Physical description
A forged steel fine tooth crosscut saw with no handles. There are four rivet bolts and two round handle holders at each end of the saw. It was used to saw rough wood or cross cut wood against the grain in the late 19th Century.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
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Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
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A forged steel fine tooth crosscut saw with no handles. There are four rivet bolts and two round handle holders at each end of the saw. It was used to saw rough wood or cross cut wood against the grain in the late 19th Century.
A large square green paperback book about Buggies & Horse-Drawn Vehicles used for transport in Australia. The cover has a green border with a picture of a man and boy sitting in an open one horse-drawn buggy outside a house. There are many diagrams, photos and illustrations throughout. It discusses in-depth, the history, types and various aspects of these vehicles used On the front ight end paperin the early days from the 1800's-1900's. Pp.208.
non-fiction
This book evokes the fascinating golden era of horse-drawn vehicles in Australia in the 1800 and 1900's. The author's practical expertise and first-hand research and a wealth of contemporary illustrations, make it an indispensable guide for both the collector and restorer. It traces the development of horse-drawn road transport from the boom period of coach building to its decline in the early decades of the 20th century.
australian history, social history, horse-drawn vehicles, early road transport, coaches, buggies
A navy blue hardcover book with the title The First Ninety Years, the author's surname and publisher printed in gold lettering on the spine only. This is a first edition copy of a scarce and important title in the history of Australian printing and publishing. Pp. 165
non-fiction
This is a fine first edition (signed on the free front end paper) copy of a scarce and important title in the history of Australian printing and publishing: The First Ninety years: The Printing House of Massina Melbourne 1859 - 1949 by Ronald G. Campbell and published by A.H Massina Melbourne 1949.
history, history of printing, printing in australia
The cabinet is currently used to display vintage postcards, greeting cards and photo albums.
A tall wooden English Oak vintage display cabinet with an ornately carved top with four filials on each corner and decorative shaped legs. It has six glass shelves and a side door opening on the right. It has a lock on the side door, but the key is missing.
display cabinets, storage and display furniture
These shoe trees or shoe stays were used to maintain the shape and keep ladies' shoes from creasing when not worn in the 1950's.
A pair of vintage 1950's Skyline adjustable metal shoe stretchers or shoe stays. The curved front shoe end has a textured back and four holes at the tip. It is attached to the open metal handle so it can move up and down to fit into the shoe. The handheld end has ten holes with an adjustable clip for stretching the leather. They were used to maintain the shoe's shape whilst not wearing them.
'Skyline Made in England'
shoes, shoetrees, footwear accessories
The domestic sewing box would have been used in the home.
A brown varnished rectangular wooden lidded Sewing Box with a lift out top section which has 16 varying sized compartments for storing sewing accessories. There is a has a hollow area underneath the tray. The lid is attached with brass hinges and it has a brass lock and small key. There are several sewing items included - cotton reels and thread, assorted darning thread for hosiery, wool and nylon threads, a box of black pins, assorted sewing needles, thimbles, small decorative sewing scissors, black rolled tape, mixed buttons, hooks and eyes, nickel plated fittings for hats, vintage stocking hooks, a stick of white chalk, two (one green and one ivory) antique cotton thread winders and a medium sized vintage safety pin.
a Variety of brands of items include - 'Rite Tone', 'Della Darn' 'C No Darn', 'Clark's Filosheen' hosiery thread, 'Barbour's Linen Wax Thread', 'The Flora MacDonald Best Steel Bodkins' 'National Hat Guard' nickel plated steel and brass fittings, 'Chadwick's Wool and Nylon' reinforcing mending thread, 'The Myrene Snap Studio' size 1 rustless press studs, 'The Pagoda Brand' rolled tape 5 yds, 'Cross Fox Brand' Best quality Steel Stems (long plastic headed pins), 'Toledo' brass thimble and a black box of 'F. Tayler & Co's Solid Headed Mixed Pins'. The brass lock has 'SECURE PATENT' stamped in to it on the inside of the edge of the front of the box. there is also a small VR with a tiny rounded pattern opposite the Patent sign.
sewing equipment, sewing box, sewing, embroidery scissors, functional object
A very small grey covered paperback book titled - Order for the administration of The Lord's Supper and Other Services for the use of the Methodist Church of Australasia. At the bottom of the front cover is printed the publishing details. On the back cover is printed Wholly set up and printed in Australia - Epworth Press, 218 Castlereagh St., Sydney.
