Showing 361 items
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Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Tin, Boot polish Cramond & Dickson
A tin of boot polish was a common household item in the 20th century (and is still in use to a lesser extent today). This dark tan boot polish was sold under the brand name of ‘C & D’ at the general store of Cramond and Dickson in Liebig Street, Warrnambool. John Glass Cramond and James Dickson established their business in Warrnambool in 1855 and this general store operated (firstly in Timor Street and later in Liebig Street) until 1973, making it one of the longest-running and one of the most important businesses in Warrnambool’s history. By 1868 a London agency had been established and direct imports from England began on a large scale. Many of the articles they sold, including the boot polish, were made expressly for the Cramond and Dickson store.This tin of boot polish is of great interest as an example of the goods sold by Cramond and Dickson that were made expressly for the Warrnambool store. Cramond and Dickson were one of the most important stores ever to operate in Warrnambool. This is a round metal tin, originally gold-coloured and with a red tape binding to prevent its opening. The front of the tin has printing and the image of a stylized rising sun and the bottom has more printing. The bottom of the tin is indented to allow the tin to rest on the rim only. The printing is legible but much faded. The tin contains the original polish. Top: ‘Use only C & D brand of Dark Tan Boot Polish, Cramond & Dickson, Warrnambool, Port Fairy and London’ Bottom: ‘For best results remove all dust, apply a little C & D dressing, brush briskly. Rubbing finally with a soft cloth produces a brilliant surface. Weight when packed 1½ ozs. net’ cramond and dickson store, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Souvenir, Oven Mitt, Early 20th century
This is a product that was sold in the general store of Cramond and Dickson in Warrnambool early in the 20th century and produced for this store at the time. It may also have been given to customers as an advertising feature. John Glass Cramond and James Dickson established a drapery store in Warrnambool in 1855, firstly in Timor Street and then in Liebig Street. It specialized in men’s and women’s clothing and drapery and had a tailoring and millinery business. The store opened branches in several towns in the vicinity of Warrnambool, including Port Fairy. It also opened a branch store in London, enabling it to import materials and other items direct from London. The Cramond and Dickson store in Warrnambool closed in 1973. This mitt is of considerable interest as it is a sample of the wares and advertising articles coming from the general store of Cramond and Dickson of Warrnambool. This store was of great importance in Warrnambool as a dominant business in the town/city for over 100 years. This is a rectangular-shaped oven mitt with light brown leather on one side and a green-coloured felt-like material with a fluted edge on the other side. The mitt has machine stitching diagonally across both sides and machine stitching around the edges. A leather looped tag is attached at one corner so that the mitt can be hung up. The reddish-brown printing on the leather side of the mitt is stamped into the leather. The leather side is a little stained. ‘Cramond & Dickson. Warrnambool, Port Fairy & London’ cramond & dickson stores, warrnambool, port fairy, london, history of warrnambool, john glass cramond, james dickson -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Book, Practical Scout training, Early 20th century
This book belonged to Evan Jones, a plasterer and stone mason from Warrnambool (born 1865). He and the Rev. Norman Crawford, the Curate at Christ Church, Warrnambool, began the first Boy Scout group in Warrnambool, the 1st Warrnambool Troop. When Baden Powell, the founder of the Boy Scout movement, visited Melbourne he presented Evan Jones with his scouting medal. The Boy Scout movement has been active in Warrnambool for over 100 years and currently there are two troops operating in the city - Warrnambool Tooram Scouts and Warrnambool Norfolk Scouts Evan Jones was also a Sergeant in the Warrnambool Garrison Artillery (a Volunteer Corps) and this partly explains his ownership of this book and his interest in military scouting. This book is of minor interest as an example of the type of book available early in the 20th century on military scouting. It is also of interest as a book belonging to Evan Jones, the co-founder of the Boy Scout movement in Warrnambool. This is a small book with a buff-coloured cardboard cover. It has red lettering on the front cover which is partly torn away at the right bottom edge. Many of the pages are also stained and torn away at the edges. The text includes sections on military patrolling in general and a section describing military patrols in the Boer War. There are several lift-out pages of sketches of patrols. The inscription is handwritten in pencil. S.M. Evan Jones, 1st W’bool Troop.’ warrnambool scout troops, evan jones -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Book, McKenzie Day Book, Early 1900s
