Framed artists proof of a limited edition print series, of an original oil painting entitled 'Tennis in the Park', by Raymond Sipos, in 1976. The artwork features a number of male and female spectators, in 19th century dress, watching a game of mixed doubles being played on a grass court, in an open park. The print has been personally numbered and signed by the artist, along the lower border. The print is mounted onto black paper, backed by corrugated cardboard, and air-tight sealed with clear plastic film. Framed under Truguard UV glass. Materials: Paper, Ink, Graphite, Paper, Cardboard, Glass, Metaltennis

THis typewriter is a Remington typewriter, model Standard 12 manufactured in 1925. The Remington company of New York, U.S.A., in the 19th century manufactured firearms and later typewriters. In 1873 the company produced the first commercial typewriter and introduced the QWERTY keyboard system. This typewriter has no known local significance and is retained for display purposes.This is a metal typewriter with silver markings and silver rims on the keys. It has a red and black printing tape Remingtoncommercial typewriters, qwerty keyboard system, vintage business machines

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

The clothing store of W.A. Burnett was a prominent one, with known dates from 1897 through to 1930. It was in Fairy Street near the corner of Fairy and Lava Streets. The store features in several late 19th century and early 20th century photographs.This label is of considerable importance as the store of W.A. Burnett was a prominent one in in Warrnambool .1 Rectangular white label with partial dark blue background, white text and space for writing. .2 Identical to .1 with a small smudge mark. .3 Identical to .1 but on adhesive paper and damaged. .1,.2,.3 From W.A. Burnett FAIRY STREET. TAILORING MERCERY AND CLOTHING WARRNAMBOOLw.a. burnett, draper, clothing store

P. S. Rodney , owned by Permewan Wright, was used to transport non Union strikebreaking shearers to the Darling River sheep stations , during the later 19th century. Union shearers burnt it to the waterline. This shows the remains of the P. S. Rodney.This photograph is very significant as it was one of the events of the Australian shearers' strike of 1891-1894. When unionised shearers burnt the P. S. Rodney for carrying non-Union shearers to the Darling river sheep stations.Black and white photograph of the remains of P. S. Rodney, showing iron "skeleton" by the Darling River bank near Pooncarie. A youth stands near it, and a fallen tree is at the left, close up.On the reverse in pen, "Remains of RODNEY." Kodak paper. Stamped J176shearers strike, p. s. rodney - remains, pooncarie, n. s. w

P. S. Rodney , owned by Permewan Wright, was used to transport non Union strikebreaking shearers to the Darling River sheep stations , during the later 19th century. Union shearers burnt it to the waterline. This shows the remains of the P. S. Rodney.This photograph is very significant as it was one of the events of the Australian shearers' strike of 1891-1894. When unionised shearers burnt the P. S. Rodney for carrying non-Union shearers to the Darling river sheep stations.Black and white photograph from the water, of the remains of the P. S. Rodney , showing,(not very clearly) the iron "skeleton" on the bank amidst a mess of branches. A piece of bark pierces the water at right and the bank of the river fills the left of the view. On reverse "The remains of the Paddle-Steamer "RODNEY" burnt on the "Darling" River. Printed Kodak paper, stamped B012 p. s. rodney - remains, shearers' strike, pooncarie, n. s. w

The road winding up Stoney Creek Gorge with Elephant Hide, the rocky slope in the picture, on the left. Sections of the earlier 19th century bridal track, which was later widened to become a jinker track, can be seen above the new road.Postcard shows Mt Victory Rd unsealed Elephant's hide on leftPostcard Correspondence Address only Kodak Mt Vic Roadaccess routes, mt victory rd, roads

