registered a new Trademark [‘W P’ within a diamond boarder within a sunken diamond] in 1897; previously the Mark were the initials WP within a crown, but the British legislation prohibited the use of a ‘crown’ mark on electroplated ware in 1895. In 1936 the firm became William Page & Co. Ltd and became a supplier of spoons to the British Government in 1938, marking its products with the ‘broad arrow’ symbol. The firm also traded with the brand names Armour, Asrista, Bolivian Silver, Roman Silver, Roumanian Silver, Silverite and Trevor Plate. Although this spoon is not linked to a particular shipwreck, it is very likely to have come from the wreck of the Loch Ard; the ship’s Manifest includes a large quantity of cutlery. Regardless, it is recognised as being historically significant as an example of cutlery carried onboard a ship as either personal belongings or cargo and brought into Colonial Victoria in the 19th to early 20th century; through this we have added opportunity to interpret Victoria’s social and historical themes of those times. The spoon also has significance for its connection with many similar William Page pieces of cutlery in our collection that were recovered from the wreck of the sailing ship Loch Ard (1873-1878). William Page & Co. of Birmingham is one of the renowned 19th century manufacturers and electroplaters and was supplier of spoons to the British Government in 1938. The spoon has added significance, as it was recovered by John Chance, a diver of wrecks, including the Loch Ard, in Victoria’s coastal waters in the late 1960s to early 1970s. Items that come from several wrecks have since been donated to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village’s museum collection by his family, illustrating this item’s level of historical value.Spoon; teaspoon, electroplate nickel-silver, discoloured to green and red-brown in places. Fiddle design. Bowl has indents and holes. Five embossed Maker’s Marks on back of handle, arranged in a column from tip towards bowl. Made by William Page and Co., Birmingham. The spoon no longer has its silver plating. The surface has encrustations. Bowl has nicks, indents and holes. Stem is very bent at the shoulder. Discoloured to green and red-brown in places. Embossed Maker Marks - ‘W P’, within raised diamond outline, within sunken crown - ‘Cross above Triangle’ symbol within sunken oval - ‘Maltese Cross’ symbol within sunken, six-sided shape - ‘crab-like’ symbol within sunken oval - ‘R D’ within sunken diamondflagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck artefact, john chance, loch ard, cutlery, flatware, silverware, tableware, eating utensils, dining, spoon, electroplated cutlery, william page & co, william page & co. ltd., birmingham plate, silversmith, antique, vintage, fiddle design, fiddle pattern, teaspoon