This is a 1918 Day Book listing some employees/contractors and the day-to-day tasks undertaken by them. There is a separate page for each employee. The book lists such tasks as ‘carting from the Quarry’, ‘tarring Raglan Parade’, ‘tarring at the Gardens’, ‘screening Liebig Street’, ‘working at the Ladies’ Baths’ and ‘general patching’. The names of the employees/contractors include Niven, Thompson, Jewell, Walters, Mooney, Rodgers, Williams, Dunne and Gee. The name ‘McKenzie’ on the first page is the only clue to the identity of the employer/overseer and so far his identity has not been established. The jobs listed suggest that he was either an employee of the Warrnambool Council in the Public Works area or a contractor hired to do the same sort of work. This note book is of great interest as it lists workers and the jobs covered by them in 1918 in Warrnambool and it will be of greater significance when the identity of McKenzie is established.This is a note book with ruled blue and red lines. The cover is black and is a little torn and scuffed. There are some loose pages. The entries in the book are handwritten, mostly in black ink. ‘McKenzie Day Book November 4th 1918’history of warrnambool, mckenzie contractor, mckenzie warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Sale Poster, Mercer Print, "Arran" 1967, 1967
... notice is of general interest as a well established property ...This Auction notice is for the sale of an Ellerslie property called "Arran" , owned by Mr Philip M. Ormsby. The date of the auction is Thursday 16th February 1967. Vendors solicitors are Archer Naughtin and Forrest of Mortlake and the sale agents are Dennys, Lascelles Limited. Portions of "Arran" had been in the family since 1865. The property has 3/4 mile frontage to the Hopkins river.This sale notice is of general interest as a well established property in a good farming region. Long sheet with sale details of the property Arran The majority of the text is black with some highlighted in red.There is a map of the property on the reverse.warrnambool, arran, ellerslie -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Audio Visual, Audio Visual - DVD (Peter’s Project)
Peter’s Project is an organization set up to raise funds for a Regional Cancer Care Centre in Warrnambool. The project was initially set up by Vicki Jellie in memory of her husband, Peter, who died of cancer some years earlier. The main aim was to build a centre for the treatment of cancer in Warrnambool so that many cancer sufferers did not have to go to Geelong or Melbourne for treatment. Government and local Council funds have been obtained for the project with the general public contributing to an appeal for $5 million. This target has been reached and the building is currently being erected. This DVD is of a May 2013 Win TV telecast of interviews and information regarding the public appeal.This DVD is of some interest as it indicates the results of one person’s campaign and the community’s response. The campaign has been very successful and will have far-reaching results. This is a plastic DVD, yellow-coloured on one side and silver on the other. It is in a white envelope with a clear plastic window. In biro – ‘Peter’s Project, Win News, May 8, 2013’ Printed on disc – TDK, Life on Record, DVD-R 1-16 x Speed, 14.7GB, DVD’ peter’s project, warrnambool regional cancer care centre -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Hair Brush, 1880s
This is one of many items in a travelling case that belonged to Mary Glass Dickson Nee Cramond !865 - 1959. It was given to her on the occasion of her wedding to James Dickson in 188 The case was a present from her future husband. Mary Dickson's father John Cramond was a partner with her father in law. James Dickson snr. when they established a general store in Warrnambool in 1856. The store known as Cramond and Dickson was a prominent and elegant one in Warrnambool until it closed in 1973 This item is of considerable interest as it is part of an important artifact, a travelling case belonging to Mary Dickson an early member of the Warrnambool pioneering Cramond and Dickson families.This is a oval shaped hair brush with an embossed silver- coloured back and handle and horse hair bristles. Some of the horse hair is missing from the right side. The metal back and handle are somewhat tarnished cramond and dickson, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Document, Norman McDowell docket, 1950s
