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Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Case, Silver card case, Mid 19th century
Card cases were common items used mainly by men in the 19th century. A silver card case indicated that the owner was a man of means. ‘W.Swinton’ is presumed to be William Swinton who came to Australia in 1854 and established a drapery and grocery store in Timor Street in 1865. William Swinton died in 1901 and his son, also William was Mayor of Warrnambool from 1917 to 1919. A Swinton business still exists in Timor Street today. ‘W.Wilkie’ was obviously a friend or a business acquaintance of William Swinton and may have been related to James Wilkie who came to Warrnambool in 1854 and opened a drapery shop in 1855 in Timor Street with James Butters as a partner. This is a most significant item as one that belonged to William Swinton, a prominent Warrnambool business man and a pioneer settler in the town. It also has social significance as an example of an item used by businessmen and others in the 19th centuryThis is a silver card case with a hinged lid. The silver is patterned in geometric shapes and the edges are highly ornamented with scrolls. Inside the case are five pieces of white paper which are obviously not original. The case has five hallmarks indicating it is a quality object. The silver is somewhat tarnished. Scroll frame on front of case: ‘From W.Wilkie to W. Swinton’butters and wilkie drapery store, william swinton, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Tins, Gramophone Needles HMV, Early and mid 20th century
These gramophone needles were manufactured by The Gramophone Company Limited for use in gramophones that had an arm in which to insert a needle to play an old shellac record. The Gramophone Company was an early recording company based in the United Kingdom and was the parent organization for the His Master’s Voice label of recording devices. The company was founded in 1897 and merged in 1931 with another company to form E.M.I. (Electric and Musical Industries) but the name The Gramophone Company continued in Britain until the 1970s. Gramophones were a popular household item from the late 19th century until the mid 20th century when more sophisticated recording and playing devices were invented. These gramophone needles is of some interest as an example of entertainment devices of the past. It will be useful for display. .1This is a metal box with a lid containing an image of a dog and a phonograph (‘His Master’s Voice’) painted in white and brown on a dark blue background. Inside the tin are about 150 metal gramophone needles, most of them being a little rusted. The needles are covered with a sheet of brown paper with yellow printing. The tin itself is rusted and the printing is discoloured. There is a paper sticker on the back of the box with an early catalogue number (almost obliterated). .2 Small rectangular plastic container with picture of white polar bear with blue background. It contains approximately 30 needles which have red ends and silver points. .3 small plastic bag with a number of needles..1 Front of box: ‘His Master’s Voice, Extra Loud Tone’ Back of box: Approximately 200 English gramophone needles manufactured by The Gramophone Company Limited, Sydney, Australia’. Inside: ‘Use each point once only’ (printed twice). .2 50 semi- permanent needles on front of box. On bottom Made in Germany. gramophone needles, warrnambool, e.m.i., electric and musical industries -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Victoria & Its Metropolis Vol 1 & 2, 1888
These two volumes are seminal historical writings published in 1888. The author of Volume One is Alexander Sutherland (1852-1902), described as ‘a forgotten Australian intellectual’. Born in Scotland, Sutherland was a teacher, poet, biographer, novelist, scientist, philosopher and journalist. In 1902 he was the Registrar of Melbourne University and he was the Secretary of the Royal Society of Victoria. With his brother, George, he wrote a history of Australia and New Zealand which sold 100,000 copies, the first best-selling Australian history. His book, ‘The Origin and Growth of the Moral Instinct’ influenced Russian philosophical thought. This is a most significant book as it contains short biographical notes on a great number of early (19th century) residents of the Warrnambool district. As well as listing information on Warrnambool identities it includes information on residents of Purnim, Wangoom, Dennington, Panmure, Garvoc, Framlingham, Winslow, Yangery, Woodford, Mailors Flat, Grasmere, Bushfield and Allansford. It is a great resource for researchers today. The two volumes also contain illustrations pertaining to the areas around Warrnambool and are of great historical as well as artistic interest. These are two volumes of ‘Victoria and Its Metropolis’. They are leather bound with a black cover, heavily ornamented in gold around the edges of the cover and with the printed material also in gold lettering in an ornamental pattern. The spine of the covers are brown with gold ornamental