Historical information

This item is a Sharpe Bros stone jar, presumably from the Warrnambool factory. The Sharpe Bros soft drinks factories in Australia and New Zealand existed from 1903 to 1972 and at one stage they had 35 factories. They were best known for their home deliveries of ginger beer and other brewed beverages in one gallon stone jars. The Warrnambool Sharpe Bros factory was established in 1919 and existed until 1951. It was situated at the old Rowley cordial factory at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. It was established by the founder of the Sharpe Bros business, John Sharpe. The signature on the base of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society Sharpe Bros jars is that of John H. Sharpe who for many years was the manager of the Sydney Sharpe Bros factories. He put the signature on the jars when he was visiting History House in Warrnambool in the mid 1980s.

Significance

This demijohn is of considerable importance as it comes from the Sharpe Bros aerated waters factory, a business that was prominent in Warrnambool for over 30 years. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over 100 years.

Physical description

This is a cylindrical stone jar with a buff-coloured base, a light brown top and a composite material screw topper. The top above the neck is bulbous-shaped and above this it is dome-shaped. A metal handle is attached to the neck. The maker’s information is on the sides in black printing. Part of this information includes a horseshoe-shaped scroll and a decorative pattern. There is a signature and other writing on the base of the jar in blue ballpoint pen.

Inscriptions & markings

Health Beverages
When empty return to Sharpe Bros Australia & New Zealand
Persons damaging, retaining or trading with this jar are liable to be prosecuted
John H. Sharpe Jar made prior to 1914