Historical information

This match box cover would have been given free to customers of the menswear and tailors firm Spurling and Scovell, who started their business in Footscray in 1906 at the corner of Albert and Barkly Streets. They also had branches in Williamstown at 22 Douglas Parade, and in Bacchus Marsh. Mr Spurling owned and lived in Tudor House in Williamstown. Scovell and Spurling were philanthropists who now have two reserves in Footscray named after them. The date of this cover is uncertain, but possibly around 1920.

Physical description

Metal matchbox or Vesta cover with black type on white background, covered in clear plastic.

Inscriptions & markings

On one side: "SCOVELL @ SPURLING PTY. LTD./Nicholson Street, FOOTSCRAY/and at/WILLIAMSTOWN/CHAS STEELE & CO., PTY. LTD., MELBOURNE"
On reverse side: " "Strike for Safety" and always/be tailored by/SCOVELL & SPURLING PTY. LTD./The "Quality" tailors/PRINTE IN U.S.A."
On spine: "We specialize in Hats/from the World's Best Factories"