Historical information

The Emerald Butcher was established in the early 1900s by Robert Couper, and purchased by the Madigan family in 1924. It was located at the corner of Main Street and Emerald-Monbulk Road, at 381 Belgrave-Gembrook Road where Resale Therapy is as of 2026. The vehicle pictured appears to be a custom Chevrolet National Series AB Sedan, a model released in 1928 - allegedly the year this photograph was taken. If that date is accurate, this may be a photograph commemorating the purchase of the new vehicle imported from North America.

Significance

Madigan's butcher business was an important institution in Emerald's early 20th century growth phase; this photograph remembers the family business' operation.

Physical description

A black and white photograph of a vehicle resembling the 1928 Chevrolet National Series AB Sedan. Standing in front of the truck are a man and a boy; behind the truck is a fence and trees at the side of the road. There is a handwritten label in black pen below the photograph, and the reverse has an annotation in blue pen.

Inscriptions & markings

Obverse:
Annotation: "Emerald's Butcher. Jim Madigan & nephew Bill Mansfield, 1928"
Truckside: "THE EMERALD / BUTCHER"
Number Plate: "142632"

Reverse: "Jim Madigan & nephew Bill Mansfield / Emerald Butcher 1928"