Tailor’s Button

R. Little, Melbourne

Richard Little (1824-1899) born in Ireland and late of London, arrived in Melbourne in 1850. At first he was in partnership with his father William as W. & R. Little. In February 1854 William left the partnership to operate on his own whilst Richard and his brother John continued together. I wonder if this was an amicable split?

The Argus (Melbourne), 31st March 1854 page 6.

From 1859 he traded only under his own name (as on the button), then from 1884 as ‘R. Little & Co.’ In August 1899, it was reported that, after he had been missing for some days, his hat was found floating in the Yarra River. A couple of weeks later, his body was found. Some time after his death, the firm became known simply as Little & Co. They continued until 1918.

The Age (Melbourne), 5th September 1899, page 6.

The Advance Australia magazine, 12th August 1909 page 240.

Labour Call (Melbourne), 25th April 1912 page 4.

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