This is a docket indicating that the Woodford State school has purchased sweets in the 1950s for its annual picnic from Norm McDowell, a storekeeper at Bushfield. Bushfield and Woodford are small settlements seven kilometres north of Warrnambool. Woodford State School began in 1854 and is still operating today.No further information has been found on Norm McDowell but his general store was operating in the 1950sThis docket is of interest as the only memento we have of a Bushfield storekeeper some fifty tears agoA rectangular piece of paper torn from a dockets book. It has red, blue and cream text and some printed blue lines and figures. It also has hand written pencil notes. There is some damage in the top left hand corner. Norm. Mc Dowell GENERAL STOREKEEPER Sweets (Two Pounds, one shilling ) in symbols Paid. Woodford State School picnicbushfield, woodford state school -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Functional object - Packaging, Photo Wallet McKinney, 1940s or 1950s
This folder came from the photographic studio of Alex Wilkins. For over 35 years in the 20th century he was one of the best-known commercial photographers in Warrnambool. In 1938 he purchased the building known as Jordan Studios (94 Liebig Street) and worked there until the 1960s. In the 1940s he became interested in producing movie films documenting local news and scenes. The name ‘McKinney’ on this folder indicates that the contents belonged to someone in the Warrnambool area as William McKinney had a general store in Lava Street in the 1870s and 80s and there are still McKinney residents in Warrnambool today. This folder is of some interest as it comes from the studio of Alex Wilkins, one of Warrnambool’s most important photographers in the 20th century. This is buff-coloured paper folded in three places to make a folder with sleeves at each end to insert photographs or photograph negatives. The folder is stitched with cotton at the top and the bottom and some of the stitching is coming undone. The inside sleeves have black printed advertising material on them and the front cover has a red and black image of two little girls. The back cover has a red and black advertisement for Kodak Verichrome film.Back Cover: ‘McKinney’ Front Cover: ‘Alex Wilkins, Photographer, 94 Liebig St., Warrnanmbool’ (stamp) alex wilkins, mckinney family, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Book, The Women's..... A Century of Service, 1956
... Hospital. This book is of general historical interest ...This book by C.E. Sayers details the history of the Royal Women's Hospital from the time of its foundation as the Lying In Hospital in 1856.It includes information on doctors and nurses and managerial staff connected with the hospital. Some Warrnambool medical staff in the past have been connected with the Women's Hospital.This book is of general historical interest and is retained as some of the early staff members also worked in Warrnambool.This is a soft covered book of 170 pages. The front cover is white with black printing and a blue, white and red logo. The dust cover has the same. The pages contain 26 chapters, a foreword, introduction, appendices and two sepia coloured portraits. Melbourne The Royal Women's Hospitalwarrnambool medical staff -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Booklet, Thompson & O'Farrell, Rules & Regulations scale of fees Cemetary, 1902 (original edition)
This booklet gives the Rules and Regulations and the Scale of Fees for the Warrnambool General Cemetery as from 1902. The booklet rescinded the Rules and Regulations of 1855 and amongst the 1902 Rules it is noted that no catacombs or wooden structures were allowed by the Trustees. It was also noted that no child under ten was permitted into the cemetery grounds unless under adult supervision. The charge for an adult burial was £1 and ten shillings for a child under ten. The Warrnambool Cemetery is in Otway Road, Warrnambool and was first gazetted in 1853 with Mr Whittet as the first Sexton. This booklet is of considerable interest because it gives the Rules and Regulations and the Scale of Charges of the Warrnambool General Cemetery as laid down in 1902. The Trustees at the time were William Ardlie, a prominent Warrnambool lawyer, Samuel Nettleton, a well-known Warrnambool shopkeeper and J.H.Allan, a member of a pioneering family in the Warrnambool district. This is a small booklet containing the Rules and Regulations of the Warrnambool General Cemetery. It contains four double-sided pages with printed material on all of the pages. The cover is pale yellow and the printing on the front cover has a black edging. There is some silverfish damage on the page edges. The pages were stapled together but the staples have been removed (the use of staples suggests that this booklet is perhaps a reprint at a later date)Front Cover: ‘Rules and Regulations and Scale of Fees of the Warrnambool General Cemetery, Gazetted 19th November 1902, Warrnambool, Thompson and O’Farrell, Printers, Koroit St. 1902’.warrnambool general cemetery -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Financial record - Receipt book, 1940s
