The Reeves family emigrated from Dublin arriving in Geelong around 1845. The established their cordial business in Warrnambool in mid 19th century and operated well into the 20th century.The Reeves family were one of a number of drink manufacturers which operated in Warrnambool in the late 19th century and 20th century. Clear glass cylindrical bottle with neck. The dark grey stopper has an internal screw with rubber seal.Embossed on side of bottle "This bottle always remains the propertyof /R.V. REEVES/WARRNAMBOOL." Lined measure mark on side of bottle. "32" either side of lip.Manufacturers marks on bottom.reeves, warrnambool, cordial bottle

This bottle came from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of Reg Reeves. This factory in Koroit Street, Warrnambool was established in the 1860s as the Union Cordial Factory by John Davis and then bought by John Fletcher in 1885. Fletcher’s business continued until 1930 when it was bought by Ralph Reeves. Coming to Warrnambool about 1900, Ralph Reeves managed a Banyan Street cordial factory which had been established by John Rowley. Ralph Reeves bought a cordial business at Hamilton in 1916 and sold it in 1929 to concentrate on his Warrnambool cordial factory. Reeves was joined by his son Reg in Warrnambool and Reg operated the business from 1946 to 1972. The trade name of Reeves was still used after Reg Reeves died and continued on for some years. This bottle is of interest as an example of the soft drinks made at the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of Reg Reeves. Reg and his father Ralph operated a cordial business in Warrnambool for 40 years. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over 100 years.This is a glass bottle with a long rounded body, a round base and a short rounded neck. The top of the bottle has a moulded glass open top and there is a cork stopper with a brown top to enable the bottle to be opened by turning. The stopper has the name of the manufacturer of the soft drink on it and there is a multi-coloured label pasted on to the side of the bottle. The name of the soft drinks manufacturer is also impressed into the glass on the side of the bottle. There are two small chips near the base of the bottle. Stopper: R.V.Reeves R.V.R. Bottle: Reeves Imitation Cordial Pineapple Artificially coloured &flavoured This food contains not more than 2 grains of sulphur dioxide to the pint R.J. Reeves Warrnambool ralph reeves, warrnambool, reg reeves, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

These labels come from the Warrnambool Reeves Cordial Factory. John Reeves came to Warrnambool about 1900 and managed the cordial bottling plant in Banyan Street for Jim Kelly who traded under the name of the previous cordial manufacturer, J. S. Rowley. In 1931 John Reeves purchased the cordial factory in Koroit Street from the estate of John Fletcher. John Reeves’ son, Reg managed the cordial business in Koroit Street until 1946 when he took over from his father and carried on the business until his death in 1972. In 1977 Reeves’ son-in-law carried on the business under the trading name of Reeves. The building in Koroit Street that stands today was erected in 1957 when the original building was demolished. These labels are of interest because they are colourful and pleasing to the eye and because the Reeves Cordial Factory was a major business in Warrnambool for several decades in the 20th century..1 to .9 Piece of paper with curved edges with multi-coloured printing and coloured geometric decoration. .10 A piece of paper with yellow, red and white printing and images of a crown and a stage curtain. .1 Reeves’ Imitation Cordial Vanilla .2 Reeves’ Imitation Cordial Caramel .3 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Lime .4 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Chocolate .5 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Chillie .6 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Orange .7 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Orange & Lemon .8 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Fruit Cup .9 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Pineapple .10 Queen’s Toast Artificially Coloured Reeves Warrnambool reeves cordial factory, history of warrnambool

Ralph Reeves purchased an established cordial factory in the early 1900’s from the estate of J Fletcher. It was operated by the Reeves family, firstly Reginald, followed by his son-in-law Murray Moon until the latter part of the 20th century. A common object familiar to a large number of people in the Warrnambool area with links to one of Warrnambool’s longest established family businesses.Two clear glass bottles with rib pattern and circles at bottom of neck. Transfer label with small white circles and one larger red one. Top is white with orange writing. Contains Dry Ginger.Enjoy Reeves’ ice cold on the front, Bottled by R.J Reeves Warrnambool. Preservative added artificially coloured. Net contents 7 FL. OZ. warrnambool, reeves, reeves soft drink, reeves cordial.

