Historical information

This small cream can was made by the Sydney firm of Malleys Ltd from the 1930s until the 1950s and came in various sizes.
Malleys Ltd was established in about 1890 by Francis Malley (1863-1932). This firm was located in the Sydney suburb of Alexandria, in McEvoy Street. They manufactured items for use in the dairy industry, as well as for hardware related to building and plumbing. Many of the Malley dairy products were sold under the "Sunrise" name. Malley retired in 1912. In 1931 there were branches at Parramatta, Hurstville & North Sydney.

Significance

This cream can was designed for domestic home use and was used to fetch cream from a dairy or retailer of dairy products between 1920 to 1950s. M Luscombe Diamond Creek on the nameplate suggests this is the farm dairy that supplied the cream the can would hold and that they were the owners of the can. This dairy no longer exists as the area is now a housing estate.

Physical description

Cream can, round metal container with fitted lid and carrying handle. Can has a short wide neck. Body has embossed letters and an attached metal nameplate that has been soldered. Made by Malleys.

Inscriptions & markings

Embossed raised letters "MALLEYS". Text on nameplate ""M LUSCOMBE / DIAMOND CREEK "