Seven various Dec 1912 receipts and invoices for business purchases from 5 Melbourne based companies addressed to J.H. Abbott 1913 Company correspondence from 61 companies/organisations addressed to Mr. J.H. Abbott: A John Perry, Timber Bender, Spoke & Nave manufacturers - 6 letters and invoices B James Miller & Co, Rope, Twine & Mat Manufacturers - 2 invoices C Dalgety Company Limited, general merchandise - 6 invoices D Gibbs, Bright & Co., Melbourne - 2 letters E Thomas McPherson & Son (McPhersons Pty. Ltd.), Iron & Machinery Merchants - 2 correspondence & 1 invoice F Bickford, Smith & Co., manufacturers of Safety Fuse, Melbourne - 3 letters G Hopkins Bros & Odlum, Machine Belting Manufacturers, Melbourne, H Stewart & Lloyds (Australia) Limited, Glaasgow - 6 letters I The Federal Manure Co., The Australian Explosives and Chemical Coy. Ltd., Melbourne - 8 letters J Ullathorne, Hartridge Co. Ltd., Melbourne - 2 letters & 2 invoices K Richard Linton, Melbourne - 1 letter & 1 invoice L George Russell Prop. Ltd., Iron & Steel Merchants, General Hardware Importers, Melbourne - 1 invoice & 8 letters M J. Kitchen & Sons Ltd., Candle & Soap Manufacturers Glycerine Refiners & Tallow Brokers, Melbourne - 10 letters N G. G. Crespin & Son, Melbourne - 4 letters O Noyes Bros. (Melbourne) Propy. Ltd. - 3 letters P The Eagle & Globe Steel Co., Melbourne - 4 letters & 1 memorandum company invoices and business correspondence

Joseph Henry Abbott founded the business in 1853 with a store that supplied everyday essential items to those seeking their fortune on the goldfields. The timing and choice of store ensured that he would become a prominent part of the Bendigo business scene. Abbott's next venture was to establish the New Times Boot Market & Factory in Pall Mall, Sandhurst. In 1867, his wife took over running the shop which was located next to the Bendigo Arcade near Williamson Street. In 1876, the leather business of T Baulderstone was purchased, and operations were further expanded later by the acquisition of the Edinburgh Tannery at Sheepwash Creek, and The Edinburgh Leather & Grindery warehouse in Bull Street, Sandhurst. In 1889, Joseph Abbott passed all interests in the business to his son, who shared the same name, in partnership with an adopted son, Richard Hartley Smith Abbott. The business continued trading under the name J H Abbott & Co.Booklet from the Eagle and Steel Melbourne Stocklist sent to Abbott Supply in 1923; 20 pageshistory, bendigo, abbott collection, eagle and globe steel