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.
This gravy boat is part of a dinner set used in the 1900's.
A white ceramic gravy boat (no saucer) with two red stripes on the rim and two red lines around the body. It has a rectangular handle with two simple red decorative flowers.
Four small Patons knitting booklets, c.1940's or 1950's. 1. The front cover of three of the booklets show babies lying down or sitting, wearing hand knitted clothes. Inside are various patterns for clothing. Two covers are pink coloured and have the price 1/6d. and one is black and white coloured with the price of 1/-.No. R6 has p.67, R.11 has p.51, No.317 has p.23. 'Better Knitting with Patons - Use your Leisure Knit for Pleasure' is printed in black print on the grey cover of the fourth book. No price.It has general knitting instructions, diagrams, photographs, tables and some patterns, along with information about various Patons wool. p.51.
non-fiction
Four small knitting pattern books for home knitters, c.1940's or 50's.
knitting, knitting patterns, knitting equipment
Two small Supplements to the 'Australian Home Journal' knitting pattern booklets, c.1940's. 1. The front cover of 'Knitting for You and Yours' depicts a young girl sitting on a chair wearing a knitted dress. 2. 'Woollies for Toddlers' shows two young children winding wool into balls. Inside are various patterns for clothing for children and a mother.
non-fiction
Two free knitting pattern booklets for home knitters, c.1940's or 50's. These booklets were a supplement to the Home Journal magazines of the time.
knitting, knitting patterns, knitting equipment
Two small Supplements to the 'Australian Home Journal' knitting pattern booklets, c.1940's. 1. The front cover of 'Knitting for You and Yours' depicts a young girl sitting on a chair wearing a knitted dress. 2. 'Woollies for Toddlers' shows two young children winding wool into balls. Inside are various patterns for clothing for children and a mother.
non-fiction
Two free knitting pattern booklets for home knitters, c.1940's or 50's. These booklets were a supplement to the Home Journal magazines of the time.
knitting, knitting patterns, knitting equipment
Mass produced unbranded domestic items used before 1950's.
Three vintage different sized cream coloured stoneware mixing bowls with a pouring lip for cooking. They have a thick raised scalloped relief pattern around the body. There are two large and one medium sized.
ceramic bowl, kitchenware, cooking, mixing bowl
families served food on platters such as this.
A medium sized cream coloured octagonal vintage porcelain serving platter with a scalloped edge and flounced embossing.
'Wilkinson's Royal semi-porcelain England' printed inside a crest with a crown.
serving platters, kitchen equipment, dinnerware, tableware
These platters were used for serving food to the family.
Two oval vintage and one rectangular white ceramic serving platters with three red stripes around the rim.
serving dishes, platters, large platters
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 thick raised scalloped relief pattern around the body.
ceramic bowl, kitchenware, cooking, mixing bowl
Burleigh Ware have been making their products since 1851 at Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, England.
A blue and white Willow Pattern scalloped edged butter plate with the traditional oriental landscape scene on the front with a highly decorative blue and white floral raised edge and fine gold line trim around the outer edge.
'Burleigh Ware, willow, made in England, 1'. This is stamped on the base of the plate on a blue leaf pattern.
side plates, serving plate, butter plates
A pale green thin 'Journal of the Family History Section: La Socie'te' Guernesiaise' in booklet format. The front cover has the title printed in black lettering at the top with an oval shape depicting a man and woman sitting for a portrait inside it. The volume and date of publication is also printed. The round emblem of La Socie'te' Guernesiaise 1882 is printed on the front top right corner. 24p.
non-fiction
The family history section of this association lists - 1. The Objects of the Section are to - 1.1. Promote, foster and encourage research into family history and 1.2. Collate, preserve and catalogue resource material and make it available to members and 1.3. Liaise with such persons or bodies as may be conducive to these objects. The Mont De Lancey features in this edition
documents, journals, family history, sebire family, mont de lancey house, mont de lancey museum
A faded and stained tall narrow pale green 1933 Handiform Housekeepers Diary & Cash recorder for home records. The cover has the title printed in black and orange lettering inside a large black shape with publisher details below. There is a Contents page, listing the various useful items to refer to, such as - weekly diary and cash records which may be filled in by the user, yearly calendars for 1933 and 1934, postal information practical medical advice, handy hints, pages for notes and kitchen reminders for shopping.
