Historical information

These tools are part of 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. 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

These items are of interest as examples of vintage tools and as mementoes of the Warrnambool carpenter and businessman, Henry Phillips.

Physical description

These five items are wooden plane tools of a similar shape and design, with one plane (.5) being less thick in its body. They have a wooden rectangular-shaped body with a piece cut-out close to the centre base. A metal blade resting behind a wooden piece has been inserted on an angle into the central hole through the top. This forms a planning mechanism.