Historical information

"Universal Providers" was a late 19th- and early 20th-century term used by major historic department stores—such as Melbourne's George & George on Collins Street (later Georges) or Sydney's Anthony Hordern & Sons—to signify that they stocked everything under one roof. Original branded paper bags and packaging from these iconic "Universal Providers" are now rare pieces of ephemera. The N.H. Hobbs Store was a historic general store in Bemboka, New South Wales, run continuously by the Hobbs family for 80 years. Established in the early 1900s, it served as a regional landmark and trading post for locals and travelers crossing Brown Mountain before closing down.

Physical description

A vintage tall narrow rectangular brown paper bag with side gussets for greater storage. The large brand symbol Universal Providers for the N.H. Hobbs store in Bemboka is printed on the front in black lettering. There is a globe of the world surrounded by two scroll type banners with the brand Universal Providers. Underneath is further information promoting the store and a phone number. The back is plain.

Inscriptions & markings

'Universal Providers' 'Shop in your own town' 'Ours is an up-to-date country store. Having studied country conditions we can give you better service than city suppliers. We have everything you want at a moderate price. Why go further?' N.H. Hobbs Phone 7 Bemboka'