Historical information

This is an invoice sent from the Warrnambool New Brewery (Walter Sheldrick & Co.) to Captain Selby. The Bill was for two dozen ales ordered on November 4th 1873 and for 6 dozen ales ordered on November 24th 1873 (cost £6-18-0). The bill was paid in February 1874. The Warrnambool New Brewery was established in 1868 by a company headed by a Warrnambool butcher and hotel proprietor, Walter Sheldrick. It was at the corner of Timor and Fairy Streets. After the first year the company was wound up and Walter Sheldrick and Thomas Price and, initially, two other partners, continued on the business. Sheldrick died in 1876 and his son Richard took over the business. By 1892 he had left the business and the brewery was operated by Edward Price, Edmund Hutton and William Trigg. In 1894 the brewery was sold and continued on until it was closed in 1922. The labels of Warrnambool Sheldricks ales had been known throughout the Western District for over 50 years. Captain Selby came to Warrnambool in the late 1860s and lived at ‘Clifton’ on the banks of the Hopkins River not far from the mouth if the river. He was a keen sportsman and was prominent in the Anglers Society, the Rowing Club (as President) and the Gun Club (pigeon shooting).

Significance

As this is an original 1873 docket it is of considerable interest. It refers to the Warrnambool New Brewery, a prominent business in Warrnambool for over 50 years and to Captain Selby, well-known at the time in sporting circles. We have a good collection of other Captain Selby dockets.

Physical description

This is a buff-coloured piece of paper, an 1873 invoice sent from the Warrnambool New Brewery (Walter Sheldrick and Company) to Captain Selby of Warrnambool. The docket has printed red lines and both printed and handwritten material in black ink. The page has one small tear.