Historical information

This folder contains cards listing suppliers for the Warrnambool business, Swintons Pty Ltd. The cards date from the 1930s to the 1980s and contain information on the suppliers for seeds and farm requirements such as poultry pellets, calf food and stock salt. William and Ann Swinton migrated to Australia in 1854 and for a decade William Swinton worked as a builder and carpenter in the Warrnambool area, erecting many buildings, including the Wangoom Presbyterian Church. In 1865 he opened a shop in Timor Street, Warrnambool selling groceries, china, glass and hardware. By 1888 the business was known as William Swinton and Sons. Branch stores were opened in Cudgee, Nullawarre, Wangoom, South Warrnambool and West Warrnambool. After William died his son Robert became the first managing director of Swintons Pty Ltd. In 1934 the business split, with George Swinton and Sons selling furnishings, clothing and glassware and Swintons Pty Ltd selling seeds, hardware and produce. Today the Swinton family still operates a furniture and bedding store in Timor Street.

Significance

This ledger is of interest as one from the Swinton business in Warrnambool. It gives us an idea of the items sold by Swintons Pty Ltd over a fifty-year period in the 20th century and will be very useful to researchers. The current Swinton business in Timor Street is the oldest family business in Warrnambool and, with the Swinton name associated with businesses in Timor Street, Warrnambool for 152 years, it is among the oldest family businesses in Australia.

Physical description

This is a black Kalamazoo folder made of thick board covered with material (leather?). The material is worn at the edges. The folder has a metal insert affixed with metal studs. The insert has thin metal wires strung across the inside. To these are affixed at the top with metal clips heavy-duty paper cards. There are two green cards with printed black material, one white card with printed blue material and the rest of the cards are yellow. The yellow cards are placed one under the other in a fan design. The yellow cards have printed red lines and printed titles and contain handwritten material, mostly in black ink. The cards, especially the green ones, are stained.

Inscriptions & markings

‘Kalamazoo-Acme Visible Card Books’