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GARDINER AND CO. - (The Direct Importing Company) - (The English and American Fancy Goods and Novelty Store)
Brisbane Street, Launceston
Messrs. Gardiner & Co., Watchmakers, Jewellers, and Opticians, have by far the largest business of the kind in Launceston. They have three establishments in different parts of the main thoroughfare, Brisbane Street. Their largest shop—a watchmaker’s and jeweller’s—is situated in “ The Block; " a handsome pile of buildings erected some two years ago, and the front of which is embellished with a very elaborate illuminated clock, which stands out some eight feet from the building. At the rear of these premises the firm have their extensive workshops, which are fitted with the most modern and finest plant of machinery for the execution of manufacturing and repairing work. Messrs. Gardiner and Co. commenced business in 1889, and have therefore been established nearly eleven years. They have progressed, despite the depressed times the country has gone through, and have secured a number of the leading people of the colony as their patrons, amongst the special appointments being their Excellencies Viscount Germanston K.C.M.G., Governor of Tasmania ; Viscount Hampden, the late Governor of N.S.W.; while they hold a special certificate as ecclesiastical jewellers for the whole of the island, appointed by His Grace the Archbishop of Hobart. Their second establishment is at 74 Brisbane Street, and is also a watchmaker's, jeweller's and optician’s. It is a handsome shop, heavily stocked, and makes a splendid show. There they run under the title of “The Direct Importing Company"; manager, W. Gardiner. Their third shop is at 69 Brisbane Street, and is styled “The English and American Fancy Goods and Novelty Store.” It is a veritable bazaar. Amongst the lines kept are musical instruments, clocks. watches and jewellery, artists’ materials, stationery, books, music, toilet requisites, ladies' fancy needlework and materials, fancy china, and glass toys, etc. Mr. W. Gardiner is a native of London, where he was apprenticed. He was over twenty-eight years of age when he decided to see the world. He first went to South Africa, and remained there two years. Returning to the old country he had a few months’ holiday, and then went to New Zealand, and opened two shops in Christchurch, where he stayed some years ; but finding the climate too cold he decided to sell out, and took passage to Sydney. He remained there some time, and then went on to Victoria, and had some experience there, and also in Adelaide. He then decided to take another trip to the old country, remaining there nearly twelve months; but, like New Zealand. it was too cold, and after the salubrious climates of the Australias, Mr. Gardiner decided to return, so he arrived in Tasmania in 1889. His experience in business, and as a workman, have since been considerably augmented, and has specially fitted him for the position he now occupies. Mr. Gardiner has not yet entered the Parliamentary or municipal arenas, his business up to the present claiming his whole attention. Mrs. Gardiner is very musical, and entertains largely. Their home is a veritable art gallery. They possess a very fine collection of pictures, and have some thirty odd from the brush of Mr. Gladstone Eyre, a Sydney artist of considerable repute. Amongst the portraits is a fine one of “Queen Truganini," the last of the Tasmanian aborigines, and a very fine portrait of Jules Joubert, which gained the first prize against the world in the Launceston Exhibition of 1891 and 1892. He also has some splendid land and seascapes of notable spots in the colonies, besides figures, etc.
Source: The Cyclopedia of Tasmania: An Historical and Commercial Review - 1900
167 Charles Street, Launceston and Flinders Street, Melbourne
Messrs. A. Macraw and Son, Jewellers and General Merchants, 167 Charles Street, Launceston, have their head offices in Flinders Street, Melbourne, with agencies all over Australia. They are recognised as the largest retail jewellers in the colonies, and their rapid turnover of stock enables them to dispose of articles in many instances at lower prices than are charged elsewhere. Mr. T. Donald is the representative of the firm in Launceston, which is practically the distributing centre for the whole of the northern portion of the colony. Some twenty travellers are under his supervision. General merchandise, jewellery, etc., is sold on the time-payment principle, and it is astonishing what a large stock is turned over annually by this means. The firm have been established some nineteen years in Tasmania, and they have no cause to complain of the amount of patronage bestowed upon them. The local manager, Mr. Donald, is a member of the Druids’ Lodge, but owing to his time being so fully occupied with the firm’s business he does not take any active part in public afiairs.
Source: The Cyclopedia of Tasmania: An Historical and Commercial Review - 1900
Mr. T. S. SHARMAN, Watchmaker, Jeweller, and Optician, 145 Charles Street, Launceston, was born in London, After completing his scholastic duties, he was apprenticed to the jewellery trade, and served several years with Messrs. Groom and Cox, the largest firm of English clockmakers in the world,with whom he gained a large practical experience of all the branches of the trade. In 1889 Mr. Sharman decided to seek his fortunes at the antipodes, and in that year he settled down on the north-west coast of Tasmania. He finally purchased the old established watchmaking and jewellery business of Mr. J. C. Trist, of Brisbane Street, Launceston. Business increased so rapidly that in twelve months’ time he was compelled to seek more spacious premises, and found himself suited in his present building. Mr. Sharman has an attractive front shop,with a spacious workroom at the rear, where,with the aid of gas engines and other requisites of the trade, he repairs and turns out any class of work needed by his numerous clientèle.
