This butter or cheese knife is a decorative example of electroplated cutlery that had become an affordable alternative to more expensive silver cutlery in the late 1800s to early 1900s. The knife has stamp marks in the back of its handle that are a combination of letters and symbols used by British silversmiths to identify their workmanship. The design and type of this knife was not normally used by everyday people but rather those of a higher social class with time and money to have a particular decorative knife to serve butter or cheese. The marks on the handle tell that it was made of nickel silver, and electroplated with superior quality Stirling silver. The Barker Brothers of Birmingham made the knife between 1885 and 1907, but most likely before 1895. It was made for the British, or British colonial, people, connected with a government department such as the navy or defence. This story may be slightly inaccurate, as some silversmiths added extra ‘pseudo marks’ to their wares to disguise the quality. THE MARKS and their meaning – - ‘A1’ The silver used in electroplating this knife was the highest level, ‘superior quality’, measured in grams of silver per table spoon or table fork, with ‘A1’ being 2 2/3 grams, and ‘D’ being 0 1/2 grams of silver. - ‘BB’ The Baker Brothers used these initials from 1885 to 1907. - ‘[crown symbol]’ – This symbol is used for Sterling silver but this knife is a metal alloy. The crown is also the town mark of Sheffield (appointed by the Sheffield Assay Office) but this knife was made in Birmingham, which has the town mark of an anchor. The Barker Brothers may have added the crown mark to this electroplated silverware as a ‘pseudo hallmark’, leading the buyer to think that it was actual Sterling silver. The use of pseudo hallmarks by electroplaters of the Victorian era was common practice but it was illegal. In 1895 the unlawful practice was seen as imitating the Sheffield Silver Mark and the law was firmly applied to eradicate the deception, so items with this mark probably date before 1895. - [EPNS] Electro Plated Nickel Silver, called nickel silver or German silver, is a metal alloy that usually combines copper, nickel and zinc (60 percent copper, 20 percent nickel, 20 percent zinc). It has a silver-white appearance and is sometimes referred to as ‘white ware’. It does not contain any silver but is often used as a base for electroplating, when the item is covered with a thin layer of silver to give it the polished appearance of pure silver. It became popular in the late 19th and early 20th century as an affordable substitute for sterling silver. - Broad Arrow - an official stamp that indicates it was once the property of Britain government, either in Britain or one of its colonies, and used in the defence force. In Great Britain, from an 1875 government act, it was, and still, is a crime to forge or wrongfully use, the broad arrow symbol. The BARKER BROTHERS of Birmingham - Barker Brothers were one of the earlies firms of Birmingham silversmiths, established in 1801 by Mary Barker. They became Barker & Creed, then William and Matthias Barker, then from 1885 they were the Barker Brothers. They were operating in Paradise Street in 1871 until in 1903 they moved to Unity Works, Constitution Hill, in Birmingham. The firm also had a showroom at 292 High Holborn, London, from the early 1900s to the 1980s. In 1907 the firm became Barker Brothers Silversmiths Ltd, then in the 1960s they merged with Ellis & Co, becoming Barker Ellis Silver Co. Ltd. In 1979 they were registered in USA as Ellis & Co., Barker Ellis, and Ellis Barker. The business went into administration in 1992, after almost 200 years of production. The firm advertised as specialists in electroplating, and used the trademarks BRITANOID, UNITY PLATE and THE HYGENIA.This knife is historically significant, dated from 1885 to 1907 but most likely pre-1895, and made by the longstanding Birmingham silversmiths, the Barker Brothers, established in 1801. The knife is an example of decorative flatware used by people of ’class’. It also has the broad arrow stamp, connecting it to the British government, in particular the ordinance department. The stamp also connects it to other items in our collection with that stamp. It may have been connected to pre-Federation government organisations and officials such as the army Garrison, government naval vessel, police, lighthouse keepers, harbour masters. The knife is the only example of its kind in our collection, being a decorative silver butter or cheese knife, made by the Barker Brothers of Birmingham. Butter knife, or cheese knife, electroplated nickel silver (EPNS). Upper blade edge has decorative shape and engraved motifs, lower blade edge is bevelled to a cutting edge, and narrow plain handle flares out to a wide, rounded end. Maker’s marks are stamped on the reverse. Made by Barker Brothers of Birmingham in the late-19th century. Stamps: “

