These Christmas cards are part of an album of postcards which date from late 19th century to mid 20th century. These cards are the only cards in the collection and may be circa 1950s. They depict representations of the Madonna and Child by Italian Rennaissance artists. These cards are inside their original envelopes and were never used but may have been kept for religious, sentimental or aesthetic reasons.These Christmas cards are the only cards in an album of postcards dating from the late 19th century to mid 20th century. It reflects the popularity of collecting postcards in Australia which reached a height in the early 1900s until around 1920. Christmas cards (3) almost identical except for different representations of the Madonna and ChildInside cards: 'Christmas Greetings / and good wishes / for the New Year' Back of cards at bottom: 'G. B. Florence Made in Italy'christmas cards, postcard album

This bolster sham is one of several linen and clothing items that were made and belonged to Mrs. Eliza Towns and donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. Eliza was born Eliza Gould in 1857 in South Melbourne (Emerald Hill) and in 1879 married Charles Towns. In the early 1880's they moved to Nhill in western Victoria and remained there for the rest of their married life. Charles was a jeweller and later became an accountant and for many years was involved with the Shire Council, the local show committee (A & P Society), the Hospital Committee and the Board of the local newspaper (the Nhill Free Press). They had three children and lived a life that would be regarded as comfortably "middle class". Eliza probably had a treadle sewing machine and would have made many of her own clothes and household linens - adding her own handmade embroidered or crocheted decorative trim. Most beds during the late 19th and early 20th century had a feather, hair or spring mattress covered by a blanket and topped with an under sheet, an upper sheet, several blankets and a bedspread. A flat bolster could be placed either under the pillows or on top of the pillows with a decorative sham. Washing pillows and quilts by hand would have been a very onerous task (involving heating water and handwashing in a tub or using a copper) and so it became the practise of many housewives to cover the pillows and bolsters with an outer slip (or sham) of washable material which could be easily removed and washed when needed. If the bolster was kept under the pillows it wouldn't need to be very decorative but many shams or slips that were "on show" were often highly decorated with embroidery, pintucks, ribbons or lace. This bolster sham is machine made and quite plain with the exception of some pintucking and eyelet lace on each end which suggests that it would mostly be hidden under the top pillows with just the decorative edges on display.This item is an example of the needlework skills of women in the early 20th century - combining machine stitching with hand embroidery to personalise and embellish a practical domestic object. It is also significant as an example of an early 20th century innovation that helped make the working lives of housewives a little bit easier.A long white cotton rectangular bolster sham, machine sewn, with seven ties and two buttons (plus one missing button) to enable it to be folded over lengthwise and closed. It has two pull string ties near each end to enclose a bolster and is finished with a decorative edge of pintucks and handmade eyelet lace and embroidery.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, eliza towns, sham, bedding, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, household textiles, sewing, bolster sham, housework, pillow sham, charles towns, nhill, haberdashery, needlework, manchester, handmade, household linen

This school text book was used at the Wangoom State School by Henrietta Giles in the late 19th century. The Wangoom School was established in 1865 as the Wangoom Common School and later became the Wangoom State School. It is now closed. Henrietta Robina Victoria Giles was born in Woodford in 1881 to Henry and Mary Jane Giles, early settlers in the Warrnambool district. They lived on the Allansford Road.This book is of interest as an example of a school text book used in Victoria late in the 19th century. It is also of interest because it belonged to Henrietta Giles, a member of a family living in the Warrnambool district in the 19th century. This is a hard cover book of 70 pages. The cover is brown with embossed lettering and ornamentation on the front and back cover. It is much stained and splotched. The first page is torn at the edge and some of the other pages are dog-eared. The two inscriptions (identical) are handwritten in black ink.‘Henrietta R.V. Giles, Wangoom State School, No. 645’ wangoom state school, henrietta giles

