Historical information
These rulers have been distributed by the Warrnambool chemist, George Le Couteur as advertising tools for his business. George Le Couteur operated a pharmacy at 78 Liebig Street, Warrnambool from 1896 to 1908. Born in Warrnambool in 1856 Le Couteur was educated at the Anglican-sponsored Warrnambool Common School No. 691 and then spent four years at Beechworth Grammar School. He was apprenticed to the Warrnambool chemist, Michael Ryan and then worked as a chemist in Kyneton and Melbourne. When he returned to Warrnambool he took over the business of Frank Uren in Liebig Street, building a second storey on to the building. He was very active in community affairs in Warrnambool. He left Warrnambool in 1908 to open a pharmacy in Hawthorn, Melbourne. When he retired in 1935 he was the oldest registered chemist in Victoria. The information hand printed on the back of one of the rulers has an historical inaccuracy in that J.A. Bromfield was not the first known chemist in Warrnambool.
Significance
These rulers are of interest because of their connection to the pharmacy business of George Le Couteur He was a prominent person in Warrnambool in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Physical description
These two oblong wooden rulers have imperial measurements ( to 12 inches). There is black printing on both sides advertising a Warrnambool chemist. One ruler is much stained and has a piece missing on the centre top edge. The other ruler has information on one side hand printed in black ink.
Inscriptions & markings
‘With compliments of G.T. Le Couteur, Chemist, Liebig Street, Warrnambool’
‘For a cough or cold use Le Couteur’s Pectoral Cough Mixture. Bottles 1s.6d., 2s.6d.’
‘First Chemist Shop in Warrnambool 1853 Mr A. Bromfield – Chemist, rebuilt 1898 by G.T. Le Couteur – 1973 shop same as at 1898 situated 78 Liebig Street’