non-fiction
A useful Housekeepers diary which as it says on the front cover - 'Safer than a Good Memory - A Diary'. Women would have used this to keep records of expenditure on a daily basis. The are three columns: Receipts, Date and Expenditure. It was given with Compliments from F.E. Watts Blackburn Dairy 20 Albert Street, Blackburn Phone WX 2504.
diaries, documents, administrative records, household item, financial records
A small vintage dark blue paperback The New P.W.M.U. Cookery Book complied and published by the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union of Victoria in 1948. Price 2/-. The front cover has the title and publishing details as listed printed in faded white lettering. The spine has the title and price printed in white lettering. There is a Table of Weights and Measures at the front, an Index of recipes and general information about The Presbyterian Church in Victoria. There are black and white advertisements hroughout. 188p. Included are newspaper recipes cut from old newspapers.
non-fiction
A vintage P.W.M.U.1948, 6th edition cookery book arranged by Miss A. M. Campbell and issued by the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union of Victoria of which all profits are devoted to its works. It was obtainable from the Scottish Tea House, 156 Collins Street Melbourne, C.1, Vic. There is a Help for Beginners section at the front with general hints and some simple recipes.
cookbooks, cookery books, domestic objects, p.w.m.u., reference books
A faded khaki green softcover reader or textbook with black lettering on the front cover at the top for the title The Modern World Geographies, Europe, Africa and South America Grade VII or Form F. A black and white illustration of a steamship and four other pictures are printed on the damaged front cover. Throughout are black and white charts, maps, diagrams, photographs and illustrations. In red ink writing inside on the front endpaper is Lance Sebire. Dog eared pages with a damaged worn cover and stains. Lance Sebire is written again on the back cover.226p.
non-fiction
The Modern World Geographies: Europe, Africa and South America Grade VII or Form F is part of a series of six little books of geographical information for children between the ages of eight and fourteen written by very experienced teachers and educationalists. They are readers rather than textbooks with the object of stimulating interest and to leave to the teacher the filling in of the course by appropriate lessons.
children's books, readers, geography, textbooks
Since 1932 Nutbrown has been producing crafted kitchen products which were a staple in British homes. Nutbrown continues to be in production today.
A vintage manual metal and plastic Chipper and French Fry Cutter with two blue turned wooden handles each side which are attached to folding crossed metal supports joined to a square frame. The frame has 36 small squares with sharp blades on the edges to cut the potatoes A yellow coloured plastic support with raised squares under the cutter holds the potato in place. This is screwed to the metal base. There are pieces of cardboard from the original packaging explaining the use.
Underneath the yellow support is stamped: ' A Nutbrown Product Patented Made in England Registered design'.
domestic objects, kitchen appliances, kitchen tools, vegetable cutters
Flagons are vessels with a handle and spout used to hold alcoholic beverages, usually wine. In colonial times it would have been set on a table to share with friends or family, these are most likely more modern used in the 19th C.
Two large heavy glass wine flagons or jugs, with two handles each at the top for ease of pouring wine. There are no screw top lids. A lined pattern is featured at the base of the squat necks.
On the base of each flagon is stamped: 'ISM 426 . On one has stamped '8' on the base and the other has '5'.
jugs, pouring vessels, flagons, containers, glass, storage containers, domestic objects
These items contained products for cooking use in the family kitchen in the 1930's - 1960.