This folder contains blank receipt forms used by the Warrnambool firm of Cramond and Dickson probably in the 1940s.John Cramond and James Dickson established their general store in Liebig Street, Warrnambool in 1855. This store, known as Cramond and Dickson was a prominent one in Warrnambool until its closure in 1973. A branch of the store was opened in London in 1868.This receipt book is of some interest as a memento of the Cramond and Dickson store , one of the most important businesses in Warrnambool in the past.A leather cover containing paper held inside a rusty metal clip. There is one loose page with pencilled figures on the back page. The paper has black printing and includes one sheet of carbon paperPARAGON TRADE MARKcramond and dickson store, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Book, The Journals of Major-Gen. C.G. Gordon, C.B. at Kartoum (sic), 1885
Journals of General Gordon of KhartoumThis is a book of 316 pages, plus 33 pages of information on other books for sale by the publisher.The book has a dark red cover with gold lettering on the front cover and the spine. The pages contain printed text, two maps, a portrait and thirty black and white illustrations.non-fictionJournals of General Gordon of Khartoumgeneral gordon of khartoum, gordon, kartoum -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Administrative record - Customer cash book, Swinton and Sons Mrs. Brass South Warrnambool, 1895
This note book contains a list of items bought from Swinton and Sons, Warrnambool from April to October 1895 . The buyer is Mrs. Brass of South Warrnambool. A perusal of the items bought suggest they were not just for a house hold but possibly for a small general store. The Brass family is a well known one in South Warrnambool. John Brass, a pioneer settler, was a lighterman and boatman at the harbour. He was accidentally drowned in 1895. The firm of William Swinton and Sons was a prominent one in Warrnambool established in 1865.This item is of some interest but needs further researchThis is a small notebook with a navy cloth cover and a hand written label on the front. The pages contain printed red lines and hand written entries in black ink. The pages are detached from the cover and there are many blank pages and one torn page.brass family warrnambool, swinton stores warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Photograph - Framed Photograph of Victoria Challenge Shield, George Edward & Sons, Glasgow, 1888
This framed photograph is of the Victoria Challenge Shield which was presented in 1888 by the Warrnambool firm of Cramond and Dickson for competition among the Victoria Garrison Artillery members in Victoria. There were 8 garrison groups in Victoria at that time. The shield was 22 inches wide and two feet six inches high.The quality of the shield can be gauged by that fact that it was exhibited at the Glasgow International Exhibition of 1888 and was one of the items inspected by Queen Victoria. The stipulation by the donors was that the competition had to be held in Warrnambool. The Warrnambool artillery group won the trophy in 1898 and this is noted in one of the newspaper cuttings included with the photograph of the shield. The Cramond and Dickson general store in Warrnambool was founded in 1855 by John Cramond and James Dickson and was a prominent business in Warrnambool until it closed in 1973. This photograph is of considerable interest as it is a reminder of the Victoria Challenge Shield that was a competition prize for competing groups of the Victoria Garrison Artillery in the times when volunteer militia groups were strong in Victorian country towns ( from the 1860s to the beginning of the First World War). This is a framed oval photograph of the Victoria Challenge Shield. The photograph is of poor production and fading. The shield details include images of War and Peace, Coat of Arms, militia figures and guns and a rifle match (in the centre). There are two newspaper cuttings included in the frame and a handwritten date. The photograph has a beige background and is under glass in a wooden frameVictoria Challenge Shield inspected by Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen at the Glasgow International Exhibition 24th August 1888 presented by Messrs Cramond & Dickson Warrnambool cramond & dickson warrnambool, victoria challenge shield, garrison artillery groups in victoria -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Book - World War Two Armstrong Cartoons, Harold Armstrong, Mein Kranks, c 1940
