In August 1884, Alfred Hirst who had started his trade as a watch repairer and was described as a watchmaker extraordinaire established Hirst Brothers and Company, on Union Street in Oldham Manchester. He took his two stepbrothers into the business and the company was set up to produce timepieces and jewellery as well as importing “Limit company” Swiss watches and precision machine tools for the watch and clock trade. By 1902 Hirst Brothers. had become a limited company and was still growing, adding other businesses in Manchester in 1904 and at Birmingham in 1907. The quality of the clocks and watches was such that Alfred Hirst realised his greatest ambition in 1912 with a range of watches which carried the "Limit" trademark. These watch movements had originally been made in Switzerland and shipped to Hirst Bros. to be put into British made “Dennison” cases. This trade brought even more growth with additional sales offices opening in London and Glasgow. At the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 found them manufacturing aircraft parts including revolution counters and optical instruments. The firm had been tasked by the Ministry of Munitions to solve the problem of pilots dropping bombs by hand and as a result, they effectively created the first bomb rack. After the war, the company once again began to prosper and with the demand for their products increasing they looked to build a new purpose-built factory to manufacture their products. In 1917 they purchased a seven-acre field site at Tame Side Dobcross, the designing of the new factory was passed onto local architect AJ Howcroft. His brief for the design of the clockworks would have been prompted by Alfred Hirst who having visited modern factories in the United States was inspired by the latest factory designs providing as much daylight as possible during working hours. The factory was eventually completed in 1920, by the mid-1920s there were cheap clock imports from Germany and production turned to radio sets and other components as well as counter and gas meters for the "Parkinson and Cowan" company who was later to take over the business. In 1926 came the cotton crash and the District Bank who had loans with the company foreclosed on the Hirst loan. The company did survive and throughout the second World, War II were involved in munitions work at the factory as well as making instruments for various aircraft. In the 1950’s they were producing meters and high grade measuring equipment but by the 1970's the business had closed and the factory was demolished in the mid-1980 "s The item is a good example of the later use of an early mechanism “Fusee” that was originally invented around 1525 in Prague. This type of clock mechanism was replaced as watchmakers looked for mechanisms that could reduce the size of clocks and watches, it appears England was the only country to continue making clocks with a Fusee device until around 1900,s of which our clock is an example. The use of a Fusee movement eventually became obsolete in 1970,s. The item is significant for the collection as it is a clock with a movement that has long since been made obsolete. Fusee type gallery wall clock made by Tame Side with an 8-day mechanical fusee movement. The white enamel dial is a little crazed and some of the Roman Numeral numbers are fading due to over-cleaning. The movement has a hexagonal iron pendulum bob hooking onto a pendulum rod with a spring-wound anchor escapement.Only mark is stamped on the movement believed to be a production number "13490" and made in Tame Side. (If the clock had been made after 1912 it would have had a trade mark "Limit")flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, clock, wall clock, fusee, gallery clock, alfred hirst, tame side

This suit was made to order in 1975 for Ted Henry at a Fletcher Jones factory, probably the one in Warrnambool. The other items were obtained at the same time. David Fletcher Jones began his business by opening shops in Liebig Street Warrnambool in the 1920s. His Man's Shop sold suits and overcoats and manufactured men's clothing on site. In 1946 a Fletcher Jones shop was opened in Melbourne and a factory was opened in Warrnambool in 1948. The Fletcher Jones and Staff Company expanded and became well known throughout Australia for the quality of its men's and women's clothing. The Company ceased business in 2011. The surname "Henry" is well known in Warrnambool and district. These items are important mementoes of Fletcher Jones and Staff one of the most significant Australian businesses originating in Warrnambool..1 Carry bag, oblong shaped made of pale orange cloth with full length white zip and dark brown edging and stitching It has a maker's label on the interior. .2 Black plastic clothes hanger with suit maker's name and logo .3 Silk and cotton tie in black, beige and tan broad stripes. It has two labels attached. .4 Man's trousers. The trousers are made of wool and polyester woven pattern in brown. grey and tan. There is a metal zip, The pockets have cream cloth lining . There are two labels. There are loops for a belt. .5 Man's suit coat made of the same material as the trousers (above). It has three butttons on each sleeve and two on the front. It is fully lined with brown cloth and cream lining on the sleeves. It has a maker's label. There is some padding in the shoulders. There are two internal pockets and three on the exterior.Celsius 30 A woolblendmark fabric developed for summer 80% new wool 20% polyester Henry L. 30.6.75 654 silk 35% cotton MADE IN ENGLAND.ted henry, fletcher jones and staff company, fletcher jones factory warrnambool, men's clothing