Ralph Reeves purchased an established cordial factory in the early 1900’s from the estate of J Fletcher. It was operated by the Reeves family, firstly Reginald, followed by his son-in-law Murray Moon until the latter part of the 20th century.A common object familiar to a large number of people in the Warrnambool area with links to one of Warrnambool’s longest established family businesses. Two clear glass. Cylindrical with 12 ribs. Chrome metal top with lever and spout. Logo etched on front of bottles Inscriptions and Markings: “R. J. Reeves” engraved on side of lid. “R. J. Reeves Warrnambool in oval surrounding RJR. This syphon remains the property of R. J. Reeves Warrnambool and its use by others is prohibited.British syphon company Limited London.warrnambool, reeves, soda syphon, reeves soft drink, reeves cordial.

These bottles come from the Warrnambool aerated waters business of Reg Reeves. A cordial factory was established in Koroit Street, Warrnambool by John Davis and this business was taken over in the 1880s by John Fletcher. Ralph Reeves, who had been involved in the cordial making business in Warrnambool since 1900, bought the Koroit Street business in 1931. His son Reginald John acquired the business in 1946 and was actively involved until his death in 1972. The factory continued until the 1908s. These bottles are of interest as they come from the Warrnambol aerated waters business of Reginald John Reeves. The Reeves cordial factory was prominent in Warrnambool for over 40 years. Cordial manufacturing in Warrnambool was an important industry for over 100 years. These are two clear glass bottles (one has been slightly discoloured inside from the contents). They have a rounded base with a rounded body tapering to a smaller neck. The openings at the top have a lip of moulded glass. The name of the aerated waters manufacturer is impressed into the side of the bottle. There are no stoppers.‘This bottle always remains the property of R.J.Reeves Warrnambool.’ reg reeves, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle comes from the Warrnambool aerated water factory of Reg Reeves. This factory, in Koroit Street, Warrnambool, was established in the 1860s as the Union Cordial Factory by John Davis and then bought by John Fletcher in 1885. Fletcher’s business continued until 1930 when it was bought by Ralph Reeves. Coming to Warrnambool about 1900, Ralph Reeves managed a Banyan Street, Warrnambool cordial factory which had been established by John Rowley. Ralph Reeves bought a business in 1916 at Hamilton and sold it in 1929 to concentrate on the Warrnambool business. Reeves was joined by his son Reg in Warrnambool and Reg operated the business from 1946 to 1972. The trade name of Reeves was still used after Reg Reeves died and continued on for some years. This bottle is of interest as an example of a lemonade bottle form Reeves Cordial Factory in Warrnambool. The Reeves family operated this business in Warrnambool for 40 years. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over 100 years. This is a clear glass lemonade bottle with a round base, a rounded body and a smaller circular neck with a screw top stopper made of composite material. A metal handle is attached to the neck section and it has a coil of metal on the handle for easier handling. The stopper has the name of the manufacturer of the soft drink. ‘R.V.Reeves R.V.R.’ (twice)reeves cordial factory, warrnambool, cordial manufacturing in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle comes from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of Ralph Reeves. This business was established in Koroit Street, Warrnambool in the 1860s as the Union Cordial Factory by John Davis and then bought by John Fletcher in 1885. Fletcher’s business continued until 1930 when it was bought by Ralph Reeves. Coming to Warrnambool about 1900 Reeves had managed a Banyan Street, Warrnambool factory which had been established by John Rowley. Reeves was joined by his son Reg in Warrnambool and Reg operated the business from 1946 to 1972. The trade name of Reeves was still used after Reg Reeves died in the early 1970s and continued on for some years. This bottle is of interest as an example of an early Reeves bottle. We have few Reeves bottles with the original paper labels. Cordial manufacturing in Warrnambool was an important industry for over 100 years.This is a clear glass bottle with a rounded base and rounded body tapering to a short round neck with a moulded glass top at the opening. The screw stopper is black and made of composite material. The inside of the bottle is discoloured. The details of the manufacturer of the contents are impressed into the glass on the side and there is a paper label pasted on the side of the bottle (black, red, yellow tonings) ‘R.V. Reeves’ (x2) 34’ ‘Lemonade Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd’ ‘Bottle not complete without stopper’ ‘This bottle is the property of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd Warrnambool’ ‘Please replace stopper, Reeves lemonade, sparkling & refreshing, R.J. Reeves Warrnambool, bottle 2d. deposit’ ralph reeves, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

