Historical information
Dry foods such as oats were packaged in cloth bags from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century. Parsons' Brothers and Company were involved in packaging a variety of produce for the Australian market including oatmeal for porridge.
Significance
The oat bags provide a snapshot of a well-known Australian food company and how the bags were used to advertise other items available from the business.
Physical description
A set of two Oatmeal Bags from the Parsons' company. Each bag is made from calico with ornate writing and images on the front that relate to the product and company. The back of each bag is used to advertise a different product from the company – Saline Powder (8649.1) and Mustard (8649.2).
Inscriptions & markings
Front (both): 7-lbs. Net, PARSONS', TRADE MARK, THE ORIGINAL FLAKED OATMEAL, DELICIOUS PORRIDGE, WITH ONLY TEN MINUTES BOILING, PARSONS BROS & COY., PROPY. LTD., MELBOURNE
Back 8649.1 : TRY Parsons', PARSONS' SALINE POWDER, NET ? LB, SALINE POWDER, A COOL, REFRESHING AND HEALTHFUL DRINK
Back 8649.2 : UNSURPASSED in Quality and Price, PARSONS' MUSTARD, (further writing is faded)
Subjects
References
- Website - About Us Uncletobys Contains the following information - "It was in 1861 that the brand we now know as UNCLE TOBYS was born, initially operating under the name Parsons Bros."
- Website - TROVE Article from The Sydney Morning Herald, 20/10/1896, about Parsons Brothers and Co. and the new factory in Sydney created for the ‘treatment and preparation of all descriptions of Eastern produce, jams, preserves, pickles, oatmeals and groceries.’