Five vintage tins and one bottle of kitchen products used in the home 1930's - 1960. 1. A small unopened Nestle' Nesco REGD. Dried Ice Cream Mix tin with powder inside. It has a yellow label with red, white and black lettering of the brand and details of product. Net weight 4oz. 2. A small McKenzie's Excelsior Baking Powder tin with a white, and gold printed paper label explaining manfacturer details and instructions for use. 4 ozs. Net. 3. Two large lidded The Colonial Sugar Refining Co. Ltd. treacle tins with red, green and silver lettering. manufacturer details are printed on the front. 2lbs nett. 4. A small tin lidded cylinder of Herb-Ox Bouillon Cubes artificially flavoured. The manufacturer details and directions for use are printed in yellow and red. Net weight 3/4 oz. 5. A small clear glass bottle with a tin screw top lid of Rawleigh's Essence of Peppermint printed on the white and brown paper label. 2 fluid oz.
1. 'Nesco Dried Ice Cream Mix Nestle' Vanilla Flavour. 16.11.63' 2. 'McKenzie's Excelsior Baking Powder' 3. 'The Colonial Sugar Refining Co. Ltd.Treacle' is printed in large red print. 4. 'Herb-Ox' printed in red lettering. 5. 'Rawleigh's Essence of Peppermint A delicious Flavour'.
tins, bottles, kitchen equipment, kitchen ingredients
These vintage tins contained medicinal products to help relieve illness symptoms for the family at home in the 1900's. Two were manufactured in Australia and the two Ayrton's products were made in England.
Three vintage medicinal tins and cardboard container. 1. Small Ayrton's heart shape Bismuth Indigestion Tablets tin with the Manufacturer details printed at the bottom of the lift up lid. It has a large red heart shape on a white background. Approx. 2ozs. It has a gold base with information for use and recommended dosages. 2. A small badly rusted and worn tin Ayrton's Sulphur and Yeast Tablets with seven red dots showing usage features of these tablets. Manufacturer details are listed at the bottom of the front lift up lid and the back of the tin has further information. 3. A cylindrical green Robinson's Patent Barley tin with a patterned rusted lid. The manufacturer details and usage information are indecipherable due to wear and rust. 4. A cylindrical lidded De Witt's Antacid Powder cardboard container with a rusted tin lid. Manufacturer details and usage are printed on a paper wrapper glued to the cylinder.
1. 'Ayrton's Heart Shape Bismuth Indigestion Tablets Ayrton Saunders & Co Ltd Liverpool. England.' 2. 'Ayrton's Sulphur and Yeast Tablets Ayrton, Saunders & Co. Ltd. Liverpool. Eng.' 3. Robinson's Patent Barley' (indecipherable details) On the bottom of the tin Robinson's "Patent" Barley Letters Patent Granted 1923 Now expired Packed March 1951. 4.De Witt's Trademark Antacid Powder 2/6 for Indigestion. Contents 4ozs. Approx. Lasting Action' Inside the Ayrton's Sulphur and Yeast Tablets tin is a sticker with 'M Burgi' handwritten on it in biro.
medicinal containers, tins, medication, containers
Haigh is a brand of Scotch Whisky, originally manufactured by Diageo in Scotland for John Haig and Co since the early 1720's.
A clear glass squat Old Blended Scotch Whisky bottle with thin black wire wrapped around it for decoration. It has a white Haigh's label printed on one side. A torn paper label has the maunfacturer details and a signature emblem. There is no stopper.
'Haigh's' printed in large white lettering on one side of the bottle. The paper label has, 'Old Blended Scotch Whisky, By appointment purveyors of Scotch Whisky to the late King George VI specially selected and prepared.' On the bottom 'Haigh's RA660 13 UGB'
containers, whisky bottles, glass
The banana bottle is often referred to as the hygienic bottle, and is aptly named. It was the saviour of many hand reared babies in early 20th C. It's ease of cleaning was a major breakthrough in nursery hygiene. The basic design was around for about 50 years. It first made its appearance around the mid 1880's. The first true banana feeder with a teat and valve was invented in 1894 by Allen and Hanbury's. In the next 15 years the model was modified over a series of four slightly different models. In 1910 the final design, The Allenbury Feeder was to remain unchanged for the next 50 years.
