Showing 223 items
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Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Slide - DIGGERS & MINING. DIGGERS AND MINERS, 1850s
Diggers & Mining. Diggers and Miners. A sports oval, which was made on the top of the nearby hill, was reached only after a very stiff climb. Picture shows the very steep track which you would have to walk to reach the oval. Markings: 51 994.5 WAL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - OLD PEOPLES WELFARE SOCIETY COLLECTION: ANNUAL MEETINGS
COLLECTION OF RECORDS OF BENDIGO AND DISTRICT OLD PEOPLES WELFARE SOCIETY INC. / black stiff cardboard binder - dates on front BOPWS Inc Incorporation Form 10 1988- / notes on side BOPWS Inc Annual Meetings Audited 1988 - / internal documents include Annual Returns and related documents.document -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - PAUL HOWARD MACGILLIVRAY CERTIFICATE, 1873
Hand written certificate of appreciation presented to P. H. MacGillivray, Resident Surgeon, Bendigo Gold District General Hospital from the patients upon his resignation. On stiff paper with a hand painted border of leaves, flowers and patterns in blue, green, yellow and pink. Markings - Sandhurst October 1873.person, individual, paul howard macgillivray -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Book - Exercise Book, c1900
School exercise book - stiff, faded blue and red marbled board covers - centre stitched. All pages filled with homework and extensive map work and calligraphy of a high standard. Inscription inside front cover and inside back cover. First page is a map of Scotland dated May 29.Homework Book 1912 Dorothy [sic]C.Dixon Vermont.|Inside Back cover: The end of this book finished 10.11.12 at Vermont State School.books, school/educational -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Booklet - Pocketbook, Souvenir, Australian Imperial Regiment, Souvenir of the Victorian contingent, April, 1900
Small booklet containing the words of a patriotic song about the Victorian contingent to the second Boer War, April 1900. This illustrated booklet has a stiff card cover printed in colour and has 12 pages printed in sepia tones. Published by E. Whitehead & Co., Printers, 238 Collins Street, Melbourne. -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Thylacine, Reynell Eveleigh Johns, 1860-1880
The Thylacine or Tasmanian Tiger, was a large nocturnal carnivorous marsupial now believed to be extinct that was native to both Australia and New Guinea. The Thylacine is believed to have first appeared over two million years ago with documentation of the species appearing on rock-art that have been dated as far back as 1,000BC. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. The Burke Museum Thylacine is of great historic, scientific and cultural significance as Australia's most notable example of a species made extinct within living memory. Poignant images of the last known thylacine linger in national consciousness and remain an evocative symbol of the impact of humankind on the natural environment. The Burke Museum thylacine has immense social significance not only for its ability to tell a story to present and future generations, but also for embodying the mythic tiger that lives on elusively, we hope, in the Tasmanian wilderness. Attempts to clone the thylacine from material held in museums attest to the passion that this iconic animal evokes in the scientific as well as mainstream community. Medium sized lean female thylacine with four stocky legs and a stiff tail. The fur is short and coarse and in a light brown-yellow colour with 15 dark brown stripes across the width of the body. The head is long and narrow with two small pointy ears and a large jaw with up to 30 visible teeth.taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, thylacine, tasmanian tiger, rare -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Ceremonial object - JOHN FREDERICK HARPER COLLECTION: THREE FABRIC ROSETTES - LODGE REGALIA, 1950-1990's
Object. Hand made from a stiff canvas-type fabric ribbon, on a stiffened cotton canvas backing. Outer edge is maroon in colour 5 cm wide, inner section is a slate blue-ish grey colour, 1.5 cm wide and a maroon fabric button, 1.5 cm in diameter, is central to the rosette.organisation, masonic lodge, fabric rosettes -
Orbost & District Historical Society
book, Wildflowers of Victoria, 1967