This home was completed in 1938. It was the gift of Mr and Mrs Barker. One of the first objectives of the Association was "to provide the shelter of a hose for those Pioneers of the Goldfields whom the reverses of fortune have deprived of the means of procuring the comforts of life in their declining years." The first home at Charles Anderson Grove was built in 1925. Before that time the Association provided relief for needy pioneers. relief included monthly monetary payments, loads of firewood, medical assistance and distribution of Christmas bosed of groceries to deserving pensioners, and in some cases payment of burial costs. ::a) The dominant purpose of the Association is to give public benevolent relief as a charity, but providing independent living accommodation in our Retirement Village for person in need who are over 65. ::b) To raise funds by membership subscription, commercial and residential rents, donations, gifts and voluntary work, for the purpose of providing direct relief of poverty, distress, misfortune or helplessness. ::c) To maintain the important heritage and ongoing viability of the Old Colonists' Association. (Revised Rules of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Inc., 2016) Colour photograph of Barker Cottage at The Old Colonists' Assiation of Ballarat Inc retirement village at Charles Anderson Grove, Ballarat.old colonists' association, ballarat, ballarat old colonists' club, charles anderson grove, barker, barker cottage, j. barker

This home was completed in 1938. It was the gift of Mr and Mrs Barker. One of the first objectives of the Association was "to provide the shelter of a hose for those Pioneers of the Goldfields whom the reverses of fortune have deprived of the means of procuring the comforts of life in their declining years." The first home at Charles Anderson Grove was built in 1925. Before that time the Association provided relief for needy pioneers. relief included monthly monetary payments, loads of firewood, medical assistance and distribution of Christmas bosed of groceries to deserving pensioners, and in some cases payment of burial costs. ::a) The dominant purpose of the Association is to give public benevolent relief as a charity, but providing independent living accommodation in our Retirement Village for person in need who are over 65. ::b) To raise funds by membership subscription, commercial and residential rents, donations, gifts and voluntary work, for the purpose of providing direct relief of poverty, distress, misfortune or helplessness. ::c) To maintain the important heritage and ongoing viability of the Old Colonists' Association. (Revised Rules of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Inc., 2016) Colour photograph of Barker Cottage at The Old Colonists' Assiation of Ballarat Inc retirement village at Charles Anderson Grove, Ballarat.old colonists' association, ballarat, ballarat old colonists' club, charles anderson grove, barker, barker cottage, j. barker

Ballarat Institute of Advanced Education is a predecessotr institution of Federation University Australia .Black and white photograph showing five staffmembers of the Ballarat Institute of Advanced Education (later Federation University Mt Helen Campus). Left to right: Tom Norwood (Head of Mechanical Engineering); Robert P. (Bob) Martin (Head of Civil Engineering); Brian M. Lees (Head of Electrical Engineering Department); E.J. (Jack) Barker (Director, Ballarat Institute of Technolog); Derek Woolley (Head of Engineering).A handwritten note on the back (from Jack Barker) states that the photo marks the Engineering Degree Approval by the Victorian Institute of Colleges. The Engineering degree course started in 1974.e.j. barker, jack barker, engineering degree, ballarat institute of advanced education, engineering, tom norwood, bob martin, brian lees, derek woolley, mechanical engineering, civil and mining department, electrical engineering

Photograph. Barker's Creek Primary School.

Before her marriage to Ron Kirner, Joan Hood taught at the Ballarat Girls' Junior Technical School in the late 1950s. The Girls' school was a division of the Ballarat School of Mines. After entering politics Joan Kirner was Minister for Education (1988) and Premier of Victoria (1990 to 1992). In 1992 Premier of Victoria Joan Kirner visited her former workplace to officially open and name four new facilities, marking stage 2 of the school's State Works and Services Development Project. Honoured in the naming ceremony was the late Albert Steane, the late Kenneth Fleckoe and Mr Jack Barker, President of the Ballarat School of Mines. The fourth facility was the recently opened carpentry and joinery complex. Mrs Kirner said naming the building in honour of the three men would act as a continual reminder of their contribution to education in Australia and what they have passed on to future generations. She said the Government and the State Training Board saw the college as not only one that was most important to Victoria but also nationally and internationally. A group of 5 people walking along Ballarat's Lydiard Street South. The former Ballarat Brewery in the background is in the process of being demolished to make way for an expansion of the SMB campus. Left to right: Peter Shiells, E.J. (Jack) Barker, Winsome Barker, Premier of Victoria Joan Kirner, Frank Sheehan MLA (Labor State Member for Ballarat South). joan kirner, joan hood, ballarat junior technical girls' school, e.j. barker, peter shiells, frank sheehan

