Historical information

A fashionable tailor, William Young was located at 34 Sturt St, Ballarat, from 1903 until c. 1915. Originally from Cornwall, he took over the firm of J. Payne & Co in the Beehive store Ballarat. His advertising highlighted his expertise in tailoring in early 20th-century Ballarat, one example being this bookmark after the popular American style. His advertising at this address ceased in 1915 and this bookmark is of a style popular in the USA in the first decade of the twentieth century.

Significance

The oldest bookmark from Ballarat dating to c.1905, and of a type rare in Australia. Only one other is recorded here from the same period that at Temora N.S.W. This is from the largest collection of bookmarks held in Australia at 'Hymettus Cottage Library', Ballarat.

Physical description

Heart shaped aluminium impressed bookmark with cotton and tassel attached.

Inscriptions & markings

With Compliments William Young