Historical information

This tool is one of several 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 years in Port Fairy and in 1865 Henry formed a partnership with Christopher Beattie to establish 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 retained as an example of a vintage tool and as a memento of the Warrnambool carpenter and businessman, Henry Phillips.

Physical description

This is a large wood plane tool. It is rectangular in shape and has a centre piece gouged out and a metal blade protected by a wooden piece inserted into the top hole and protruding at the base of the body to form a planing tool. The metal blade has a straight edge. A wooden handle at the end of the tool body has been broken off but is retained with the tool.