The early settlers of Victoria depended on horse drawn vehicles to farm, make roads and railways, deliver produce and transport people. Horse harnesses were an important requisite for all drivers and could be found wherever there were working horses. Horse Harnesses have played an essential role in different cultures throughout history. Simple, utilitarian horse harnesses made of leather straps and iron rings were being used in early China before AD 500 as well as ancient Greece and Rome allowing horses to pull chariots and ploughs. The Greeks and Romans were the first to use a "horse collar" which distributed the weight of the harness evenly across the horse's chest rather than relying on a "throat harness" that could damage a horse's throat or choke them. During the medieval period, European horse harnesses became more elaborate and decorative. Variations of different horse harnesses were also found in Native American and Middle Eastern cultures. Horse Harnesses usually have four basic components which include - 1. Communication - the bridle, bit and reins allows the driver to communicate instructions and commands to the horse, guiding its movement and direction. 2. Draft - the collar, hame straps, hames, traces and chains enables the horse to draw and pull the load efficiently by distributing the weight and transferring the pulling force to the vehicle. 3. Stopping - the breeching band, pole straps and breast strap helps to control or stabilise the horse and vehicle when moving downhill or stopping. 4. Support - the back pad, backband, belly band and back saddle keep the harness in the correct position and proper alignment. This dray harness is a plain, basic harness and reflects its working class origins. It was used by Mr. Oswald (Jack) Bourke with his horse and dray to firstly deliver drygoods from Sunbury to Melbourne in the 1930's and later (through the 1940's and 1950's up to 1961) when he worked on the garbage round for the Springvale City Council. This horse harness is a significant example of the equipment that was needed wherever horses were being used - particularly in the early years of Victoria's settlement by white settlers. Harnesses such as this example were used with drays, farming equipment, delivery carts and personal transportation.A leather and metal horse harness used with a horse and dray circa 1930's to the early 1960's. It is made up of a number of components. 1. A leather bridle with metal buckles and rings, blinkers and a metal single jointed, snaffle bit that has the initials M B stamped onto the leather. 2. A leather bridle with metal buckles and rings and a metal "straight bar" Eggbut snaffle bit. It has an elongated X design (with 4 dots) stamped onto the leather strap holders near each buckle. 3. A blue and white vinyl halter with one leather patched strap. The nose band and a chin strap are covered with woollen padding. 4. A pair of leather shaft protectors. They have lacing holes along each edge and a repeating design of small shapes (flowers, wings, crosses and arrowheads) which run along the front of each protector. 5. A leather strap with a stainless steel chain and catch and a maker's mark for "Glenn's Leather Goods, Pearcedale Victoria" stamped onto the end. 6. A wide leather strap covered with a webbing sleeve. It has two large metal rings and each end and one ring has a rope attached. 7. A leather strap comprised of three separate sections (two shorter and one longer) joined with two metal rings. The longer section has notches along its length and the shorter section at the other end has a buckle. It also had a maker's mark stamped on it but the mark is very worn and the writing is difficult to read. 8. An adjustable leather horse collar with two buckles and straps at the top opening and two "B's" stamped into the leather. The top of the collar is made from treated leather pieces stitched together and the underneath of the collar is untreated leather. It has a padded indentation running all the way around the collar for the hames to sit in. 9. Two pairs of long leather traces - each having a buckle and notched section at one end and each one is made with three lengths of leather spliced together. 10. A leather strap (with one spliced join) belonging to a horse harness with two shorter straps (each ending with a metal clip) attached to a steel D ring at one end. 11. Three assorted short leather straps - the top one has clips at each end and a buckle (for adjusting the length) in the centre, the middle strap has notches and a buckle and the bottom strap is white with notches and a buckle.Bridle with blinkers - "M B" Bridle - design showing an elongated X with a dot in each section stamped onto strap holder Shaft Protectors - stamped design of flowers, wings, crosses and arrowheads Strap with chain - "Glenn's leather goods / Pearcedale / Victoria" Leather Strap (with two metal rings) - Maker's stamp - "name indecipherable / SADDLER / ...OURNE" Collar - "B / B" Leather strap - flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, sunbury, springvale, dray, delivery dray, harness, horse harness, horse drawn vehicles, working horse, oswald (jack) bourke, bridle, horse collar, hames, shaft protectors