non-fiction
Order for the Administration of the Lord's Supper and Other Services for the use of The Methodist Church of Australasia. Prayers for various services - The Holy Communion, Baptism of Infants, Reception of Members and covenant service. Pp. 56
religious books, religious services, prayer books
A small black hardcover book of The New Testament in Modern Speech with the title printed in gold lettering at the top of the front cover with R.F. Weymouth D.Lit. printed in gold lettering underneath. The spine has the title, author and publisher printed in gold. Pp.620
non-fiction
An idiomatic translation into everyday English from the text of the Resultant Greek Testament. The late Richard Francis Weymouth M.A., D.Lit. (London) was a Fellow of University College, London and sometime Headmaster of Mill Hill School. Editor of "The Resultant Greek Testament". It is newly revised by several well-known New Testament scholars.
bibles, religious books, new testament, churches
A small black self patterned leatherette softcover book, The Primitive Methodist Hymnal with Supplement. The title is written at the top of the spine in gold lettering. There is an Index to the Hymns, and Index to the Authors and Translators, an Index to the First Lines of Verses, an Index of Scripture Texts followed by the Hymnal Supplement. 486 Pp. Supplement 150 Pp.
non-fiction
This hymnal is compiled by A Committee appointed by the Conference of 1882. It is the fourth published for congregational worship in the Primitive Methodist community.
religious books, hymnals, churches
Very badly damaged red cloth covered hardcover book, The Christian Endeavour Hymnal. The title is written at the top of the front cover in gold and black lettering with the symbol E in a circular pattern in the middle. Black lines surround the edges. 532 p.
non-fiction
This hymnal is issued under the auspices of the Council of the Christian Endeavour Union of Great Britain and Ireland. It is noted to have been recognised in the great Australian Commonwealth.
religious books, hymnals
A faded and damaged black fabric covered Methodist Hymn Book for Use in Australasia and New Zealand. The title is stamped into the top of the front cover and spine. The front endpapers are stained. At the back of the book there is the Australasian and New Zealand Supplement an Index of First Lines alphabetically arranged, an Index to the First Line of Every Verse, Except the First, in Each Hymn and an Index of Authors. At the front there are two Prefaces, Acknowledgements and Contents pages. Pp. 472.
non-fiction
Methodism was born in song. This Methodist Hymn_ Book is a collection of hymns that is not too large or expensive. It has the words for all the hymns included. It is an Australasia and New Zealand Edition specially prepared for and copyrighted in the Australian Commonwealth and New Zealand.
religious books, hymns, churches
A badly damaged small antique brown leather Lutheran German Missal which has no title page and the cover is broken away from the pages. There are two small leather tabs on the back cover which would have closed the missal. 330.Pp.
non-fiction
As the title page is missing there are no details as to the publisher of this missal. It is written in German. A missal is a liturgical book containing instructions and texts necessary for the celebration of Mass throughout the liturgical year. Versions differ across liturgical tradition, period, and purpose, with some missals intended to enable a priest to celebrate Mass publicly and others for private and lay use.
missals, religious books, churches
A faded blue fabric covered hardcover with the title Victorian Reader Sixth Book, Second Edition printed in black lettering at the top of the front cover. Underneath is a black circle with Education Department Victoria surrounding a symbol. The cover is coming away from the spine. There are short stories, poems and black and white illustrations. Lance Sebire is written in ink on the front cover. 244 Pp.
non-fiction
This is a first edition of The Victorian Readers Fourth Book published by the Education Department of Victoria for use in Grade six in Primary Schools.
school reader, textbooks, schools, victorian education department
Badly damaged grey fabric covered hardcover Victorian Reader Fourth Book which has a home made outer vinyl red, pink floral and square patterned dust jacket style cover. There are ink and pencil markings throughout. The cover is coming away from the spine. There are black and white illustrations. Lance Sebire is written in ink on the front cover.183p.
non-fiction
This is a first edition, 1930, of The Victorian Readers Fourth Book published by the Education Department of Victoria.
school reader, textbooks, schools, victorian education department
A green cloth hardcover book with the title printed in black lettering at the top of the front cover. In a circle below is an emblem in black with 'Education Department Victoria'.
non-fiction
This Arithmetic book was compiled by experienced teachers to meet the requirements of the revised course of study in Arithmetic for elementary schools in Victoria, Australia. There are graded examples and the exercises involved use of the four operations with whole numbers. They are related to veryday life wherever possible. Revision exercises are provided as well as extension work for faster-moving students. It is a textbook not to be to be soley used but in conjunction with other teaching of Arithmetic.
