Historical information

This bottle came from the general store of Russell and Powell of Fairy Street Warrnambool. This store sold an extensive range of imported wines and spirits as well as tea, clothing materials and hardware. Samuel Giffen Russell, born in Belfast, Ireland, established his store in Warrnambool in 1878 and took Joseph Powell as a partner in 1881. The business premises in Fairy Street were built in 1882. Giffen Russell was Mayor of Warrnambool from 1898 to 1900. By the early 1900s the firm had a store in Bank Street, Port Fairy and was known as Giffen Russell and Company and the business continued under that name until the late 1940s, the proprietor at that time being Harry Lynch. The Lynch family carried on this business until the second decade of the 21st century.

Significance

This stoneware bottle is of some importance as it is one of the few items we have that came from the long-established Warrnambool general store of S.Giffen Russell.

Physical description

This is a stone bottle in cream and brown tonings. It has a circular base and body with a short neck and a moulded top opening. There is a screw top. The inscription on the bottle is in black print.

Inscriptions & markings

‘Russell & Powell Warrnambool and Port Fairy’