He takes an interest in all musical matters, and has been a member of the Launceston City Band for a number of years, whilst he was also connected with the Ulverstone Band, on the coast. He is an optician of no mean order, and sight is tested on the premises free of charge.
Source: The Cyclopedia of Tasmania: An Historical and Commercial Review - 1900
This would appear to be the partnership of George C. Cooke and Godfrey B. Robins. Cooke was noted as working on his own account at 267, Castlereagh Street, Sydney in 1857, and at 231, Pitt Street, Sydney in 1868. Robins was noted alone at 231, Pitt Street, Sydney around 1876-1883 and at Palmer Street, and Darling Road, Balmain.
Intercolonial Exhibition of 1870
1558 - Cooke & Robins, 131,Pitt-street. Artificial hairwork. Our exhibit will consist of artistic hairwork, mounted in gold, the whole being our own workmanship.
Report on Section III Class 589:
In hairwork the exhibits are worthy of the highest encomium; that of Messrs. Cooke & Robins, of 231, Pitt-street, is deserving of special notice for tasteful design, exquisite workmanship, and moderate price. Nothing can exceed the delicacy of design of the device in the centre of this case.
Source: The Industrial Progress of New South Wales: Being a Report of the Intercolonial Exhibition of 1870 - 1871
Likely to be identified with John Forrester, who was recorded at 322 and 405, George Street, Sydney in 1847 to 1857, and Isabella M. Forrester & Co. recorded at 576, George Street, Sydney in 1876.
For Sale the Goodwill and the (or such part as may be agreed upon), of the large and valuable Stock-in-trade of the well-known and long established business of Mr James Tucker, Watchmaker and Jeweller, in the town of Warrnambool, who has lately entered into another business. Terms liberal.
Application is to be made on or before the 1st day of September next, to Mr James Tucker or Samuel Macgregor.
Sylvia Johnston, 23 years of age, was charged with having stolen a rose bowl and a parcel of forks and spoons from Samuel Lands, a jeweller, in Liverpool-street, by whom she had been employed as a saleswoman, on February 22. Mr. E.R. Abigail appeared for the accused, who pleaded guilty.
Detective Keogh stated that the prisoner was one of four girls who had been involved in thefts from the shop. Mr. Lands had trusted them, and made it easy for them to steal. In the opinion of witness, Johnston, who was a married woman, was the cause of all the trouble.
Detective-constable Lawrence, who arrested the woman, stated that she did not sell the articles she stole.
His Honor said that the fact that the prisoner not selling the goods weighed with him very materially, as she did not profit in any way. He therefore, bound her over in recognisances of herself and one surety in £40 each to come up for sentence if called upon within two years.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald - 30th May 1929
£52,064 Estate Left By Jeweller
Samuel Lands, city jeweller, of Point Piper, who died in September, aged 59, left an estate of £52,064.
The bulk of the estate was left to his widow and family.
Probate of his will has been granted in the Supreme Court.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald - 25th April 1959
215, Pitt Street, later, Argent Chambers, 19, Hunter Street, Sydney
Alfred W. Hare, described as a jeweller, was recorded as having his workshop and premises at Argent Chambers, 19, Hunter Street, Sydney damaged by fire on the evening of the 22nd October 1902. The cause of the fire was defective gas-fittings.
Source: Journal of the Legislative Council of New South Wales - 1904
A.W. Hare was recorded at 215, Pitt Street, Sydney in 1876.
The shop and contents of The Federal Art Jewellery Manufacturing Co. at York Street, Sydney were damaged by fire, heat, smoke and water on the evening of the 26th October 1902. The cause of the fire was unknown.
T. Durant was recorded as the Manager.
Source: Journal of the Legislative Council of New South Wales - 1904
Sydney, later, Eveleigh Street, Redfern, New South Wales
The Silverbrite Electroplating Company were the forerunner of the later business, Perfection Plate Pty Ltd. They were established at Sydney in 1925 and were converted into the Perfection Plate Pty. in the late 1930's.
They were makers of silver plated domestic wares and were known to manufacture a range of over 100 products, including tea and coffee services, trays, casseroles, tankards, mugs and trophy cups, etc., in the early 1930's.
Their wares were marked: 'Perfection A.1 Electro Plate'