An octant is an astronomical instrument used in measuring the angles of heavenly bodies such as the sun, moon and stars at sea in relation to the horizon. This measurement could then be used to calculate the altitude of the body measured, and then the latitude at sea could also be calculated. The angle of the arms of an octant is 45 degrees, or 1/8 of a circle, which gives the instrument its name. Two men independently developed the octant around 1730: John Hadley (1682–1744), an English mathematician, and Thomas Godfrey (1704–1749), a glazier in Philadelphia. While both have a legitimate and equal claim to the invention, Hadley generally gets the greater share of the credit. This reflects the central role that London and the Royal Society played in the history of scientific instruments in the eighteenth and nineteenth century's. There were also two others who are attributed to having created octanes during this period, Caleb Smith, an English insurance broker with a strong interest in astronomy (in 1734), and Jean-Paul Fouchy, a mathematics professor and astronomer in France (in 1732) In 1767 the first edition of the Nautical Almanac tabulated lunar distances, enabling navigators to find the current time from the angle between the sun and the moon. This angle is sometimes larger than 90°, and thus not possible to measure with an octant. For that reason, Admiral John Campbell, who conducted shipboard experiments with the lunar distance method, suggested a larger instrument and the sextant was developed. From that time onward, the sextant was the instrument that experienced significant development and improvements and was the instrument of choice for naval navigators. The octant continued to be produced well into the 19th century, though it was generally a less accurate and less expensive instrument. The lower price of the octant, including versions without a telescope, made it a practical instrument for ships in the merchant and fishing fleets. One common practice among navigators up to the late nineteenth century was to use both a sextant and an octant. The sextant was used with great care and only for lunar sightings while the octant was used for routine meridional altitude measurements of the sun every day. This protected the very accurate and pricier sextant while using the more affordable octant for general use where it performs well. The invention of the octant was a significant step in providing accuracy of a sailors latitude position at sea and his vessels distance from land when taking sightings of land-based landmarks.Octant with metal handle, three different colored shades are attached, in wooden wedge-shaped box lined with green felt. Key is attached. Two telescope eyepieces are in box. Some parts are missing. Oval ink stamp inside lid of box, scale is graduated to 45 degrees. Ink stamp inside lid of box "SHIPLOVERS SOCIETY OF VICTORIA. LIBRARY"instrument, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, octant, navigation, nautical instrument, navigation instrument, john hadley, sextant, astronomical instrument

Domestic Meat Mincer, Popular in the 19th - 20th CenturyFunnel type feed to a horizontal screw feed mechanism operated by a Hand crank.MFG.Co. Phil'a USA. Patented 5/6/1888

Used on a farm in the late 19th or early 20th century.A pair of brass horse hames with a missing chain link at the top. Each has a hook attached with a metal ring at the end. It has four rings. It would have been attached to a horse collar and used to to distribute the load around a horse's neck and shoulders when pulling a wagon or plough. The collar often supports and pads a pair of curved metal or wooden pieces, called hames, to which the traces, which attach to the wagon or plough, of the harness are attached. The collar allows the horse to use its full strength when pulling. It was used in the late 19th or early 20th century.horses, horse accessories, harness, animal accessories, farm equipment, hames

On loan from John Mundy family. Searching for gold in the Orbost district began in the last half of the 19th century and continued until circa 1930s. The original Mundy family moved to a land "selection" at Betebolong in the early 1880's from Buchan. This item is reflective of the late 19th -early 20th century gold mining era in East Gippsland.A small square bottle with a push-in cork stopper. This bottle contains specks of gold or gold dust. mining-gold

These visiting cards have been commercially produced for those who have suffered a bereavement and wish to leave a visiting card when calling on friends, business acquaintances etc. They would have been used in the 19th century and up to about the 1930s. These cards have no known provenance but are of interest because they are a good example of bereavement customs a hundred years ago and earlier. These are two packs of visiting cards, white with black borders. They are made of lightweight card and enclosed in an open cardboard envelope and these are further contained in another cardboard envelope. Originally the envelopes contained 50 cards each but there are now 49 in one box and 41 in the other. The boxes are white with black and white printing and ornamental decorations. On front and back of box – ’50 Extra Superfine Queens Thin Ivory Black Bordered Visiting Cards’ bereavement customs, visiting cards

This item has np known provenance but is a beautiful example of a woman's evening cape dating from the second half of the 19th century. The original owner would have been a lady of considerable means who attended social functions requiring an item such as this.This item is retained as a fine example of 19th century woman's clothing.This is woman's cape made of black lace and patterned satin with satin rouches and black beaded rosettes around the shoulders and the front. The beading has long tassels. The cape is knee length. It has grey lining around the inside of the shoulders. At the front there are two hooks and eyes to allow the cape to be fastened.at the neck.woman's vintage clothing, lady's vintage cape

