Historical information

Part of the 'Mann' collection in the Wodonga Historical Society, used for accounting in the J. Mann & Sons General Store in High Street, Wodonga in 1934-35.
J. Mann and Sons was first established as a farm produce store in 1921. The range of products was extended in the 1930s and included groceries and hardware, as well as the first petrol bowser in Wodonga outside the store. After WWII, the premises were extended and the range of products continued to increase.
In the 1960s the Mann Family opened a new supermarket in Wodonga, in addition to the hardware business, providing steel, plumbing and industrial supplies, and they employed over 100 people at one stage.
With changes in the retail industry, the Mann Family sold the main hardware business to Bunnings and the produce business to the Kelly brothers in 2006.

Significance

Local significance due to its use in the J. Mann & Sons General Store in High St, Wodonga and association with the prominent Mann family. National significance as kalamazoos were manufactured by an Australian company and used in the 1930s for accounting purposes by local businesses.

Physical description

Visible card book or kalamazoo used by the accounts department of J. Mann & Sons General Store, High Street, Wodonga, in 1934-35 for customers with surnames from K to P.

Inscriptions & markings

Details for each customer provided on individual cards.
"KALAMAZOO - ACME / Visible Card Equipment / THE "RAPID SIGHT" METHOD / Kalamazoo (AUST.) LTD. / SYDNEY - MELBOURNE - BRISBANE - ADELAIDE"