Born Celia Elizabeth Prince in 1930, Celia Rosser began painting Australian wildflowers early in her artistic career. She first began painting Banksias after seeing a Banksia serrata near her home in Orbost, Victoria. She lived in Orbost in the 1960's( her husband had been posted to Orbost High School) where she painted and drew native flowers , in particular, banksias. Her first exhibition was at Leveson Gallery in Melbourne in 1965, and included three watercolours of Banksia species. Two years later she published Wildflowers of Victoria.Celia Elizabeth Rosser (born 1930) is a renowned Australian botanical illustrator, best known for having published The Banksias, a three-volume series of monographs containing watercolour paintings of every Banksia species. She began painting Australian wildflowers early in her artistic career. She first began painting Banksias after seeing a Banksia serrata near her home in Orbost, Victoria.A small book titled Wildflowers of Victoria and written by Celia Rosser. It was published in 1967 by Jacaranda Press. The covers are stiff card and it has an illustration of a banksia on the front cover. It has 105 pp and contains coloured illustrations. This book was the third part of the Jacaranda wildflower guides series. The book is designed to carry around in a pocket or purse.rosser-celia wildflowers banksia australian-flora -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Folio - Document Record Book
Not used but represents an old style folio used for storing important documents or recordsUsed for documents prior to computersLarge navy blue bound book with a blue ribbon attached to both the front and back covers on the middle of the right hand side. When open there is attached to the front cover a book with lined pages each with a letter of the alphabet for indexing. On the right hand side are plain brown stiff cardboard papers numbered 1 to 207.document record book -
National Wool Museum
Sample, Card Clothing
Card clothing sample manufactured by Samuel Law and Sons, Cleckheaton and probably sent to the Collins Bros Mill at the same time as W621. Card clothing is defined as 'the leather or other stiff material which holds the wire staples, the points of which project outwardly and form the carding teeth which operated on the fibres.' This fits into a carding machine ("The Textile Industries" vol. 8 - William S. Murphy, 1911).Card clothing sample, comprising rows of bent wires mounted on a thick rectangular leather base. Wrapped in tissue printed with an engraving of the factory where it was made and housed in an olive green lidded cardboard box, the interior of which is printed with an image of the manufacturer's factory.SAMUEL LAW & SONS, / Manufacturers all kinds Card Clothing. / Moorland Mills. / CLECKHEATON, England. SAMPLE OF CARD CLOTHING / FROM / SAMUEL LAW & SONS, / (branch of the English Card Clothing Company, Limited). / CLECKEATON. / MOORLAND MILLSsamuel law and sons collins bros mill pty ltd, carding, card clothing -
National Wool Museum
Photograph, Q-VEE Machine, 29/06/1937
Photographs were most likely used for promotional purposes. The Q-VEE machine is a scouring machine. When fabric is removed from the loom it is often stiff, rough or uneven. Scouring removes the oils and dirt picked up from manufacture, leaving the fabric soft and fluffy. The photographed machine was made by J. Stone & Co, a British marine and railway engineering company based in Deptford in south east London.Four black and white, blue tinged photos of a Scouring Machine from different angles. Black writing on the rear, typed with a typewriter and stamped with the company stamp.8051.1 - rear - "Q-VEE" Machine. Tomlinsons (Roshdale) Limited. SOHO Works Rochdale. 29.6.37 849 8051.2 - rear - "Q-VEE" Machine. Tomlinsons (Roshdale) Limited. SOHO Works Rochdale. 29.6.37 856 8051.3 - rear - "Q-VEE" Machine. Tomlinsons (Roshdale) Limited. SOHO Works Rochdale. 29.6.37 851 8051.4 - front on machine - FIY Chain Gear J.Stone & Co Ltd London rear - P.I.V. Dial Control Tomlinsons (Roshdale) Limited. SOHO Works Rochdale. 29.6.37 853textile machinery, wool manufacture, wool, scouring -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Book, The Dardanelles An Epic told in Pictures
Book of 112 pages describing the events that occurred in April 1915 and onwards when Britain and her allies landed at the Dardanelles, Turkey. This illustrated book has a stiff buff coloured card cover and is printed in sepia tones. Published by The Alfieri Picture Service 4,5,6&7, Red Lion Court Fleet Street, London, E.C. -
Nhill & District Historical Society Inc.