These bottles came from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of Ralph Reeves. This factory in Koroit Street, Warrnambool was established in the 1860s as the Union Cordial Factory by John Davis and then bought by John Fletcher in 1885. Fletcher’s business continued until 1930 when it was bought by Ralph Reeves. Coming to Warrnambool about 1900 Ralph Reeves managed a Banyan Street cordial factory which had been established by John Rowley. Ralph Reeves bought a business in 1916 at Hamilton and sold it in 1929 to concentrate on the Warrnambool business. Reeves was joined by his son Reg in Warrnambool and Reg operated the business from 1946 to 1972. The trade name of Reeves was still used after Reg Reeves died and continued on for some years.These bottles are of significance as they come from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of Ralph Reeves. Reeves and his son operated this business for 40 years. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over 100 years. These are five glass bottles with a rounded body, a round base and a smaller rounded neck. The tops are made of moulded glass and the stoppers are made of cork with a brown top. The name of the maker of the aerated waters is impressed into the glass on the side of the bottles.‘This bottle always remains the property of R.V. Reeves Warrnambool’ralph reeves, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

The making of cordials and aerated waters was an important industry in Warrnambool from the time of the first settlement up to the 1980s. John Fletcher succeeded John Davis in Koroit Street in 1885 and manufactured aerated waters, soda, lithia, tonic waters, lemonade, ginger ale, hop beer, hop bitters, sarsparilla and cordials. He sold to Ralph Reeves in 1930 and the business continued until the 1908s under the name of Reeves. Warrnambool cordial bottles are of considerable significance as examples of an important local industry now gone. The Fletcher business was a well-known business in Warrnambool for 45 years.This is a small size plain glass bottle manufactured for liquids sold commercially.On side of bottle ‘John Fletcher Warrnambool’ ‘Trade Mark’ with incision of symbol showing a crown with a Maltese Cross and three fleurs-de-lys. Near the base of the bottle is the wording ‘This bottle is the property of John Fletcher Warrnambool & cannot be legally used by others’. On base: ‘M 942, M, A.G.M.’wa, warrnambool,fletcher bottle, fletchers cordials warrnambool, fletcher's aerated water, marble bottle,

The making of cordials and aerated waters was an important industry in Warrnambool from the time of the first settlement up to the 1980s. John Fletcher succeeded John Davis in Koroit Street in 1885 and manufactured aerated waters, soda, lithia, tonic waters, lemonade, ginger ale, hop beer, hop bitters, sarsparilla and cordials. He installed many improvements around the late 1880's including an improved soda water machine which was also used for bottling lemonade, ginger ale and syphons. He sold to Ralph Reeves in 1930 and the business continued until the 1980's under the name of Reeves. The premises in Koroit St were auctioned in 1989.Warrnambool cordial bottles are of considerable significance as examples of an important local industry now gone. The Fletcher business was a well-known business in Warrnambool for 45 years.Round bottle with raised lettering in glass and indented sections on top section of bottle with marble enclosed. Clear greenish glass.J Fletcher’s Aerated waters Koroit Street Warrnambool vertically on bottle with lemonade horizontally on the other side. M on bottom of bottle.warrnambool,fletcher's aerated waters, fletcher's cordial , cordial bottle,

