Historical information

These three flour bags belonged to Helena Warren (nee McKeown) who was a self-taught photographer who became the local press correspondent and producer of postcard images. She was married to William John warren and lived in Newmerella.
Flour bags were used for bulk purchases of flour in early to mid 20th century. They would have been laundered and re-used for storage. In earlier times empty flour bags were washed and boiled and then made into tea towels or children’s bloomers, or underwear.

Significance

The flour bags are good examples of packaging and design for Australian produce which sold across Australia and overseas in the mid 20th century.

Physical description

Three rectangular, open calico flour bags. 2491.1 is faded and has red and green print sketch of a fir tree with mountains in the background- "McAlpin's, Containing "Aerophos", Self-Raising Flour; "There's No Other".
2491.2 has similar print with a red stalk of wheat and "7lbs Net" and a C inside a triangle.
2491.3 has yellow background inside a rectangular frame with black print - "Tested ; Self-Raising Flour"; a drawing of a wheat field; "Medallion Brand ; Groves McVitty & Co Pty Ltd' 8 Market Street Melbourne.