World War Two Armstrong CartoonsThis is a book of 48 pages. The cover has a cream background with a red strip on the front side cover. The front cover has a sketch in grey, black, white and red and printing in red and black. The pages are stapled and have an adhesive tape binding added to the outside spine. The pages contain sketches in black, white and grey shading.fictionWorld War Two Armstrong Cartoonsworld war two cartoonist armstrong, world war two -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Administrative record - Sales Docket Book, Cramond & Dickson Store, Warrnambool, 1960s
This docket book has been used to enter sales from the Cramond and Dickson department store in Warrnambool and to provide the customer with a copy of the invoice. It dates from about the 1960s. John Cramond and James Dickson, two pioneer settlers in Warrnambool, established the Carmond and Dickson store in Warrnambool in 1855, initially selling groceries, drapery and ironmongery but later, at the corner of Liebig and Timor Streets, this department store sold mainly clothing and drapery. In the 1860s a Cramond and Dickson store was opened in London. The Cramond and Dickson store, a most important business in Warrnambool, operated until 1973. The docket book was printed by Lamson Paragon, a British firm that was established in Australia in 1897 and specialized in printing sales docket books with a carbon paper insert.This docket book is of interest as a memento of the Cramond and Dickson Store, one of the most significant businesses ever to have operated in WarrnamboolThis is a docket book containing 46 pages of white printed sheets bound with green tape and enclosed in a green patterned paper cover on the front and a piece of cardboard on the back. The pages have ruled black lines, red and black print and an image in red of a building. Some of the pages have been used and removed. At the front of the pages are two sheets of carbon paper and tissue paper for copying purposes.Cramond & Dickson General Drapers and Importers Warrnambool 3280 Lamson Paragoncramond & dickson warrnambool, john cramond warrnambool, james dickson warrnambool, warrnambool businesses, lamson paragon printing firm -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Financial record - Warrnambool Financial Transactions Ledger, 1940s
The ownership of this ledger, dating from 1943 to 1945, is not known. It contains financial details of jobs done and sales and the names listed are those of residents of Warrnambool and district and local businesses. In general the amounts registered are small but there is no indication of the type of jobs done or goods supplied. It is conjectured that the ledger belonged to a local tradesman who also had a shop outlet. The origin of this ledger is unknown so the only interest is in the names included.This is a hard cover ledger with a dark green cover. The insides of the cover have a red and green mottled pattern. The 250 pages have ruled red lines and contain handwritten entries in blue ink. There are some loose sheets connected to the entries. Some pages at the back are blank. The pages are bound with string.warrnambool businesses, warrnambool financial ledger dating from world war two -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book - Encyclopaedia of Australasia, David Blair, Cyclopaedia of Australasia, 1881
Dictionary of facts, places and people of British Colonies in the Southern OceanThis is a book of 794 pages. It has a brown cover with gold printing on the front and the spine. The front cover is completely detached. The pages contain printed text. non-fictionDictionary of facts, places and people of British Colonies in the Southern Ocean british colonial history, australian history, warrnambool history -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Cloth Chart, A.E. Putnam Co. Iowa, U.S.A, c. 1896
This item was used to measure accurately the length of cloth on a bolt of material without unwinding it. It also measured lace, all types of textiles and spools of ribbon. It is surmised it would have been used in general stores or department stores in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This item was discovered in the late 1980s behind an old safe at Swintons Stores in Timor Street in Warrnambool. The item appears to have been used extensively and would have been very useful during a stocktake. It may have been used in the Swinton Stores which were first established in Timor Street in 1865 with one section of the stores selling furnishings, furniture, clothing and clothing materials. The item was manufactured by A.E. Putnam of Iowa, U.S.A. There was a patent registered in 1896 and a later 'improved' model with a patent date of 1907. This item is of considerable interest because of its rarity and survival, its connection to Warrnambool General Stores in the past and its value as a research tool in local social and economic history. The possible connection to Swintons Stores is important as this business operated from 1865 to 2024 and was one of the longest-surviving family businesses in Australia. This is a rectangular-shaped wooden pole with one slightly flattened side and numbers marked on each side in patterns resembling brick walls. At the top of the pole are two wooden pieces attached to the pole by metal clips held by screws. The two wooden pieces are attached at a slight angle to the pole. The lower wooden piece is movable along the pole and has incised numbers. The wooden pieces are rectangular in shape with a large curved piece cut out to form the shape of a pennant. The maker's name is incised into the metal on the top attached wooden piece. Putnam's Cloth Chart Copyrighted 1896 Patent Pend'ggeneral stores in warrnambool, swintons stores in warrnambool, vintage measuring instrument for cloth -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Docket machine, Lamson Paragon, 1930s