This is a souvenir vase produced for the tourist trade in Warrnambool. The vase was made by Victoria China in Czechoslovakia and the image of the Warrnambool War Memorial has been added for sale in Warrnambool. Similar items with suitable illustrations would have been produced for the tourist industry for other towns and places in Australia. Tourism has been an important industry in Warrnambool since the late 19th century. This vase is of interest as an example of the souvenirs available to tourists in Warrnambool in the 1930s. It is both a decorative and a useful item. This is a white china vase with an elliptical-shaped body and a circular neck with a wider opening at the top. There is a faint brown-gold colouring on the neck of the vase and this colouring is stronger on the under-side of the top opening, There is a colour illustration of the War Memorial at Warrnambool on the side of the vase. The maker’s name is on the base of the vase. ‘Soldier’s (sic) Memorial, Warrnambool’ tourism in warrnambool

The Thomas splint is still used in war zones today. It was invented in the late 19th Century by pioneering surgeon Hugh Owen Thomas, often described as the father of British orthopaedics, born in Anglesey to a family of "bone setters". He created the so-called 'Thomas Splint', which would stabilise a fractured femur and prevent infection. This item was used for a child with a broken thigh bone.This item is an example of an early piece of medical equipment.Thomas splint is a leg splint consisting of two rigid rods attached to an ovoid padded ring that fits around the thigh.splint-thomas orbost-hospital medicine-nursing

Part of the Zakrzewski Collection of spinning wheels donated to the National Wool Museum by Mr Wlodzimierz Zakrzewski. For many years, Mr Zakrzewski collected, researched and repaired spinning wheels from all over the world. This wheel is Irish and dates from the late 19th century. It would have been used for spinning flax as well as wool. It was purchased from H. Ringersma, Melbourne.Part of the Zakrzewski Spinning Wheel collection.handicrafts - history flax, spinning wheels, highlights of the national wool museum: the zakrzewski spinning wheel collection - exhibition (28/07/2001 - 02/12/2001), zakrzewski, mr wlodzimierz, handicrafts - history, flax

This type of large, brass tap is typical of the plumbing fittings manufactured in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The tap has encrustations and concretion inside, showing that it had been in the sea for quite some time. The pipe leading to the spout is squashed, nicked and appears to have been sawn or broken off. It could have once been part of the plumbing from a ship, perhaps from one of the boilers used in the kitchen, for bathing or for laundry or cleaning. The name “BEST” on the tap signifies that it could have been made by Robert Best who began his Birmingham brass foundry c. 1840, and even though The information from the donor is that tap was given to her father (1906-1982) who lived in the Warrnambool district. It was likely given by a cray fisherman or diver, who said that the tap came from the Loch Ard shipwreck, wrecked on Mutton Bird Island, east of Port Campbell, Victoria, on 1st June 1878. This could easily be the case but there is no provenance for it. ROBERT BEST, BRASS FOUNDRY Circa 1840 Robert Best founded his brass foundry business and was referred to as a Brass Chandelier of Birmingham”. In 1864 an advertisement in the Journal of Gas Lighting, Water Supply, & Sanitary Improvement announces Best and Hobson, late Robert Best, 100 Charlotte Street Birmingham, manufacturers of Chandeliers, Brass and iron fittings, Steam and Water-cocks etc. gas apparatus of every description, Plumber's brass foundry, with works at Birmingham and Great Bridge, Staffordshire. In 1867 Best & Lloyd was formed, after Best and Hobson went into liquidation, manufacturing at the Cambray Works of Wattville Road, Handsworth. It was a light industrial engineering works and one of the owners was Robert Dudley Best’s father. Robert Dudley Best (1892-1984) later took over the business of Best & Lloyd. The company is still in business at Downing Street, Smethwick, Birmingham. In 1878, brass ship furniture and bell fittings stamped “BEST” was made by William Udal & Co., who advertised as manufacturers of BEST cast and stamped brass foundry goods. This large brass tap is typical of industrial tapware of the mid-late 19th ancenturies 20th century. The location of the tap when found is associated with the Warrnambool district and could have easily been from a shipwreck due to the encrustation found inside the tap. Due to its design and manufacturer, the tap is associated with the mid-late 19th and early 20th-century manufacture of plumbing fittings. Tap, brass, heavy-duty, with butterfly handle. The design and style are typical of the plumbing of the late 1800s. Inscription pressed into the handle, within rectangular border "BEST". Encrustation and concretion are inside the tap spout. “BEST” on one side of the tap handle (Also, a label from the donor attached to the tap “from the wreckage of the LOCH ARD")flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, robert best brass foundry, best and hobson, best & llyod, birmingham brass foundry, brass tap, best brand tap, heavy duty brass tap, industrial brass tap, boiler tap, 19th century plumbing, 19th century tapware, 19th century plumbing fitting, tap with butterfly handle, tap salvaged from shipwreck, brass fittings, steam engine fittings, water-cock fitting

