Historical information

These bottles were used in the pharmacy of R.F.Kennedy and Co. of Warrnambool. Richard Frank Kennedy (1826-1903) was born in England and came to Warrnambool in the early 1880s. He established a pharmacy in Timor Street. This was a retail, wholesale and manufacturing business. In 1891 Kennedy erected a new building and his business there was described as one of the most elegant and best-stocked chemist’s shops in Victoria. Kennedy was active in Warrnambool community affairs and was a foundation member of the Warrnambool Bowls Club, being its first Vice-President and an early President. After his death the pharmacy business continued, trading as ‘R.F.Kennedy & Co.’

Significance

Richard Frank Kennedy was one of the most significant businessmen in Warrnambool in the late 19th century. The products of his pharmacy wee distributed all over Victoria and beyond. His lighthouse logo was well-known. These bottles are good examples of those used in the Kennedy business.

Physical description

These two identical bottles are made of clear glass. They have rectangular-shaped bodies with rounded edges, circular-shaped necks and moulded circular tops with openings. One has a glass stopper. The sides of the bottles have the Kennedy logo of a lighthouse on a rocky cliff on the coastline with ships in the distance and the name of the chemist. There is some discoloration inside one of the bottles.

Inscriptions & markings

‘2/3 vi’
‘R.F.Kennedy & Co. Chemists Warrnambool’
‘M’