This 20th century business machine was used by the firm of D.H.Wood Motors of 169 Koroit Street Warrnambool. This firm advertised that it sold mainly Peugeot and Studebaker cars and Hillman and Humber cars and commercial trucks. This machine has local provenance as it came from the 20th century business of D.H.Wood Motors. It also has some historical interest as an example of a business or office machine used in the early to mid 20th century before the general use of computers. This is a grey rectangular-shaped metal box with rounded edges. The box has four metal studs on the base to keep the box stable. The box has a hinged section for the insertion of the paper dockets and a turning mechanism for removing the dockets, one at a time from a slot at the top of the machine. The dockets have a white (customer's) copy and a pink duplicate copy for the business to file. Two of the dockets have been removed from the machine to show the contents. The number of dockets in the machine is unknown. The metal surface of the machine is rubbed and rusty and the paper is stained. 'Paragon' 'D.H.Wood Motors, 169 Koroit Street, Warrnambool' 'Lamson Paragon Limited Wiz Register' vintage business machines, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Medallion, Bicentennial Memento School Students 1988, 1988
This medal was produced in 1988 by the Australian Bicentennial Authority as a memento for distribution to all school students in Australia. It was one of many medals struck to commemorate 200 years of European settlement in Australia.This medal is of some interest as it is a memento of Australia’s Bicentennial celebrations and it is one that all school children in Warrnambool and district would have received at that time. This silver circular medal has five stars and a large group of men, women and children some of whom are holding hands and dancing on the reverse. On the obverse is a geometrical shaped logo and two sprays of leaves. The medal is encased in a three page green , gold, blue and red coloured card folder The inside area has the Australian flag and streamers. Medal: AUSTRALIA on reverse. AUSTRALIAN BICENTENARRY 1788-1988 On the back cover of the folder: A Coat of Arms and Governor General of Australia During 1988 we commemorate 200 years of Australia's history in the modern world and will be celebrating our Bicentenary in many different ways. But one thing that we should all be doing is thinking about what it is to be an Australian. We should be learning about our past, trying better to understand the present, and thinking of the part we can play in the Australia of the future. You are Australia's future . Keep this medallion as a reminder of this important year in our history. Signed Ninian Stephen bicentennary, schools -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Buttons, England & Wales, C mid 20th century
These buttons are from a nursing uniform (England and Wales). They were made for the General Nursing Council for England and Wales by the firm of Boyd Cooper. This business was established in England in 1780 and is still making uniforms and other items for hospitals etc. The buttons belonged to Edith Henry, a member of a well-known Warrnambool family in 19th and 20h century WarrnamboolThese buttons are of interest as they are a good example of buttons used on nursing uniforms in England early in the 20th century and they belonged to Edith Henry, a member of a prominent Warrnambool family.1 Circular bakelite button with raised Tudor rose, text and scroll around the edge. The reverse has small ring and text. 2. As above but of a smaller size.1 Obverse ENGLAND . AND. WALES Four small dots Reverse BOYD COOPER GEORGE ST. HANOVER SQUARE W1 2 Obverse ENGLAND.AND WALES four small dots. Reverse 100195 buttons, history of warrnambool, nursing buttons -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Scales, Nullawarre PO tray & 6 weights, Early 20th century
