Branded buttons: tailors’ buttons (A-F)

Table of Contents

Here we showcase tailoring buttons, from the individual to  large emporiums.

The buttons are listed alphabetically as the names were printed onto the buttons.

A

A. Baxter, Colac

Andrew Baxter (1883-1933) was born in Galashiels, Scotland. From around 1913-1916 he worked  in Geelong, then from around 1921 until his death, in Colac.

 

A. Boswarrick, Melbourne

Arthur Boswarrick, originally from Ballarat, (1867-1944) was a tailor in Sale, Victoria, in partnership with Mr Herbert Phillips. They ended their partnership in 1889, with Arthur continuing alone. Unfortunately the business failed the following year. He moved to Melbourne by 1891 and by 1893 he was advertising for employees for his “Eclipse Tailoring Company” in Sydney Road, Brunswick. He was involved in the local council and also local sporting clubs.  His first wife died in 1904 and his second wife in 1909, only days after giving birth. How sad.

 

A. Bowley & Company, Melbourne

Mr. Alfred Bowley. He was mayor of Camberwell in 1911-1913.

As  a naval and military uniform outfitter in Flinders Lane, Melbourne, they were importing items such as buttons from London from before federation, backmarked with their name.  The company continued to at least 1956.  Alfred Bowley had died in 1945.

From a larger article. The Age, 26th September 1936 page 8.

Mount Alexander Mail (Vic),  22nd December 1899 page 3.

The Argus (Melbourne),  26th April 1945 page 3.

Back of MFB (Melbourne Fire Brigade) uniform button that specifically indicates it was made in England.

I am told this was a nurses uniform button.

Commonwealth Cadet Crops. Edward VII cypher (1902-1910).

Infantry

Post Office Victoria

Permanent Victorian Artillery Corps. One is brass coloured, much polished and with a loose shank whilst the other is copper coloured and with a fixed shank.

From Museum Victoria: Officer’s Full Dress jacket c.1904 with brass buttons marked ‘Bowley & Co Melbourne. See https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/items/1373242

 

A. C. McEachern, Brisbane

Archibald Cranston McEachern was a wanderer. Born in 1881 in Hill End, NSW, he moved to West Australia after his marriage in 1903 but only stayed there for several years. By 1907 he had moved back to NSW.

Lithgow Mercury (NSW), 4th October 1907 page 1.

He stayed in Lithgow until August 1910 when he left for Sydney with the intention of travelling to Queensland. He had moved Gympie by April 1911, where he became conductor of  the local choral society. Only two years later, he was again on the move, this time to Brisbane.  Again, he became involved in singing, and also the Masons.

The Brisbane Courier, 19th march 1914 page 2.

State Library of Queensland collection.

Here he stayed the longest, not leaving for the Southport until around 1935, then Maleny by 1943. He died in 1959.

 

A. Cunningham

Andrew Charles “Charlie” Cunningham was born in 1872 in Adelaide. From around 1983-1897 he was part of the partnership of “Jacobs & Cunningham” in Broken Hills, before continuing alone. He died suddenly in 1936 at the age of 64 years.

 

Adelaide Tailoring Company Ltd., Melbourne

In 1897 Joseph Lewis Glick, a Russian by birth,  came to Australia to visit his sick sister, and decided to stay. He started the Adelaide Tailoring Company in Adelaide. In 1904 he expanded to Perth and Fremantle then to other sites in West Australia. In 1915 he opened in ‘Elizabeth House’ at the corner of Elizabeth and little Collins Streets.

The Herald (Melbourne), 10th June 1915 page 11.

From Melbourne University Archives reference 1964.0012.00216.

 

A. E. Barber, Coburg

Albert Ernest Barber (1891-2973) moved his business to 438 Sydney Road, Coburg in 1935. By 1942 he had moved  down the road to 694 Sydney Road, Brunswick.

 

A. E. Barlow, Parade, Norwood

Arthur Edgar Barlow (1878-1957) ran “The Norwood House For Men’s Wear” from c.1915-1943 in the Parade, Norwood.


The Mail, 5th June 1915 page 4.

 

A. E. Spicer, North Fitzroy

Albert Edward Spicer lived from 1882 til 1951. He worked from 556 Nicholson Street from at least 1920 until 1949.

 

A. E. Unkles, Port Fairy

Arthur Edward Unkles was born in Macarthur (north of Port Fairy) in 1883. From around
1914-1919 he was a “tailoring artist” in Rochester before moving to Namurkah, then
Camperdown by about 1922. from 1926 he was working from Sackville Street, Port Fairy. He
was a councillor for many years, including the mayor in 1931. Unfortunately his son died on
active service during WW2. He retired to Ballarat by 1963, and died there in 1975.

Weekly Times (Melbourne), 9th July 1927 page 88.

 

A. F. Cleary & Son, Sydney

Aloysius F. Cleary and Ernest Aloyisius Cleary set up this mercery and tailoring firm of “A F. Cleary & Son Ltd.” in 1930. The firm was wound up in 1934. A new firm, “A F. Cleary & Son Pty Ltd.” was listed in 1937, which was in turn dissolved in 1951.

Truth (Sydney), 10th December, 1911 page 11. Mr A. Cleary.

Truth, 24th October 1943 page 32. Arthur Michael Cleary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A. G. Adams, Melbourne

Alfred George Adams (1849-1921) split from partnership with Isaac Bowley in 1903. From 1904-1912 he advertised his tailoring business as ‘A. G. Adams” at 13 Block Arcade, Melbourne.

Benalla Standard, 17th Jun 1902 page 3.

 

A. G. Parker, Adelaide

Alfred George Parker headed this business from 1921 to around 1950. He was also involved in a miniature railways company and a concrete company.

Advertiser, 2nd May 1921 page 6.

 

A. J. Cosson, Coolgardie

Arthur James Cosson was born in Surrey, England in 1867. He had arrived in Melbourne by 1894, as he married then, and worked as a tailor at the corner of Swanston and Lygon Streets. In 1897, lured perhaps by the large gold nugget found that year, he moved to Bonnievale, just out of Coolgardie. His business, Cosson & Co operated until 1905, when it was bought by Mackenzie & Dunstan (see their entry). He presumably then worked by himself before moving to Freemantle in 1910, then Perth in 1937. He was still listed as a tailor’s cutter in the year he died, 1958, in his 91st year!

