The knitting needle gauge was used as a guide to the needle sizes used in Britain and Australia before metric measurements were adopted for weights and measures in the mid 1970's.A silver metal knitting needle gauge in the shape of a bell with different sized holes in the middle numbered from 1-5 and slots around both sides numbered from 6-22. These holes were used as a guide to gauge the size of knitting needles. The numbers and lettering have been engraved into the metal.KNITTING / PIN SIZE / IS WIDTH / OF SLOTShandcrafts, knitting, knitting gauge, george evans collection

This object was used in the home for toilet requirements before the advent of the indoor toilet as it saved a trip out to the backyard toilet during the night. Most toilets were built outside so the 'night cart' could come and empty them during the night.A large cream coloured procelain chamber pot with one handle on the side. hoffman, chamber pots, toilets, ceramics, george evans collection

An unusual square nail used for building. early 19th Century?A long square nail with a point at one end and a flat head at the other.buildings, building materials, nails, george evans collection

The tins were used by the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. to store and sell treacle which is a by-product of cane sugar and molasses. The tin is labelled with the imperial pound measurement so it preceded metric weights and measures.A green, red and gold tin used to sell and store treacle. Two stick of sugar cane decorate the front and the back of the round tin. The tin lid on the top of the tin needs to be levered open. The tin's capacity is 2 pounds. The word 'treacle' is written in bold red capital letters.THE COLONIAL SUGAR REFINING CO. LTD / TREACLE / 2 LB NET / MADE FROM CANE SUGAR ONLYcolonial sugar refining co., treacle, sugar cane, food, canning, sugar mills, george evans collection, commercial packaging

The tin was designed and used by the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. to store and sell golden syrup which is a by-product of cane sugar, molasses and treacle. The tin was used after the introduction of metric weights and measures.A yellow, red, brown, white and black tin used to sell and store golden syrup. The kilogram tin has the words 'golden syrup' printed in large red letters. There is a recipe and picture for caramel sauce on the back of the tin.MADE FROM AUSTRALIAN GROWN SUGAR CANE / CSR / Golden / Syrup / Net 1 kg / The COLONIAL SUGAR REFINING CO LTD / MELBOURNEcolonial sugar refining co., golden syrup, sugar cane, food, recipes, sugar mills, canning, george evans collection, commercial packaging

The small tubes were used to hold lipstick which could be carried in the handbag or small evening bag.A small grey and silver lipstick container. The grey cover slips over the silver base. There is a small lever at the side of the base which released the lipstick up the tube.PAUL / DUVALcosmetics, make-up, paul duval, duval, paul, personal effects, george evans collection

Compacts containing face powder and foundation in one were sold in department stores from the early 1950's. Their widespread use meant that the heavier powder compacts with face powder were less popular.A round black plastic compact with a gold design on the hinged lid. There is a gold border around the circumference and part of the paint has disappeared near the catch. In the centre there is a coronet which is surrounded with a floral design. Manufacturer's details are stuck on the back of the compact. There is a mirror inside the compact with a small powder puff.CHESEBROUGH PONDS PTY. LTD REG. USER / ANGEL / FACE / by PONDS / BRONZEcosmetics, angel face, face powder, personal effects, chesebrough ponds, george evans collection

From the early 1950's compacts containing face powder and foundation in-one were sold in department stores. Their widespread use resulted in heavier compacts and conventional face powder becoming less popular.A round blue plastic powder compact with the captions and design done in gold and blue on lid. The compact contains face powder and foundation in-one and there is a small flatened foam powder puff and information sheet inside.PONDS / ANGEL FACEchesbrough ponds, angel face, cosmetics, face powder, personal effects, george evans collection

The top was inserted into a glass bottle filled with water which was used to dampen starched clothes and linen before the garments were ironed. The introduction of steamirons into households meant that 'dampening bottle' became superfluous.A bottle top with a plastic hollow green rubber stopper and a rounded metal top which has small holes on the surface.laundering, ironing, starching, domestic items, george evans collection

Figsens were a popular form of patent medicines sold in chemists and were taken to relieve constipation. They were packed in small orange and black tins before plastic packaging became popular.A small rectangular tin which is rounded at the corners. The lid is decorated in 3 bands of black, white and orange strips and wording in the same colours. The lid is hinged. The contents of the tin, its uses and dosage are written on the bottom of the tin in black.TRADE MARK 'NYAL' REGISTERED / FIGSEN / THE GENTLE LAXATIVE / FOR / CONSTIPATION / NYAL COMPANY SYDNEYnyal company, pharmacies, laxatives, medicines, george evans collection

The stand used when ironing was done on a bench which didn't have iron stands.A metal iron stand with the words 'Servex and 'S' embossed at the pointed end and etched into the straight end. A straight bar down the centre links the pointed tip with the straight back. The sides are raised to hold the iron in place.SERVEX / Sservex, irons, laundering, domestic items, george evans collection

Chlorate of Potash tablets were used to cure mouth ulcers. They were available without a prescription from chemist shops. They were small white tablets and were packed in small flat glass bottles.A small flat glass bottle which contained tablets. There is a metal screw top and an oval white label with navy blue printing.TABLETS / CHLORATE / OF POTASH / 5 Grschlorate of potash, m. j. dear - chemist, chemists, pharmacists, medicines, george evans collection

Hair nets were used to hold unmanageable hair in place. Earlier nets were made from fine natural yarn but nylon replaced the natural fibres in latter years.2 hair nets in different shades of grey inside a small white paper bag.hair accessories, hair nets, personal effects, george evans collection