Booklet - In the Heart of the Wimmera Wheatland, 1948 Souvenir of Nhill, Souvenir of Nhill Centenary 1948: In the Heart of the Wimmera Wheatlands
Centenary 1948 Souvenir of Nhill: In the Heart of the Wimmera Wheatland; First Edition; Cr. 8vo; pp. (xiv), (50), (xvi); unpaginated; b/w illustrations, 30 pages b/w adverts, original stiff printed wrappers together with associated yellow celebrations program pamphlet loosely inserted at front, very good copy.nhill - centenary, 1948, back to nhill, 13th-20th march 1948, nhill & district history -
Ballan Shire Historical Society
Map - Map. Bullarook State Forest, Bullarook State Forest Reserve
A small map of the Bullarook State Forest Reserve. Drawn on a fine buff coloured paper attached to a stiff cloth backing sheet. The title is hand written and includes a "scale one mile to one inch" hand written also. The map is signed "John Wrigglesworth, assistant ? and dated 26/6/1869" although the month and year are almost illegible.moorabool west, state forest, bullarook, eastern moorabool river, werribee river, moorabool east, blakes saw mill, wombat, andersons saw mill -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - OLD PEOPLES WELFARE SOCIETY COLLECTION: ACCOUNT STATEMENT
COLLECTION OF RECORDS OF BENDIGO AND DISTRICT OLD PEOPLES WELFARE SOCIETY INC. / black stiff cardboard ring binder - dates on front 30.6.94 -30.6.95 / notes on side audited 1/7/93-30.6.94 B.B.S.V. Vouchers 1/7/94-30.6.95 / internal documents include Bendigo Bank Ltd Account Statement, receipts for charity donations, lettersdocument -
Orbost & District Historical Society
moustache cup, late 19th - first half 20th century
The moustache cup is a drinking cup with a semicircular ledge inside. The ledge has a half moon-shaped opening to allow the passage of liquids and serves as a guard to keep moustaches dry. It is generally acknowledged to have been invented in the 1860s by British potter Harvey Adams (born 1835). Moustaches flourished throughout the Victorian era. Men often applied great gobs of melted wax to the moustache to keep it nice and stiff, with every hair in place.Between 1920 and 1930, moustaches progressively began to go out of fashion and hence moustache cup production gradually dwindled. This cup is an example of a common domestic item of its time. The Nixon families were among the earliest settlers on the Snowy River.A drinking cup with a semi-circular ledge inside - a moustache cup. It is white with a mauve stencilled border design and pink roses in the centre.Bottom - 34 472/5moustache-cup china domestic-items crockery -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Hat - Bowling x2
Lawn bowls required members to wear a white uniform which included a hat. Lawn bowls was played at Mt Beauty.Lawn bowls was played at Mt Beauty.White material hat with stiff peak sown onto green material which is underneath the peak. The top of the hat is made of 8 triangular sections meeting in the centre. There is a black band between the peak and top of the hat. The band has "Mt Beauty" sewn on at the front. The other hat has green material all the way around as it has a peak at the front and back."Mt Beauty" Label: Makers and size.lawn bowls. mt beauty. hat. clothing., bowling club, bowls -
Kilmore Historical Society
Footwear - Pair Child's black leather boots, Child's black leather boots
Pair Child's 6 button black leather boots. Round worn makers mark on polished leather sole. Nailed leather heel. Decorative machine stitching and punching over toe puff. Tan leather interface on stitched eyelet holes. Inner lining white material. Inner sole white leather. Stiff supports under toe and heel leatherWorn stamped makers mark on sole. Size 1 stamped on sole instep -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Domestic object - Airzone Vacuum Cleaner, 1950
Standard Telephones and Cables Pty Ltd was a telecommunications company that began as part of Western Electric, a telephone manufacturing company set up by Alexander Graham Bell. Following the First World War, Western Electric diversified to include electric generators and wireless receivers, all still imported. In 1925, Western Electric was sold to the International Telephone and Telegraph Company. In Australia, it became known as Standard Telephones and Cables (Australasia) They worked closely the Postmaster Generals department to set up telephone and radio networks throughout Australia. Its first factory was in Chippendale, New South Wales but ut developed to have branches in all stated of Australia. By the end of the Second World War STC was Australia's biggest manufacturer due to its critical role in producing telecommunications equipment, domestic radio receivers, telecom cables, military equipment and electron tubes. The company returned to peacetime manufacture. Rather than reduce staff it used its excess capacity to produce electric irons and other domestic appliances including vacuum cleaners and floor polishers. This model was produced at the beginning of the 1950s. It was once owned by Mr. Stiff from Stiff and Gannon, Wodonga.This item has local and national significance. It was used in a local Wodonga business and is representative of domestic appliances used in the 1950s. It also has national significance as it is an excellent example of good produced by the manufacturing industry in Australia during that period.Model 30 Airzone Vacuum Cleaner and accessories. Manufactured in AustraliaMetal logo for Airzone including engine specificationsdomestic appliances, standard telephones and cables pty ltd -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Steam carriage works - A Robinson, Early 1900s (original)