This hat pin stand would have been a common object in a woman’s bedroom in the past, especially about the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century when women wore large hats and they needed large pins to hold them in place. This hat pin holder has no known local provenance but it is kept as a memento of the past and will be useful for display.This is a silver-coloured metal stand with a round base with impressed patterns on the top and a central raised oval section containing a circular spike. Near the top of the spike is a circular-shaped piece of metal in a fretwork pattern. This fretwork has been welded on and has space to insert several hat pins women’s accessories, history of warrnambool, hat pin stand

The P.S Rodney was used by Permewan Wright to transport non Union strike breaking shearers to the Darling River sheep stations during the late 19th Century. The Union shearers who were on strike, burnt it to the water line where it remains still.This photograph is very significant as it was one of the events in the Australia wide Shearers strike of 1891-1894. When Unionised Shearers burnt the P.S Rodney while carrying non Union Shearers to the Darling River sheep stations.A rectangular black and white photograph and negative of the remains of the P.S Rodney by the bank of the Darling River, near Pooncarrie N.S.W. Shows the "skeleton" remains. A man stands in the background.Stamped on the back in black ink is 'J176'. In hand writing in black ink are the words " Remains of Rodney."p.s rodney, shearers' strike, pooncarrie n.s.w

The scarf became a real fashion accessory by the early 19th century for both men and women. By the middle of the 20th century, scarves became one of the most versatile clothing accessories for both men and women. Men often wore them as an evening accessory.This item reflects the type of clothing worn by men as evening accessories in the late 19th to early 20th century. It also has aesthetic appeal as a handcrafted item.A hand knitted man's silk scarf. It is knitted in moss stitch and is fringed at both ends.silk handcraft men's-accessory scarf

This patchwork cushion section was handmade in 1898 by Sarah Jane Jones (nee Emerson) and donated by her Great-Granddaughter. It is an example of needlework created in the late 19th century. It is believed that the note was added to the cushion at a later date and incorrectly refers to a different item.The cushion section is significant for is example of handmade craft and needlework used in the late 19th century for home decor.Patchwork; a square and a rectangular shape of p patchwork prepared for making into a cushion. Shaped patches of a variety of design and fabric. The pieces are roughly joined together with visible cross stitches. Handmade by Sarah Jane Jones (nee Emerson) in 1898.Pinned to the underside is a note on a piece of fabric.Handwriting reads "Patchwork done by my mother in 1898" flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, soft furnishing, 1898, victorian, handmade, patchwork, craft, handcraft, sewing, hobby, needlework, cushion

The Springthorpe Memorial is an elaborate late 19th century memorial located within Boroondara General Cemetery. Harold Desbrowe-Annear designed the memorial for the Melbourne doctor John Springthorpe, in honour of the doctor’s wife. Construction began in 1897, and the memorial was unveiled in 1901. Rare postcard showing details of Mackennal's sculpture on the monumentOn the sarcophagus is sculpted group of figures by Bertram Mackennal. This close-up of two of the figures shows an angel leaning over the representation of Dr Springthorpe’s wife. The postcard is historically interesting in that it shows the wreath, which is now missing.springthorpe memorial, boroondara general cemetery, funerary monuments, postcards -- kew (vic.)