As used for the cleaning and maintenance of all leather goodsAs imported and retailed by Holden and frost Circa 1900Squat tin can with opening lug on side.Propert's Leather and Saddle soap with drawing of horse and rider jumping fence as logoleather, soap, polish

Grained brown leather with decorative stitching around edges of shoes. Small matching brown leather bow on instep. Nailed on leather sole and built up heel. Eyelet punch on instep flap to take small brown button.On sole circle stamp "All Leather IHM" 11 on sole towards toe

Small leather look handbag, with shoulder strap. Owned by Dawn Petts of Greenhills in the 1960s.Bone leather handbag with fabric lining, metal clasp and leather strap.purses, handbags

Part of the uniform for the Winter Olympic Games, 2002 worn by men and women.Pair of leather gloves worn by both men and women. This'pair' is two left gloves.HESTRA HESTRA SHELL; ELK lEATHER LINING: 100% POLYESTER 8fashion, gloves, leather, costume, sport, salt lake city

Small plastic handbag, 'patent leather' look. Owned by Dawn Petts of Greenhills in the 1960s.Bone patent leather style handbag with fabric lining, metal clasp and leather strap.Manufacturer's label: "Made in NSW. by French Handbag. Fashion plastic."purses, handbags

Signaller's briefcase with leather handle attached by metal rings , key lock in centre (no key)green leather with gold embossed lettering airforce, uniforms

Gaiters worn by students. Given to Archives by Alice Tucker (née Glascodine) who graduated in 1933.Pair of brown leather gaiters worn by students at Burnley College. Makers name "Alex Morrison, Melbourne. W.E Melb" Stamped into leather at side. The top is fastened by buckle and strap. At bottom there is a hook fastening. Worn - top and bottom stitching and binding in need of repair.Makers name "Alex Morrison, Melbourne. W.E Melb" Stamped into leather at side.gaiters, students, alice tucker (née glascodine), 1933, artifact

Australian manufactured black leather ammo boots to the British pattern used by the Australian armed forces.Used by Australain armed forcesAnkle high, black stiched leather ammo boots with nylon laces on 12 eyelets, internal leather tongue and moulded synthetic soles. Size 10G.Made in Australia 10*G 1987boots, footwear

Brown grained leather. Decorative stitching and punching over toe with some scuffing of colour. Fine machine stitching on body of shoe. Leather pull up strap on back of foot well. 2 button hooks at top each side of instep. 4 shoe lace eyelets down each side instep with 2 pairs of short brown cotton laces on each instep. Nailed leather sole and built up heel slightly scuffed. Grained leather inner soleSize 5 stamped on sole near toe. Stamped circle with "ALL LEATHER .IHM(in calligraphy font) on mid sole.

WWII HeritageFrom Australian War Memorial: Standard issue blocked brown leather rifle bucket for attachment to the Pattern 1912 UP saddle. Bucket is complete with a leather slide steadying fitting, half way down the bucket, to attach it to the surcingle of the saddle, and a leather strap with brass buckle at the top of the bucket which attaches it to the saddle tree.Strap only is stamped with a broad arrow and manufacturer's details 'BLACKMAN LEATHER GOODS LTD. 175 BERMONDSEY ST S.E.1 1940'.

Ferrania Condor 1 camera in leather case with strap. ferrania condor 1 on metal top. On lens OFFICINE GALILEA ISCUS RAPID with relevant numbers and scales. ferrania stamped on front of leather lens cover.camera, ferrania, artifact