The stays were used as stiffening and for support in foundation wear and bodices in women's dresses (and waist bands).7 stays encassed in cotton with blue herringbone stitching used to fasten off each end. The stays are bundled together with white cotton thread.corsetry, foundation garments, fashion, clothing and dress, haberdashery, costume accessories, george evans collection

The seals were used on glass drink bottles which didn't have re-sealable stoppers.3 bottle seals - red, yellow and aqua are fastened onto yellow cardboard and wrapped in plastic. The seals clip onto bottles. The inscriptions are in black.PRESS DOWN FIRMLY / KORK-N-SEALfood and drink storage, bottles, bottle seals, domestic items, george evans collection

The damping bottle was filled with water and used to moisten starched clothes and linen before garments were ironed. The introduction of steam irons into households in the early 1960's resulted in damping bottles becoming superfluous.A glass 'Schweppes' bottle has yellow and black graphics on it. It has been recycled and used as a damping bottle. The metal stopper has been inserted into a cork. There are spray holes on the top of the stopper. The word 'Schweppes' has been embossed around the base of the bottom.13 FL. OZ / SCHWEPPESlaundering, ironing, starching, schweppes, domestic items, george evans collection

The stocking were worn with corsets or a suspender belt and were fastened to the foundation garments with suspenders. 60 denier stocking were not the finest knit stocking. The stockings are seamed and have a heel and toe shaping.A coffee coloured pair of 60 denier nylon stockings Size 10. The 'Myer' price tag is on the inside of the leg and shows the department (26), the size (10) and the price (9/9). There is a band of red around the top of the ribbing.GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY / 60 DENIER / SELECTED MEDIUMS / NO 2 NYLON 10myer, hosiery, nylon stockings, clothing and dress, footwear accessories, george evans collection

This street directory of Melbourne and Suburbs was the 52nd edition published by Val Morgan. It is printed with a new map format.A Morgan's street directory of Melbourne and Suburbs without a front cover.morgan, val and co., melbourne, directories, street directories, george evans collection

Worn by the staff at Sunbury AsylumBib-front wrap-around apron, coarse white cotton, outer edges formed from selvedge. Back panels each have two darts and two buttonholes. Bin has shoulder ties, each with one buttonhole.Labels on waist band "XOS"costume accessories, nurses, sunbury asylum, uniforms, george evans collection

An inmate's cape, black/dark navy blue serge with a grey stripe, grey lining. Fasteners with tab and single brown button at neck. Outer surface has a dart at each shoulder, lining has dart only on wearer's left. Very roughly made.costume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection

Skirt in slate grey denim, hand sewn with a heavy (linen?) thread, waistband - coarse herringbone weave webbing, white with navy stripes, waist ties white cotton, hand-stitched to form tapes. Made in three pieces and roughly pleated into waist.Waistband front marked "F2" twice in red (paint) mark on wearer's left overstrikes "F5" in black (Ink)costume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection

Inmate's dress in off-white canvas (?) with narrow red stripes. Back opening from neck to thigh with six pairs of eyelet holes (unhemmed). Reinforcing panel at front neck. Shoulder and side seams French stitched. Bodice and skirt pleated into waistband.costume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection

Worn at the Sunbury AsylumInmate's dress in off-white canvas (?) with a red stripe. Round neckline reinforced at front. Bodice and skirt pleated into waistband. Back opening from neck to thigh with three pairs of eyelets, sealed with brass rings. Skirt hem hand sewn inside out.Handwritten in black ink on bodice back "canvas dress" and F7 (partly destroyed by lacing eyelet)costume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection

Garment was worn by female patients at the Sunbury Asylum.Inmate's dress in off-white canvas (?) with red stripe (blue stripe on left arm only). Round neck with front reinforcement and added panel and binding in cream cotton. Bodice and skirt pleated into waistband. Back opening to thigh level with three pairs of button-stitched eyelets.costume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection

This bottle was used by E. Murphy of Riddell's Creek.A light green bottle used for soft drinks. The neck is broken and at the base of neck there is provision for a wire clamp which held the ball at the opening in place. There is embossed writing around the bottle. The base of the bottle is recessed.E. MURPHY / EM / REG'D / RIDDELL'S CREEKbottles, murphy, e., food, riddell's creek, george evans collection

A calico nightshirt with a blue stripe woven into the material. Round neckline with tacking stitches still present. Short sleeves. Back opening from neck to shoulder blades, fastened with two metal (brass) buttons.Handwritten on upper left breast in black ink "Calico Nightdress".costume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection

Garment was worn by patients at the Sunbury Asylum.Inmate's dress in off-white canvas (?) with red stripe. Round neckline with reinforcement panels. Back opening from neck to thigh with four pairs of eyelets (unsewn). Bodice and skirt pleated into waistband. One extra eyelet cut on waistband at back right.costume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection

Worn by patients at the Sunbury AsylumInmate's dress in off-white canvas (?) with a blue stripe around the neckline with reinforcement panels. Neck-to-thigh back opening with three pairs of lacing eyelets, reinforced with brass rings. Bodice and skirt pleated into waistband.Nonecostume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection

Straight jacket, sleeveless, made from two thicknesses of calico with red and blue stripe. Edges bound with bias-cut calico. Garment is shaped like waistcoat and wraps around with two long ties. The upper yoke is reinforced with a third layer of cloth cut from the selvedges. The ties are made from separate pieces and sewn on at the lower edge.Nonecostume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection

Worn by patients at Sunbury Asylum.Straight jacket made from unbleached canvas. Sleeves stitched into pocket-like patches on sides. Front closed with four pairs of ties and brass screw fittings. Waist has broad band with two pairs of ties and brass fittings.Front left breast, handwritten "Canvas Locked jacket" inside right back neckline "S.T.C. M-6A"costume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection