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.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
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.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Suitcase used by M Sloan.
A worn vintage small brown square cardboard suitcase with a metal closing clip at the front. It has four brown metal protective pieces riveted onto each corner edge on the lid and bottom of the case. There is a metal reinforcement strip on all the the edges of the lid and on the top edges of the base.
M SLOAN is written in capital letters inside the lid in grey pencil.
c.1924 Arnott's Family Assorted biscuits were popular as they are today. The tin would have been reused as a storage container for other household items.
An antique metal ARNOTT'S Famous Family Assorted Biscuits tin, NETT 5LBS 645. Trademark Registered. It is square shaped with a hinged lid. It has a paper label with black, yellow, red and white lettering, on the front, top and sides. 'Please keep the lid closed to preserve contents'. On the left side of the tin's paper label is a parrot sitting on a wooden perch eating a biscuit. Wheat stalks and flowers decorate around the bird. It is very rare.
On the top of the tin is a paper label in black the red saying ' 'This tin is the property of Arnott's Biscuits Pty Ltd., N.S.W. Division. Forty Cents Deposit paid on this tin will be refunded on return in returned in good order and condition with this label attached. Keep the lid closed down. In red lettering 'Arnott's FAMILY ASSORTED'. Stamped on the base is ' 'This tin is the property of William Arnott Pty. Ltd. Homebush 5037'.
biscuits, biscuit containers, foodstuffs
A badly damaged vintage 1915 hardcover children's book with the title Chatterbox. printed in white lettering at the top of the front cover which has a green coloured background with an illustration in a large circle of a dog with a red bandana wrapped around its head, lying in a straw lined box. A black cat is sitting looking at the dog and is wearing a blue ribbon with a bow around its neck. It is sitting near the dog's food bowl. The yellow and red coloured outside of the back cover has an advertisement for "Pears" soap with 'The Night of the Bath' printed underneath. The title page is missing as is the frontispiece coloured illustration usually found in these books. The pages 1 - 18 are missing. There are black and white illustrations, diagrams and coloured plates in the collection as well as puzzles, poetry, and stories for children. Pp. 400. The endpapers have several advertisements related to children, their health, food and sweets included. Its condition shows it was very well used.
fiction
A vintage 1915 Chatterbox collection of puzzles, poetry and stories for children with black lined illustrations and coloured plates throughout.
children's books, books, children's stories, adventure stories
A brown hardcover book with the title printed in black text, The Weekly Times Farmers' Handbook on the front cover. Compiled from the Farmers' Information Bureau with Practical Information from the Rural Section of The Weekly Times. Second Edition is printed in a black rectangular shape at the bottom with the price - 2/6. Three black lines decorate both sides and across the cover information. Ink stains on the front. The spine has the faded title written. The title page is missing, but there remains A Forward and Preface. An index is at the back, along with advertising for farming products and equipment. Diagrams, illustrations are included. 286Pp. Stains and foxing on the edges of the pages are visible. Some damage to the spine top and bottom.
non-fiction
A handbook for farmers compiled from articles from practical information from the Rural Section of the Weekly Times in Australia. It has informed generations of farmers on the way of the land, with useful tips and invaluable advice. Few farms would have been without a well-thumbed copy.
farming australia, the weekly times, farmers
A slim brown badly damaged paperback book with the title, Dainty Dishes for Children, Invalids and Convalescents printed in black lettering inside a black lined patterned square shape which has full details of the author and her qualifications as well as other titles available in the series. Price 1/-, 1/1 posted is listed too. There are many advertisements supporting the use of ingredients throughout the book as well as on both sides of the covers. There is a Preface and Index to Recipes. Pp. 46.
non-fiction
A useful third edition text book for Mothers and Nurses originally compiled by Miss Lucy Drake (Trained Cookery Teacher of the Education Department, Melbourne, Victoria) in the 1920's. Lucy trained as a Cookery teacher in London, England. This edition was revised and enlarged by Dorothy M Giles (Diploma of Domestic Economy, Trained Teacher of Domestic Arts, Melbourne, Victoria) and was used as a text book for Nurses' Cookery Certificate required by The Royal Victorian Trained Nurses' Association in Victoria. Both sometimes Head of Cookery Section of Swinburne Technical College, Glenferrie, Victoria.
cooking, recipes, textbooks, mothers
A small brown and blue covered book Laundry Bygones with the title in white lettering at the top of the front cover with the author Pamela Sambrook printed in blue underneath. The cover has a full sized photograph of the old fashioned laundry at Shugborough, Staffordshire Arts and Museum Service in England. Teh contents show the history of laundries from the past with information as well as black and white photographs. There is a List of Further Reading and Places to Visit at the back. Pp.32.
non-fiction
This book illustrates the simple, rare but often extremely beautiful traditional laundry aids as well as machines which were used before and in the first quarter of the twentieth century.
laundry aids, laundry equipment, laundry irons, laundry dollies, washboards, washing machines
A small green format school reader No 353 from the Whitcombe's Story Books series : The Crooked Brownie for Ages 8 to 9 Years. The title is printed in red lettering on the front cover with the series above and age group beneath in black lettering. Inside a black lined rectangular shape is a lined drawing of a frog talking to the brownie - on a sign is written 'Samuel Frog Furniture Maker'. 1/- for the cost is in the right hand bottom corner. Inside the front and back covers are additional series Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd publishes. The story has 10 chapters with black and white illustrations. Pp62.
non-fiction
A school reader for children ages 8 to 9 years. The brownie has many adventures.
school reader, australian schools, school equipment
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 underneath a symbol of the printer - Epworth Press 218 Castlereagh St., Sydney. Pp.56.
non-fiction
Order for the Administration of the Lord's Supper and Other Services for the use of The Methodist Church of Australasia. Prayers included are - The Holy Communion, Baptism of Infants, Reception of Members and Covenant Service.
religious books, religious services, prayer books
A blue covered book of the Railways of the Yarra Valley with a photograph on the front cover of the last steam train from Warburton in August 1965 and the back cover showing an old locomotive 'Little Yarra' in 1913. There is historical text and maps with black and white and coloured photographs of the railways and of the area.Pp.96.
non-fiction
The railway reached Lilydale in 1882, Healesville in 1889 and Warburton in 1901 linking the area to Melbourne. Sawmillers and farmers prospered, as well as tourists visiting the region.
trains, rail vehicles, australian history, yarra valley
A photographic history of Belgrave, Upwey, Tecoma and Upper Ferntree Gully. The front cover is of a painting of the Upwey Railway Station with Puffing Billy in 1912 by Charlie Hammond. The train is being met by the Tullidge sisters, Francis, Sarah and Emily. Inside, are black and white and coloured photographs of paintings, people in general life and historical information about the areas noted. Pp.128.
non-fiction
Following the success of Volumes 1 and 2, this third edition is slightly different to the first ones in that it has filled some of the gaps by gathering photos not previously covered. It has been expanded to having 128 pages with fewer historical errors. The historical society's main interest is the history of the Dandenong Ranges and the communities of Belgrave, Tecoma, Upper Ferntree Gully, Upwey and surrounds.
australian history, history of the dandenong ranges victoria, history victoria
A photographic history of Belgrave, Upwey, Tecoma and Upper Ferntree Gully. The front cover is of a painting 'Wintry Sunset Belgrave 1913' from a series of 36 paintings by Charlie Hammond between 1910 and 1953. It is of the country town, Belgrave, showing a dirt road with a bullock team, with trees surrounding the road. Inside, are black and white and coloured photographs of paintings, people in general life and historical information about the areas noted. Pp.104.
non-fiction
Following the success of Volume 1, this follow-up edition is slightly different to the first one by gathering photos together under some new headings More attention is given to some aspects of local history, the pioneer families and community organisations than previously. The historical society's main interest is the history of the Dandenong Ranges and the communities of Belgrave, Tecoma, Upper Ferntree Gully, Upwey and surrounds.
australian history, history of the dandenong ranges victoria, history victoria
A vintage weighing machine used by merchants or grocers or in kitchens for food sale or preparation. It came from the home of Mr Thomas Gaudion and was used in the 1920's.
An antique blue and white speckled cast iron and metal balance scale and weights for weighing food. On one side is a dish shaped oval tray sitting on a claw frame for holding food items and opposite is a smaller plate for holding the steel weights: 4lb, 2lb, 2x 1lb, 8oz, 4oz and 1oz. There are seven in total.
'....Ters' with an indecipherable ....'Watters Sydney'
kitchen equipment, kitchenware, cooking, scales
This was used in the family kitchen to tenderise meat 60 - 70 years ago.
A long handled wooden vintage meat mallet which has a knob on the end of the handle as well as a thin decorative line near the top. It has a thick mallet shape at the bottom to tenderise meat.
domestic objects, meat mallet, meat tenderiser, kitchenware
These eggcups were used by the family for breakfast.
A set of four vintage badly crackled white painted wooden egg cups with a dark green stripe around the rim and base of the footed stems. There are two plastic white eggs for decoration.
objects, domestic objects, functional objects, eggcups, tableware
These eggcups were used by the family for breakfast.
A vintage silverplated egg cup with decorative three lines of a cut out trim near the rim at the top. It has a plain wide circular footed base with a cutout section to hold a spoon. There is no spoon.
objects, domestic objects, functional objects, eggcups, tableware
A large vintage clear glass citrus juicer with decorative lined ridges around the sides of the bowl where the juice is collected. There is a ridged pointed dome in the middle to extract the juice of a grapefruit or large orange or lemon when pushed hard against the fruit. It has a pouring lip and a small handle.
vintage juicers like this were used in the kitchen to extract juice from large citrus fruits.
This small vintage bowl was used for cooking. From the 1860's - 1930's various companies called their enamelware products by their own unique names, e.g. graniteware and agateware. The enamel coating put an end to metallic tasting food and prevented rust from contaminating food. It did scratch and chip easily.
A small vintage round yellow enamel bowl with a green rim. It would have be used for cooking.
enamel, domestic equipment, bowls, container, mixing bowls
This vintage meat press would have been used for pressed tongue in the 1950's.
A vintage 1950's three piece Cook-N-Press CastAlloy brand metal rectangular meat press. It has a flat detachable metal plate at the top which when screwed presses the food within. It was used as a tongue press.
'Cook-n-Press A Product of CastAlloy Ltd'
kitchen equipment, kitchenware, food press, meat press
This vintage meat press would have been used for pressed tongue, meat, cheese, brawn, terrine.
A large vintage alloy metal heavy rectangular meat press. The clips on each end of the spring lid are made of strong thick steel which is screwed tight aided by thick springs, to press the food within. It has a very heavy round concrete weight inside. It was used for meat, cheese, brawn, terrine. Marked with RWB, it is an English made piece.
kitchen equipment, kitchenware, food press, meat press
It was most likely used as a milk or water jug in the family home. c.1925.
A medium sized ceramic white jug with a blue band around the top trimmed with a gold line on the rim.
jugs, containers, domestic objects, kitchenware
It was used as a vase for flowers.
A small plain brown pottery vase which is darker brown at the bottom with a stripe below the textured lighter grey or green coloured speckled neck. It is finished with a glaze.
Evelyn. nick
vases, containers, domestic object
A meat grinder or mincer was used for mincing or fine chopping of raw or cooked meat, fish, vegetables or similar food. It replaced tools like a mincing knife.
A vintage cast iron mincer with a wooden handle attached to the long cast iron handle. It can be screwed to a table or bench, secured tightly by a two pronged claws. It has a funnel at the top for the meat to be pushed into the mechanism which when the handle is turned operates the inner mechanism which forces the minced meat out through a side opening. The cast iron handle is curved.
British Made National. 25
domestic objects, kitchen equipment, cooking equipment, meat grinders, meat mincers
A meat grinder or mincer was used for mincing or fine chopping of raw or cooked meat, fish, vegetables or similar food. It replaced tools like a mincing knife.
A cast iron mincer with a wooden handle attached to the long cast iron handle. It can be screwed to a table or bench, secured tightly by a two pronged claws. It has a funnel at the top for the meat to be pushed into the mechanism which when the handle is turned operates the inner mechanism which forces the minced meat out through a side opening. The cast iron handle is curved. There are three mincing attachments tied with string.
'UNIVERSAL' is stamped on the top of the mincer. Stamped on the front side of the handle - ' L.P. F&C. NEW BRITAIN. CONN.U.S.A.' On the inside of the cast iron handle is stamped - 'PATENT 10.2.1897. PATENT.MAY 15.1900. 4.18. 1890...... and several other numbers which are difficult to decipher.
domestic objects, kitchen equipment, cooking equipment, meat grinders, meat mincers
A mass produced unbranded domestic item used before 1950's.
A vintage medium sized cream coloured stoneware mixing bowl with a pouring lip for cooking. It has three wide green stripes around the body of the bowl.
'Hoffman//9//Australia' printed on the base.
ceramic bowl, kitchenware, cooking, mixing bowl
From the 1860's - 1930's various companies called their enamelware products by their own unique names, e.g. graniteware and agateware. The enamel coating put an end to metallic tasting food and prevented rust from contaminating food. It did scratch and chip easily.
A large white enamel water jug or pitcher with a dark blue handle and dark blue trim around the rim. It has a looped scroll handle attached at the bottom by one nail and two at the top. It may have been used in the bedroom for washing oneself or in the kitchen.
enamel, metal, water pitcher, jugs
Used for decoration in the home.
A small rectangular badly damaged oil painting of a clipper ship sailing in calm waters with seabirds in the background. It has a decorative leaf patterned cream painted wooden frame with rusted wire at the back for hanging. It is backed by a wooden board secured by four small nails and a layer of paper.
oil paintings, paintings, artworks, objects
The Salt Box was used to store salt for cooking purposes.
An early 20th century German white wall mount enamel tin wall Salt Box with a dark blue lined trim around the edges and shaped top at the back. It has a wooden lift up lid, a hole for mounting it on a wall as well as 'Salt' inscribed on the front in elaborate black lettering.
'Salt' is printed on the front in elaborate lettering
food containers, salt boxes, cooking equipment
This fine grade gunpowder was used in pistols on farming properties.
A vintage rusted black gunpowder tin with a screw top funnel lid. It has a diamond shaped indent on the front and centre back with black and white paper label branding of the manufacturer and supplier. The branding is on the top of the flask as well.
'The Diamond Grain Gunpowder Made Only By Curtis's & Harvey Hounslow and London'. is printed on the diamond shaped paper label at the front. 'No. 2' is printed at the sides of this label. At the top of the tin is white text on a black background 'McMicking & Co. Melbourne Sole Agents for Victoria.' On the centre back of the tin is a printed paper illustration of dead rabbits and a rifle in the woods framed in a circle, surrounded by an etched diamond shape and 'Curtis's Harvey No.2'.
containers, gunpowder, tins, firearm accessories, pistols, firearms, breechloading pistols
This pot is part of a three piece condiment set which has a Guernsey coat of arms insignia badge attached. See entry 3531 for Salt and Pepper Shakers in this set. It was used in the 1900's and was originally owned by Edward Lloyd Mauger.
A small vintage chrome plated mustard pot with a basket weave outer container and a cobalt blue glass insert to hold the mustard. There is no lid or spoon. On one side is attached a blue, red and gold with three lions Guernsey coat of Arms badge.
'Guernsey' is stamped on the badge. 'Cromplate' is stamped on the production label underneath the chrome outer container.
tableware, food containers, condiment sets, mustard pots
They are part of a vintage three piece condiment set which has a Guernsey coat of arms insignia badge attached to the mustard pot not pictured here. See entry 3531. The salt and pepper shakers and mustard pot were used in the 1900's. It was originally owned by Edward Lloyd Mauger.
A pair of vintage small chrome plated salt and pepper shakers with a basket weave outer container and a cobalt blue glass insert to hold either the salt or pepper. They have domed screw top lids and a hole in each silver base. They are part of a three piece condiment set - see entry 3531 for the mustard pot.
'Cromplate' on the base of the mustard pot.
tableware, salt and pepper shakers, food containers, condiment sets
A comprehensive catalogue book: Chandeliers and Billy Tea 1880 - 1940. The front cover has brown tonings and shows a full page photograph of many kitchen and household objects from the past. The title is written in different elaborate lettering inside a square shape towards the top of the cover. The author's name, Peter Cuffley, is printed in white lettering at the bottom. Inside is a Contents page with Catalogue references, a Selected Bibliography, Acknowledgements and an Introduction. There are hundreds of black and white drawings and photographs of household items and general life of the times.
non-fiction
A comprehensive historical catalogue of the life and times between 1880 and 1940 in Australia of household items, the people, favourite pastimes, life outdoors, travel and adventure, packaging, down on the farm, tools of trade and much more.
social history, australian history, family history, history
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.