patterns and printing. Volume One has 594 pages with 258 illustrations , all black and white and this volume contains writings on the early days of the colony up to 1888 and chapters on the arts, churches, education, industries, science etc. in Victoria. Volume Two has 822 pages with many black and white illustrations and chapters on the regions in Victoria and biographical notes on the pioneer settlers of these districts. Both volumes are in a very tattered condition with many loose pages and the leather binding much torn and with some parts missing. Volume One cover: ‘Victoria and its Metropolis, Past and Present’ Volume One spine: ‘Victoria and its Metropolis, Vol. 1’ Volume Two Cover: ‘Victoria and its Metropolis, Past and Present’’ Volume Two Spine: ‘Victoria and its Metropolis, Vol. 2’ 19th century victorian history, victorian pioneer settlers, alexander sutherland -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Facts worth knowing, 1890
This book belonged to Con O’Mahony (1863-1920). He was a lawyer practising in Warrnambool in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was born in Sandhurst (Bendigo) and studied at Melbourne University. In 1883 he won the University of Melbourne Bowen Prize for his essay entitled ‘The Federation of the Australian Colonies’. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society has a set of books on the lives of the British Chancellors which was given to Con O’Mahony for winning the Bowen Prize. This book is of considerable interest because it belonged to Con O’Mahony, a prominent Warrnambool lawyer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is also a book of strong antiquarian interest. This is a hard cover book of 878 pages. It has a dark red cover with red lettering on a gold background on the front cover and gold lettering on the spine. There are 250 illustrations scattered throughout the text. The cover is somewhat scuffed, especially at the edges. The inscription in handwritten in pencil. ‘C.O’Mahony, 13.9.93,WBool’ con o’mahony -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Life of deadmann - Colonial Vic. Mary Gaunt, 2001
... in the Warrnambool district (19th century) History of Warrnambool Australian ...This collection of short stories by Mary Gaunt has been edited and published by Bronwen Hickman. Mary Gaunt (1861-1942) was a writer of novels, travel books, short stories and other articles. She was known internationally for her writings in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Born in Chiltern, Victoria, she was the first woman to study at Melbourne University, travelled extensively in West Africa and China in areas rarely visited by white women and published 26 books. From 1894 to 1900 Mary Gaunt lived in Warrnambool where her husband, Hubert Lindsay Miller, was a local doctor. Some of her writings were produced while she was in Warrnambool and some have local content. This book, although a modern reprint, is important as the only collection of the short stories of the internationally-known author, Mary Gaunt that we have in our collection. Mary Gaunt not only lived and wrote in Warrnambool for some years but also used local places, people and events in her writings. One of the stories in ‘Life at Deadman’s’ (‘The Humbling of Sergeant Mahone’) is based on the events in the late 19th century when whisky was being made illegallyin the Nirranda district. Mary Gaunt apparently had met the real main character in this saga. This is a soft cover book of 178 pages. The cover is yellow with an image in sepia tones of Mary Gaunt. The lettering on the front cover and on the spine is green and black. The back cover contains critical comments on Mary Gaunt’s work and information on the editor. The book has a map, an introduction, a list of the sources of the stories, twelve short stories, a list of works by Mary Gaunt and a note on the author by the editor. ‘With Good Wishes Bronwen Hickman’ mary gaunt, dr h.l.miller, whiskey stills in the warrnambool district (19th century), history of warrnambool, australian women writers -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Lives of the Chancellors Vol 1-10, 1868
This set of books was given to Cornelius (Con) O’Mahony in 1883 when he won the Bowen Prize Essay Competition awarded by the University of Melbourne. The Bowen Prize was established in 1874 by the Governor of Victoria, Sir George Bowen. This was then awarded annually to the person who was a student or ex-student of the University of Melbourne who wrote the best essay on matters relating to British and British Empire history or literature. Con O’Mahony’s essay was on the Federation of the Australian Colonies. Con O’Mahony, born in Bendigo, studied at Melbourne University in the early 1880s. He was a lawyer in Kepler Street, Warrnambool from the late 1880s to his death in 1920, firstly in partnership with E. Klingender and later operating under the name of O’Mahony and Murray. These books are most important because: 1. They are a very attractive set of books with considerable antiquarian value. 