 

A. J. Dangerfield, Broken Hill

His business was located in Oxide street from 1917. In December of 1935 he was in a car accident, which led him to leave tailoring. He became the proprietor of Broken Hill Motors. Albert Joseph Dangerfield lived in Broken Hill from 1896 until 1947 when he moved to Sydney. 

 

Alex Peate & Co., Newcastle

From Newcastle Library collection. c.1901.

From Newcastle Library collection. 1906.

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW), 21st March 1910 page 8.

Alex Lees Peate operated as a tailor from around 1899 in Hunter Street, Newcastle. He did so well that in 1905 he moved to larger premises in the same street, and later opened a second store. He did not become “& Co.” until 1910, when brothers George and William, as well as Mr Hollinshead. joined the firm. William died in 1924 at the age of 62 years. In 1936 the firm was registered as Alex Peate & Co. Ltd.  George died in 1938, aged  57 years.

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW), 10th August 1938 page 11.

Alex then died the following year, aged  62 years. The firm continued until 1977.

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW), 18th May 1939 page 15.

 

Alf. C. White, Ballarat

Wouldn’t you be annoyed if you name was Alfred Ernest White (1867-1928), but your buttons were incorrectly inscribed? I Hope he got a discount!

His tailoring shop was located at 112 Sturt Street from 1898 when he renamed his father’s previous business ( T. W. White & Co.) until 1903. After this he was a cutter for John Snow & Company for 10 years before opening a new establishment at 102 Sturt Street. In 1919 he was elected as a local councillor. He was involved in the YMCA, the church, bowls and cricket.

 

Alston & Brown, Melbourne

Mr Alston was born in Glasgow and came to Melbourne in 1852. In 1857, due to the retirement of his previous partner, Thomas Alston went into partnership with William White Brown selling clothing and drapery. They became known as very fashionable, high class drapers in Collins Street until they closed the business in 1888. Mr Alston was to become a director of various companies and public institutions and a J.P. He died on Christmas Day,1907.

The article below was published in the Australasian (Melbourne), 12th July, 1884 page 7.

 

A. Miller & Sons, Ballarat.

See also  Millers, Ballarat

 

A. M. Pool, Bendigo

The Bendigo Independent, 27th March 1902.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In  January 1892 Alfred Morris Pool (1857-1930) and Joseph Thomas Williams started their business  in the premises previously occupied by the “London and American Clothing Company” in Mitchell Street, Sandhurst (later Bendigo). In February 1894, Williams left to go to Sydney, whilst Pool continued under the name “A. M. Pool” until at least 1922. He retired to Caulfield, Melbourne.

Bendigo Advertiser, 25th August 1914 page 1.

 

Andrews & Son, North Melbourne

This concern advertised from 1895-1914 at 226 Victoria Street, North Melbourne.


North Melbourne Courier and West Melbourne Advertiser 21st February 1902 page 3.

 

A. N. Lovick, Adelaide

News (Adelaide), 10th April 1924.

News, 10th April 1924 page 8.

Allan Andrew Nesbit Lovick was born in Banbury, England in 1880 and died in Adelaide in 1944. Mr Lovick worked for S. Ingersons before leaving to start his own firm in 1925 in King William Street, then ib Currie Street to around 1938.

News (Adelaide) 12th December 1936 page 2.

 

Archer & Cottrell, Richmond

Camberwell and Hawthorn Advertiser, 3rd Jan 1914 page 7.

 From around 1911 Denis Cottrell and John Harry Archer advertised as high-class tailors in Swan Street, Richmond. Sadly, in 1912 at the age of only 26 years, Denis died in hospital. Archer continued under the name of ‘Archer & Cottrell” until 1914, then continued as ‘Archer’s’ until  around 1937, two years before his death in 1939. He had been a former treasurer and president of Richmond football club, and a life member.

Sporting Globe (Melbourne), 19th December, 1931 page 6.

 

A. Richardson, Mildura

Archie William Richardson was a bit of a gypsy.  Born in Maryborough, Victoria, in 1888, he worked in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney before he set up in Langtree Avenue, Mildura from 1919 to 1927. After an unknown period of time he returned to Melbourne, where he died in 1973.

 

Arthur L. Atterton, Adelaide

In 1918 Arthur Laurence Atterton (1893-1959) took over as manager of the Quality Tailors at the corner of Pirie Street and Gawler Place. Two years later he bought the firm.

The Advertiser, 1st October 1920 page 2.


Photo from State Library of South Australia collection, 1928.

In 1931 he opened a second store at Bowman Arcade, closing the original store two years later.

News, 12th October 1954 page 19.

 

Ashmans, Bendigo

William George Ashman (1870-1944) started as a tailor in High Street, Eaglehawk circa 1891.  In 1908 he admitted into partnership  his brother, Arthur Thomas Ashman, as “Ashman Bros. tailors, hatters and mercers”, but by 1915 the partnership was dissolved. William continued as W.G. Ashman “The Northern District Tailors” and Arthur moved to Bacchus Marsh to run his own business, although he moved back to Eaglehawk in 1918.

Bendigonian, 16 December 1915 page 10.

William had some trouble along the way. In 1901 he had to give up all his assets to creditors. In 1909 he was sentenced to 6 weeks gaol for buying gold without a licence; the authorities clamping down on this practice due to its link with gold stealing.

In 1936 William registered a new company of Ashman (William George) and Sons Pty. Ltd. with his sons William Basil, Eric Raglus, John Osbourne and Charles Kenneth. This business was in liquidation in 2007.

 

A. W. Bargery, Sth Richmond

What innocent times, when the results of draughts competitions were reported in the news! Arthur William Bargery was listed as a player from 1894 onwards. His first advert for his tailoring services occurred in 1898, listed at 35 Green Street, South Richmond. He was born in Middlesex, England in 1858 and came out to Australia sometime after 1881.

Richmond Guardian (Melbourne), 10th May 1902 page 2.

He appears to have been a nice boss:

Richmond Guardian (Melbourne), 26th April 1912 page 2.