2 Leather WW2 identity tags on leather strap>1> A2. VX64546 CE Paterson A.R.

72p; ill; fascims; ports This book is about Robert Benjamin Stevens, a leather merchant and his family and their descendants, who lived in Surrey Hills.72p; ill; fascims; ports This book is about robert Benjamin Stevens, a leather merchant and his family and their descendants, who lived in Surrey Hills.stevens family, genealogy, (mr) john fidler, (mrs) jane fidler, (mrs) jane sebeston, (miss) jane sebbison, (miss) ann selina stevens, (miss) mary jane stevens, (mr) robert benjamin stevens, (miss) mary ann matilda stevens, mont albert road, surrey hills, (miss) margaret fidler, (miss) christina fidler, (mr)william cromarty, (miss) mary fidler, (mr) robert stevens, (mr) (rev) andrew mitchell ramsay, (prof) (mr) frederick sargood, union road, (mr) eric marshall, (mr) robert archer, (mr) frederick stanley, (mr) jim cerato, (mr) norm bainbridge, (capt.) - pearson, (mr) john rae brown, (mr) james barclay, (ms) agnes sarah goding, (ms) mary ann wilkins, (miss) - bowes, box hill market, mosgiel hospital, leather merchant, (mr) clifford james, (mr) keith mackay, arbee handcraft, (mr) noel stevens, (mr) don fowler, (mrs) doris may, (mrs) doris stevens, (miss) grace elizabeth archer, (rev) j morley, (rev) p schweiger, (rev) g shepherd, a michaelis, a cromie, a cravino, w h doery, r king, b j parkinson, h perrin, e williams, (mr) bruce torode, (mrs) illma bruce, (mr) malcolm gill, (ms) sandra shepherd, (mr) don lewis, (mr) clive shepherd, (ms) fiona mccaughey, (mr) alan stevens, (ms) helen skilbeck, (ms) patricia stevens, (mr) peter austin, (mr) ross shepherd, (mr) geoff stevens, arp warden, pembroke road, mont albert, (miss) zilla bertha loughrey, (mr) cliff snape, (miss) lyn bull, gascoyne street, (miss) cheryle patricia charlton, scouts, (mrs) margaret duckworth, (mr) barry duckworth, chatham state school, (ms) gwen dovey, (miss) agnes millicent, (miss) joyce shepherd, (miss) elsie may good, langford street

A satchel used by students to carry their requirements to and fro between school and home. Typically it would contain lunch and a homework book generally a small exercise book which would contain the set work for the evening. They were sturdily and simply constructed so as to withstand the daily rigour of the school ground.A common object with which many people would identifyBrown leather satchel with gusset on either side. The surface has crocodile skin profile. Two leather straps with buckles on either side. The back has straps which are fastened with metal studs at the top and laced through slits at the bottom . The strap itself is joined with a buckle. One side has been restitched toward the bottom of the satchel.Four purple "Warrnambool and District Historical Society" stamps on the inside. The remnants of a name which is unreadable. "5620" in red on left hand side. A stamp *** leather and other details which are unreadable.warrnambool, school satchel, boys' leather satchel, school bags

This belt belonged to a WW1 Australian Anzac who most probably, because of the buttons and badges, served on the Western Front. Records destroyed in 1969 bush fires at Lara means we are unable to determine who owned this in the RSL. The belts is called a 'stable belt' and the one you have acquired is an early example with a leather pocket. It became common in WW1 for both, leather belts (especially that from the 1903 bandolier equipment as worn by those in the Boer War), and stable belts to be used to hold badges collected from fellow soldiers and for that reason it was often known as a 'souvenir belt'. The evolution of the stable belt: It seems that stable belts began to become popular across the Army as a whole around the turn of the 20th century, although they probably originated with the cavalry a little earlier sometime in the 1880s/1890s. All units at that time had horses on their establishment and those soldiers told off to attend them reported for Stable Parade in Stable Dress which consisted of very high waisted and pocket less breeches, or trousers, held up by braces and collarless, woollen flannel shirts with sleeves rolled up. This was to facilitate the rigorous physical effort and flexibility of movement necessary for mucking out and grooming. Braces at that time had no elastic as rubber was expensive, they were made of cotton with no 'give' whatsoever and so soldiers commonly allowed the braces to flop down from the waist so that they could bend over freely. For trousers that fitted loosely (due to the high waist) this meant that they tended to slip down and at first soldiers cinched them in with leather belts. Later on the regimental saddlers began to make belts from the same, plain canvas or wool strapping used for the horses Surcingle and utilising the same double leather strap and buckle arrangement for security (if one strap broke the other would hold and prevent the saddle from coming unseated). One particular feature of these early stable belts was a sewn on (or in) pocket, secured by a stud or clip, within which loose change could be kept, or a pocket watch, as there were no pockets in the breeches. As you might imagine these became very popular as the pocket was useful and the extra breadth afforded by the canvas strapping made them very comfortable. Around about the turn of the 20th century it began to be popular for officers to wear neckties in regimental colours both for sport and less formal, country dress. This habit probably began with the Queens Household troops and Line Cavalry, but quickly spread throughout the Army and it appears as if this use of regimental colours spread to the canvas or wool strapping used to make stable belts. For this reason the stable belts invariably followed the same colour scheme (but not always the same pattern arrangement) of regimental neck ties. This belt is an example of what Australian troops collected when on the Western Front during WW1 and when on leave.Leather Belt with 31 Badges and Buttons from WW1 attachedSee Mediaww1, world war 1, australian army, badges, button, belt, stable belt

