Historical information

These labels come from the pharmacy business of R.F. Kennedy and Co. Richard Kennedy (1926-1903), a wholesale, retail and manufacturing chemist in Timor Street, came to Warrnambool in 1880 and established what was described in the ‘Cyclopedia of Victoria’ as ‘the largest and best-appointed pharmacy in Victoria’. Kennedy was Vice-President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria, on the Pharmacy Board and prominent in community affairs in Warrnambool. He was for some time President of the Mechanics’ Institute and the Warrnambool Hospital and a foundation member of the Warrnambool Bowls Club. He also made perfumes with many varieties named after people or events of the time – Federation, Nellie Melba etc. His pharmacy building in Timor Street and his house in Canterbury Road, Warrnambool (‘Ivanhoe’) still stand. The use of a lighthouse in his advertising is of particular interest because of the two operating lighthouses in Warrnambool.

Significance

These labels are of considerable significance as the pharmacy business of R.F.Kennedy was a prominent one in Warrnambool because of the number of years it existed and because it was one of the largest and best equipped in Victoria, especially during the years at the end of the 19th century.

Physical description

.1 A sheet of white paper with black edging and red and black print.
.2 A sheet of paper with a blue border, blue printing and the image of a lighthouse.
.3 A sheet of paper with an ornamental border, black and white printing and the image of a lighthouse.

Inscriptions & markings

.1 Poison - Dr. Stanes’ Leeming’s Essence or Liquid Blister for veterinary use
.2 Kennedy’s Rheumatic Cure for Gout, Sciatica, Lumbago etc
.3 Pure Glycerine from R.F.Kennedy & Co. Manufacturing Chemists Warrnambool