2. They were given as the prize for winning the 1883 Bowen Prize at Melbourne University – a prestigious award still today. 3. They were given for a prize-winning essay on the advantages of Federation in Australia. The essay was written 17 years before Federation and so they forms an interesting part of the Australia-wide campaign for Federation. 4. The prize books were awarded to Con O’Mahony who played his part in Warrnambool’s late 19th century and early 20th century history as a prominent lawyer in the town for over 30 years.These ten volumes of books have hard covers in a dark red colour with a gold leather spine and leather reinforcements on the edges of the front and back covers. The front cover has an embossed gold emblem of the University of Melbourne and the spine has ornamental gold, black and red patterning and gold lettering. The insides of the cover have blue, red and orange mottled patterning and this is repeated on the edging of the pages. There are approximately 400 pages in each volume. A typed page on the Bowen Prize is inserted in the front of the first volume and the inscription on every volume is handwritten in black ink. The covers are a little scuffed and slightly torn in some volumes. Volume 1: ‘Con O’Mahony Sandhurst Mch 1883’ Volumes 11, 111, 1V, V, V1, V111, 1X, X: ‘Con O’Mahony Sandhurst 2 July 1883’ Volume V11: ‘Con O’Mahony Sandhurst 1883’ con o’mahony, bowen prize, history of warrnambool, federation movement in australia -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, The New University of Melb - Bowen Prise Essay 1883, 1914
The essay pasted into this booklet was originally produced in a newspaper (name unknown). The original essay was written by Cornelius (Con) O’Mahony and in 1883 it won the Bowen Prize Essay Competition for the best essay written by a student or past student of the University of Melbourne. The Bowen Prize was established in 1874 by the Governor of Victoria, Sir George Bowen, and was awarded annually thereafter. It is still awarded today. Con O’Mahony was a lawyer in Kepler Street, Warrnambool from the 1880s to 1920, initially in partnership with E.W. Klingender and later operating under the name of O’Mahony and Murray. He was born in Bendigo in 1863 and studied at Melbourne University in the early 1880s. O’Mahony received a set of ten books, Lives of the Chancellors, for winning the Bowen Prize and this set of books is in the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society today. This essay, although only a typed copy, is important because it is a prime example of the 19th century positive writings on the need for Federation in Australia and so it played its part in promoting the cause of the Federation movement. It was written 17 years before Federation came into being by Con O’Mahony, a person who also played a part in Warrnambool’s history as a prominent lawyer in the town for over 30 years. This is a soft cover booklet of 24 pages. The cover is brown with black print and has handwritten material written over the original printing on the front cover. The booklet, originally an insurance booklet, has a stamp and typed material (a Federation essay) cut out and pasted onto 17 of the original pages. The booklet was originally stapled but the staples have been removed. The cover is partly torn and detached from the pages. The first couple of pages have silverfish damage. ‘Apr 22 1914’ ‘The University of Melbourne, Bowen Prize Essay 1883 won by C. O’Mahony’ con o’ mahony, bowen prize, history of warrnambool, federation campaign in australia -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, One of the best medical books in the world, 1844
... immigrants to Australia. In the 19th century there were Freckleton.... In the 19th century there were Freckleton families in the Warrnambool ...This book, an Irish spelling book with a strong religious tone, is in a very tattered state but has the name ‘Freckleton’ on it and it may have come with the first Freckleton immigrants to Australia. In the 19th century there were Freckleton families in the Warrnambool district at Port Fairy, Cooramook, Mailors Flat, Woolsthorpe, Woodford and Wangoom. The provenance of this book is unclear but it is kept because of its early printing (1844) and because of its association with the Freckleton families. This is a soft cover book of 240 pages. The cloth cover is brown with no visible markings on the front cover or spine. The pages are bound together with string and the material on the spine is almost worn away. Some of the pages are torn and very dirty and all are dog-eared. There is a grey and white illustration on the first page. The inscriptions on the first and second pages, barely legible, are handwritten in pencil and in black ink. ‘W. Freckleton, landed (?) 1857….1875….1888’ ‘…May landeth….’ freckleton families,, western district, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Booklet, The Dublin spelling book, 1844
