Coupon, Book Swinton, 1950s

Historical information

This booklet comes from the Warrnambool business of Swintons Pty Ltd. It is a booklet used to affix coupons issued to customers of the business who received one coupon for every shilling spent in the Swintons store (buying groceries, dairy produce or ironmongery). When the booklet was filled with 200 stamps then the customer received five shillings in cash. 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 store in Timor Street, Warrnambool selling groceries, glassware, china and hardware. By 1888 the business was known as William Swintons and Sons. Branch stores were opened at Cudgee, Nullawarre, Wangoom, West Warrnambool and South Warrnambool. After William Swinton 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, produce and hardware. Today the Swinton family still operates a furniture and bedding store in Timor Street.

Significance

This booklet is of interest as an example of the promotional tools used by Swintons Pty Ltd in the mid 20th century. The current Swinton business in Timor Street is the oldest family business in Warrnambool and, with the name Swinton associated with businesses in Timor Street for 152 years it is amongst the oldest family businesses in Australia.

Physical description

This is a blue-coloured booklet used as a promotional tool by Swintons Pty Ltd of Warrnambool. There is blue printing on the front and back of the booklet and space on the back for the name of the owner of the booklet. It contains eight pages with spaces on each page to affix 25 blue adhesive coupons or stamps. The pages are stapled. There are 200 coupons affixed to the pages. A couple of the coupons are torn.

Inscriptions & markings

Front Cover: Swintons Pty Ltd Timor Street Warrnambool
Provision, Seed and Hardware Merchants
Blue Cash Coupons Bank Book
Coupons: Swintons Cash Coupon 1/- Groceries

Back to top