This is a photocopy of a booklet produced in the early 1900s by the firm of A.Robinson & Co. of Warrnambool. Alexander Robinson, the son of James and Jane Robinson (farmers) was born in Warrnambool in 1862. He was an award-winning coach and carriage builder, firstly in partnership with Frederick Morse in Fairy Street and later with his own company A. Robinson and Co. By the early 20th century he was also selling and repairing motor cars. Alex Robinson was a Warrnambool City Councillor from 1904 to 1910 and from 1922 to 1927 and Mayor on two occasions. His business site is now occupied by Callaghan Motors. Although this is only a photocopy it is of great interest as the photocopied photographs are clear and show us exactly what type of horse-drawn vehicles were in use in the Warrnambool area at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The firm of A. Robinson was a prominent one in Warrnambool and Alex Robinson was active in civic affairs in the town. This is a photocopy of a booklet produced by Alexander Robinson advertising his Steam Carriage Works in the early 1900s. The pages are bound together with a plastic clip and the back cover is a piece of stiff cardboard. The booklet contains black and white photographs of the factory building and of the buggies, wagons, jinkers and carts for sale. It also has a page detailing the prizes won by the firm at Agricultural Shows all over Victoria.robinson & morse, a.robinson & co., history of warrnambool, coach and carriage making in warrnambool -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Sign, Yarra Trams, "St Kilda Beach", "North Richmond", c2010
Auxiliary board or sign for the front of tramcars providing destination details - using heavy stiff plastic black board, with the words "St Kilda Beach" on one side and "North Richmond" on the other. Letters formed from white plastic adhesive material. Would have been used on the route 78 service. Has two aluminium pressed metal lugs on either pop riveted to the board.trams, tramways, sign, north richmond, yarra trams, st kilda beach -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - COLIN MANSEL, BENDIGO VIOLINIST, c.1947
Black and white photograph of male figure playing violin in front of drawn curtain. Photograph mounted on board and enclosed in stiff paper folder. Inscriptions: on front of folder - 'Christmas Greetings from Colin 1947, a Reg Brock photo'. Printed picture of lighted candle in candle stick, Drawing of holly in red and green. Printed in folder 'Colin Mansel, Bendigo Violinist'. History: Previous Acc. No. P672Reg V Brockperson, individual, portrait male -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Artwork, other - Puppet, Princess, WW2
The puppets were made by German POW's in camp 13 and sent to internment camp 3 as gifts for the children at Christmas time. Paper mache head & arms hand painted pink. Small paper crown on top of white painted hair. White fabric dress with metallic gold trim in front on sleeves. A high collar attached to dress made of white fabric covering leather for stiffness. Blue cotton coat with gold trim. Wooden legs covered in calico with blue painted high heel shoes, with white heels.pow puppets, pow handcrafts, hand puppets, sharron lohe, ww2 internment camp puppet theatre, puppet theatre -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Mr. Jim Wharrie with Ruby Wharrie and Lewis van Praagh in fancy dress
Ruby Wharrie in Fancy Dress with Lewis van Praagh, Jim Wharrie is sitting between Ruby & Lewis in his dressing gown. Taken in 19th May 1982 from "The Heidelgerger" ( Melbourne).Black & white print form a newspaper of Jim & Ruby Wharrie with co performer Lewis van Praagh, aged 86 at the Austin Hospital. Both Jim & Ruby are 80 years of age. Ruby is dressed in a blazer with a frilled blouse underneath and a bowler hat. Jim is in a dressing gown and Lewis dressed in a blazer with decorative cuffs, a bow tie and a stiff rimmed hat with a medallion & scarf around his neck.stawell -
Mt Dandenong & District Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Working Bee For Mt Dandenong School c1899, c1899