This postcard is part of an album of postcards which date from late 19th century to mid 20th century. It depicts a romanticized bush scene with two lines of A. B. Paterson poem, 'Black Swans', underneath. A. B. Paterson 1864-1941 was a famous Australian bush poet most notable for writing 'Waltzing Matilda' and 'The Man from Snowy River'. 'Black Swans' was first published in 1893. As this postcard is glued to the album, other information is unavailable, but this postcard is likely to have been printed in the late 19th or early 20th centuries.This postcard is in an album of postcards dating from the late 19th century to mid 20th century. It reflects the popularity of collecting postcards in Australia which reached a height in the early 1900s until around 1920. Postcard of Australian bush scene with two lines of A. B. Paterson poem, Black Swans, underneath picture. On front, printed underneath photograph: ' "From the northern creeks with the reeds and rushes, / Where the hills are clothed with a purple haze." / A. B. Paterson'postcard, photography, 1900s, buildings, , beechworth

This is a medal won by J. McKenzie of the Warrnambool Fire Brigade at a Camperdown competition in 1899. A Warrnambool Fire Brigade was first established in 1859 but it lapsed and another Fire Brigade was formed in 1863. This Brigade prospered and entered in, and won many Fire Brigade demonstrations and competitions which were particularly popular in the late 19th century and early 20th century. No information has been found on J. McKenzieThis medal is of considerable interest as a memento of the Warrnambool Fire Brigade in 1899 and of its successes in competitions against other Victorian Fire Brigades.This circular silver coloured light metal medal features an eight petal shaped centrepiece inserted into an outer circle with text on both obverse and reverse. It has a small attached ring at the top. Obverse -CAMPERDOWN 24/5/99 ENGINE3 MEN WON BY J MC KENZIE Reverse W.F.B. Maker's markj. mckenzie, warrnambool fire brigade, warrnambool history

Box cameras were first produced in the late 19th century and were intended to be used by amateur photographers. This type of camera was a simple one with the lens at one end and the film at the other and the provision for 12 photographic plates. The spring-loaded lens folded into the camera and one side of the box served as a base for the lens to sit on. Cameras of this size and shape were made until the mid 1920s. This camera case is retained for display purposes.This is a wooden rectangular box which is covered in black leather. The box is a camera case and has a top lid with metal hinges and metal clips and five glass apertures. There are two knobs or buttons which were originally adjustable mechanisms and the remnants of a leather strap on one side of the box. The leather on the outside is partially torn away. Inside the box the photographic mechanisms and the lens are missing but there is a part of the metal spring still evident. There are also eight photographic plates loose inside the box. early photography in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

It appears that the earliest form of child's high chair is attributed to Jonathan Jacobs (1845-1919) a cabinet maker of Browningsville, Pennsylvania USA around the mid to late 19th century. However, children’s chairs from the 18th century and earlier were being used and are in many museum collections around the world that show woodworkers were adapting chair designs for younger users in Europe and America at this time.An early children's wooden high chair probably made in America around 1890-1900. Many American manufactures made this type of wooden high chair called an “Eastlake” style and many did not mark their work so it is difficult to determine the subject items exact provenance. A significant item giving a snapshot into the evolution of children's furniture and domestic life during the late Victorian era.Convertible pressed back Victorian era high chair with convertible frame, cast iron wheels, Carved picture of a child to back of seatflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, high chair, potty chair, baby furniture, kitchen furniture