Detail of photo in the Weekly Times (Melbourne), 25th July 1914 page 27. The gentleman on the right numbered “23” is Mr Bargery, aged 57 years at this time.

He was still a keen competitor at age 78. He lived until 1948, aged 91 years.

 

B

B. Cornish, Gulgong

Britson Cornish ( 1874 – 1953) was a tailor in Gulgong for over 50 years. He appears to have been a well liked and well read gentleman.

Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW), 27th January 1938 page 18.

Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW), 8th September 1953 page 10.

 

Beehive Clothing, Melbourne

A clothing  company was established by Lawrence Benjamin during the late 1850s, on the corner of Elizabeth and Bourke streets, opposite the General Post Office. (His brother, Samuel Benjamin, also had a store at this intersection.) In 1873 Lawrence erected a three storey building on the site, the Beehive Clothing Company building.

The Argus (Melbourne), 13th March 1873 page 4.

The building was taken over by F. S. Meyer in 1902 and re christened the State Supply Stores, then  merged with the London Tailoring Depot in 1906, although the beehive trademark remained on the building until the 1930s. However, the name “Beehive Clothing Company” seems to have been used until 1931.

Punch (Melbourne), 21st August 1902 page 26.

State Library Victoria photo 1716815. Ca. 1862-1879. Looking east along Bourke Street, with the Post Office on the left, and the Beehive Clothing Company building on the right hand corner of Elizabeth Street.

State Library Victoria photo H81.111. Ca.1888. View of Elizabeth Street, looking towards Collins Street showing the Beehive Clothing Company and the Beehive Chambers, corner of Bourke and Elizabeth Streets.

 

Ben Cohen, Melbourne

Benjamin Cohen (1853-1935),  tailor and outfitter, operated from 252 Collins Street from around 1902, then the Flinders Building in Flinders Street from around 1911. In 1920 he was listed in the Eastern Arcade. The Eastern Arcade no longer exists, but ran from Lt Collins Street to Bourke Street in between Russell and Exhibition Streets. In 1922  a Ben Cohen was arrested for running an illegal betting house in the Eastern Arcade, so presumably in was the same man.

 

Bert Saunders, Northcote

Albert (Bert) Edward Saunders took over his fathers business on his death in 1915. He was still advertising in 1943.

 

Bertram & Cornish, Adelaide

There are South Australian Volunteer buttons backmarked by this firm.

State Library SA image #B 3335: detail of photo of King William street., 1884.

Evening Journal (Adelaide), 22nd September 1884 page 2.

 Joseph Bertram and John Cornish were partners from 1884. They were accepted to produce uniforms for the volunteer forces for 3 years in 1885. In December 1886 they dissolved their partnership. John Cornish continued as a military tailor, receiving another 3 year tender from 1887, however, he would lose the contract due to faulty workmanship to Marshall & Co around 1888.

Joseph Bertram was the first mayor of St Peters from 1884-5. He died in 1916, aged 70 years.

The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide), 8th December 1886 page 4.

Evening Journal (Adelaide), 3rd March 1888 page 4.

 

Bidencopes Ltd., Hobart

Tasmanian Steam Navigation Co.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph Bidencope,  tailor and mercer,  advertised for tailors to work for him as early as 1861.  He was born in Poland and moved to Hobart in 1858.  The business was a  successful fashion house,  as well as supplying naval and military uniforms. They became well known for their hats.  Two sons would join the business.  He was still working when he died in 1915,  aged nearly eighty years.  His grandsons would sell the business in 1977.

The Mercury, 26th Nov 1924 page 5

The Mercury (Hobart), 11th April 1921 page 6.

 

Bladwell, Goulburn

This firm was family run from 1880 until at least 1950.

Goulburn Evening Penny Post 21st October 1930 page 2.

Unknown date or photographer.

 

Blainey’s, Sydney

The Labor Daily, 8th September 1937 page 6.

Sydney Sportsman, 18th September 1928 page 6.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1966 (seven years after Mr. Blainey’s death) the firm was in financial difficulty, and by 1973 it was deregistered.

 

Bond Street Company, Adelaide

This was a company of tailors and shirt makers from around 1884 until the closed in 1890. They had until 1890 been located at Gawler Place, but that year relocated to King William Street. Therefore, despite the fact that there is a Bond Street in Adelaide, the name must reference the fashionable Bond Street of London, which is described thus in Wikipedia: “During the 19th century, Bond Street became less known for its social atmosphere but increased its reputation as a street for luxury shopping.”

 

Bowley & Co. Melbourne

See A. Bowley above

 

B. Phillips, Pitt Street only

See Phillips, Pitt Street only

 

Bright & Hitchcock, Geelong

William Hitchcock (1811-1867) emigrated from Devonshire, England, to Geelong with his sons George Michelmore (1831-1912) and Walter Michelmore Hitchcock (1833-1923). They started a drapery business , Hitchcock Brothers & Co., between 1850-52. They went into partnership in 1853 with William Bright (1803-1875) under the name Wm. Bright & Co.

After Bright retired around 1857 they changed the name to Bright & Hitchcock. The company was listed in 1950. It was sold and re-sold in 1959, 1968, 1969 and 1976 then closed in 1979. Since that the building has been subdivided into smaller shops.

Geelong Advertiser, 18th July 1923 page 3. Mr W. M. Hitchcock.

Geelong Advertiser, 8th May 1912 page 3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Herald (Melbourne) 16th October 1953 page 11. The original store c.1850.

Leader (Melbourne), 12th August 1893 page 31.

The Herald (Melbourne) 16th October 1953 page 11. The planned new facade in 1953 of Bright and Hitchcock’s.

 

Burkby and Waggen,  Sale

Frederick James Burby and his son-in-law, Vincent St.Clair Wagglen, took over a tailoring business in Sale in 1923.

Gippsland Times, 12th March 1923 page 2.

Less than 18 months later they dissolved the partnership, with Mr Wagglen continuing alone.  There must be a sad tale underlying this, as he only kept the business going for another two years before starting again in Sunshine. This business in turn only lasted for around 3 years. In the following years he was separated from his wife then in 1941 he died at the young age of 50 years.

