Historical information

This notebook was produced for the business of Cramond and Stark of Toowoomba. John Cramond and James Dickson established a drapery, clothing and general store in Warrnambool in 1855 and this business was a dominant one in Warrnambool until its closure in 1973. A relative of John Cramond opened the drapery store of Cramond and Stark in Toowoomba, Queensland later in the 19th century and this was also a large and long-running business.

Significance

This notebook is of some interest as it is connected to a business in Queensland which had its origins in Warrnambool as one of the founding partners of this business came from Warrnambool (Cramond). It is also of interest as an example of the rather elaborate advertising ploys used in the early 20th century times – the metal notebook would have been rather expensive to produce and would probably have been given away to regular customers.

Physical description

This is a notebook with a pad of white paper and a cardboard backing attached to a metal container. There are a silver-coloured metal back and a metal front with a hinged lid and a 1911 calendar on the back of the lid. The inscription on the front is set in an embossed edging with a circular pattern in the middle of the lid.

Inscriptions & markings

Front of lid: ‘Notes, Cramond & Stark for Drapery Hosiery & Gloves, Clothing, Mercery & Hats, Ruthven Street, Toowoomba’