This large hat box was owned by Miss Katherine Robertson (now deceased). It was sold by Drews, a leather and travel goods shop in Melbourne, and has been made as good quality, sturdy travel luggage. It has its own leather luggage label buckled to the handle and there are remnants of labels on the base of the hat box, signifying that it has indeed been used as luggage. A hat box such as this one is made to protect, store and transport head wear. Hat boxes became popular in the 19th and early 20th century when hats were a part of the modern fashion. Inside the hat box is a brown paper wrapper with two Great Britain postage stamps attached. Both have the portrait image of Queen Elizabeth II (1) orange 1/2d (2) green ten pence. These stamps belong to the Wildings series and were issued 1952-1954. The wrapper was sent by J McGregor in Glasgow, Scotland to Katherine Robertson in Sale, Victoria. The postmark stamp shows it was sent in 1955. The paper had once been folded around something rectangular in shape, perhaps a book. The hat box was recently found by Archie’s daughter, niece of Katherine, when she was looking for something else in the ceiling of her home. The hat box had been there, with the brown paper wrapper inside, for about 30 years, forgotten by the family. There are no family members remaining now to tell the full story. ABOUT MISS KATHERINE ROBERTSON The Robertson family emigrated from the Isle of Wight and settled in Woorndoo, Western Victoria, Australia. Katherine Robinson was the 10th child of 13 children, born in 1906 and lived until 1995. The youngest child in the family was a boy named Archibald (Archie) who was born in 1911. His daughter is the donor of the hat box. Katherine went to school at Woorndoo and later became a trained teacher. She taught in many places, amongst them were Alexandria, Geelong, Sale, Stawell and Ballarat. People said “She was a school teacher 24 hours a day!” She was insistent on being called Miss Katherine Robinson, and no-one dare call her a shortened name in any way, not Kate, or Katie or even Kathie. She spoke with the authority of a teacher throughout her life, never asking but always giving her requests as orders. Miss Katherine Robinson remained single all her life. She bought items that were the best quality and workmanship, which gives reason for the strong and well-travelled hat box. She enjoyed going on trips and travelled the world twice. While on her journeys Katherine would knit Fair Isle patterned socks using fine 4 ply wool because she “Didn’t believe in wasting time!” Katherine’s niece remembers being in Melbourne at Station Pier, seeing her Aunt off on one of her journeys. She recalls the atmosphere and the colourful streamers in the air that celebrated the special occasion. Katherine travelled on the Oriana and Fair Star lines. ABOUT DREWS Drew’s, Leather Goods Specialists, was located at 70 Swanston St, corner of Queen’s Walk, Melbourne, at the time that this hat box was sold by the company. Queen’s Walk was constructed in 1889. It was a lavish ‘L’ shaped arcade that connected Swanston Street to Collins Street and was home to many specialist stores. In the 1950’s Drews address was advertised as Collins Street. In the late 1960’s Queen’s Walk was purchased by the Melbourne City Council and demolished in the early 1970’s, to be replaced by the Melbourne City Square. This very sturdy and good quality hat box is an example of travel luggage available to and used by the Victorian population of Australia in the early to mid-20th century. The retailer of this hat box, Drews, operated from premises on the corner of Swanston St and Queen’s Walk in Melbourne where many other specialist shops were located. Queen’s Walk was only in existence for around 70 years, 1889-late 1960, before it was demolished to make way for Melbourne’s City Square. Hat box, large, deep round shape with a straight section where lid is joined on at the back. Dated early to mid-1900’s. Brown coloured, textured heavy weight card box with folding metal carry handle, three clip closures for lid, metal hinge on back of lid. Purple maker’s label inside lid - DREWS, Leather Goods Specialists, Melbourne. Leather luggage tag has two rectangular cut-outs on front, attached with buckle strap. Underside of lid has two supporting leather straps attached to base. Base has inner cardboard liner around most of circumference. Contained inside are two leather straps with metal buckles. Label remnants, red, attached under base. Hat box was owned by Miss Katherine Robertson. Also inside is brown paper wrapper with three hand written addresses, in blue nib pen, and two attached Great Britain postage stamps, Queen Elizabeth II (1) Orange stamp, QE II, ½d (2) Green stamp, QE II, ten pence. It is postmarked [19] 55. Purple label has printing "70 SWANSTON STREET / Cr. QUEEN'S WALK / DREWS / LEATHER GOODS / SPECIALISTS / MELBOURNE". Wrapper inside has two hand written addresses (1J) Mrs. K. F. Robertson / 33 Mcalister Street / Sale / Victoria / Australia” (2) “from / J Mc Gregor / 15 Napier’s Hall St / Glasgow N W / Scotland” Postmark “ - -em 55” & “CLAS-“ OR “GLAS-“ [GLASGOW] flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, luggage, hat box, hatbox, hat storage box, hat travel case, hat case, bandbox, drews melbourne, drew’s melbourne, drew’s handbags, travel goods, travel luggage, hat box suitcase, hat box luggage, 1952-1954 gb postage stamps 1/2d orange queen elizabeth ii, katherine robertson, archibald (archie) robertson of woorndoo, j mcgregor