 

C

C. A. Jago,  South Melbourne

Charles Arthur Jago (1893-1955), in partnership with his uncle, Holmes Gillman Jago, were merchant tailors in Bank Street.  His uncle retired in 1927.

Record (Melbourne), 11th July 1908 page 2.

Possible original premises in Bank Street.

189 Bank Street, the advertised new premises.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capon & Montgomerie, Melbourne

In 1902 Messers Capon and Montgomerie were delighted to announce their new tailoring store in Collins St. Walter William store had previously managed the Mutal Store.

The Herald (Melbourne), 11 Sep 1913 page 4.

Norman Leslie Mongomerie, supposedly the best dressed man in Melbourne, died in 1926 aged 55 years. After this the business was sold to Walter Arnold Walker who continued trading under the Capon & Montgomerie name, but had to sell everything to pay his creditors in 1927. After his partner’s death Mr Capon continued as an outfitter until his retirement. He lived in Camberwell and died in 1941.

Table Talk (Melbourne) 1st January 1925 page 16. Norman Montgomerie.

 

C. Anderson,  Sydney

NSW Military Forces

NSW Mounted Rifles 1892-1901

New South Wales tramways

NSW Military Forces 1881-1901.

The Cumberland Argus and Fruit Growers Advocate (Parramatta) 15th February 1902 page 4. This report relates to this button.

Victorian Railways. Backmarked Andreson, Sydney. British make.

Charles Anderson was born in 1838. He came to Australia from Scotland about 1880 with his wife Mary-Jane. He established a large hat factory on the corner of Nicholls and Albion Streets, Surry Hills, next to his home, Durham Hall. The business had it’s beginning a decade pre- federation importing hats and was initially called the ‘New Federal Hat Mills of Sydney’. From as early as 1895 he was described as a “military tailor”. The company was registered as ‘Charles Anderson and Company Limited’ in 1903 and was called ‘Anderson’s Industries Limited’ by the time of his death in 1924. They supplied uniforms, trimming and buttons for the armed forces and police. Examples, like the above one,  are found in the Powerhouse Museum and Australian War Memorial collections. Here is an exert from N.S.W. tenders showing orders for buttons from the company in 1910.

Government Gazette of NSW, 19th October 1910 page 5679. He was importing the buttons.

 

Chapman & Rogers, Adelaide

News, 20th July 1926 page 4.

 

 

 

 

His son, George W. Chapman, was also a sportsman, with a love of baseball.

The Advertiser, 18th August 1933 page 7. G. W. Chapman.

 

Chas. Jones & Co, Brisbane

Detectoring find by Tim Jellicoe.

This company of drapers first advertised in 1878. They were located in the Kingsford’s Buildings, Queens Street, Brisbane. In 1890 the ‘bankrupt stock’ of the firm was being sold.

Mr Jones was Charles Henry Jones, born in 1848 in New South Wales. He moved to Brisbane in 1873 and stayed there until perhaps the time of the bankruptcy in 1890, before moving back to Sydney where he died in 1898, aged only 50 years.

 

Chas. Lane & Co, Melbourne

Charles James Lane had worked for the Mutual Store before running his own business, at first in Collins Street then Elizabeth Street. He formed the company of Charles Lane & Co in 1910 and served as chairman of the Master tailors’ Association. He may well have been a master tailor, but he was not a master businessman, which came out when he sued his bank over a refused promissory note. He was heavily overdrawn with the bank who were going to sell his assets to recover the debt.  He died in 1925 aged 57 years.The following year the business was bought by Marcus Clark (Victoria) Ltd. His son, also called Charles James Lane,  had been a partner in his father’s firm. He became a board member of both Craig, Williamson P/L and Marcus Clark (Vic) Ltd.

News (Adelaide), 5th June 1929 page 11.The store was replaced, incongruously, by a fish shop!

The Herald (Melbourne), 9th July 1930 page 13.

He was a real estate company director who died suddenly, aged 49 years, in 1954. He was remembered as a talented athlete and golfer.

 

Table Talk (Melbourne), 5th April 1917 page 9.

Australian Army jacket WW1. On the label “Chas. Lane & Co. Pty. Ltd. Elizabeth St. Melbourne. https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/709582

 

C. Hemsley, Sydney

Probable pipe band.

Australian United Steam Navigation Co Ltd

Australasian Steam Navigation Co. (Tony Earl’s button).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charles Richard Hemsley (1839-1926) was an importer of ‘Men’s Mercery’ in partnership with John Gard as ‘Gard and Hemsley’ from 1869-1871. He continued the business own his own at 390 George Street, Sydney and advertised as supplying uniforms. In 1880 the business was bought by Gowing Brothers. the business continued under the name of ‘C. Hemsley’ until 1895 at 43 Erskine Street.


Sydney Morning Herald, 11th February 1876 page 2

 

Chorley & Co.

See entry for W. Chorley.

 

Christie’s, Sydney

From their webpage https://www.christies.net.au/

“Our firm was established in 1895 in Sydney, and were one of the first tenants in the Strand Arcade. Over the years we have moved about within the city, and currently sell from our city store at 276 Pitt St as well as manufacturing and wholesaling from our factory/office at Marrickville.”

William Christie started his business as a specialist umbrella maker. His father had come to Melbourne from Scotland when William was young although he later moved to Sydney. The business also sold ladies wear, Scottish dress and accessories as well as military dress accessories and flags.


The Hebrew Standard of Australasia (Sydney), 4th July 1952 page 7.

 

Christison & Burnett, Brisbane

Burnett was probably Harold Stephen Burnett (1896-1978) who was president of the Master Tailors’ Association. Christison may have been David (1861-1946) or his son John William Christison (b. 1889).

 

C. H. Shakeshaft, Kapunda

The first advert for Cornelius Henderson Shakeshaft (1860-1952) appeared in the Kapunda Herald. His son Sydney took over when his father retired in 1926.

Kapunda herald (SA), 10th August 1883 page 2.

The Advertiser (Adelaide), 17 July 1952 page 5.

 

City Hatters, Sydney

Roy Clifford Needham registered the firm in 1920. Despite the name, they also sold suits. The firm wound up in 1966.

The Sun,(Sydney), 21st September 1954 page 38.

