Historical information

The Bryant & May factory was located in Richmond, Melbourne and was a typical red-brick Victorian factory. It manufactured matches throughout the 20th century but had adopted the brand name - Redheads - by 1946.

Significance

Bryant & May was a significant Quaker owned business which was founded in the mid 1800s in the UK. They spread to various countries including Australia where they produced the Crown Safety Matches during the early 1900s through to the 1940s when they took the brand name Red Heads. The factory in Richmond is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

Physical description

Rectangular carboard box. Wrapped in light brown paper. The top of the box has a coloured label fixed onto it. The label is mainly navy blue and red with white text. The label has the words ' Bryant & May's Safety Matches' printed on it. There is a picture of a crown in the centre in an oval. The box is unopened. There are several smaller boxes of matches inside.
On the opposite side to the label there is text written in a black marker pen.

Inscriptions & markings

Top: Bryant & May's / Crown / Made in Australia / Safety Matches / 1/3
Under: From / Leighton & Margaret Buzzard / 4.2.88
Side: Strike One Side / 1940s