Historical information

This tool is one of several tools in a collection that is believed to have belonged to the Warrnambool carpenter and businessman, Henry Phillips. English-born Henry Phillips (1821-1896) came to Australia with his wife Elizabeth in 1849. They lived for some time in Port Fairy and in 1865 Henry formed a partnership with Christopher Beattie and established the Warrnambool undertaking business of Beattie and Phillips. This business continued on after the deaths of the founders and lasted until the year 2000. In Warrnambool Henry Phillips was involved in the management of the Mechanics Institute.

Significance

This item is of interest as an example of a vintage tool and as a memento of the Warrnambool carpenter and businessman, Henry Phillips.

Physical description

This is a rectangular-shaped wooden tool with curved edges. The top centre of the tool is gouged out and a straight-edged metal blade with a wooden piece on the front has been inserted through the top hole and protrudes out the base of the tool to form a planing mechanism.