These scales come from the Nullawarre Post Office. Nullawarre is a small settlement 25 kilometres south east of Warrnambool. The area was settled in the late 1860s and 1870s and the first school was opened in 1878. The main agricultural pursuit in the Nullawarre district is dairying. The Nullawarre Post Office still operates in the General Store building. This set of scales is of interest as it is a memento of the equipment used in country Post Offices one hundred years ago or more. Scales such as these may still be in use but electronically-operated scales are more likely to be used today.This is a set of metal weighing scales with two trays, one oval in shape and one round, on a balancing mechanism. This mechanism has two ornamental upright metal pieces. The scales are affixed to a wooden base in a rectangular shape with the front edge shaped into two curves. The wooden base has three slots for holding the weights. There are six brass weights with this item. The metal is a little tarnished and the wooden base is stained. nullawarre, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Scales, W. & T. Avery Ltd. Mill Lane Works, Nullawarre PO & tray + 2 weights, Early 20th century
These scales come from the Nullawarre Post Office and would have been used there for most of the 20th century. Nullawarre is a small settlement 25 kilometres south east of Warrnambool. It was first settled in the late 1860s and 70s and the main agricultural pursuit for the area today is dairying. The first Nullawarre school was opened in 1878 and the Nullawarre Post Office operates today in the Nullawarre General Store. These scales are of interest as a memento of the type of weighing scales used in Post Offices in Victoria in the early to mid 20th century. They are also of local interest as they come from the Nullawarre Post Office.This is a metal set of scales with a balance mechanism on a metal stand. The balance has a circular tray at one end to hold weights An oval dish to hold items to be weighed is a separate item that sits at the other end of the balance. The scales were once painted green and some traces of the green paint are visible. Two weights are with this item. The scales are much rusted. ‘W & T Avery Ltd Birm.’nullawarre, victoria, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Book, High Speed Clinton H Stagg, 1930s
This book has been in two Warrnambool lending libraries. It has been borrowed by subscription holders from 1938 to 1950. The book was first in Hudson’s Hygienic Library at 71 Liebig Street Warrnambool. A.R.Hudson had a bookshop and newsagency at the same address. Subscribers to the library paid two shillings and sixpence to join the library and then threepence a week for borrowing the book. The library was open to 9 p.m. and was advertised as ‘The most up-to-date library in the Western District.’ ‘Hygienic’ libraries were a feature of privately-operated libraries in Australia, mostly in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. The increased interest in germ prevention and health improvement led to the ‘hygienic’ practice of sterilising the books after each borrowing. It appears that the books were wiped with formaldehyde. Following Hudson’s ownership of this book, it was in Stronach’s Library at 105B Liebig Street. There have been examples of private subscription libraries in Warrnambool since the 1860s (plus the subscription library available at the Mechanics’ Institute). After 1950, with the increase in the funding and building of public libraries, subscription libraries for the general public largely disappeared. This book is of interest as an example of the books that could be borrowed from a private subscription library in Warrnambool in the early to mid 20th centuries. This is a hard cover book of 247 pages. The cover is red and yellow with an illustration of a racing car on the front and black printing on the front and back. The spine has been reinforced with black tape which is now peeling off. The inside front cover and the back cover have stickers from lending libraries. Inside the back cover are a series of stamps. The book is scuffed and somewhat stained. ‘Hudson’s Hygienic Library’ ‘Stronach’s Library’ warrnambool subscription libraries -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Artefact, Inkwell, 1920
This ink well could have been for household use but was more likely to have been used in an office or business. No information has been found on the name on the base – A.R. McLachlan. Ink wells began to be less used when fountain pens came into general use in the 1940s and went out of use completely when ballpoint pens became the popular writing instrument in the 1950s. This ink well is of interest as an example of the ink wells used early in the 20th century. It was probably used in an office or business building. This is a metal container with a circular base and an upright circular tube in which is inset a china ink well. The ink well is covered with a hinged metal lid and there are four round holes around the lid area. Both the lid and the base are etched with circular ridges. ‘A.R.McLachlan 1920’ office equipment, warrnambool, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Book, Dow and Lester, The Ghosts of My Friends, 1920s