... immigrants to Australia. In the 19th century there were Freckleton.... In the 19th century there were Freckleton families in the Warrnambool ...This book, an Irish spelling book with a strong religious tone, is in a very tattered state but has the name ‘Freckleton’ on it and it may have come with the first Freckleton immigrants to Australia. In the 19th century there were Freckleton families in the Warrnambool district at Port Fairy, Cooramook, Mailors Flat, Woolsthorpe, Woodford and Wangoom. The provenance of this book is unclear but it is kept because of its early printing (1844) and because of its association with the Freckleton families. This is a soft cover book of 240 pages. The cloth cover is brown with no visible markings on the front cover or spine. The pages are bound together with string and the material on the spine is almost worn away. Some of the pages are torn and very dirty and all are dog-eared. There is a grey and white illustration on the first page. The inscriptions on the first and second pages, barely legible, are handwritten in pencil and in black ink. ‘W. Freckleton, landed (?) 1857….1875….1888’ ‘…May landeth….’ freckleton families, western district, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Documents, Henry Parrington, 1896
These documents relate to the proposed 1896 sale of a legal practice by Henry Parrington, a solicitor from Warrnambool, to Samuel Backhouse, a lawyer from Melbourne and his brother, a Terang lawyer. The draft indenture papers were drawn up but, after some weeks of negotiations, Henry Parrington withdrew from the sale. He was then sued by Samuel Backhouse for breach of contract. The outcome of this case is not known but Parrington continued his practice in Warrnambool. Henry Roberts Parrington qualified as a lawyer in England in 1873 and worked as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand from 1876 to 1886. He then came to Australia and worked for the legal firm of Messrs Higgins in Geelong and for Bayly and Higgins in Warrnambool. The business in Kepler Street, Warrnambool later became known as Higgins and Parrington and, in 1900, as Parrington and Tait (partner John Sym Tait). When John Tait retired in 1901 Henry Parrington was the sole proprietor of the practice. He died in 1926 in Melbourne. These documents have some significance as they relate to Henry Parrington’s legal career. He was a prominent lawyer in Warrnambool in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.This material is in three sections:- .1 Eleven pages of handwritten material on blue paper (draft indenture document). The last page is blank and the front section has the red stamp of the Melbourne firm of Backhouse and Mellor. The front page is stained and there is a hole punched through the document at the top left hand corner. .2 Twelve handwritten letters – correspondence between Henry Parrington and Samuel Backhouse. These are on white paper and are a little crumpled and stained. .3 Twelve typed letters (typed from the handwritten letters noted above). Several of the pages have corrections in black ink or pencil.henry parrington, samuel backhouse, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Documents, Henry Parrington, 1880s
These are personal documents that belonged to Henry Roberts Parrington. They include statements regarding his preliminary and final examinations that qualified him as a lawyer in England (1867, 1873), annual certificates of registration as a lawyer in New Zealand (1876-1886), personal affidavits presented to the Supreme Court of Victoria and permission to practise as a lawyer in Victoria (1886). Henry Roberts Parrington qualified as a lawyer in England in 1873 and worked as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand from 1876 to 1886. He then came to Australia and worked for the legal firm of Messrs Higgins in Geelong and Bayly and Higgins in Warrnambool. The business in Kepler Street, Warrnambool later became known as Higgins and Parrington and, in 1900, as Parrington and Tait (partner John Sym Tait). When John Tait retired in 1901 Henry Parrington was the sole proprietor of the practice. He died in Melbourne in 1926. These documents have some significance as they are original papers documenting Henry Parrington’s early years as a lawyer. He was a prominent lawyer in Warrnambool in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These sixteen paper documents relate to the lawyer, Henry Roberts Parrington. They are all original documents from England, New Zealand and Australia (Victoria). Most have printed material on them. All have statements and information handwritten in black ink and many have stamps relating to the country concerned. Some are foolscap size and are printed on blue paper. Others are quarto and envelope size. All have some staining and are crinkled where they have been folded. henry roberts parrington, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Documents, Parrington, 1896-1897
