Melber sewing machines were first sold in Australia in the late 1870s. The 'Box Cottage' Melber Treadle Sewing Machine was owned by Mary Box, nee Kloster / Closter, wife of Alonzo Box , the nephew of William and Elizabeth Box who purchased 'Box Cottage' in 1865 from a pioneer settler The machine was bought in 1909, and is a good example of its kind. This type of sewing machine was widely used in many homes, in an era when hand-made clothes were the “norm.”, and clothes were mended, or ‘re-made’ into another garment. The cottage has both the Receipt, cat 00004.1 and Guarantee, cat 00004.2, for the sewing machine. This machine was possibly built by Wertheim Pty Ltd Hugo Wertheim (1854 – 1919) arrived in Melbourne in 1875. He became a successful agent for sewing machines manufactured by his father’s cousin Joseph Wertheim in Frankfurt, Germany. Hugo married Joseph’s daughter Sophie Emilie and they settled in Richmond Melbourne Australia. Hugo made many trips back to the main factory in Germany and, with extensive advertising, established a thriving business for sewing machines, bicycles, pianos under various ‘brand names’ - Wertheim, Electra, Planet, Griffin, Hapsburg. It has been said that Dame Nellie Melba preferred a Wertheim piano for her performances. In 1908 Hugo opened a large piano factory in Bendigo St Richmond, Victoria and his son Herbert maintained the business until 1935 The sewing machine was donated in 1985 by, a descendant of the Box family. The machine is complete, and in good condition. 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 this 'Melber' sewing machine that she used to provide clothing for the family. 'Melber'Treadle Sewing Machine that was owned by Mary Box, nee Kloster/ Closter. It was bought in 1909, and it is a good example of its kind. This type of sewing machine was widely used in many homes, in an era when hand-made clothes were the “norm.”, and clothes were mended, or ‘re-made’ into another garment. The Box Cottage Museum has both the Receipt, and Guarantee for the sewing machine. 'MELBER' stamped on sewing machine.dendys special survey, treadle sewing machine, box cottage, mary kloster, alonzo box, melber, wertheim hugo, wertheim sewing machine manufacturer, richmond melbourne victoria,

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

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 this 'Melber' sewing machine that she used to provide clothing for the family The original, hand written, Guarantee for the Melber Sewing Machine purchased by Mrs Martha Closter of Oakleigh in July 15th 1909 at Powell & Candy, Importers of Chapel Street, Prahran, Melbourne. MEMORANDUM / From / Powell & Candy/ IMPORTERS / ‘ July 19th 1909 ‘ ( hand written) / To M / The Melbourne Sewing Machine / Exchange, / 154 CHAPEL STREET, PRAHRAN / Guarantee ( hand written) / “ We hereby guarantee the Melber Rotary Hook / Drop Head Sewing Machine Sold by us to / Mrs Closter of Oakleigh, to be free from defects / in regard to material & workmanship & will / make good any defects not caused “be” / accident, rough usage or neglect at any time / within Five (5) years of date of purchase . viz. / July 15th 1909. / All parts to be submitted to us at our place / of business for inspection before any claim / is allowed. / Powell & Candy / per ……..” ( all hand written ) victoria, melbourne, clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, sewing, box elizabeth, box alonzo, closter mary, oakleigh, kentucky, early settlers, america, craftwork, sewing machines, melber company, u s a, prahran, kloster martha