Historical information

These items are among several tools that are 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. 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.

Physical description

These nine tools are small wooden planes, similar in size and design. In each tool the main wooden section is rectangular in shape with an additional wooden piece attached to one side. In each a metal blade has been inserted at an angle into a slot on top of the main wooden piece and a small wooden piece rests on the blade. The blade protrudes at the base of the main wooden piece to form a planing mechanism.