The original newspaper cutting was lent by Dorothy Baker Barker (1933) in 1991 and returned in February 1992.Photocopy of a newspaper article with a photograph of 5 female students in a line carrying tools.The inscription reads, "... at the Burnley Horticultural College yesterday. Among the new students enrolled were G. Wilson, Ronnie Campbell, Louise Harris, Ruth Pullar, Thelma Johnson and D. Barker." 5 female students walking along side by side, four of them are carrying gardening implements, three in jodhpurs, one in overalls and one in a dress.female students, burnley horticultural college, g. wilson, louise harris, ruth pullar, thelma johnson, dorothy baker ( barker), ronnie campbell

Photograph. Barker's Creek School Honor Roll.

Photograph. Barkers Creek Primary School Sign.

Household Items - Phenyle (W.C. Barker Stawell)stawell

Barker cake containers with paper patty papersbaking tins, trays

Black and white postcard, brown frame. Written on bottom 'Queen's Reserve, Bendigo' Image shows Town Hall clock in background, Hustler's Royal Reserve mine poppet head and chimney and statue of Queen Victoria front LH side. Written on back in black ink: 'Warragamba July 2nd. 1912. Dear Susan, Please accept out best wishes for a happy birthday, from Father, Mother, Mip, Cleave and Ruth.' Receipt number 355/16J.E Barker, Kew, Meyer's Seriesbendigo, business, carwardine soap and candle

Letters between Jack Barker, Principal of the Ballarat School of Mines, and B.F. Jackson of BTV Channel 6. .1) Typed copy of a letter from E.J. Barker to B.F. Jackson on quarto paper .2) Letter on BTV6 letterhead thanking Jack Barker for his letter.ballarat school of mines, jack barker, e.j. barker, b.f. jackson, bruce jackson, btv6, btv channel 6, arthur burrows

Four colour portrait photographs of Jack Barker, the inaugural Director of the Ballarat Institute of Advanced Education and the Ballarat College of Advanced Education. .1) - .4) Jack Barkercolour photograph, jack barker, e.j. barker

Edward John Barker, O.A.M, Ballarat School of Mines Principal 1964-1976, Ballarat School of Mines Council President 1991 - Kenneth Joynson Flecknoe, Ballarat School of Mines Council President 1981-1988 Albert Whitelock Steane, Ballarat Junior Technical School Foundation Headmaster 1913-1942Invitation and Programme for the Official Opening of the Flecknoe Building, Barker Building and Steane Building printed on buff card with maroon ink. The card includes the order of ceremony, and included introductory remarks by Bill Gribble; official opening and naming by the Honourable Joan Kirner, A.M., M.P., Premier of Victorian; and Peter Shiells, Director of the Ballarat School of Mines. ballarat school of mines, e.j. barker, ken flecknoe, flecknoe, albert w. steane, steane, flecknoe building, barker building, steane building, peter shiells, joan kirner, bill gribble

Framed colour photographic portrait of E.J. (Jack) Barker.jack barker, portrait photograph, available, e.j. barker, ballarat institite of advanced education, ballarat college of advanced education, director

Colour photograph of International Students in the E.J. Barker Library.university of ballarat, graduate, student, library, mt helen library, e.j. barker library

Book with Birthday Dates and verses by Mrs Sale Barker.birthday book

Potograph. Barkers Creek School. Children in centre middle.

Timber chair used by successive principals of the Ballarat School of Mines, from establishment until E.J. (Back) Barker. At the time of Jack Barker's retirement he was presented with the chair. On metal stand - Pat June 1790ballarat school of mines, principal's chair, e.j. barker