Inhalation therapy has been used for over 2000 years, but it was from the early 19th century that different types of inhalers were developed. In 1865, Dr Nelson developed the improved Nelson inhaler. It is still manufactured today with very few modifications. The efficiency of the improved Nelson's inhaler is demonstrated by the ongoing use of the item since 1865. This simple inhaler is suitable for use in homes and hospitals. This white china inhaler has an air inlet spout and an opening at the top to add hot fluids, it holds 1 litre, and drugs to the inhaler. Once added, a cork with a glass mouth piece is placed in the neck of the inhaler. For this item plastic tubing has been used as the mouth piece.On front of body inscribed, 'Dr Nelson's improved inhaler': Directions for use. Remove mouth piece, half fill inhaler with boiling water. Replace mouth piece and apply lips to it, breathe freely in and out as in ordinary full respiration.steam inhaler, dr nelson's inhaler, medical apparatus

The Criterion Hotel was located on the western side of Kepler Street near the corner of Lava Street. John Tate of Woodford was the first licensee of the Criterion Hotel in 1873. The Humm family and the McGennan families were licensees for a considerable amount of time in the late 19th and 20th centuries. It was one of the last venues in the town to host live music. The last publican, John Palmer remembered it as a workers pub popular with local truckies and football clubs, in particular, Bushfield, Russell’s Creek and South Rovers. The Criterion closed in 2008 with the aim of turning it into office space but it was burnt beyond repair in 2010 and the remains were demolished in 2013.The Criterion Hotel was one of the earliest and longest licensed hotels in Warrnambool. As such it has local historical significance. The original building was an impressive landmark and the hotel itself has significant social importanceWhite plaster fragment with floral pattern enclosed within two plain borders. It is roughly five sided but edges are broken.criterion hotel, history of warrnambool, warrnambool hotels

One of 2 volumes of late 19th early 20th Century letter books. Each volume provides us with extensive listings of correspondence with supporters, fundraisers, patrons, architects, Mission staff and business transactions carried out by the Honorary Secretary Mr WHC Darvall over the period of a decade. Queen Victoria, Governors of Victoria: Earl of Hopetoun, Lord Brassey, Sir George Sydenham Clark, Lord Talbot and Governors General: Baron Northcote, performers such as Nellie Melba, Kitty Grindley, Sir Samuel Gllott president of the Law Institute, Hugh Reid, Crawford Pasco R.N. FRGS are just a few. The late 19th C - early 20th C period covered by the 2 vol collection of correspondence records together with annual reports and minutes documents a significant transition period not only across centuries but also towards a new framework of operations for the original mid 19th C founded Mission to seamen. The death of a long-standing Chaplain, Wesleyan, Ebenezer James in 1901 eventually led to a proposed merger in 1905 which resulted in the amalgamation of the Victorian Mission with the Anglican based Mission to Seafarers under the leadership of Rev'd Gurney Goldsmith who arrived in 1905. The new Mission was launched in 1906 with a long planned and much needed new central building opened in 1907 on the Australian Wharf. Mr Darvall, in his time produced a handwritten 40 page epitomised history, drawn from annual reports and was exceptionally meticulous in his efforts to cross reference related correspondence, press clippings, report material and documents. He was a strong supporter of Libraries and first town clerk of Beechworth.Primary inscription on title page ( see title field this record) also: "Commencing on Sunday 1st of February , 1895. / Ending on Saturday 18th December , 1902 / Indexed to / Page 18,22,29,32,34,35,44,45,48,53,63,75,80,82, 90, 112, 120, 121,136,151,167,171,173,174, 185, 200, 212, 216, 218, 232, 233, 241, 361, 362, 373, 375, 378, 428, 455, 477, 508, 509, 516, 520, 521, 543, 562, 607, 657, 658, 667, 669, 706, 718, 724, 732, 735, 738, 741, 745 748, 749 ./ WHC Darvall / Hon'y Secretary. "correspondence records, seafarer advocacy, seafarer shore facilities, ship to shore, index, missions to seamen, seamen's missions, mission to seafarers, correspondance, letters, letter book, welfare, nellie melba, kitty grindley, crawford pasco, lord thomas brassey, william henry charles darvall (1830-1906)

In the early 19th century, infant baptismal gowns worn by male and female infants began to be modelled on dresses worn by adult women. Gowns were typically made of fine white linen or cotton, and often trimmed with tucks, lace, whitework embroidery, and other handwork. The Kew Historical Society's collection includes over fifteen christening gowns dating from the 19th and 20th centuries.A mid-nineteenth century christening (baptismal) gown, constructed of sturdy white cotton featuring a long skirt, high neck and long sleeves. The gown is constructed by hand, and there is evidence of home-finished needlework, The bodice is loosely pleated with gathering at the high waist, A later cotton tie was attached at the centre waist and commercial lace added to the neckline and cuffs.christening gowns, ceremonial clothing, children's wear, baptismal clothing, victorian historical themes — 8.6 marking the phases of life

This cup is an impressive souvenir of a visit to Warrnambool. Tourism in Warrnambool became important in the late 19th century with Warrnambool promoted as a spa resort. ( Coast line,sea baths etc). Today tourism is important in both summer and Winter (May Racing Carnival and whales). A object with which people, especially tourists, would identify.Straight sided glazed royal blue cup with gold text and decoration.Glazed white interior.A present from Warrnambool written on side of the mug. Made in Germany stamped in red on bottom of mug. Numbered 13 warrnambool

This clock is believed to have come from the Warrnambool Railway Station. The Railway commenced in 1890 and the station was opened in 1897. The clock was made by Wilson Brothers, a prominent manufacturing watch and clock- making business in Timor Street, Warrnambool in the second half of the 19th Century.This item is of considerable significance as an early Railway Clock in Warrnambool. Railway Clocks were important in the 19th century as prominent time pieces for the general community to use to establish the time of day.This is a clock with a circular face behind glass enclosed in a metal frame with wood surrounds The wooden frame is attached to a wooden rectangular box with a curved bottom. The box has a metal clip for attachment to a wall or a board. The metal face is white with black painted Roman numerals, which are damaged, and black printing. Minute markers are indicated. The hands are metal. All the metal is rusted.Wilson Bros Warrnamboolwarrnambool railway station, wilson brothers warrnambool

A coffee palace was a residential hotel that did not serve alcohol. Most were built in the late 19th century in response to the temperance movement and were popular with families. St Kilda Coffee Palace was built in 1870s and operated until 1888. Currently a Backpackers Hostel.Colour photographst kilda, grey street, st kilda coffee palace, coffee palace backpackers

The beginning of standardised weights and measures began In Victoria when the Melbourne Observatory received sets of standard weights and measures, which had been tested in Britain against the then British Imperial standards. These included the primary standard yard and pound for the Colony of Victoria. Other standards of weights and measure held by shires and the administrative body's within the colony could then be compared to these primary standards. A Weights and Measures Act was passed in Victoria in 1862, establishing local inspectors throughout the colony. By the 1870s each local council and shire in Victoria held a set of standards that were used to test scales, weights and dry measures used by wholesalers, factories and shops. Every ten years the councils’ standards would themselves need to be rechecked against the Victorian Standards. The checking was done by the Victorian Customs Department in the 19th century, but with the transfer of responsibility for customs to the Federal Government in 1901, weights and measures function was retained by the Victorian Government and was shifted to the Melbourne Observatory. In 1904, a new building was erected at the south end of the Great Melbourne Telescope House, where the standard weights and measures and testing equipment was installed. This room had a large whirling apparatus for testing air meters and became known as the Whirling Room. When the Melbourne Observatory closed in 1944, the Weights and Measures Branch was formed to continue and this branch remained at the Observatory site unit until 1995. J & M Ewan History: J&M Ewan was a Melbourne firm that began by selling retail furniture and wholesale ironmongery. They had substantial warehouses situated at the intersection of 81-83 Elizabeth and Little Collins Streets, the business was established by James M Ewan in 1852. Shortly afterwards he went into partnership with William Kerr Thomson and Samuel Renwick. When Ewan died in 1868 his partners carried on and expanded the business under his name J & M Ewan. The business was expanded to provide a retail shop, counting-house and private offices. Wholesale warehouses adjoined these premises at 4, 6 and 10 Little Collins Street, West. This company provided and sold a large and varied amount of imported goods into the colony that consisted of agriculture equipment, building materials, mining items as well as steam engines, tools of all types and marble fireplaces. They also supplied the Bronze measuring containers in the Flagstaff Hill collection and the probability is that these containers were obtained by the local Melbourne authority that monitored weights and measures in the mid to late 19th century. The company grew to employ over 150 people in Melbourne and opened offices at 27 Lombard St London as well as in New Zealand and Fiji. The company also serviced the Mauritius islands and the pacific area with their steamship the Suva and a brig the Shannon, the company ceased trading in 1993. Robert Bate History: Robert Brettell Bate (1782-1847) was born in Stourbridge, England, one of four sons of Overs Bate, a mercer (a dealer in textile fabrics, especially silks, velvet's, and other fine materials)and banker. Bate moved to London, and in 1813 was noticed for his scientific instrument making ability through the authority of the “Clockmakers Company”. Sometime in the year 1813 it was discovered that one Robert Brettell Bate, regarded as a foreigner in London had opened a premises in the Poultry selling area of London. He was a Mathematical Instrument maker selling sundials and other various instruments of the clock making. In 1824, Bate, in preparation for his work on standards and weights, leased larger premises at 20 and 21 Poultry, London, at a rental of four hundred pounds per annum. It was there that Bate produced quality metrological instruments, which afforded him the recognition as one of one of the finest and principal English metrological instrument-makers of the nineteenth century. English standards at this time were generally in a muddle, with local standards varying from shire to shire. On 17 June 1824, an Act of Parliament was passed making a universal range of weights, measures, and lengths for the United Kingdom, and Bate was given the job of crafting many of the metrological artifacts. He was under instruction from the renown physicist Henry Kater F.R.S. (1777-1835) to make standards and to have them deposited in the principal cities throughout the United Kingdom and colonies. Bate experimented with tin-copper alloys to find the best combination for these items and by October 1824, he had provided Kater with prototypes to test troy and avoirdupois pounds, and samples with which to divide the troy into grams. Bate also cast the standard for the bushel, and by February 1825, had provided all the standards required of him by the Exchequer, Guildhalls of Edinburgh, and Dublin. In 1824, he also made a troy pound standard weight for the United States, which was certified for its accuracy by Kater and deposited with the US Mint in 1827. Kater, in his address to the Royal Society of London, acknowledged Bate's outstanding experimentation and craftsmanship in producing standards of weights, measures, and lengths. An example of a dry Bronze measuring container made specifically for J & M Ewan by possibly the most important makers of measurement artefacts that gives us today a snapshot of how imperial weights and measures were used and how a standard of measurement for merchants was developed in the Australian colonies based on the Imperial British measurement system. The container has social significance as an item retailed by J & M Ewan and used in Victoria by the authorities who were given legal responsibility to ensure that wholesalers and retailers of dry goods sold in Victoria were correct. The container was a legal standard measure so was also used to test merchants containers to ensure that their distribution of dry goods to a customer was correct.Maker Possibly Robert Brettell Blake or De Grave, Short & Co Ltd both of LondonContainer bronze round shape for measuring dry quantities has brass handles & is a 'half-bushel' measurement"IMPERIAL STANDARD HALF BUSHEL" engraved around the top of the container. VICTORIA engraved under "J & M Ewan & Co London and Melbourne" engraved around the bottom of the container.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, standard measure, bronze, peck measurement, j & m ewan, victorian standard dry measurement, bronze container, victorian standards, melbourne observatory, robert brettell bate