This soda syphon is a device for dispensing carbonated or soda water. The valve allows portion of the contents to be dispensed whilst maintaining the pressure inside to keep the rest of the contents from going flat. The bottle is marked ‘J. Fletcher’. John Fletcher worked as a boy at Rowley’s cordial factory in Banyan Street, Warrnambool. He then worked for John Davis who had established the Union Cordial Factory in Koroit Street, Warrnambool in the 1860s. In 1885 John Fletcher bought the Davis business and operated it until 1930. John Fletcher sold the business to Ralph Reeves and as Reeves initially used Fletcher bottles and syphons, the contents of the bottle could have come from the time of either John Fletcher or Ralph Reeves. This syphon is of interest as it comes from a mid 20th century cordial factory in Warrnambool. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over 100 years. This is a clear glass soda syphon with a round sold base and a rounded body and a metal pump and valve mechanism affixed to the top opening. A glass tube is inside the bottle and is part of the pump mechanism. The top metal section is very corroded. The side of the bottle has the Fletcher trademark - the stylized letters J and F. ‘J. Fletcher Trade Mark Warrnambool’ ‘J. Fletcher’ ‘British Syphon Mfg Co. Ltd London’ cordial manufacturing in warrnambool, fletcher, history of warrnambool

These two soda syphons were used to dispense soda water. They are marked ‘J. Fletcher’ with one of the bottles having the extra label of ‘Reeves’. The bottles come from the cordial factory in Koroit Street, Warrnambool. John Fletcher worked as a young boy in Rowley’s cordial factory in Banyan Street, Warrnambool and then worked for John Davis who had established the Union Cordial Factory in Koroit Street in the 1860s. John Fletcher bought the Davis business in 1885 and operated this factory until 1930. He then sold to Ralph Reeves who initially used the Fletcher bottles and syphons. At least one of these syphons comes from the Koroit Street factory during the proprietorship of Ralph Reeves.These soda syphons are of interest as they come from a local Warrnambool cordial factory in Koroit Street. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over100 years. These are two soda syphons made of glass with heavy round bases and ridged surfaces on the bottle bodies. The metal tops contain the pump and valve mechanisms and the inside of the bottles have glass tubes attached to the top mechanisms. The sides of the bottle have the Fletcher trade mark symbol of the stylized letters J and F, Both metal tops are corroded. Both bottles contain a small amount of liquid.‘J. Fletcher’ “J. Fletcher Trade Mark Warrnambool’ ‘Soda Water’ ‘This syphon is the property of John Fletcher Warrnambool and cannot be legally used by others’ ‘British Syphon Co. Ltd. London Reg. No 762’. ‘Reeves Soda Water’ (one bottle only) cordial manufacturing in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle was made in Epsom, Bendigo at the Bendigo Pottery Works. The bottle contained ginger beer manufactured at the cordials factory of J.S. Rowley at the corner of Timor and Banyan Streets, Warrnambool. John Searle Rowley (1837-1893) opened a branch of the Geelong Corio Brewery in Timor Street and in 1868 established a cordial manufacturing plant on the site. The brewery section closed and the cordial manufacturing section, called the Warrnambool Steam Aerated Waters works, was expanded, By the 1880s there were 13 employees and 20 varieties of soft drinks were being produced. After Rowley died in 1893 the business continued under the same name with Ralph Reeves managing the plant from 1900 until he moved to Koroit Street and operated a cordial factory under his own name. This bottle is of interest as an example of the soft drinks manufactured by J.S.Rowley of Banyan Street Warrnambool. This business was an important one in Warrnambool in the second half of the 19th century and early in the 20th century. This is a ceramic bottle in brown and buff colouring. The top has two chips. There is no stopper. ‘J.S. Rowley Hamilton and Warrnambool Ginger Beer’ ‘The Bendigo Pottery Epsom Bendigo’ j.s. rowley cordial manufacturer, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

