Department of Commerce of USA, Special Consular report

FOREIGN TRADE IN BUTTONS: 1ST APRIL 1916

In 1916 this report was released for the benefit of American manufacturers, giving them information about potential markets around the world. It included a list of Australian dealers and importers. Two of these were Stirling & Sons, Bridge Road Richmond, and the  Albion Clothing Factory, Brunswick.

Stirling & Sons, Bridge Road Richmond.

George Andrew Stirling, from Westmeath Ireland, operated a small drapery store in Richmond from at least 1854, at first in Government Road, then by 1856 in Bridge Road. Sons George Joseph and James Belton joined the firm, which advertised as George Stirling & Sons, family drapers  from 1884, the year George senior died aged 56 years, having sadly buried three of his children. They had millinery and  costume departments. Due to the success to their business, they remodelled and enlarged in 1890. Stock was imported from London and Paris.

James (known as Belton) died in 1901 aged 44 years and George  junior in 1911, aged 58. The firm was listed as  a propriety limited in 1912, but was in liquidation in 1923.

The Age (Melbourne), 23rd December 1912 page 4.

The article below about “the shops and factories commission” , dated 1901 and quoting George Stirling (the son), shows the attitudes prevalent at the times, and although somewhat distasteful to modern eyes, his opinions were probably enlightened for 1901.

The Bendigo Independant (Vic), 2nd May 1901 page 4.

 Albion Clothing Factory, Brunswick

The Albion Clothing factory, Weston St, Brunswick was registered in 1925, although it existed from at least 1915, as it supplied clothing to the military. It was still in existence in 1988. The red brick factory was still in commercial use in 2017.

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette , 15th February 1917 page 277.

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