A clear glass Felgrim Banana bottle (valve and teat) for feeding babies by hand. The brand is stamped in large ornate lettering inside an oval shape on the wide front of the bottle. It has two open ends for attaching teats. 8oz measurements are marked on one side and 16 tablespoons on the other.
'Felgrim' brand and 'Made in England Free from arsenic and lead'
baby bottles, baby equipment, babies, domestic objects
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.
'2 UNIVERSAL' is stamped on the front of the mincer. Stamped on the front side of the handle - ' L. F&C. NEW BRITAIN. CONN.U.S.A.' On the inside of the cast iron handle is stamped - 'PATIO 12 1897. PAT.MAY 15.1909. 4.18. 1899. D.R.ENG 10'...... and several other numbers which are hard to decipher.
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 small 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 white enamel coated 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.
'Loveload London 1'
domestic objects, kitchen equipment, cooking equipment, meat grinders, meat mincers
These medicinal products were used in the 1900's. Eucalyptus oil was used both externally for Lumbago, Rheumatism, Sciatica, Sprains, Cuts, Bruises and Burns and for all Throat and Cough disorders. McKean's Camphorated Oil was to be used carefully and under strict Accordance with the instructions. Adults to rub briskly on part affected, Infant use to be massaged gently. McKean's were in operation from 1890's - c1960's. The company appeared to have ceased in 2012. Friars Balsam similarly was used externally for Cuts, Wounds, etc. Could be taken internally for Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, etc. 10 drops to one teaspoonful. The Bosisto bottle probably contained eucalyptus oil.
Four glass medicinal bottles: 1. A small clear glass McKean's "Helping Hand' Eucalyptus Oil bottle. It has a faded paper label with Trade Mark surrounding a hand illustration with leaves. Unadulterated is printed at the bottom of this label. Pure Eucalyptus Oil with its uses is included. On the back is a paper label with further instructions for use. The screwtop bakelite lid is broken. 2. An angular shaped small brown SIGMA Camphorated Oil bottle with a stained paper label of the manufacturer details and uses. It has NOT TO BE TAKEN stamped into one of the edges on the side of the bottle. Two other sides have three rows of crosses as a pattern. The metal screwtop lid is rusted. F1071 is stamped on the base. 3. A very small round brown Rolfe's Friars Balsam bottle with a broken cork stopper. It has a faded paper label with uses and the manufacturer's details. 4. A small green tinted clear glass J. Bosisto medicine bottle with rounded corners and flattened sides on the front and back surfaces.The flat lip at he opening could have been sealed with a stopper. The sides of the bottle have a vertical joining line.
1. 'McKean's "Helping Hand' Eucalyptus Oil'. It has a faded paper label with 'Trade Mark (Registered) surrounding a hand illustration with leaves. Pure Eucalyptus Oil' 2. 'SIGMA Camphorated Oil SIGMA CO. LTD Melbourne'. 3. 'Rolfe's FRIARS BALSAM Rolfe & Co. Ltd. Melbourne'. 4. 'J. Bosisto Richmond' is stamped on front side of the front. On the base is stamped ' "English Bottles" '.
medicines, medicine bottles, medicinal containers
Various uses possibly - soft drink or medicines in the 1900's.
Three glass bottles - 1. A tall clear green tinged glass bottle with a twisted pattern on the long neck and lines on the lower part. 2. A short brown glass bottle with no lid. 3. A short brown rectangular bottle with a black bakelite screw top lid.
On bottle No.3. 'NOT TO BE TAKEN' stamped into one side.
medicinal containers, glass bottles, containers
A small squat clear glass bottle with a cork stopper. The printed label Duerdin & Sainsbury Pty. Ltd Wholesale Druggists Melbourne. Printed in England. There is orange food colouring powder inside. c1920.
The printed label has 'Duerdin & Sainsbury Pty. Ltd Wholesale Druggists Melbourne Printed in England.'
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.