education, textbooks, arithmetic books, government education
A cream paperback reader or textbook with black and red lettering on the front cover at the top for the title, Whitcombe's Vivid History Reader Grade V. A red, black and white illustration in a square, shows a soldier from ancient times peering through bushes at enemy soldiers around a campfire. Throughout are black and white maps, diagrams, photographs and illustrations. Inside the front and back covers are further Whitcombe and Tombs titles as well as on the outside of the back cover. Pp. 208.
non-fiction
A Vivid History Reader for Grade V - The British People in the Making, was specially written to meet the requirements of the Social Studies (History) Course in Victorian Elementary Schools. It is a series of vivid and realistic history readers attractively produced and illustrated for the enjoyment of girls and boys in their approach to history of their own land and of the wonderful countries overseas.
children's books, handbooks, textbooks, history books
Two small knitting pattern booklets which were supplements to the "Australian Home Journal". 1. Knitting for You and Yours features patterns for children and a woman. The front cover depicts a young girl wearing a knitted Tyrolean Frock. 2. Woollies for Toddlers features knitted garments for both girls and boys.
non-fiction
Two knitting pattern booklets for home knitters.
knitting, knitting patterns, knitting equipment
A faded square grey coloured Silvan Fruit Processors Zions' Hours and Wages Record Book bound with red tape on the stapled spine. The cover has the title, the business who used it stamped at the top as well as a full list of other publications and place of printing and publishing details. At the top of the front cover is written in blue biro, the dates of records - from Dec 1960 to Jan 1963. Inside are full column listings of Names, Hours Worked Daily, Total Hours, Rate,Total earnings, Tax Deductions, Net Payment and a Signature or Other Particulars column.
non-fiction
An Hours and Wages Record Book for the Silvan Fruit Processors business in the Wandin area, Victoria.
wages books, business records, books, wages tables, wages calculators, wages
The handmade basket has a variety of pieces of vintage sewing items as listed in the detailed Description. These would have been used in the home for repairs as well as pieces sewn. Mrs Pratt owned the sewing basket and it's contents - she lived in Beenak Road, Wandin, Victoria.
An open rectangular shaped cane woven sewing basket with three bands of green and tan raffia woven around the sides. It had a lid which is missing but there is one twisted wire loop where the lid would have been attached. Inside are various pieces of vintage sewing items including; large and small cotton reels with cotton thread, very small cotton cardboard reels with thread, plastic container of pins, a handmade wooden darning mushroom, a brightly coloured tin of pins and needles, two short zips, a piece of embroidery material stamped with a pansy pattern to sew, a Birch brand packet of sewing needles, a Delyta brand "Nu-Bras" Brassiere Repair Set, two "Mendex" Cuff Savers for Men's Trousers, a Happy Home Needle Book with a few needles, and a paper pattern for Cross Stitch.
See above for the brands and details of the sewing items included in the basket.
containers, sewing, baskets, sewing equipment
A home sewing needle kit. These paper sleeved novelty needle books were available in the late 19th Century. They were often free as a promotional give-away. In the 1900's they were colourful and fun.
A vintage Novelty Needle Book made in Japan with 50 needles mounted inside a pop up card. The needles are presented in gold and red strips attached to a coloured card depicting two small children playing on a see-saw with their teddy bear in a garden. Five needles are missing. The back of the card is yellow and shows a girl holding a red rose.
'Novelty Needle Book 50 Needles' is printed on the front of the card which shows two children playing on a see-saw with their teddy bear. 'Made in Japan' is printed at the bottom right on the front of the card.
sewing equipment, sewing, sewing needles
Used for storing various threads for mending in the home - cotton, silk, wool nylon.
A decorated brown lidded round container coated inside with black and brown type lacquer. The outside of the container and lid has patterns painted by hand in yellow and red of a bird, ying and yang symbols and oriental script all surrounded in black lined sections. It appears to be made from papier-mache which is layers of cardboard glued together and tightly compressed. This can be seen by the damage sections which grey cardboard shows though. It would have been lacquered over and painted. The container has a variety of sewing items and mending threads for stockings, socks and other work. Some pearl buttons included.