 

C. J. Lane, Melbourne

Charles James Lane (1869-1925) advertised at Flinders Lane in 1888. From 1892-1896 he was the manager of the Woollen department of the Mutal Stores. In 1896 he purchased a mercery and tailoring business at 230 Collins Street where he operated until moving to the corner of Elizabeth Street and Flinders Lane around 1917.In 1921 he may have sold the business (which was still advertising in 1933) and became a wool broker and importer. He was heavily overdrawn to his bank in 1921-2. In 1924 he sued his bank for damages  for erroneously dishonouring a promissory note. Although he was awarded 1000 ponds, perhaps the previous years of stress had taken their toll, for he died the next year, aged only 56 years.

Melbourne Punch 28th January 1897.

 

C. K. Moore, Sydney

Gilt: for NSW Permanent artillery

Whitemetal: for NSW Volunteer Artillery

’ Archaeological Investigation Conservation Siter, Macquarie Street, Sydney, Volume 1: History & Archaeology for NSW Department of Public Works & Services’ by Casey & Lowe P/L, page 269

Charles Kelso Moore (1834-1894) was an Irishman and merchant who lived in Sydney from 1859 onwards. His business supplied tenders for the public service and Post Office. He was very involved in public life, running as Major for Waverley, as well as being involved in the New South Wales Rifle Brigade and the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.

Buttons bearing his backmark include for the NSW Gaol Wardens (above), the NSW Police, the NSW Artillery and also the NSW Volunteer Rifles.

Queanbeyan (NSW), 30th October 1873 page 6.

 

Clayton and Croucher,  South Melbourne

Edwin Clayton and Mr Croucher were tailors/clothing manufacturers operating from the corner of Dorcas and Clarendon Streets, South Melbourne, in about 1925-27.

 

C. Ledlin, Bathurst

Image missing: Contact me if you have one!

 

Charles Christopher Ledlin was a cutter for E.J. and D. Curran for 10 years before leaving to work on his own at 119 George Street in Bathurst. He was also a hotel owner. He died in 1947 at the age of 78 years.

Bathurst Times 29th April 1913 page 3.

 

Clifford & Fulton, Bendigo

This partnership lasted from around 1931 until 1938, at Bath Corner, Bendigo.  Charleville (named after his birth place in Queensland) Clifford (1897-1955) was a draper and mercer. He was bankrupt in 1940. I cannot work out who “Fulton” was, as no draper or tailor was listed by that name in the electoral rolls.

Advocate, 12th February 1931 page 15. Charing Cross was a tram stop at the intersection of  View Street and Pall Mall.

 

Colgan’s, Bendigo

See M. Colgan.

 

Cook, Son & Co. Ltd, Hindley Street Adelaide

The card on the right has been used to store various buttons.

Daily Herald (Adelaide), 13th October 1919 page 6.

Sport (Adelaide) 25th October 1928 page 27.

John Cook (1868-1948) was associated with the firm of ‘James Marshall & Co’ for 27 years, then was in the partnership of ‘Threlfall & Cook’. In 1914  ‘Cook, Son & Company Limited’ started. John Cook bought the business of Mr Harry Stephen Thwaites in Hindley Street and opened a “up-to-date tailoring, mercery, and clothing store”, renamed Cook, Son & Co.  He ran it with  his son, Filmer Wesley Cook, and partners William John Gilmour and Ralph Dillon Radford. They had an extensive mail order service.

The Advertiser, 31st October 1939, page 18. Filmer Wesley Cook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cormack & Lewis, Cessnock

John Groat Sinclair (a.k.a George Jack, a.k.a. John George) Cormack and William Aubrey Lewis started advertising in 1921.

The Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder (NSW), 11th February 1921 page 5.

In 1928 they suffered a shop fire.

The Newcastle Sun (NSW), 24th December 1928 page 6.

During  WW2 they ran afoul of the restrictions applied by the government and were fined.

The Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder (NSW), 9th April 1943 page 3. I think the authorities took a “serious view” of themselves, as well!

In December 1945 the partnership was ceased, with both Cormack and Lewis  continuing alone. In 1947 Cormack was fined for attempting to bribe a Commonwealth officer. Mr Cormack was born in Scotland in 1889 and died in Cessnock in 1953 after a long illness.

Dun’s Gazette for NSW, 25th January 1946.

The Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder (NSW), 25th January 1946 page 4.

The Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder (NSW), 26th March 1946 page 5.

William Aubrey Lewis 1898-1963.

 

Cox & Lett, Parkes

This was a (self proclaimed) enterprising and popular ladies clothing, mercery and tailoring business from circa 1914.. The partners were Milton Carl Cox and Harold Watson Lett. Their premises was called “The Red House” in 1917-18.

Western Champion, 10th October 1918 page 26.

In 1922 the partnership was dissolved, and Harold Lett moved to Cessnock. He would be awarded an OBE in 1958 for his “support of civil, charitable, educational and sporting activities”.

The Cessnock eagle and South Maitland Recorder, 22nd June 1945 page 1.

 On April 3rd, 1934, Milton Cox, a wealthy businessman now living in Bexley with 2 sons and a newborn daughter, went missing. His abandoned car was found the next day near his shop, but on the 20th April he was still missing, and there was no further news regarding this. Did he met foul play, or leave to start a new life under a new name? His wife never remarried, and died in 1988, aged 93 years.

 

Craigie & Co, Melbourne

William Cameron Craigie senior ran his tailoring concern from 1889 at 265 Little Collins Street. The button is just marked ‘Craigie & Co’ but the business was actually called ‘W. C. Craigie & Co’, and in 1933 was listed as a propriety limited company with his son Alexander Thomas Craigie. It continued after his death in 1936, last mentioned in the newspapers in 1941.

The Herald 27th June 1940 page 12

 

Cramond & Dickson, Warrnambool

In 1855 John Glass Cramond (1831-1910) and James Dickson ( 1831-1910)  started a general store specialising in drapery imported from London. The partnership was dissolved in 1886, with the business staying ib the Dickson family until 1974.  It was the oldest store in Victoria trading under its original name.  James Dickson junior, who married the daughter of the co-founder, would manage the business after his father.