These documents concern the 19th century proposed sale of the legal practice of Henry Parrington of Warrnambool to Samuel Backhouse of Collins Street, Melbourne. Samuel Backhouse came to Warrnambool to inspect the Parrington practice and offered £750 for the practice. The offer was accepted and the contract for the sale was drawn up. Henry Parrington then withdrew from the sale and was sued by Backhouse for breach of contract. Backhouse was wanting £150 compensation. The outcome of this case is not known. Henry Roberts Parrington qualified as a lawyer in England in 1873 and worked as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand from 1876 to 1886. He then came to Australia and worked for the legal firm of Messrs Higgins in Geelong and for Bayly and Higgins in Warrnambool. The business in Kepler Street, Warrnambool later became known as Higgins and Parrington and, in 1900, as Parrington and Tait (partner John Sym Tait). When John Tait retired in 1901 Henry Parrington was the sole proprietor of the practice. He died in Melbourne in 1926. These documents are of considerable interest as they outline an episode in the life of Henry Parrington, a well-known lawyer in Warrnambool in the late 19th century and the early 20th century. These are eleven documents pertaining to the Warrnambool lawyer, Henry Parrington. There are four single-sheet letters – two have blue typing and two have handwritten material in black ink. There is one telegram with both printed and handwritten material and a Post Office stamp. There are two envelopes which have been sent by mail and which have mauve Victorian twopenny stamps. These envelopes are torn at the top. These envelopes contain letters which have printed material at the top of the sheets and handwritten material in black ink. samuel backhouse, henry parrington, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Token, W Jamieson, 1862
This is a token made for William Jamieson of Warrnambool in 1862. Tokens were coins made in the 19th century to alleviate the shortage of currency coins in Australia. They usually had a value of one penny and could only be used in the store or business designated on the coin. Two Warrnambool businesses had tokens made – those of William Jamieson and William Bateman Junior. Born in Scotland, William Wilson Jamieson completed an apprenticeship in the ironmongery trade in that country. He worked in the ironmongery business in Melbourne before establishing ironmongery stores in Koroit and Warrnambool (Liebig Street) in the late 1850s. He was a Warrnambool Councillor (1862 to 1874 & 1877 to 1880 and was Mayor (1866 to 1868 & 1872 to 1873). He was active in many local organizations, including the Warrnambool Hospital, the Fire Brigade, the Mechanics’ Institute, the Villiers Building Society the Caledonian Society and the Bowling Club. He died in 1882. This token is of great importance as it is an Australian token issued by W.W. Jamieson of Warrnambool in 1862 and so it is part of the fiscal history of Australia. It is also of great local significance as it comes from one of only two businesses in Warrnambool to issue tokens in the 19th century. It is today a rare token. This is a round metal coin (token) with, on one side, an image of a woman holding the scales of justice in one hand and a cornucopia in the other hand. This side of the coin has considerable staining. The other side has printing. Side One: ‘Australia 1862’ Side Two: ‘Liebeg Street W.W. Jamieson & Co. Storekeepers Warrnambool’ (N.B. Note the Warrnambool 1862 spelling of ‘Liebig Street’) william jamieson, australian tokens, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Artefact, Shaving Razor, Early 20th century
... -place item in households in Australia in the 19th century...-place item in households in Australia in the 19th century ...This razor is made by Joseph Rodgers of Sheffield, England. This business existed from 1682 to 1975. It would have been a common-place item in households in Australia in the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century up to the widespread use of shavers containing razor blades and the advent of electric shavers. This razor has no known local provenance but is retained as an example of the type of razor in use in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It will be useful for display. .1 This is a razor, much rusted but still very sharp, which fits into a bean-shaped cover which is made of bone. The blade has the maker’s name on it. The cover has two screws. .2 The container is made of thickened cardboard in two parts and has an inner covering, also made of cloth and cardboard. The top part of the container may not the original one for this razor. The bottom end of the container is missing. The outer container is much scuffed. ‘Extra Ground Hollow’ “Joseph Rodgers Clun St. Sheffield’ social history, history of warrnambool, razor -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Platter, Transfer Hopkins River
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 -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
China, Cup & Saucer, Eary 20th century