Australian munitions is the largest supplier of explosive munitions to the Australian Defence Force. Australian Munitions can trace its ammunition heritage back to the late 19th century, through the establishment of the Colonial Ammunition Company in Victoria. Manufacturing is based at two main regional sites – Benalla in Victoria and Mulwala in New South Wales. The Benalla site produces ammunition, explosive ordnance and other munitions.This cartridge represents the first ammunition delivery from the site upon its opening in 1996.Single 5.56mm cartridge, encased in resin. Text and images on resin."INERT ROUND" "First Ammunition Deliveries from" "ADI'S Benalla Facility" "3 April 1996"cartridge, ammunition, round, adi, australian munitions, bullet

A sports carnival was held annually in Orbost from the late 19th century onward. Usually the carnivals raised money for worthy local causes.Closer to the date, a program of events was published, including the prizes on offer and entries invited for the footrace and woodchop events, as nomination and acceptance fees applied. Entries for other events were taken on the day. The Sports Day would end with a concert in the evening. (info. Jenni York)This is a pictorial record of an event which was an important part of the lives of the early settlers of Orbost.A black / white photograph of a group of ladies and children standing in shade with trees and bushland behind them. They are wearing long dresses and hats.on front - "The Ladies Picture"recreation sports-orbost sports-day-orbost athletics woodchop

A sports carnival was held annually in Orbost from the late 19th century onward. Usually the carnivals raised money for worthy local causes.Closer to the date, a program of events was published, including the prizes on offer and entries invited for the footrace and woodchop events, as nomination and acceptance fees applied. Entries for other events were taken on the day. The Sports Day would end with a concert in the evening. (info. Jenni York)This is a pictorial record of a significant annual event in the late 19th century in Orbost.A black / white photograph of a group of men wearing athletic clothing ready for a foot race. There is a large group of supporters standing behind them.on front - "Sports Day at Orbost"recreation orbost-sports day athletics foot-racing carnival

This is a souvenir dish or small plate with an illustration of the Hopkins River in Warrnambool. Included in the illustration are the rowing shed, the boathouses and the lambertiana trees in the property of Lyndoch. The souvenir dish would have been sold to tourists visiting Warrnambool or Warrnambool residents in the 1920s and 30s. This type of souvenir was popular at the time in any tourist town or place in Australia. Tourism has been an important industry in Warrnambool since the late 19th century. This item is of interest as an example of the type of souvenir produced for tourists in the 1920s and 30s. It was both a useful and decorative item. It will be useful for display. This is a small glass souvenir dish. The centre of the dish features a colour illustration of the Hopkins River, Warrnambool (near its mouth). The glass around the illustration is heavily patterned and embossed. The bottom of the dish is dark blue. ‘Hopkins River Warrnambool’ tourism in warrnambool, warrnambool history

Part of the Zakrzewski Collection of spinning wheels donated to the National Wool Museum by Mr Wlodzimierz Zakrzewski. For many years, Mr Zakrzewski collected, researched and repaired spinning wheels from all over the world. This wheel is from the Black Forest region of Germany and dates from the late 19th century. It would have been used mostly for spinning flax. It was purchased from MacDonald Antiques at the Hawthorn Market.Part of the Zakrzewski Spinning Wheel collection.handicrafts - history flax, spinning wheels, highlights of the national wool museum: the zakrzewski spinning wheel collection - exhibition (28/07/2001 - 02/12/2001), zakrzewski, mr wlodzimierz, handicrafts - history, flax

This postcard is part of an album of postcards which date from late 19th century to mid 20th century. Bear's Castle is a unique and historical building constructed in the 1840s and classified by the National Trust for its design and construction techniques. The purpose of the 'castle' is contested but one theory is that it was built as a defensive citadel against attacks by bushrangers which had occurred prior to the owner, John Bear, ordering its construction.This postcard is in an album of postcards dating from the late 19th century to mid 20th century. It reflects the popularity of collecting postcards in Australia which reached a height in the early 1900s until around 1920. Postcard of historic Bear's Castle in Yan Yean.On front: Inscribed 'Bear's Castle on Old Landmark Yan Yean Whittlesea' On back, handwritten long message which does not mention places. It begins with: 'This is one I got on Wednesday. / Travelled with a friend of Lou and Will....'postcard, photography, 1900s, bear's castle, buildings, yan yean