These bottles came from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of Ralph Reeves. This factory in Koroit Street, Warrnambool was established in the 1860s as the Union Cordial Factory by John Davis and then bought by John Fletcher in 1885. Fletcher’s business continued until 1930 when it was bought by Ralph Reeves. Coming to Warrnambool about 1900 Ralph Reeves managed a Banyan Street cordial factory which had been established by John Rowley. Ralph Reeves bought a business in 1916 at Hamilton and sold it in 1929 to concentrate on the Warrnambool business. Reeves was joined by his son Reg in Warrnambool and Reg operated the business from 1946 to 1972. The trade name of Reeves was still used after Reg Reeves died and continued on for some years.These bottles are of significance as they come from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of Ralph Reeves. Reeves and his son Reg operated this business for 40 years. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over 100 years. These are five glass bottles with a rounded body, a round base and a smaller rounded neck. The tops are made of moulded glass and the stoppers are made of cork with a brown top. The name of the maker of the aerated waters is impressed into the glass on the side of the bottles.‘This bottle always remains the property of R.V. Reeves Warrnambool’ reeves bottles, reeves cordials, ralph reeves, warrnambool history

These bottles are known as marble stopper bottles. This type of bottle was filled upside down so that as soon as the filling stopped the stopper was forced down to seal the bottle against the rubber ring. Pressure inside the bottle would keep the marble pressed against the top of the bottle. To open the bottle the marble was pressed down where it would fall into the neck chamber below. The marble would stay inside the chamber when the bottle was tilted up for drinking. These bottles have come from the aerated waters factory of John Fletcher of Warrnambool. This factory in Koroit Street was established in the mid 19th century by John Davis. As a young boy John Fletcher worked at the cordial factory of John Rowley in Banyan Street, Warrnambool and then worked for a number of years for John Davis at his Union Cordial Factory. In 1885 John Fletcher succeeded John Davis and continued in this business until 1930.. The business was then taken over by Ralph Reeves. John Fletcher manufactured aerated waters, soda, tonic waters, lemonade, ginger ale, hop beer, hop bitters, sarsaparilla and cordials. These bottles are of interest firstly because they are good examples of marble stopper bottles, no longer in use today. They are also important because they are John Fletcher bottles and he was a prominent soft drinks manufacturer in Warrnambool for over 40 years. These four bottles are made of green coloured glass. They have a round body with deep indentations at the top, narrowing the entrance to the neck which is short and thick. The top opening is made of thick moulded glass. A glass marble is loose in the neck section. The rubber ring inside the neck is missing. The manufacturer’s details are embedded into the glass on both sides of the bottle.‘Lemonade’ ‘J.Fletcher’s Aerated Waters Koroit Street Warrnambool’ ‘This bottle is the property of John Fletcher Warrnambool and cannot be legally used by others’ fletcher's cordial, marble stopper bottle, warrnambool cordial