This is a porridge set which probably dates from the early years of the 20th century. Porridge bowls and cups were particularly popular in Scotland at that time and would have been used in households in Australia throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. These items have no known local provenance but are of interest as an example of the household china that was in use 100 years ago and was still being used for many decades after that time. They are attractive items and will be useful for display. These two items are a large cup and saucer made of china and used for porridge. The cup has colour floral and leaf scroll decorations inside the top rim, a piece of verse extolling the farmer and surrounded by black and white patterns, including farming implements, on one side of the cup and coloured farming implements in circles with the same verses in larger circles with a colour wheat sheaf in the centre on the other side of the cup. The saucer, more in the shape of a soup bowl, has the same colour floral and leaf decorations around the rim and the same farming patterns and verses in the centre. The handle has a black and white floral decoration The maker’s mark and name are on the bottom of the cup and saucer. ‘In God is Our Trust’ ‘The Farmers Arms’ history of warrnambool, porridge bowls -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
China, Vase, 1930s
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 -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Musical Instrument, Edison Phonograph, 1905
The phonograph is a mechanical device for the recording and reproduction of sound and originally used a tinfoil sheet wrapped around a rotating cylinder to produce the sound. It was invented by Thomas Edison of U.S.A. in 1877 and was the model for all phonographs or gramophones made and developed throughout the 20th century. This machine is of particular interest to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society as it is an Edison phonograph and an earlier model of this phonograph was used in Warrnambool late in the 19th century to make an important recording. In 1896 Thomas Rome, an employee in a Warrnambool boot and shoe shop, purchased an Edison phonograph that could both play and record sounds. At the Warrnambool Industrial and Art Exhibition of 1896-7 visitors to the Exhibition paid a fee to listen to music on this phonograph. But Rome also recorded some local Warrnambool people singing and speaking and these recordings survive today. They are regarded as the oldest surviving recordings made in Australia. Thomas Rome later became a shoe shop proprietor in Warrnambool and was a well-known person in the town/city for a great number of years. This is an Edison Gem Phonograph. It has a black-painted wooden base, now detached from the main mechanism. The phonograph is made of metal which is now heavily rusted. It has a cylindrical turntable for playing the Edison cylindrical records and a handle with a wooden knob. The turning mechanism and belt are now broken. The name of the manufacturer and details of the patents are on a metal plate attached to the side of the phonograph. The amplifier mechanism at the top of the machine is missing. The cover of the machine is made of wood and has a wooden handle attached with a piece of metal and two metal screws. There are also two metal screws on the side of the cover. The cover has a slot on the side to allow the turning handle to be accommodated outside of the cover. The cover is much stained and spotted. ‘Edison Gem Phonograph’ thomas edison, history of sound recordings, thomas rome (warrnambool) -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Artefact, Shillelagh, Early 20th century
This walking stick or club is of a heavy quality and could be classified as an Irish shillelagh, although it lacks the heavy curved knob at the top that characterizes the shillelagh. It does not seem typical of the walking sticks used in Australia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries although it appears to date from those times. It may have come from an overseas country.This walking stick has no known local provenance but it is an interesting item and is kept as a curio from the past.This is a piece of black wood (blackthorn?) shaped from a gnarled and knotted piece of wood to make a rough, curved shape. The shaft is rounded at the top and tapering to a smaller round shape at the bottom. The top has a brass-coloured metal band.walking sticks, household items, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Bridge and how to play it, 1901
This book belonged to the Warrnambool solicitor, Con O’Mahony (1863-1920). In 1883, he won the University of Melbourne Bowen Prize for his essay on the Federation of the Australian colonies. His prize, ten volumes of the ‘Lives of the Chancellors’, is today in the possession of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. O’Mahony had a legal practice in Warrnambool in the Royal Chambers in Kepler Street at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. He was initially in a partnership with Messrs E.W. Klingender and Murray, then ,when this partnership was dissolved, he continued the business under the name of O’Mahony and later O’Mahony and Murray. He was actively involved in the management of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute and was a member of the