This postcard is part of an album of postcards which date from late 19th century to mid 20th century. This card is one of two cards which directly connects the album with an Emerald resident. The writer, O E Cowper was the wife of Percy Cowper who was the Emerald Postmaster 1929-1947. The couple appear to have been on a short holiday in the city. The postcard message refers to an Emerald resident, Mr Legge.This postcard in an album of postcards dating from the late 19th century to mid 20th century. It reflects the popularity of collecting postcards in Australia which reached a height in the early 1900s until around 1920. Post Card of Swanston Street, Melbourne c1930s. Black and white photographic image.On front at bottom of image: 'SWANSTON STREET, MELBOURNE, VIC. / SOUTHERN CROSS SERIES P3276' Back of image: Handwritten message 'Dear Elsie / We are having a nice holiday but I feel / pretty tired today. Too much walking yes- / terday & a North Wind. We went to / see Mr Legge in the Hospital the / other day as we were passing there. / How are the Chooks? How is Quilthy getting / on? She didn't try to follow us. / Regards to Mum, Mrs Fielder & [?]Sheila / Yours as ever O E Cowperpostcard album, swanston street, 1940s

.1 This is a single sheet of paper folded twice to make a pamphlet. It has a multi-coloured map (predominantly yellow), an illustration, several black and white photographs, printed text and coloured headings. .2 This is a single sheet of paper inserted into item 1. It is folded twice and contains black and white photographs.non-fictionWarrnambool Tourist Map and Guidetourism in warrnambool, warrnambool rail, warrnambool tourist guides

This glass has been purchased by a visitor to Warrnambool as a utilitarian souvenir of the visit. Tourism has been an important business in Warrnambool for over100 years. In the late 19th century Warrnambool was promoted as a spa resort with its mild climate, coastal swimming and hot and cold seawater baths. Today the visitors come in winter to see the Southern Right whales at Logans Beach and other coastal areas and in summer they come for a beach holiday. This glass is retained as an example of the mid 20th century tourist souvenirs obtainable in Warrnambool. This is a small glass tumbler, oval-shaped. The rim and the base are encircled by thick gold bands with smaller gold bands underneath the rim and above the bottom gold band. The word ‘Warrnambool’ is painted in gold on the side of the glassWarrnambooltourism in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

Part of the Zakrzewski Collection of spinning wheels donated to the National Wool Museum by Mr Wlodzimierz Zakrzewski. For many years, Mr Zakrzewski collected, researched and repaired spinning wheels from all over the world. This wheel is a late 19th century spinning wheel from Japan and was used for spinning silk. It was purchased from Kazari Japanese Interiors in Prahran, after first being offered for sale at Stonnington Antiques Fair.Part of the Zakrzewski Spinning Wheel collection.handicrafts - history silk, spinning wheels, highlights of the national wool museum: the zakrzewski spinning wheel collection - exhibition (28/07/2001 - 02/12/2001), zakrzewski, mr wlodzimierz, handicrafts - history, silk

A boy sits in the board room at the RVIB building in St Kilda Road, holding a Taylor's mathematical slate. Developed by Rev. William Taylor in the mid-late 19th century, this English invention provided a device that allowed pegs to represent a variety of numbers upon an array, rather than using raised numbers. Various models were produced around the world before it's eventual demise around the early 1970's.B/W image of a boy holding a metal grid in his laproyal victorian institute for the blind, braille equipment

Small souvenirs such as plates, cups, mugs, ash trays and jars, showing scenes and buildings in Warrnambool, were first produced in the late 19th century for all towns and cities in Australia and were popular in the early to mid 20th century. They are still produced for tourists today. The Historical Society has several of these souvenir dishes but this is the first souvenir egg cup we have seen. The image of Liebig Street is appropriate as this is the main street in Warrnambool. This souvenir egg cup has no great significance historically but it is representative of the type of souvenir sold to tourists and it is interesting because of its age (1940s). It will be useful for exhibitions.This is a white china egg cup with a coloured image of Liebig Street, WarrnamboolUnder the image – ‘Liebig Street, Warrnambool, Vic.’ On the base – ‘Royal Grafton Bone China, Made in England’ warrnambool, warrnambool souvenirs, liebig street