Summary

Pocket sized price lists by state issued to agents and employees only.

Each item has a code word included to simplify ordering. There is a remarkable range of words used including "Archdeacon" and "Aspiration". The state lists appear to include a similar range of products with the exception of the Western Australian list which has approximately half as many pages. Prices vary between the states with Queensland and Western Australia being consistently higher.

Part of a collection of photographs, negatives, moving film, artefacts, documents and trade literature belonging to the H. V. McKay Sunshine Collection. The McKay collection is regarded as one of the most significant industrial heritage collections in Australia. The collection relates to the agricultural manufacturing firm, the Sunshine Harvester Works. The Australian operations of this company were originally founded by Hugh V. McKay in the 1890s in Ballarat. Between 1906 and 1907, McKay moved production to Sunshine where the firm became one of the largest industrial businesses in Australia. Change in ownership is a recurring theme in the company's history. In 1930, it merged with Massey-Harris to become H.V McKay Massey Harris. In the mid-1950s, the company was absorbed by Canadian agricultural firm Massey-Ferguson. Production in Sunshine ceased in the mid-1980s, following almost 100 years of manufacturing agricultural equipment.

Physical Description

250 page booklet. It is sectioned by different coloured printing for each state. This publication has a hard cover, but has no formal cover title. It is well worn, stained, and the spine has "1913" printed in ink. It appears that this book may have been custom made and bound. Each price list has a similar format consisting of a cover page listing Australian Branches and the London Office, an Index at the back and a page detailing Special Terms for delivery after 1st September. Within the lists each product has a detailed illustration and a list of the options available for the model. Prices quoted are for delivery on either rail or truck to the appropriate city of that state, and include price variants according to the payment terms chosen. A discount was applied for cash paid on delivery. The lists begin with the "Sunshine" Harvester, followed by the larger machines, and then smaller tools and implements. Notably the price columns for the "Sunshine" Harvester are blank. Many of the illustrations have either a marketing slogan or reference to a special feature, e.g. "Unequalled for Design, Strength, Finish and Utility".

Title

'Agents' Price List 1913'

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