An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge has been used for thousands of years and was originally made from stone. They were either driven straight into the wood or into a previously made incision with the blade parallel to the grain. Using a sledgehammer or other tool hammered onto the flat end, the wedge is forced deeper into the log until the force splits the timber.Timber splitting wedge; steel; commercially made; has relief groove.timber splitting, churchill island heritage farm, olinda, shady creek

An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge has been used for thousands of years and was originally made from stone. They were either driven straight into the wood or into a previously made incision with the blade parallel to the grain. Using a sledgehammer or other tool hammered onto the flat end, the wedge is forced deeper into the log until the force splits the timber.blacksmith made steel wedge with irregular relief groove; surface rustwilfred dungan collection, timber splitting, churchill island, blacksmith, olinda, shady creek

Platform Lamp - Kerosene Platform Lamp Station Lamp When Made - 1900s Typical of the lights that lit a lonely railway station in the days before electricity.Historic - Early Railway Platform Kerosene LampLarge Kerosene Platform Lamp made of tin, brass and glasslamp, puffing billy, station lamp

Although this piece was probably made between 1870 and 1900 the motif designs are copying 18th Century designs. Would have been used as costume trimming.Bobbin lace motifs with needle made ground and fillings. Edging.

Hand-made at the Tawonga Brick factoryMade at the Tawonga brick factory.Formerly KV 106 Rough surface of a hand made brick used for building eg. houseshand-made brick, tawonga brick factory

This beautiful hand-cut crystal vase was made in Poland by Violetta Crystal Glassworks. Its design is decorative and functional. It reflects vases produced in the late 19th and early 20th century when hand-cut lead Crystalware was popular in England. The lead content in the glass makes the glass softer and easier to hand-cut. The crystal clear glass sparkles in the light. Crystalware was kept for special occasions such as weddings and religious events. The Violetta Crystal Glassworks was founded in 1864 by Franz Losky, at the district of in Stronie Śląskie. Its original name was Oransko-Nassawska Glassworks, then later named Oranienhütte. The Glassworks came under Poland's rule after World War II. In 1950 it was subject to the Central Board of the Glass Industry and Precious Ceramics, with its seat in Sosnowiec, and the Glassworks was called United Glassworks of the Lower Silesia Region – State Crystal Glassworks in Stronie Śląskie.In 1953 it began exporting its products. In 1970 the name was changed to Violetta Crystal Glassworks in the Polish district of Stronie Śląskie. The firm became the major exporter of Polish glass. From 1992, structural changes in the company resulted in the loss of production, which stopped altogether in May, 2008. Minex CEI SA bought the plant in 2011 and operated it until the end of 2018.This hand-cut lead crystal vase design reflects that of vases produced in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. It is representative of decorative domestic items used during that era, particularly for important and special occasions such as weddings and religious events. Crystalware was cherished for its beauty. The vase is also significant for its association with the renowned Violetta Crystal Glassworks established in 1864 by Franz Losky, which was at one time the greatest exporter of hand-cut crystal made in Poland.Vase; clear hand-cut glass, 24 per cent lead crystal. The vase is wide at the top with a scalloped edge. It tapers inwards to a round foot. A clear rectangular label with gold text is attached. It is branded Violetta hand-cut crystal, made in Poland. On the label: "MADE IN POLAND" "Violetta" "Hand cut 24 % lead crystal" "(R)" within a circleflagstaff hill maritime village, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill museum and village, domestic object, decorative object, functional object, vase, crystal vase, cut glass vase, hand-cut glass, violetta, violetta glassworks, polish glassworks, made in poland, vase with scalloped edge, crystal glassworks, franz losky, oransko-nassawska glassworks, oranienhütte, stronie śląskie, hand-cut crystal, crystalware

Handcrafted by local lady, Mrs. Ada Newcombe.Decorative basket, with a lid, made from pine needles with a gumnut for a knob. Flowers embroidered on lid.Object made by Mrs. Ada Newcombe from pine needles found in the grounds of St. Thomas Anglican Church, Winchelsea, Victoria, Australia.decorative basket, pine needle basket, handcrafts, winchelsea, newcombe, st. thomas' anglican church.