This is a marble stopper bottle. It was filled upside down so that as soon as the filling stopped the marble was forced down to seal the bottle against the rubber ring. Pressure inside the bottle kept the marble pressed against the top of the bottle. To open the bottle the marble has been pressed down and has fallen into the neck chamber below. The marble stayed inside the chamber when the bottle was tilted up for drinking. This bottle came from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of John Fletcher. This factory was commenced in the mid 19th century by John Davis. As a young boy John Fletcher worked at the cordial factory of John Rowley in Banyan Street, Warrnambool. He then worked for John Davis at his Union Cordial Factory in Koroit Street for many years. In 1885 he succeeded John Davis in this business. Fletcher’s business continued until 1930 when it was sold to the soft drinks manufacturer, Ralph Reeves. John Fletcher made aerated waters, soda water, tonic water, lemonade, ginger ale, hop beer, hop bitters, sarsaparilla and cordials. This bottle is of interest as a good example of a marble stopper bottle and as a memento of the soft drinks made by John Fletcher, a prominent Warrnambool businessman for over 40 years. This is a glass bottle with a heavy round base and a rounded body which is markedly indented at the top, causing the aperture inside to be narrowed. The neck is rounded and tapers to the moulded glass opening at the top. There is a round piece of red rubber inside the top of the bottle. A green glass marble is loose in the neck section. The lettering giving details of the manufacturer is embedded into the glass. There is a small chip on the base.‘John Fletcher Trade Mark (crown symbol)Warrnambool’ ‘Soda Water’ ‘M’ john fletcher, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers, warrnambool

This is a marble stopper bottle that came from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of John Fletcher. This bottle was filled upside down so that as soon as the filling stopped the marble was forced down to seal the bottle against the rubber ring. Pressure inside the bottle would keep the marble pressed against the top of the bottle. To open the bottle the marble was pressed down where it has fallen into the neck chamber below. The marble stayed inside the bottle when it was tilted for drinking. John Fletcher worked as a young boy at Rowley’s cordial factory in Banyan Street Warrnambool. He then worked for John Davis who had established the Union Cordial Factory in Koroit Street in the 1860s. In 1885 Fletcher bought John Davis’ business and operated it until 1930. It was then bought by Ralph Reeves. John Fletcher manufactured soda water, tonic waters, lemonade, ginger ale, sarsaparilla, cordials, hop beer and hop bitters. This bottle is of some significance as an example of a marble stopper bottle and as a memento of the Warrnambool soft drinks business of John Fletcher. He was a prominent businessman in This is a mauve-coloured glass bottle known as a marble stopper bottle. The base and body are round with the top part of the body heavily indented to form a narrow opening leading to the neck. The neck is rounded and slightly tapering to the moulded round top. A green glass marble is loose in the neck section. The rubber ring at the top of the opening is missing. The details of the soda water manufacturer are embedded into the glass on the sides. ‘John Fletcher Trade Mark (crown symbol) Warrnambool’ ‘Soda Water’ ‘M’ john fletcher, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle came from the Warrnambool aerated waters manufacturer, John Fletcher. This factory was commenced in the mid 19th century by John Davis. As a young boy John Fletcher worked in the cordial factory of John Rowley in Banyan Street, Warrnambool and then worked for John Davis at his Union Cordial Factory for many years. In 1885 he succeeded John Davis in this business. Fletcher’s business continued until1930 when it was bought by another soft drinks manufacturer, Ralph Reeves. John Fletcher manufactured aerated waters, soda, tonic water, lemonade, ginger ale, hop beer, hop bitters, sarsaparilla and cordials. This bottle is of interest because it is a John Fletcher bottle and he was a prominent soft drinks manufacturer in Warrnambool for over 40 years. This is a clear glass bottle. It has a round base and a rounded body tapering in the neck to a round moulded open top. The stopper or seal is missing. The bottle has embedded lettering with details of the manufacturer of the contents.‘John Fletcher Trade Mark (crown symbol) Warrnambool’ ‘This bottle is the property of John Fletcher Warrnambool & cannot be legally used by others’ john fletcher, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

