This medical bureau / cabinet shows several signs of being used for a different purpose before being a medical bureau. It once had the words "GENUINE PURE QUALITY" lettered across the top of the front, as can been still seen from the impression left behind in the stained timber. On each drawer above the handle is a faint impression of something long and rectangular, as though there had been a label attached. The front panel of the drawers is made of the same wood as the rest of the outer cabinet, most probably blackwood. The handles on the drawers are not the original handles either. There are 3 filled-in holes that would form the corners of a triangle, apex at the top, around the perimeter of the current handles. The sides of the drawers are made from plywood and the base made from alternating lengthwise strips of oak and beech wood pressed together, rounded corners at the back and joined to the front panel with metal brackets. The backs of the base of the drawers have four round impressions in them. Along the back edge of the base, in the centre, is a rectangular hole. Between the front pair of round holes is a faint black rounded marking, like the impression made by rubber. The cabinet may have once been a filing cabinet, with the drawers used as document drawers, each with a spring-loaded clamp attached to the back of them to secure documents within. The original handles could have been the half-cup type used for filing cabinets. The construction and use of plywood could place this cabinet in about 1950's.Chest of drawers (or Medical Bureau, or Apothecary Chest, or Filing Cabinet) wooden, dark stained, with 30 small drawers (10 rows, 3 columns). The outer wood of cabinet is possibly blackwood and the edges of top and sides have carved wood decoration. Drawer fronts have bevelled edges and round silver-coloured metal knobs. Drawers have plywood sides, and oak and beech wood bases/, Each drawer has four round depressions (in a square-shaped arrangement) at the back plus a small rectangular hole cut in the centre back of base. A faint impression from previous lettering is evident in the wood stain across top front of cabinet.Impression of previous lettering across top front of cabinet "GENUINE PURE QUALITY". flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, drawers, bureau, cabinet, chest of drawers, furniture, bedroom furniture, household storage, medical bureau, apothecary cabinet, document drawers, filing cabinet

Mrs Martha Closter ( Kloster), of Oakleigh purchased the Melber Sewing Machine in 1909 and gave it to her daughter Mary when she and Alonzo Box married in 1918 and settled in Moorabbin Shire. This document was donated by a descendant of the Box family in 1985.William and Elizabeth Box purchased 'Box Cottage' in 1865 from a pioneer settler who had bought part of the land noted in Dendy's Special Survey 1841 Brighton. They raised their family there and established a market garden to supply produce to the population of Melbourne. Their nephew Alonzo married Mary Kloster/ Closter in 1918 and she brought with her the 'Melber' sewing machine that she used to provide clothing for the familyThe original paper Receipt of the Melber Company Sewing Machine, 154 Chapel Street Prahran on July 15th 1909. Mrs Closter purchased a ‘Melber Rotary Hook Sewing Machine , 4 drawers and attachment. No. 17469 costing 9 pounds, less due 7 shillings and 6 pence leaving the sum of 8 pounds 12 shillings and 6 pence Paid by Cash to Powell & Candy per ……… on 15/7/09 ( hand written ) MELBER SEWING MACHINES / 154 CHAPEL STREET, / Prahran / Mrs Closter July 15th 1909 ( handwritten) / Dr. to POWELL & CANDY, / IMPORTERS / New and Secondhand Machines for Cash and Easy Terms. / Repairs promptly executed Locks repaired. Keys fitted. Needles and Parts for all Machines. A stamp 25mm x 30mm is on left corner of document ‘ VICTORIA STAMP DUTY ‘ -at top and base - ‘1d ‘ - centrally victoria, melbourne, clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, sewing, box elizabeth, box alonzo, closter mary, kentucky, early settlers, america, craftwork, sewing machines, melber company, u s a, prahran, kloster martha

Handwritten letter in blue ink on cream paper, dated 13 April 1955, from Elsie Henry of 100 Whitehorse Road addressed to C.E Carter & Son, Whitehorse Road, Ringwood, responding to a letter requesting details of planned fittings and stock regarding lease of shop space in Midway Arcade.(A) Re fittings. I intend having wall to wall carpet. Mirrors fitted to walls. Drawers for stock. Modern chrome hat stands & fittings. Glass show case & counter. Part of shop to be partitioned off with heavy brocade curtains. This space to be used for workroom. (B) Stock: Millinery & accessories, handbags, gloves, scarves, & fashion jewellery.

Photocopy of undated W Wotherspoon catalogue. Business Cnr of Barnard and Wattle Streets established in 1859. Beds, Mattresses, chairs, chest of drawers, blinds, etc sold.commerce, advertising, furniture, bendigo 19th century business.

Typed Notes Parsons Line|Typed Notes Parsons and Lewis Pty Ltd 1887 to 1988|Booklet The Drawers and Curlers Parsons and Lewis 1887 to 1988 by Peter Parsons|Newspaper Article The Advocate 6 October 1993 Brothers decide to retire from century old family business Buyer sought to keep up a proud tradition and History dates to boom days of 1880s|Original Business Names Act 1928 Certificate of Registrar General of Registration of an Individual Joseph Robert Parsons 8 June 1933 for Parson and Lewis|Newspaper Article The Weekly Times 25 September 1991 Brothers hang on by a tale|Newspaper Article The Age 17 October 1994 Hair today might go for a song tomorrow|Photograph of History panel Parson and Lewis|Photograph of vacant site where factory was located on corner Morris Street and Anderson Road|Photograph of facade of Parson and Lewis Horsehair Drawers and Curlers|Photograph of Parsons and Lewis and notes saying copy of the photograph of the fire that destroyed Parsons and Lewis factory on Kororoit Creek Sunshine|Newspaper Article Sunshine Advocate 29 January 1965 Australia Day program will appeal to all at JR Parsons Reserveparsons and lewis, joseph "joe" parsons

A photocopy of the cover of publication by Peter Parsons of the history of Parsons and Lewis 1887 to 1988 For names refer to no 138parsons & lewis, factory, parsons, graham street, anderson road, sunshine, history, peter parsons