As mentioned above, the container has various patterns painted on it. The sewing items include brands of threads for sewing work - Darneezi, Eagley, Rite Tone, Clark's Filosheen,Chadwick's Wool and Nylon, Nylusta.
sewingcontainer, threads, containers, sewing equipment
In 1872 the Derby Silver Company began production in Derby, Connecticut U.S.A. The company made bathroom-related items, clocks, tableware, flatware, candlesticks and more objects made of silver, silver plate and more. In 1898 the company became a division of the International Silver Company with headquarters in Meriden.CT. It closed down in 1933.
A small child's silver plated antique Derby Silver Company cup with a large embossed floral pattern on one side. At the top of the rim is a fine dotted pattern all around it. It has an ornate decorative handle. Underneath is the Makers Mark in a circle with an anchor and crown. Above this circle is stamped: Made in U.S. America.
A floral pattern is embossed on one side. On the bootom us stamped : ' Made in U.S America' above a circle Makers Mark 'Derby Silver Company with an anchor and a crown. 1 1/2'
silverware, silver plate, mugs, christening mugs
This Unibic Limited Edition ANZAC Biscuit tin is one of a series produced in 2014 to commemorate 100 years 1914 - 2014 of World War 1, focusing on the Victoria Cross, The Anzac Biscuit Story and The RSL Story. The included paper sheet explains the Victoria Cross in full detail. The RSL and Modern Baking Pty Ltd in Broadmeadows provided this product.
A medium sized rectangular Limited Edition green and gold lidded Anzac Biscuit Tin with an old brown and grey toned photograph image of soldiers of the 5th Division in a motor car. The lettering for the tin is stamped in red and white at the top of the lid with Limited Edition in gold. At the bottom of the tin is written - Australian 5th Division 500g including a gold coloured embossed Rising Sun Badge. There is a brief explanation about the 5th Divisional Motor Car's location on one side of the tin as well as an explanation of the meaning of the Rising Sun Badge on the other side. The back of the tin has information about The Anzac Biscuit Story and a recipe. Inside the tin there is a folded brochure about the seven 2019 Limited Edition Tins that were available at the time.
As stated above there is the name of the tin 'Limited Edition ANZAC Biscuit' with details of the tin's meaning for the Australian 5th Division. '500g Net' All of the tin has information about the soldiers who served in WW1 and WW2 and the relevance of the Anzac Spirit and biscuits.
war, world war 1, world war 2, containers, tins, commemorative tins, rsl
This Unibic Limited Edition ANZAC Biscuit tin is one of a series produced in 2014 to commemorate 100 years 1914 - 2014 of World War 1, focusing on the Victoria Cross, The Anzac Biscuit Story and The RSL Story. The included paper sheet explains the Victoria Cross in full detail. The RSL and Modern Baking Pty Ltd in Broadmeadows provided this product.
A large rectangular commemorative Unibic Limited Edition red lidded Anzac Biscuit Tin with an embossed old brown toned photograph image of a soldier on parade receiving a Victoria Cross medal. The lettering for the tin is stamped in red and white at the top of the lid with Limited Edition in gold. There is a brief explanation about the Victoria Cross in a black rectangle shape at the bottom as well as a picture of the medal above it. The back of the tin has information about The Anzac Biscuit Story and details about the RSL (Returned Service League) formed in 1916. Inside the tin there is a white sheet of paper with full details about the Victoria Cross.
As stated above there is the name of the tin 'Limited Edition ANZAC Biscuit'. "The Victoria Cross" - The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "In the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. 500g Net'
war, world war 1, world war 2, containers, tins, commemorative tins
These vintage steel sewing shears were used at 'Belle's Bonnets' Milliners in Flinders lane Melbourne in the 1950's. Mrs Belle Phillpi was the Proprietor. Mrs Jill Sebire's wedding head piece was made at Belle's Bonnets.
A pair of heavy vintage large hand forged steel dressmaking, tailors shears. They are joined with a pivot point screw. One finger hole is larger than the other.
steel, scissors, cutting tools, dressmaking equipment, dressmaking shears, dressmaking scissors
These old spools or bobbins were used in textile mills and on looms in factories. The wooden one is a piece of the Industrial Revolution.