The Australasian (Melbourne) 3rd February 1894 page 30.

Leader (Melbourne) 16th December 1899 page 9.Outfitting room.

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/dickson-james-5978

http://www.picturevictoria.vic.gov.au/site/corangamite/wmbl/8723.html

 

Crawford & Co, Melbourne

In 1890, Abraham Crawford, a draper of Ballarat, went into partnership with Andrew King & Co who ran a warehouse at 250-252 Flinders Street.

Advocate, 18th October 1890 page 24.

In 1895 the firm was declared insolvent, with Crawford taking over at the same address. (One partner claimed that Crawford had manipulated the situation to get rid of his partners.)

In November 1897, “The Great Fire of Melbourne” which destroyed a whole city block, including Craig, Williamson P/L, also destroyed the warehouse. (see entry for this company on department store page.)

Leader, 27th November 1897 page 6.

 

C. R. Hiam, Balaclava

Charles Robert Hiam (1855-1924) established his tailoring business in 1887 in Carlisle Street,  Balaclava having previously worked for Gissing and Co. He advertised “cricketing and sporting garments made to order” and was at one time “the oldest established tailor in St Kilda.”

 

C. R. Martin, Melbourne

Victorian Naval brigade 1890s

The Age (Melbourne), 3rd July 1884 page 7.

Charles Roper Martin (1833-1910) arrived in Melbourne in 1852. From 1855-1910 he ran an importing business in Flinders Lane, particularly gold and silver lace. He was a pioneer of the Melbourne Cavalry Troop, and rose to the rank of Commanding officer, retiring with the rank of Major. His interest in military matters extended to importing/manufacturing of military trappings. The button above shows a Queen Victoria crown and was produced for the Queensland Railways. The one below is apparently a Queensland Volunteers uniform button. He was the brother of G. F. Martin, of Stokes and Martin, so he may have sourced his buttons from them.


Weekly Times, 30th July 1910 page 24.

 

C. T. Hasler, Castlemaine

Here is a draper better known for his accomplishments outside of work. He was a singer, choir master, organist and conductor. Born in 1863 he was a son of John Darby Hasler, draper, woollen draper, hatter, hosier, etc., of Market Square in Castlemaine. Presumably Charles took over the business after the sudden death of his father in 1896 due to pneumonia. Charles moved to Melbourne in 1922 and died there in 1946.

 

D

David Campbell, Warracknabeal

David (Davy) Campbell described himself as a Scotsman, but was born in Melbourne in 1875. He came to Western Victoria circa 1899 where he ran a tailoring business, first in Warracknabeal, then Horsham, then Dimboola before moving back to Melbourne. He died in Yarraville in 1945. He must have had quite a sense of humour ( and a ‘thing’ about camels)… just look at his advertising from the Warracknabeal Herald:

26th Oct 1915 (page 1).

2nd November 1915. (page 1)

 

David Moyle & Co., Ballarat

Prior to setting up his own concern, David Moyle (1866-1916) had worked as a cutter for Twentymans (see tailoring pages). He worked in Moyle Street from 1907 until his untimely death in 1916. As an active member of the Lydiard Street Methodist Church, he was sorely missed.

Ballarat Star, 16th November 1907 page 4.

 

Davies & Leon,  Melbourne

In 1940 these tailors were enlisting (“joining the The Colours”) and so sold their stock to Myer’s.

Part of a full page ad. The Herald, 8th August 1940 page 11.

 

Davies & Swaine, Fitzroy

These tailors were located in Brunswick St, Fitzroy from around 1909 until 1926, when their shop fittings were being sold (so presumably the business had ceased).

 

D. Cleary, Bendigo

Dennis Cleary was born circa 1841 in Clare, Ireland, the son of a tailor. He came to Victoria in 1869, spent some time tailoring in Warnambool then in 1873 went to Bendigo to open a tailoring business in McCrae Street. In 1905 it became D. Cleary & Sons. Dennis died in 1912. His sons continued to trade until around 1930.

 

D. Dunsmore & Co. Adelaide

Duncan Dunsmore was a tailor and ladies costumier in Gawler from around 1894 until he retired in 1925. Unfortunately he died suddenly soon after, aged 68 years.

Bunyip (Gawler, SA), 15th March 1907 p 3

The Register (Adelaide), 2nd February 1925 p 2.

 

Denton Bros, Bendigo

See also W. Denton & Co. Sandhurst

William James Greaney Denton (1862-1936) with his brother Frederick John Denton (1864-1934) started the ‘Eclipse Tailoring’  establishment in Mitchell Street, Bendigo, in 1886. By 1890 they had a branch in Melbourne, which ran until 1912.

Another brother, James Greaney (1866-1939), who had been an auctioneer in Melbourne, took over the Bendigo branch some time before 1903. His son Keith Douglas Denton (1890-1970) joined the firm. The Bendigo branch closed around 1922, and Fred moved to Melbourne to continue tailoring.  James was remembered as a renown charity worker in Bendigo.

 

D. J. Humphreys, Sydney

Mr D.Humphrey was listed as a tailor in Sydney from around 1863-1883.

Evening News, 28th June 1883 page 4.

 

D. M. Mackintosh, Melbourne

The Herald (Melbourne), 26th December 1910 page 3.

Donald McQueen Mackintosh senior (1857-1935) was a Scotsman who moved to Australia before 1891. He worked as a tailor in Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne. From around 1902 he operated from Collins Street before moving to Flinders Street. He was still there in 1923. His son Donald junior was a world champion trap shooter, competing in the 1900 Olympic games.

Donald Mcqueen Mackintosh junior.

 

Dobinson, Kyenton

William and his son Judson Dobinson were engaged in “the study of the philosophy of dress in all its ramifications” from 1852 in the ‘Hall of Commerce’,  and Alex Piper Street, Kyneton. They were drapers, outfitters, milliners, dressmakers, tailors and mercers, importers, wholesale and retail. William retired in 1866. The firm was known as Daniel and Dobson from 1873-1880 then the firm became A. & J. Dobinson around 1880,  the sons Judson and Alex continuing the business in Kyenton and Echuca.


Leader, 16th September 1893 page 30.

