Summary

J & P Coats Machine Twist box used to store price tickets.

The box is part of a small collection of packaging objects and point-of-sale material relating to a grocery store in Beechworth run by Francois Bertrand and his family in the early-mid 20th century. Francois Bertrand was a French migrant who arrived in Australia during the 1850s gold rush. He established an early vineyard and winery in the Beechworth area, but this was wiped out by the outbreak of phylloxera at the turn of the century. He subsequently moved into the township of Beechworth where he operated a grocerey store for several decades, having run a horse and cart taxi service prior to this. Francois Bertrand died in the early 1940s during World War II and the shop closed soon after. The packaging items were kept by Francois' son until the early 21st century, when he donated them to Museum Victoria.

Physical Description

Two part box comprising of a box bottom with a separate lid in white paper covered cardboard. Text and decorative border printed in gold and green inks.

Significance

Statement of Significance:
This box is part of a small group of packaging items and point-of-sale material originating from a small grocery store in regional Victoria in the early-mid 20th century. Being a product that was made in Melbourne, it represents Melbourne's once prominent status as an influential manufacturing city, and also highlights the importance on food production in Melbourne. A number of chocolate and confectionary manufacturers existed in Melbourne in the twentieth century aside from Rowntree, including Red Tulip, MacRobertson's, and Bush's Confectionary Factory. The packaging also reflects the strong emphasis on graphic arts in advertising in the mid 20th century. The box additionally is an example of the typical type of confectionary sold in grocery shops in the mid 20th century and, along with the other packaging items in this collection, highlights the diverse range of products available in country shops.

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