The beginning of standardised weights and measures began In Victoria when the Melbourne Observatory received sets of standard weights and measures, which had been tested in Britain against the then British Imperial standards. These included the primary standard yard and pound for the Colony of Victoria. Other standards of weights and measure held by shires and the administrative body's within the colony could then be compared to these primary standards. A Weights and Measures Act was passed in Victoria in 1862, establishing local inspectors throughout the colony. By the 1870s each local council and shire in Victoria held a set of standards that were used to test scales, weights and dry measures used by wholesalers, factories and shops. Every ten years the councils’ standards would themselves need to be rechecked against the Victorian Standards. The checking was done by the Victorian Customs Department in the 19th century, but with the transfer of responsibility for customs to the Federal Government in 1901, weights and measures function was retained by the Victorian Government and was shifted to the Melbourne Observatory. In 1904, a new building was erected at the south end of the Great Melbourne Telescope House, where the standard weights and measures and testing equipment was installed. This room had a large whirling apparatus for testing air meters and became known as the Whirling Room. When the Melbourne Observatory closed in 1944, the Weights and Measures Branch was formed to continue and this branch remained at the Observatory site unit until 1995. J & M Ewan History: J&M Ewan was a Melbourne firm that began by selling retail furniture and wholesale ironmongery. They had substantial warehouses situated at the intersection of 81-83 Elizabeth and Little Collins Streets, the business was established by James M Ewan in 1852. Shortly afterwards he went into partnership with William Kerr Thomson and Samuel Renwick. When Ewan died in 1868 his partners carried on and expanded the business under his name J & M Ewan. The business was expanded to provide a retail shop, counting-house and private offices. Wholesale warehouses adjoined these premises at 4, 6 and 10 Little Collins Street, West. This company provided and sold a large and varied amount of imported goods into the colony that consisted of agriculture equipment, building materials, mining items as well as steam engines, tools of all types and marble fireplaces. They also supplied the Bronze measuring containers in the Flagstaff Hill collection and the probability is that these containers were obtained by the local Melbourne authority that monitored weights and measures in the mid to late 19th century. The company grew to employ over 150 people in Melbourne and opened offices at 27 Lombard St London as well as in New Zealand and Fiji. The company also serviced the Mauritius islands and the pacific area with their steamship the Suva and a brig the Shannon. Robert Bate History: Robert Brettell Bate (1782-1847) was born in Stourbridge, England, one of four sons of Overs Bate, a mercer (a dealer in textile fabrics, especially silks, velvet's, and other fine materials)and banker. Bate moved to London, and in 1813 was noticed for his scientific instrument making ability through the authority of the “Clockmakers Company”. Sometime in the year 1813 it was discovered that one Robert Brettell Bate, regarded as a foreigner in London had opened a premises in the Poultry selling area of London. He was a Mathematical Instrument maker selling sundials and other various instruments of the clock making. In 1824, Bate, in preparation for his work on standards and weights, leased larger premises at 20 and 21 Poultry, London, at a rental of four hundred pounds per annum. It was there that Bate produced quality metrological instruments, which afforded him the recognition as one of one of the finest and principal English metrological instrument-makers of the nineteenth century. English standards at this time were generally in a muddle, with local standards varying from shire to shire. On 17 June 1824, an Act of Parliament was passed making a universal range of weights, measures, and lengths for the United Kingdom, and Bate was given the job of crafting many of the metrological artifacts. He was under instruction from the renown physicist Henry Kater F.R.S. (1777-1835) to make standards and to have them deposited in the principal cities throughout the United Kingdom and colonies. Bate experimented with tin-copper alloys to find the best combination for these items and by October 1824, he had provided Kater with prototypes to test troy and avoirdupois pounds, and samples with which to divide the troy into grams. Bate also cast the standard for the bushel, and by February 1825, had provided all the standards required of him by the Exchequer, Guildhalls of Edinburgh, and Dublin. In 1824, he also made a troy pound standard weight for the United States, which was certified for its accuracy by Kater and deposited with the US Mint in 1827. Kater, in his address to the Royal Society of London, acknowledged Bate's outstanding experimentation and craftsmanship in producing standards of weights, measures, and lengths. An example of a dry Bronze measuring container made specifically for J & M Ewan by possibly the most important makers of measurement artifacts that gives us today a snapshot of how imperial weights and measures were used and how a standard of measurement for merchants was developed in the Australian colonies based on the Imperial British measurement system. The container has social significance as an item retailed by J & M Ewan and used in Victoria by the authorities who were given legal responsibility to ensure that wholesalers and retailers of dry goods sold in Victoria were correct. The container was a legal standard measure so was also used to test merchants containers to ensure that their distribution of dry goods to a customer was correct. Bronze round container with brass two handles used as a legal standard for measuring dry quantities & is a 'peck' measurement. "IMPERIAL STANDARD PECK" engraved around top of container with " VICTORIA" engraved under.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, standard measure, bronze, peck measurement, j & m ewan, victorian standard dry measurement, bronze container, victorian standards, melbourne observatory, robert bettell bate