This item came from the estate of Dorothy and Agnes Ardlie of Warrnambool. It is a type of autograph book where the signatures are used to form inkblots, thus creating patterns which in this case are called the ‘ghosts’ of those signing. The making and interpreting of ink blots became popular in the late 19th century and this autograph book created by Cecil Henland is a quirky example of this craze. The autograph book belonged to Agnes Ardlie and was apparently given to her on her 13th birthday (1928). Dorothy Ardlie (1910-1993) and Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993) were the daughters of Arthur and Ethel Ardlie of Warrnambool, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, pioneer settlers in Warrnambool. This book is of great interest as a good example of an early 20th century style of autograph book using the signatures to form ink blots. It also has local provenance as the signatures/blots are mostly those of an Ardlie family and other early to mid 20th century Warrnambool personalities.This is a book of 50 pages. The cover is dark red with the inkblot or ‘ghost of a celebrated general’ in black and white in the middle of the front cover. This inkblot is reprinted on the second page. The front cover and spine have gold printing. The book originally had 48 blank pages with a fold down the middle and printed space at the top and bottom for a date and a name. This book has 19 blank pages and the others are filled with ink blots formed by writing a signature along the fold and then folding over the sheet without blotting to get patterns called in this book, ‘ghosts’. The book has a signature and an inscription handwritten in black ink, a page of instructions, and a poem called ‘Ghosts’. To Agnes with love from Mickie Sept 5th 1928 Agnes Marianne Ardlie ardlie family, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Label, Bilson & Co, Early 20th century
Bilson and Co. operated a general store in Murray Street, Colac with its history dating from 1884 to 1955. Originally founded by the Tulloh family it became known as Bilsons after 1889 when Franklin Bilson came from Allansford where he had operated a general store. Bilsons store became one of the largest stores in country Victoria. In 1952 Bilsons merged with Foy and Gibsons. and in 1955 the Foy Bilson business was sold. This label is of interest firstly because it is a memento of Bilson's stores an important 20th century business in country Victoria and secondly because Franklin Bilson and his wife, Fanny, both have their place in Warrnambool's history.Rectangular white label with dark blue text and some scroll decoration. It is adhered to a piece of pink card .DIRECT IMPORTERS OF DRAPERY DRESSMAKERS & MILLINERS TAILORS & OUTFITTERS GROCERS & GENERAL STOREKEEPERS WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS From Bilson & Co. MURRAY STREET, COLACcolac, drapers, tailors, dressmakers, milliners, grocers, wine and spirit merchants, general store, bilsons, foy bilson, fanny bilson captain of the allansford womens cricket team, franklin bilson -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Labelsx8, Swinton, Early 20th century
William and Ann Swinton came to Warrnambool in 1854. William was a carpenter and established a general store in Warrnambool in 1865. By 1888 the firm was known as William Swinton & Sons. After William died in 1901 the business was known as Swintons Pty. Ltd. After 1934 there were two branches of the business, George Swinton & Son and Swintons Pty. Ltd. These labels are of interest because Swintons stores have been of utmost importance in Warrnambool's history.Today it is one of the oldest family businesses in Australia.1 Rectangular paper label with white inner rectangle with black text surrounded by dark green, checked red and dark green gold coloured borders.It is adhered to a piece of white paper. It is damaged. .2,.3 Rectangular paper cream labels with dark green text and gold coloured decorative borders. .4 Rectangular paper white label with red text surrounded by a brown and two thin black borders. It is damaged. .5,.6,.7 Rectangular cream coloured card with red text and a sphere surrounded by a decorative border. .8 White paper rectangular label with dark blue text. It has remnants of an adhesive on the back. .1 Genuine Vinegar BOTTLED BY SWINTON & SONS Approximately 25oz. .2 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CELEBRATED VINEGAR . Fermented Mixed Vinegar made from Wine, Sugar, and Distilled Alcohol. Free of any addition of Commercial Acetic Acid, COLOURED WITH CARAMEL. Each Bottle contains approximately 22oz. BOTTLED BY SWINTONS PTY.LTD.WARRNAMBOOL .4 PURE Extracted Honey SWINTON & SONS TIMOR STREET WARRNAMBOOL .5,.6,.7 THE UNIVERSAL MADE EXPRESSLY FOR W SWINTON & SONS, WARRNAMBOOL Size.....Price..... .8 SWINTON & SONS WARRNAMBOOL