George Houghton established his camera business in London in the 19th Century and sold cameras all over the world.This camera would have been used by a professional photographer in the early 20th Century. It was British made and used extensively in Australia. This camera has no known local provenance but is retained as an interesting example of early photography in 20th Century Australia.This is a folding camera for professional use. It has a concertina mechanism that folds back into a leather case. The lens board can be tilted and the lenses can be changed. The case has a leather handle. The name of the maker is inserted into the case. The case is somewhat rubbed. ENSIGN Made by Houghtons Ltd. London British Made ENSIGNhoughton camera, early 20th century cameras, warrnambool

Model farm made by the Geelong Handweavers and Spinners Guild Inc. Entered in the 1993 Weekly Times Melbourne Sheep and Woolcraft Show, where it won 2nd prize in the team competition - five different articles made by a team.Model farm made using various textile processes by the Geelong Handweavers and Spinners Guild, 1993.handicrafts knitting, geelong handweavers and spinners guild inc., handicrafts, knitting

Jacket woven and made at the Commonwealth Woollen Mill and Clothing Factory, Geelong.Victorian policeman's jacket, woven and made at the Commonwealth Woollen Mill and Clothing Factory, Geelong.commonwealth woollen mills, uniforms

This hanging rack has been made out of used horse shoes. It may have been used separately or as part of a longer rack attached to a wooden backing.This item shows the skill and craftmanship of self-reliant rural families.A home-made coat hook made from two small horseshoes which have been bent and welded together to make a hook for hanging coats. It has been painted black.horse-shoes handicraft hanging-rack

This mug was made by Reinhold Merkelbach. Reinhold Merkelbach was founded in 1845 by Wilhelm Merkelbach, a descendent of a long line of German potters, and the company eventually took the name of his son Wilhelm Reinhold Merkelbach, who left school early to get involved with the family business. The company became a major name in German ceramics, especially in the Jugendstil style. The company produced a large number of collectable beer steins in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, including a number of so-called “character steins.” In 1882, the firm began producing art pottery, which at that time was enjoying a revival and new appreciation in Europe in general and in Germany in particular. Reinhold Merkelbach produced ceramic objects both with and without pewter hardware but rarely altered its manufacturing techniques. Many of its products were destined for use at pubs, bars, or breweries as well as in the homes of Germany’s beer-drinking populace. It had a retail location in Munich and also sold products through its factory warehouse. In 1971, half of the company’s ownership was sold to W. Goebel KG and the firm’s name changed officially to Merkelbach Manufaktur GmbH & Co. KG. Goebel ultimately purchased the other half of the business before members of the Merkelbach family, along with a handful of collectors and former staff members, repurchased the factory in 1988. In 2007, Judith Merkelbach Engelmann decided to close the firm; demand for ceramics had been decreasing and the next generation of the family had no interest in maintaining the business. Luckily, Reinhold Merkelbach transferred its moulds to Töpferei Girmscheid Höhr-Grenzhausen to ensure that its best-known pieces of Jugendstil art pottery and steins would continue to be available to interested consumers and collectors.This beer stein was made around the mid-20th century by a popular German maker. It fits in with the context of maritime village life. At this current time, there is no particular connection with people, places and events. The German beer stein is made from ceramic ironstone. It has a bell-shaped hinged pewter lid with a leaf-shaped thumb lever. The lid has a pattern stamped on it. The design on the mug includes a woman in bright colours, a man holding a musket, and buildings in mountain settings. There are inscriptions on the mug. Marked "Made in Germany" "RM" "4070" (underside of mug) "05" to the side of mug flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, beer stein, ceramic beer stein, reinhold merkelbach, drinking vessel

These charming hand made Greeting Cards were sent by members of Mr John Herron's family c1890Hand made greeting cards used by the family of James Jones a pioneer in Moorabbin Shire c1900 4 hand made Greeting Cards from members of the Herron family c1890early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, craftwork, greeting cards, postcards, market gardeners

The women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire were accomplished dressmakers, craftworkers and made the clothing for their familiesA typical evening shoulder cape worn by early settler women in Moorabbin Shire c1910 The family of Nance Blackburn were pioneer market gardeners.A lady's evening shoulder cape made of black Guipure lace,satin and voile blackburn nance, pioneers, market gardeners, early settlers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, cheltenham, moorabbin, dressmaking, clothing,