Warrnambool Hospital committee. The item here described shows O’Mahony’s interest in bridge-playing, a popular pastime at that time. This book is of some significance as it belonged to Con O’Mahony, a well-known lawyer in Warrnambool in the early 1900s. It also shows the interest in bridge-playing as a pastime during that period. This is a small hard cover book of 112 pages. It was published in 1901(eighth edition) and contains seven chapters on how to play bridge, a scoring table and an index. The last three pages are advertisements for other books on bridge. The cover is yellow with the title of the book, the author’s name and the publisher on the front cover contained within a scroll pattern with four coloured images of the four kings from a pack of cards. The back cover has a list of the British Chess Handbooks published by George Routledge & Sons Ltd. The pages have been annotated (presumably by Con O’Mahony, the Warrnambool solicitor) and some sentences and headings have been underlined.Four stamps – one of ‘May 24 1902’ and three of ‘C.O’Mahony, Solicitor, Warrnambool’.bridge-playing, con o’mahony, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document, Docket Dr Bright's Phosphodyne, Mid 19th century
... ’. It was widely sold by chemists throughout Australia in the 19th century...’. It was widely sold by chemists throughout Australia in the 19th century ...This label accompanied a bottle of Dr Bright’s Phosphodyne. It was a form of medicine also known as ozonic oxygen which was developed and patented in 1869 by Dr Charles Bright, a 19th century Resident Surgeon at St Mary’s Hospital London, The medicine claimed to ease ‘indigestion, liver complaints, nervous debility, female complaints, premature decline, local weakness and spermatorrhea’. It was widely sold by chemists throughout Australia in the 19th century and in this case was supplied by the Warrnambool chemist, James Astley Bromfield. He was a significant person in Warrnambool’s history as he produced the 1856 map of the Warrnambool district showing all the original landholders, a seminal resource for historians today. Bromfield had a chemist shop in Warrnambool from 1854 to the late 1880s, initially in Timor Street and then in Liebig Street (number 80 and later number 78). Bromfield was very active in local community affairs. This label is of considerable interest as it shows the use in the 19th century of medicine that today would be labelled ‘quack’. It is of particular interest as it was supplied by James Astley Bromfield’s chemist shop and he is an important early identity in Warrnambool, involved in many activities in the town. He was a Justice of the Peace, a Trustee of the Savings Bank, Chairman of the Western Steam Navigation Company, a Director of the Gasworks and on the committees of the Harbour Committee, the Fire Brigade and the Anglers Protection Society. He was a Warrnambool Councillor (1858-60; 1865-1870) and a Shire Councillor (1875-1883). This is a sheet of paper that accompanied a bottle of Dr Brights’ Phosphodyne medicine. It is buff-coloured with black printed material. It is in two pieces and dog-eared at the edges.warrnambool, dr bright's phosphodyne, james bromfield chemist, warrnambool chemists -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Battarbee & Namatjira, 2014
This book gives details on the lives of the artists Rex Battarbee and Albert Namatjira. It is written by Martin Edmonds. The book explores the relationship between the two artists and the effect on each other of artistic philosophies and techniques, described as each being ‘a catalyst and a primer for the other, each shimmering alongside the other’. This book is of considerable interest as Rex Battarbee was born and reared in Warrnambool and his older sister Florinda was his first art teacher and an important influence in his artistic development. She was also a talented artist and a well-known art teacher in Warrnambool and many of her works survive. The Warrnambool Art Gallery holds works by both Rex and Florinda Battarbee, with the works of the latter belonging to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. The Battarbee family members were prominent in Warrnambool business and artistic circles at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Rex’s father was a shopkeeper and had a bacon and ham curing business and the family lived in East Warrnambool at ‘Skiddaw’. This is a soft cover book of 342 pages. It tells the stories of the artists Rex Battarbee and Albert Namatjira. It contains a Contents page, an Introduction, ten chapters, a Note on Sources and Acknowledgements. The front cover has a black and white photograph of Battarbee and Namatjira. The text includes several black and white photographs. rex battarbee, albert namatjira, florinda battarbee, history of australian art, history of warrnambool, warrnambool art gallery -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Fifty Years of Remedies Bayer 1888-1938, 1938