Weekly Times (Melbourne), 1st December 1900 page 6.

 

Don Tailors, Broken Hill

See also the entry for Syd Ingerson,  Adelaide at  http://www.austbuttonhistory.com/branded-buttons/branded-buttons-tailors-buttons-s-z/

Barrier Miner(Broken Hill). 22nd December 1909 page 5.

 In 1945 this business was incorporated with Bon Marche, drapers.

Barrier Miner (Broken Hill), 6th January 1945 page 7.

Barrier Daily Truth (Broken Hill), 10th March 1945 page 3.

 

Donaldson & Co, Adelaide

Originally this firm was known as Donaldson, Andrews & Sharland. It opened as  wholesale drapers in Rundle Street, around February 1866.  The founders where Alexander Donaldson, Robert Charles Andrews and William Henry Sharland.

Chronicle, 12th August 1911, page 30. William Henry Sharland, 1828-1911.

Alexander Donaldson left to live in England in 1870. His son George Frederick Donaldson also worked with the firm. In 1891 the became Donaldson, Andrews & Co, then around 1913 Donaldson’s Limited. In 1933-4 it was taken over by Glassons Limited. The firm expanded over the years to retail as well as wholesale, and became a department store. It had a store in Moonta.

Rundle st, c. 1860s. State Library SA Collection. https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+2497

Moonta Store, Chronicle, 2 September 1899 page 33.

 

Dyer & Millar, St Kilda

Dyer & Millar operated from 113 Acland Street, St Kilda from around 1913-1923. They were Leslie Eldred Dyer (1883-1957) and David Mitchell Millar (1889-1953).

 

E

E. Doyle, Coolamon

Coolamon is 40 km NW of Wagga Wagga in NSW.

This tailor may have been Bryan Doyle, who died in 1925. He was a tailor in Coolamon from at least 1904-1912. He supplied guernseys for the local football club, and uniforms for the town band. In 1912 a fire destroyed all the stores stock and supplies.

 

E. E. Kersey, Sydney

Backmark: E. E. Kersey. Sydney c.1900-1909.

 

Australasian United Steam Navigation Company. Brass, 20mm

Australasian United Steam Navigation Company. Whitemetal, 17mm

Mr Ernest Edward Thomas Kersey first advertised as a hatter and mercer in 1900. From 1909 until 1923 he operated  in partnership with George Buchanan Crawford, as ‘Kersey & Crawford’. He died in 1945, aged 75 years. (see also Kersey & Crawford entry).

Sunday Times (Sydney) 4th March 1900 page 1.

Sunday Times (Sydney), 14th April 1901 page 3.

This button is for Huddart Parker Ltd., see  http://www.austbuttonhistory.com/uniform-buttons-2/companies-and-clubs-including-merchantile-marine/#Huddart_Parker_Ltd

 

E. J. & D. Curran, Bathurst

Edward J. Curran (originally Curren) was originally a cutter for W.G. Ward in Bathurst. He set up his own business, Curran and Taylor, in 1892,  then E. J. & D. Curran (with his brother Daniel) in 1895, which was very successful.

Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney) 21st November 1896 page 29. The building of E. J. and D. Curran, Bathurst.

National Advocate (Bathurst), 1st April 1932 page 1.

This remarkable man went back to school, studying science and law, and worked as a Barrister in Sydney. He then studied medicine, and went on to establish the Opthamology Department at Kansas University, USA, becoming known as “the miracle man of Kansas”, and was a pioneer in the area of glaucoma. He was also the Professor of Human Anatomy and Physiology at the Kansas University. Not bad for a tailor! He died in 1962.

 

E. J. Gleeson, Ararat

Edward James Gleeson was born in Maryborough in 1871. In 1902  he sold his tailoring business there and moved to Ararat where he lived and work for the rest of his line. He died in 1954.


Ararat Chronicle and Willaura and lake Bolac Districts Recorder, 3rd January 1914 page 1.

 

Elliott Williams, Clare

Elliott Williams was born in Burra in 1888. He ran a tailoring shop in Main Street, Clare for over 40 years, selling out to his sons Errol Elton and Horace Searle Williams. They, however, only continued the dry-cleaning section of the business.

 

Emery & Gibson, Sandhurst

Museums Victoria Collections https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/767870. Bendigo c.1890. Emery & Gibson are located at the right of the photo.

Bendigo Advertiser, 19th June 1879 page 3.

Thomas Sampson Gibson (1843-1913) was born in County Clare, Ireland, and arrived in Melbourne in 1857. He settled in Bendigo in 1870. He was a member of the Early Closing Association, local charities and acted as an honorary deputy coroner in his capacity as a J. P. His partnership with John Emery lasted until Emery retired in 1891.

John Emery (1824-1901) was born in Hertfordshire, England and came to Australia in 1855. After gold seeking he returned to tailoring in Melbourne, then in 1861, moved back to England. Returning to Victoria in 1863 he opened a clothing store at Raywood, then moved to the corner of Pall Mall and Mitchell Street, Sandhurst, where 10 years later he was joined by Gibson.

T.S. Gibson: Bendigo Advertiser, 18th April 1911 page 2.

 

E. P. Hood, Northcote

The McIvor Times and Rodney Advertiser, 23rd September 1915 page 3.

Edwin Parr Hood (1887-1947) was a grazier and tailor. He came to Heathcote in 1891 and worked as a tailor from 1905 until after 1934. He was involved in breeding thouroughbred horses, and a memorial race named in his honour after his death.

 

E. Scheding, Sydney

Eric Otto Gabriel Scheding was born in Sweden in 24th March 1892. He came to Sydney in 1925 and applied for naturalisation in 1930. He was a tailor from 258 George Street, Sydney.

 

E. Storr & Son, Adelaide

Edwin Storr and his son Francis ran this firm from 1897.

Critic, 29th March 1902 page 35.

 

E. Thomas, St Kilda

Mr Elijah Thomas, tailor and outfitter of Grey Street,  St Kilda. According to the information found in http://www.historyaustralia.org.au/ifhaa/bios/elijah.htm , he came from England around 1900. Three generations of his family operated  “E. Thomas Pty. Ltd. Mercers and Men’s Ware” from then until 1980.