Recttangular pine wood base. Metal spring, bar and pin nailed onto it. Can be loaded with cheeser or bread to entice rat which trips the mecchanism when set (see photos). Made to catch a large rat. Writing is embossed on the wood in brown.Ezyset Supreme Rat Trap Made in Australia

Else Oertel was a German internee in Camp 3A from 1940-1945. Woodworking was popular amongst the internees and Werner Dehnel, another internee in camp 3, made the trivet for Else. Her daughter, Else-Lore Hukins donated the item.Wooden trivet made by internee in camp 3, octagonal shape. Dark brown, polished. Bevelled border. Made from plywood. Plaque inlaid in back. Handmade.Plaque: TATURA - 1941. Else von Werner.camp 3, internee camps, handcrafts, woodwork, trivet

Made by internee at Compound A Camp 3 Tatura VictoriaDarning mushroom made from turned wood and polished. Comes with a sewing box. (see C0219).

Made by Cpl. Jack Neilson 7th Division Papua New Guinea 1943Shows how many of our defence personnel "unwound" from the stress of war by creating a useful and or decorative item from the waste products of war. The creative aspect was important in a time where their lives were governed mainly by destruction. By creating such things they were partially able to restore their own humanity. This restored item shows the skill that some had, and the Aussie way of using whatever came to hand..Brass ashtray showing Lightning aircraft model made from cartridges and shell casetrench art, lightning aircraft, ash tray

Handmade fan for social evenings made by and for Theresa (Tess) Taafe c. 1930s.Small fan made of bakelite, lacework with sequins all hand sewn to netting backing.Nilfan, lady's fan, evening wear, tess lazarus, patrick taafe, redesdale.

Starter Pistols were fired to start cycling races in the 20th century. Blank shells or caps were used. In recent years electronic timing has become the norm. http://www.muzzle.de/N4/Schreckschuss/Perfecta__S____G____GThis starter pistol is a great example of the pistols used by cycling clubs in mid to late 20th century.Starters Pistol. Includes (oil stained) directions for use and specifications. German made. The pistol is in its original green cardboard box. Also has two circular containers of blank caps."Mayer & Sonne KG/StartPistole/Kal.6mm Flob.Platz/Made in Germany"starter pistol, sporting event, race, starting pistol

Shell purses became popular in late Victorian times and were made to go into a pocket or a larger purse. Many were made from freshwater molluscs. This item has no known local provenance but is of interest as an example of a personal item used in late Victorian times and will be useful for display This is an oval-shaped purse with the outer case made from a shell which is opalescent with brown and cream mottled markings. The clasp is gold-coloured metal with an ornate catch and attachments. Inside there are three compartments made of blue cloth trimmed with cream paper. It is damaged on the top near the metal hinge. shell purse, warrnambool

Fob (or pocket) watches were developed in Europe in the 16th century and gained wide usage during the mid 18th century until World War 1 when the wristwatch was invented. These watches were designed to be carried in a small pocket and attached through the means of a 'fob' which could be a chain or made from a variety of materials such as leather. Their popularity peaked in the nineteenth century where they were an important part of middle and lower class society as well.This item is of social significance as fob / pocket watches were valued as an essential object in all levels of society. For some occupations, such as the railroads, it was a necessary tool of the job. Steel York Lever open face pocket / fob watch dated between 1940-1960. The dial has an inner pewter circle, outer minute divisions and a circular insert and hand to show the seconds. The numbers are finely edged with a black line and the hands are two coloured. The back of the watch is patterned with fine lines and three rectangle shapes. The words 'ANTIMAGNETIC' are on the front of the watch. Anti-magnetic watches began to be made at the beginning of the 20th century as mechanical watches were affected by magnetic fields. The 'lever' set on watches was a requirement for railroad watches. It required a two step process for the hands to be adjusted. The front dial of the watch has the words 'YORK LEVER', 'ANTIMAGNETIC' and 'MADE IN GERMANY'. flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, fob watch, pocket watch, watch, horology, time keeper, york lever, anti-magnetic, made in germany

Vera Neale (1901 - 1990) used needles made from bicycle spokes and piano wire to achieve the fine knitted stitches for her garments.Knitting needles made from bicycle spokes and used by Vera Neale.knitting handicrafts, neale, mrs vera, knitting, handicrafts