Remedies available from Bayer PharmaceuticalsThis is a book of 90 pages, The cover is beige with embossed white and gold printing. The spine is somewhat worn. The pages contain printed text and black and white photographs and illustrationsnon-fictionRemedies available from Bayer Pharmaceuticalsbayer company of germany, pharmaceuticals -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Australian Military Forces, Notes on Horse Management, 1926
... the late 19th century. Australian Military Mounted Units horse ...Australian Military Forces Book on Horse ManagementThis is a small book of 73 pages. It has a buff-coloured cover with black printing on the front cover. The pages contain printed text with one illustration. The pages are bound with two staplesnon-fictionAustralian Military Forces Book on Horse Managementaustralian military mounted units, horse management, lighthorse, australian lighthorse -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book - Pompey Austin biography, Roy Hay, Albert 'Pompey' Austin - A Man Between Two Worlds, 2020
This book tells the biography of Pompey Austin an indigenousThis is a book of 266 pages. It It has a buff-coloured cover with 3 photographs and black printing. The pages contain printed text, maps, illustrations and photographs. non-fiction This book tells the biography of Pompey Austin an indigenous framlingham aboriginal mission, pompey austin -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book - Book of Early Western District Aboriginal Languages and Culture, Griffin Press Limited. South Australia, Australian Aborigines, 1981
Description of Western District Aborigines and a dictionary of three of their languagesThis is a book of 112 pages of text plus 104 pages of aboriginal words and their meanings. The green cover has a gold image of an aboriginal hunter on the front cover and gold printing and a floral image on the spine. The pages contain printed text and some sepia-coloured photographs. non-fictionDescription of Western District Aborigines and a dictionary of three of their languagesjames dawson's book 'australian aborigines', western district aborigines 19th century -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Model hat stand, Battersby & Co.England, c 1950
This hat stand appears to have been made by the English firm of Battersby & Company, a hat manufacturer established in England in the late 19th century. The stand may have been fitted on to the head by the Melbourne firm Ramie Specialty Co. Battersby hats must have been sold extensively in Australia.This hat stand is useful for display purposes and of interest because of its possible composition (ramie)This is a model of a head used for displaying men's hats. The head is made of composite material , originally a gold colour and lined what what may be the vegetable fibre, ramie. The head is mounted on a wooden stand with a stepped base. There are two labels, one on the neck of the head and the other on the back of the stand. The head is chipped and stained, with exposed nails. Battersby Hats Ramie Specialty Co. Pty. Ltd. Melbournebattersby hats, model head stand, vintage men's clothing, ramie -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Booklet - Copy Book, Blackie & Son Ltd, Dublin, Vere Foster's Copy Books, late 19th century
Child's Copy BookThis is a booklet that was once bound, probably with staples. The front cover is a beige colour with black print and ornamental scrolls and images forming a border. The front cover has writing in black ink. The back cover is missing and several pages are loose. The pages contain printing and calligraphy work and lined spaces for a person to copy from the original. Some of the pages are stained and torn at the edges. non-fictionChild's Copy Bookschool copy books, vere foster copy books, dorothy rutledge -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book - Antiquarian book, Hon. Andrew Garran, Picturesque Atlas of Australasia Volume One, 1886
Contemporary and geographical record of Australasia in the 19th centuryThis is a leather covered book. The cover is decorated with gold panels of fruit and gold lettering on the spine and has a plastic cover to protect it. There is gilt edging on the 388 pages. It contains text, sketches, lithographs and some coloured maps and engravings on wood..non-fictionContemporary and geographical record of Australasia in the 19th centurywarrnambool history, western district history, australian history, australasian history, picturesque atlas of australasia, picturesque atlas of australasia volume 1 -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book - Antiquarian Book, Hon Andrew Garran, Picturesque Atlas of Australasia Volume Two, 1886
A contemporary and geographical record of Australasia in the 19th centuryThis is a leather covered book of 801 pages. The cover is decorated with gold panels of fruit and has gold lettering on the spine. The pages have gilt edges. It contains text, sketches, lithographs, maps and five loose maps. non-fictionA contemporary and geographical record of Australasia in the 19th centuryaustralasian history, antiquarian books, picturesque atlas of australasia, warrnambool, picturesque atlas of australasia volume 2