Flour bags were used when purchasing flour from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century. They were able to be reused for bulk storage of dry goods or sewn into domestic objects such as tea towels, pillowcases or waggas.

The flour bags provide both a snapshot of different producers and stockists of flour in Victoria and an example of a useful domestic packaging product, from the early 20th century.

A set of five flour bags originating from different Victorian places. Stratton's in Melbourne, McAlpin's in Melbourne / Ballarat, Moran & Cato's in Fitzroy, Golden Crust from South Yarra and W.C. Thomas from Warracknabeal. Each bag is made from calico with an image on the front that relates to the company.

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This flour bag came from the W.C. Thomas Flour Mill at Warracknabeal, Victoria. W.C. Thomas ran a number of flour mills throughout the Victorian wheat belt, with the Warracknabeal Mill operating from 1884 to 1964. After their use for flour storage, flour bags were able to be reused for bulk storage of other dry goods or sewn into domestic objects such as tea towels, pillowcases or waggas.

This is a good example of a flour bag from a prominent Victorian flourmill, operating from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.

Calico flour bag for 'Roller Flour' from the flour mill of W.C. Thomas in Warracknabeal, a large wheat growing area in Victoria. The stencil on the front of the bag includes an image of wheat overlaid with the written information in scroll format.

W.C. Thomas, Finest, Patent, Roller Flour, Warracknabeal, Victoria, Australia. Wheat image.

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Flour bags were used when purchasing flour from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century. They were able to be reused for bulk storage of dry goods or sewn into domestic objects such as tea towels, pillowcases or waggas.

The flour bag provides an example of a useful domestic packaging product, from the early 20th century.

Calico flour bag for 'Success Flour' from Stratton’s flour mill in Melbourne. The stencil on the front of the bag includes the image of a wheat stalk overlaid with the written information in scroll format.

Stratton's, Success, Flour Mills, Melbourne

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The flour bag is an example of packaging from the grocery store, Moran & Cato's. Moran & Cato's were a large chain of grocery stores operating from the late nineteenth century to the mid twentieth century across Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales. The address on the flour bag is for the warehouse (wholesale depot) of the business which was a significant building in Brunswick St, Fitzroy.

The flour bag provides a snapshot of packaging for a well known grocery store of the early twentieth century. The advertisement on the back for 'Cleaned Fruits' is an example of advertising that highlighted important facts relevant to that time (e.g. "latest Special Machinery" and "with running water").

Small calico flour bag for self-raising flour (7lb) supplied from Moran & Cato's in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne. The front of the bag includes not only the detail of the business but ideas for baking, images of wheat and claims as to its excellence. The back of the bag has a written advertisement for 'Cleaned Fruits' another product of the company.

Front - Wheaten Flour, Moran & Cato's, Trade mark The M & C Brand Registered, 7lbs Nett, The Highest Standard of Purity and Excellence, prepared with phosphate aerator, Self-raising Flour, For making scones bread cakes puddings & pastry, Warehouse & Office- Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne Back - Moran & Cato's, Cleaned Fruits are Perfection, (advertising text), The Same High Quality, The Same Prices at all our Branches.

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Flour bags were used when purchasing flour from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century. In Melbourne, McAlpin's were one of the best known suppliers of self-raising flour. The business first began as a bakery in 1879 and was taken over in 1959.

This is a good example of a flour bag from a well know Victorian supplier prominent in the early twentieth century.

Calico flour bag for McAlpin’s self-raising flour. The stencil on the bag is very faded especially where red ink has been used. It includes an image of mountains and fir trees in green ink and a stalk of wheat sweeping up from bottom right to top / middle left in red ink.

McAlpin’s (faded red) CONTAINING AEROPHOS’, PHOSPHATE AERATOR, SELF-RAISING, FLOUR (faded red), “THERE’S NO OTHER” Faded red square with writing …. CALCIUM …. Faded red triangle with T inside it to the far right of the trees Faded red writing at the bottom of the bag: PREPARED WITH PHOSPHATE AERATOR, AEROPHOS 25 LBS NET

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