Photograph mounted on stiff cardboard showing a group of adults and children attending a working bee to clear a site for the Mt Dandenong State School which opened on April 23rd 1901 following the relocation of a building from Ringwood to the site. The original school operated from a rented building from 1897 that was opposite the present school site. NB: The attendees looked fairly well dressed for a working bee.Handwritten on back of photo: Working bee clearing site for Mt Dandenong State School years about 1899 - 1900 AD.mt dandenong school, working bee -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Booklet - History 20 LH
The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 the Regiment was deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Upon its return in April 1945, the Regiment was redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion. It was disbanded following the end of the war. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII.A4 sized booklet with stiff slip-on plastic spine, 16 pages, clear plastic front cover and card back cover. Covers the history of the regiment from Victorian Colonial period, Federation militia as 7th, 15th and finally 20th Light Horse, then conversion to 20 Motor Regiment and deployment to Merauke in Dutch New Guinea and lastly in the closing stages of the Second World War to 20th Pioneer Battalion.military, wwii, world war two, light horse, motor regiment, pioneer battalion, aif, merauke, new guinea -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Codling Collection 01 - High Street East - Coles Supermarket, 1980s
Miss Olive Codling was a Foundation Member and a Life Member of the Wodonga Historical Society. Many of her prize-winning photos are held in the Society Collection. She also held a range of roles and committee positions in a wide range of Wodonga community organisations. These included the Horticultural Society, the Wodonga Arts Council, the Wodonga Camera Club and the Wodonga Lapidary Club. This photo collection is significant as it documents how the businesses and buildings in Wodonga have evolved and contributed to community throughout the 20th century.Eastern side of High Street, Wodonga - Coles New World Supermarket opened on Wednesday 18th August 1971. The One Way sign was for drivers coming from Stanley Street. Parking meters were introduced in High Street in 1977 and remained until 1996. Arch Sloman was the first Manager. This location had earlier been occupied by Stiff and Gannon which was demolished to make way for the new supermarket.wodonga businesses, high st wodonga, susan hines, s & e rendich -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
administrative record (item) - Letter book, W.H.C. Darvall, The Victorian Seamens' Mission, Institutes and Rests: No 1 Letter Book, late 19th Century
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) -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
administrative record (item) - Letter book, W.H.C. Darvall, The Victorian Seamens' Mission, Institutes and Rests: No 2 Letter Book, c. 1890
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 public Libraries and first town clerk of Beechworth.In handwritten black ink primary inscription on title page (see title field this record...) also: "Commencing on 19th October 1902 Ending ...1905 / Indexed to:.../ WHC Darvall / Hon'y Secretary. "correspondence records, seafarer advocacy, seafarer shore facilities, ship to shore, william henry charles darvall (1830-1906), letters, sailors' rest, welfare, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, mission to seafarers, correspondence, letter book, nellie melba, kitty grindley, lord thomas brassey, crawford pasco -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Iron Hand, circa 1867 to circa 1871
This is size one of three sizes (Mrs Potts) irons available in the late 1800s and early 1900s which were used for (press) ironing clothes etc. using wood or coal based heaters. The majority of these irons would have been placed on top of wood or coal fuelled stoves. They survived longer in isolated outback regions where electricity had not been connected. The weight of these irons was intentionally heavy so as to press the clothes etc. neatly. These irons were used in an era where stiff collars and creases in particular types of clothing was essentially a social requirementHistorically these irons fulfilled a particular function that was the norm in isolated or semi isolated country locations. Cities and larger towns had professional laundry and pressing shops. In smaller towns and homesteads, wives and relatives would use these heavy irons and required strong arms. In middle and higher levels of society these irons would be used by maids or nannies. Their use was a necessity to conform to the social requirements of acceptable appearances that all clothing worn had been "pressed" clean. In the Kiewa Valley the majority of these irons would have been used by mothers or relatives. Men would hardly have used these irons as society labelled this type of activity as "women's work"This double pointed, heavy and solid cast iron, is a Mrs Potts No. 1 type. It does not have a handle. It was used to iron clothes. Open cavity on top for handle (not included) see KVHS 0369 for No. 3 ironMrs Potts No. 1house hold, ironing, domestic, pressing, clothes appliance