Folding button hook would have been used for bringing buttons through button holes for clothing such as gloves in Victorian times. this item dates from early 1900s to 1930s.Used by resident of the Kiewa Valley.Silver metal oval surrounding a straight silver metal prong which has a hook at one end and, at the other end, is attached to the oval shape which comes in and extends as a short handle. The hook is hinged on to the oval shape enabling the hook to be pushed out creating a long tool for hooking buttons. May be used on clothing including gloves. button hook, shoes, gloves, boots, clothig, victorian, folding button hook

This MEZON brand button accordion was made specifically for Lyons, Musical Instrument Importer, 207 Bourke Street Melbourne, as can be seen on the embossed lettering on the top of the accordion. The hand inscribed nameplate indicates that the owner was T H Betts. On August 19th, 1903, Michael Edward Lyons applied to the Trade Mark’s Office of Sydney for registration of “The Invented word “MEZON” to be applied to musical instruments. In 1908 he was advertising himself as sole agents for MEZON accordions. He had been at that address for 15 years (since 1893) and was moving to larger premises at 256 Bourke Street, Melbourne. Still at this address in 1925, Lyons advertises MEZON accordions as “The ideal Xmas present, Maker your friends happy, This Xmas let the Present be a MEZON”. There was a choice of three styles: The Organ, The Wonder and The Grand Organ. They came with a Fibre Case with Lock and Key and a Leather Handle. The promise was “They Give Satisfaction”. They were obtainable at all stores or from Sole Distributors in Australia. In 1927 the MEZON was sold by Albert & Sons in Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland as well as by Lyons in Melbourne. The favoured German accordion brands were Monarch and Sterling, which were made by the International Accordion Company in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany. The company was founded in 1871 by Ernest Deines and made a variety of musical instruments. The company closed business in 1834. The International Accordion Company’s accordion range made the International brand and others such as MEZON, Globe, and Dienst. Australia imported the MEZON brand. American companies imported a range of the popular German branded accordions until World War II, when they were no longer available. In general, accordions produced after the war were not as high a quality and not loud enough to be heard over the electronic guitars and the drum kit of the bands. This accordion represents the type of musical instruments used in the late 19h and early 20th century, locally and Australia wide. In colonial Australia musical instruments like this one were imported from Germany as well as other countries. At that time, German made instruments represented good quality. This accordion is significant for being especially imported into Australia by a Melbourne retailer. Music was a part of family and social life, associated with dances, song and general fun.Button accordion with case. Accordion with steel reeds, three bass valves and ten treble valves. It is coloured black with very dark green trim, decorative silver metal reinforcing on main corners, gold reinforcing on corners of the bellows and delicate printed, gold printed patterned trims. Hand support for buttons is made of fabric. Folds of the bellows are light coloured with fine dark pattern. It has a nameplate on the front. Black wooden case has red lining, two brass hinges, two brass hook and eye catches and a swivel brass lock. The base of the case has a loose brass fitting. The top has a thin metal handle. Inscription on hand inscribed name on front, label inside case lid, silver reinforcing, leather on bellows top, and frame of accordion. Manufactured with the brand MEZON in Saxony, Germany, for Lyons of Melbourne. Once the property of T H Betts.Printed on label “MEZON ACCORDEONS.” Impressed in metal corners and reinforcing “MEZON” with logo [circle enclosing entwined capital D and E] “MADE IN SAXONY” Embossed in gold on frame “Made in Saxony”, “MEZON Accordion/ manufactured for LYONS / MELBOURNE, Bourke Street” Name inscribed by hand “T H Betts”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, mezon accordion, lyons, made in saxony, t h betts, betts, mezon, squeeze box, musical instrument, button accordion, germany, michael lyons, international accordion company, ernest deines, circle enclosing d e, d e, e d, german accordion

Clothing. Cream kid-leather bound on sides and lower edge with a 5 cm wide light blue grosgrain ribbon,mitred at the lower corners. A Vshaped flap, edged on the Vshape, with a 4 cm wide blue ribbon, and attached to the apron at the top edge with a 4 cm wide blue ribbon, folded in half over the top edge. A blue rosette of the ribbon is attached to the centre of the flap, and there is a blue rosette at each side of the lower edge- all are attached by a 1.5 cm diameter blue silk covered button. A blue, 3 cm wide elastic, with silver coloured hook fastens the apron to an elastic held, silver coloured metal loop fastener.Harvey C.Smith Pty Ltd,. 57 Swanston St., Melbourne. MASONIC REGALIA SPECIALISTS.costume, male, lodge apron

Clothing.Woman's black silk blouse. Bodice is made up of two layers. Inner layer of black cotton has full length front opening with placket with five buttons and button holes from 5cm below round neckline to 5cm above the waist. There is a breast pocket on the LHS (14cm X 11cm). The outer layer of black silk is attached to the inner layer at the shoulders (pleated) and around the arm holes, and hand stitched at the lower back to form a casing for cotton tape ties. The front forms a full width crossover with one metal hook on top LHS. The outer layer extends 7 cm below the inner layer at the waist with a 7cm peplum across the back. Set in long sleeves are tapered at the wrist with a 5 cm frill at the hem. Sleeves fully lined. Hand and machine stitched. Fold over collar (10cm) with squared corners.Decorative black , gold and pearl button on each wrist on hem.costume, female, woman's black silk blouse.