The early use of the school strap is associated with Catholic boys junior boarding schools in Ireland. Some were made from two pieces of leather stitched together with a coin sewn into the striking end. It is thought the Federation University Strap was used at the Ballarat Junior Technical School, a division of the Ballarat School of Mines. A laminated piece of brown leather with shaped end designed to use as a handle. It is a school strap used to administer corporal punishment.ballarat school of mines, ballarat junior technical school, corporal punishment, education, school, teacher, school strap, irish school strap, strap, leather strap

This leather folder is part of a collection of books, photos and memorabilia donated from the Chatham-Holmes family collection. The item belonged to Elizabeth Chatham who was the first Ladies President elected to the general committee in 1993...1)Tooled leather folder with Elizabeth Chatham stamped into the front along with a leaf pattern and Ballarat Golf Club Member tooled into the back surrounded by a laurel wreath and Ballarat's Avenue of Honour's Arch of Victory tooled into the centre. The edge is laced with leather thonging in a blanket stitch. It is fastened by two press studs. .2-4) Inside is held three score cards from the Ballarat Golf Club of which only .4) has been used. .5) Card printed with 'Elizabeth Chatham, President, Ballarat Golf Club .6) Red plastic utensil.1) Stamped into the outside - Elizabeth Chatham, Ballarat Golf Club Member .4) In pencil - E 7, J 5 .5) Printed - Elizabeth Chatham, President, Ballarat Golf Clubelizabeth chatham, leather tooled folder, ballarat golf club, score cards, chatham-holmes collection

The Samuel Browne belt is named after Sir Samuel James Browne VC. In 1858, Browne lost his left arm in battle (as a result of a sword cut) and as the dress regulations of his regiment required officers to wear their waist belts under their tunics, Browne found this ungainly and devised an external belt supported on the left-hand (sword) side by a shoulder strap. The belt had two shoulder straps when a holster was worn. In the Australian Army, a brown leather version is worn on ceremonial occasions by officers and Warrant Officers Class One of all corps, except those who wear silver dress embellishments (Armoured, Aviation and Nursing Corps). These members wear a black Sam Browne belt. Wide brown pattern stitched brown leather belt with adustable shoulder strap, brass buckle and brass loop fittings (4 at the top and 2 at the bottom) attached to the belt by stitched leather straps.Nonesam browne, belt, clothing

Pair Child's 6 button black leather boots. Round worn makers mark on polished leather sole. Nailed leather heel. Decorative machine stitching and punching over toe puff. Tan leather interface on stitched eyelet holes. Inner lining white material. Inner sole white leather. Stiff supports under toe and heel leatherWorn stamped makers mark on sole. Size 1 stamped on sole instep

Inside has label with V498 Made In Australia 1942 Size

LEATHER BOOTS ISSUED WWIIBoots- pair brown leather with brown leather laces. Metal heel and toe tips. Leather soleOn leather sole (^)B64 Stamped into leather upper top “W201/652”uniform, footwear, ww2

Used by Postal staff in the early 1900's and manufactured by Holden and FrostManufactured by Holden and Frost Ca 1900Rectangular shaped leather bag used to carry mail. Two leather straps around Girth to keep closed16 Irval REAL HIDE120leather, bag, postal

Army leather gun case with strap, buckle and leather carry handle. 2 brass loops for carry strapH.J.Stone

Red leather water bottle with black scrolling decoration. Has removable lid with leather string connecting the wooden lid to the bottle. water bottle, kazakhstan, wooden lid, souvenir, leather bottle