Two vintage or antique wooden and thick cardboard industrial large sewing spools. The wooden one is an example from the Industrial Revolution. It has a round wooden top and base, with metal bands around both ends. There are two holes in one end at the side of the bigger hole in the middle which the spool would be attached to a machine. It has thick twisted discoloured cream string like thread wound around it. The cardboard wide open ended spool is smaller with thick cream coloured silk thread wound onto it.They were probably used in mills or factories.
cotton reels, thread holders, threads
The attached card states - 'Mother's knitting stick'. There is a brass hole one end with four brass nails where the tip of a knitting needle is inserted for support. The curved and fits into a belt or tape around the waist. Knitting was carried out on curved metal needles, one of these needed to be kept rigid by being held between the hand and knitting sheath held at the side of the body either tucked into a belt or held under the armpit. The sheath would allow someone to to knit with one hand whilst performing chores with the other. They also took the weight of the work and stopped stitches from slipping off the bottom of a double ended needle. Many were given as love tokens but there were plenty made by men for their daughters or other close family members.
An antique curved carved wooden knitting stick or treen Knitting Sheath for hand knitters. It is approximately 23cm (9 inches) long with simple carving on one side of M H R in large letters as well as a nine pointed star next to them. There is a brass hole one end with four brass nails where the tip of a knitting needle is inserted for support. The curved end fits into a belt or tape round the waist.
'M H R' and a 'nine pointed star' is carved into the curved part of the stick . There is an attached card - 'Grandma's (crossed out) Mother's knitting stick. When using four needles the "working" one goes into the hole at the brass end of stick. Curved end fits into belt or tape round waist'
accessories, knitting equipment, knitting
Page turners were used in churches and synagogues to read Holy books, to turn pages in huge manuscripts and books (and later newspapers) as well as open double pages without a sharp knife (letter openers). This was from the home of W.J. Sebire in Wandin.
A highly polished cream coloured long vintage celluloid page turner used for reading. It has a curved round ended long smooth blade which is paler than the darker short round pointed handle. Both sections have small dark brown fine floral designs on one side. There is a 3mm crack all round near where the handle meets the blade.
On one side only are small dark brown floral patterns on the handle and one on the blade.
page turners, holy books, celluloid
A presentation Platter to the Frank Lewis Family. Hecworth was a brand created by Platers Pty Ltd to produce silver-plated tableware and other household items. in May 1949 Platers Pty Ltd merged with Rodd (Australia founded in 1919 manufacturers of silver and jewellery and in 1960 merged with Mytton Rodd (Australia)Ltd. The products were known for their high quality and affordable prices and were popular in the 1960's. Hecworth silver plate was often used as wedding gifts and other special occasions.
A large vintage 1960's heavy decorative round silver plated presentation platter with a leaf trim on the raised edge, an inscription in the middle surrounded by a circular group of seven large floral or leaf patterns.
'Presented as a token of esteem to the Frank Lewis Family from the residents of Seville - Yellingbo & District July 15th 1966' On the back is stamped - 'Hecworth Reproduction Old Sheffield'
silver, awards, trophies, plaques, chargers, platters
Mrs G. I. McCabe invented the ruler around 1930 in Sydney NSW and founded several branches of the McCabe academy of Dressmaking based on its use in Australia and London.
A light coloured 'McCabe Faultless System of Cutting', dressmaker's folding, wood and metal ruler, Australia, 1950 - 1970. One side has six proportions for cutting bodices, the back has measurements for cutting coat and blouse sleeves only, as well as 12 inches markings. Copyright patented details are stamped onto the back side in black, as well as all measurements.
'McCabe Faultless System of Cutting' as well as many detailed measurements for dressmaking. 'Copyright Patented No 6783 54637' is stamped on the back. 'Patented Com No 6783 N.Z No 54637' is tam[ed on the front top.
dressmaking equipment, sewing equipment, measuring instrument, measuring rulers
A small vintage paper booklet with no cover 'Needlework Romance' - modern, exclusive needlework designs which are finding a growing place in the lives of everyone. It is filled with black lined illustrations and full descriptions of the many varieties of pattern ideas which could be ordered from The Sun News Pictorial in Melbourne for the price of 1/3 each. Patterns include Crotchet, Embroidery, Rugs, Doyleys, Toys, baby clothes and more. Pp.17. It is stapled together.
non-fiction
A small vintage paper booklet describing many varieties of needlework patterns which could be ordered through The Sun News-Pictorial Pattern Service Bureau in Melbourne. Readers were encouraged to 'watch for beautiful & exclusive needlework designs appearing in our paper regularly.' Details of how to order the patterns is given on the back of the booklet, along with the price, 1/3 each.
dressmaking patterns, dressmaking equipment, sewing equipment, embroidery equipment, embroidery patterns, sewing patterns
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.