 

F

F. A. Johnson, Richmond

Frederick Adolph Johnson was born in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1888.  From 1930 he lived in Richmond, moving to Morwell around 1939.

 

F. A. Pearse, Corowa

Frederick Arthur Pearse (1879-1952) described himself as  an ‘art tailor and mercer” in 1912.  He re-badged himself as a “Ladies’ and Gents’ Modern tailor” and advertised until 1932.

The Corowa Chronicle 1st May 1926 page 1.

 

F. Bourne & Son, Adelaide

Observer (Adelaide) 21st January 1928 page 18.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frederick Bourne was born in 1855 in Kent and arrived in South Australia in 1873. He started as a tailor in 1888 in Adelaide, then in Kadina and Moonta before moving back to Adelaide in 1903. One of his 5 sons, a George Horation Bourne worked with his father and continued the business after Fred died in 1928 of injuries sustained when a train hit the car he and three others were traveling in. (All 4 men died as a result of the crash.)

Unley Gallipoli Day program, 12th October 1918.

 

F. Budden & Son, Muswellbrook

Frank Budden (1861-1939) was in business as a tailor from around 1885. In 1921 he sold the business to his son, Reginald Frank Budden, to be carried on under the name of Frank Budden and Son. The name changed to R. F. Budden & Co in 1933. It was still trading in 1953.

The Muskellbrook Chronicle, 21st December 1923 page 2.

The Muskellbrook Chronicle, 16th March 1934 page 5.

 

Fitzgerald Bros., Ballarat

James Joseph Fitzgerald (1845-1895) came to Victoria from Ireland in 1865. He reached Ballarat in 1868 and opened a drapery store in Bridge Street in 1870.


Advocate 12th March 1870 page 12.

Later that year his brother Edward (1849-1918), who had arrived in 1869, joined him to form Fitzgerald Bros.

The Ballarat Courier, 22nd August 1870 page 4.

His parents and siblings, including brothers John Michael (1851-1926) and Thomas Stephen (1852-1888) joined them in Ballarat in 1871 where his father John set up practice as a solicitor. These brothers also joined the drapery business. Things must have gone well, as in 1878 they bought a business in Errol Street, North Melbourne, next to the Empire Hotel which they purchased in 1884 and demolished in 1897 to expand their emporium.

Unfortunately, founding brother James died unexpectedly in 1895. At that stage they were described as “drapers and clothiers at Ballarat, North Melbourne and Dublin”. Thomas had also died by then. The remaining brothers had to sell the Ballarat store.

The North Melbourne store had to be closed in 1938. Apparently, the moving of the tram line from Errol Street reduced customers! A mail order section of the business continued until 1947.

Weekly Times, 20th July 1895 page 11.

Leader 17th Jul 1909. Fitzgerald Bros. in Errol Street page 30.

 

Flehr & Co. Ltd., Adelaide

Flehr & Co. was established around 1919 by Mr Hermann Charles Flehr (1887-1943) and Mr Adolph Schahinger. In 1942, as a delegate of South Australia’s Master tailors, Flehr was pleading for a loosening on the war-time restrictions that had limited tailors to making “Victory Suits”. Despite Mr Flehr’s sudden death in 1943 the firm continued with Mr Schiahinger as the managing director, becoming a propriety limited firm in 1979. They held an import licence in 1981, with the address listed as 104 Pirie Street, Adelaide.

News (Adelaide), 14th August 1943 page 3.

Detail from photo #B 4627 of the State Library SA, dated 1927.

 

Fred Ogle, Mortdale

Fred was born in Scarborough, Yorkshire in 1891. He came to Sydney in 1912. His first tailoring seems to have been done at Nathalia, near Echuca before moving to Mortdale by 1922. In 1926 his 11 month old son died, then in 1929 he was fined for illegal betting from his shop. He ended up having a nervous breakdown, and went missing for 2 days in the bush, before returning home in a bad state to receive medical care. He must have recovered, as he lived until the age of 92 years. Even in 1980 he still listed himself as a tailor in the electoral rolls. (He would have been 89 years!)

In a report  of early businesses by the Oatley Heritage Group he was remembered:
“On one side of our shop was Mr Fred Ogle’s tailoring business of our shop where he sat cross
legged on a table in the window sewing and finishing men’s suits by hand. Each day he would
disappear at 4:30pm for his walk to the Oatley Pub for his schooner.”
“He was almost a fixture in the street”

 

FREDk. WASLH, ADELAIDE

c.1925-46.

An unusual way to abbreviate the name “Frederick”, and an unusual piece of advertising ephemera in this leaflet. Fredk advertised in 1900 at Freeman Street, known as Gawler Place from 1904. He was always advertising, and writing opinion pieces in the newspapers about menswear and fashions.

Petersburg Times (SA), 4th May 1900 page 3.

Petersburg Times (SA), 16th February 1904 page 4.

Australian Christian Commonwealth (SA), 22nd January 1904. Here he looks a lot younger than on the flyer.

In 1924 he opened the second store in King William Street, but soon closed the original. He now looked as in the flyer:

Australian Christian Commonwealth (SA), 1st October 1926 page 20.

News (ADelaide), 21st March 1929 page 13. Frederick (rt) provided a cricketing trophy. Frederick and his two sons, Lawrie and Norman, were all keen cricketers.

From September 1946-50 he advertised as Fredk. Walsh & Son, with Lawrie joining the firm.

Health Museum SA #AR#5219 . 1945 Registered Nurse Cape manufactured by Fredk. Walsh, 33A King William St. Adelaide.”

State Library SA #B 70625/2. Behind the float can be seen the store. 1951.

 

F. V. Davies, Coolamon

Freeman’s Journal (Sydney), 28th October 1920 page 32.

Frank Vivian Davies was born in Launceston but was living in Coolamon when he enlisted. He also served as a tailor during WW2.

 

F. Williamson, Warrnambool

Warrnambool Courier, 11th October 1918 page 2.

Edward (1841-1925) passed his tailoring business over to his son Frederick (1880-1945) in 1918. Frederick became the mayor. He collapsed and died suddenly during a council meeting, soon after undergoing an operation.

The Argus (Melbourne), 18th August 1945 page 3.