These marble stopper bottles came from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of John Fletcher. A marble stopper bottle was filled upside down so that as soon as the filling stopped the marble was forced down to seal the bottle against the rubber ring. Pressure inside the bottle would keep the marble pressed against the top of the bottle. To open the bottle the marble was pressed down where it would fall into the neck of the chamber below. The marble would stay inside the chamber when the bottle was tilted up for drinking. As a young boy John Fletcher worked at the cordial factory of John Rowley in Banyan Street, Warrnambool. He then worked in Koroit Street, Warrnambool at the Union Cordial Factory of John Davis. This factory had been established in the 1860s. In 1885 John Fletcher bought the business of John Davis and continued it on until 1930 when it was bought by Ralph Reeves. John Fletcher manufactured lemonade, tonic waters, soda water, sarsaparilla, cordials, ginger ale, hop beer and hop bitters. These bottles are of interest, firstly because they are good examples of the marble stopper bottle type of bottle, no longer in use. They are also important because they are John Fletcher bottles and he was a prominent businessman in Warrnambool for over 40 years.These are two glass bottles. They have a rounded base and body with deep indentations which give a narrowed aperture to the top of the body and the neck. The neck is round and tapering to a moulded opening at the top of the bottle. Both bottles had a round rubber ring inside the bottle, with one lodged in the bottom of the bottle. Both bottles have a green glass marble in the neck of the bottle. The name of the manufacturer of the lemonade is impressed into the body of the bottles. ‘J. Fletcher’s Aerated Waters Koroit Street Warrnambool’ ‘Lemonade’ ‘This bottle is the property of John Fletcher Warrnambool & cannot be legally used by others’ ‘A.G.M.’ john fletcher warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle is known as a marble stopper bottle. The bottle was filled upside down so that as soon as the filling stopped the stopper was forced down to seal the bottle against the rubber ring. Pressure inside the bottle would keep the marble pressed against the top of the bottle. To open the bottle the marble was pressed down where it would fall into the neck chamber below. The marble would stay inside the chamber when the bottle was tilted up for drinking. This bottle came from the aerated waters factory of John Fletcher. This factory was commenced in the mid 19th century by John Davis. As a young boy John Fletcher worked at the cordial factory of John Rowley in Banyan Street, Warrnambool and then worked for John Davis at his Union Cordial Factory for many years. In 1885 he succeeded John Davis in this business. Fletcher’s business continued until 1930 and it later was bought by Ralph Reeves. John Fletcher manufactured aerated waters, soda, tonic waters, lemonade, ginger ale, hop beer, hop bitters, sarsaparilla and cordials. This bottle is of interest, firstly because it is a good example of the marble stopper type of bottle, no longer in use. It is also important because it is a John Fletcher bottle and he was a prominent soft drinks manufacturer in Warrnambool for over 40 years. This is a green-coloured glass bottle with a round base. The top of the body of the bottle has two heavy indentations either side, narrowing the entry to the body of the bottle. The neck is short and thick and the opening at the top of the bottle is moulded with a rubber ring around the inside. A glass marble is loose inside the bottle neck. The name of the manufacturer is moulded into the glass on the side and includes a crown symbol used as a trade mark.‘John Fletcher Trade Mark Warrnambool’ john fletcher, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool

This soda syphon (or siphon) was distributed by John Fletcher of Warrnambool, and made by the British Syphon Mfg. Co. Ltd. of London between the 1900s-1930s. It comprises a multi-sided clear glass bottle, an internal glass tube and a metal release valve and spout on the top. It was used to dispense pressurised, effervescent soda water. It was often used as an alternative to water or added to fruit juices and cordials. The text on this bottle states that it remains the property of the retailer, John Fletcher, and must be returned to him. Customers were asked for a deposit on the bottle, which would be refunded when the bottle was exchanged or continued as the deposit on a fresh bottle. Returned bottles would be cleaned and recharged with the gas and sold again. Soda syphon are bottles, glass or metal, with a release valve and spout on the top. The valve lever on the top of the syphon, when depressed, causes the gas in the syphon to force the water up through the tube and out of the spout. The bottle’s mechanism gives the water an effervescent quality to make bubbly drinks such as sparkling mineral water, soda water and sparkling water. ABOUT JOHN FLETCHER John Fletcher bought the Union Cordial Factory in Koroit Street, Warrnambool that was previously owned by John Davis. Fletcher operated the factory as J Fletcher, John Fletcher and Fletcher’s. He eventually sold his business and stock in 1930 to Ralph Reeves, who may have continued using Fletcher’s supply of drink containers before renewing them with stock showing his own brand. The soda syphon is representative of drink containers used in the later 19th and early 20th century. It also represents the system of returnable, recyclable containers. Soda syphon (or siphon). Glass bottle, clear, multi sided, tapered from a heavy glass base to a narrower shoulder, with glass tube at centre connected to metal pump mechanism at the top. Has elaborate frosted label for J. Fletcher of Warrnambool. Made by the British Syphon Mfg. Co. Ltd. London. Bottle remains the property of John Fletcher, Warrnambool.Metal syphon has impressed "J FLETCHER" and logo "S S" in centre of two concentric circles with text between circles "BRITISH SYPHON MFG. CO. LTD. LONDON". Etched into glass "J. FLETCHER / WARRNAMBOOL", "TRADE "[stylised] F" / MARK", "SODA WATER", "THIS SYPHON IS THE PROPERTY / OF JOHN FLETCHER / WARRNAMBOOL AND CONNOT BE / AND CONNOT BE LEGALLY USED BY OTHERS / BRITISH SYPHON CO. TLD. LONDON / - - - - "flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, john fletcher, fletcher, john fletcher of warrnambool, soda siphon, soda syphon, british syphon mfg co ltd of london, soft drinks, soda drinks

This bottle has come from the aerated waters factory of John Fletcher of Warrnambool. This factory in Koroit Street was established in the mid 19th century by John Davis. As a young boy John Fletcher worked at the cordial factory of John Rowley in Banyan Street, Warrnambool and then worked for a number of years for John Davis at his Union Cordial Factory. In 1885 John Fletcher succeeded John Davis and continued in this business until 1930. The business was then taken over by Ralph Reeves. John Fletcher manufactured aerated waters, soda, tonic waters, lemonade, ginger ale, hop beer, hop bitters, sarsaparilla and cordials. The bottle would have been sealed with a cork stopper. The torpedo shape of the bottle would ensure that it was stored on its side, keeping the cork moist so that it didn't shrink and cause the bottle to leak its contents.The bottle is significant for its unusual torpedo shape and for being sold by the long standing John Fletcher's soft drink business in Warrnambool who was a prominent soft drinks manufacturer in Warrnambool for over 40 years.Torpedo shaped green glass bottle, name of manufacture of contents, John Fletcher Late and J. Davis, of Koroit St Warrnambool, is impressed in the glass."John Fletcher Late and J. Davis Koroit St Warrnambool"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, torpedo shaped glass bottle, torpedo bottle, bottle, john fletcher late and j. davis koroit st warrnambool, john fletcher late and j. davis, john fletcher late, j. davis

This is a soda syphon for holding soda water used by the aerated waters business of Reeves of Warrnambool (possibly bottled in the 1970s or 80s). It is a Fletcher bottle. John Davis established a cordial business in Warrnambool in 1859 and this business was taken over by John Fletcher. Ralph Reeves purchased the Fletcher business from the estate of the late John Fletcher in 1931 and continued to use the Fletcher bottles. The business of Reeves soft drinks continued in Koroit Street until the 1980s.This soda syphon is of considerable importance as it links two prominent soft drinks makers in Warrnambool – Fletcher and Reeves. It will be useful for display as it tells of a time when this sort of soda syphon was in use.This bottle is a soda syphon with an oblong-shaped glass base and a metal spout. It has a solid glass base and a pink-coloured tube inside the bottle. It has a chip on the base and the spout is a little corroded. The name and logo (scrolls and patterns) of J. Fletcher of Warrnambool is etched into the glass. There is also a red and cream paper label of Reeves.Paper label: ‘Reeves soda water’ Glass etching: ‘J. Fletcher, Warrnambool, F. Trade Mark’ john fletcher, reeves family