Summary
Sepia photograph featuring James Phillips in the doorway of his store 'J. Phillips Hardwareman', at 49 Victoria Street Abbotsford between about 1865 and 1870. He is holding one of his daughters (either Mary, born 1862, Amelia, born 1866 or Milly, born 1868). It is likely that the photograph was taken when the business first opened to mark the occasion, so may be closer to 1865.
James came out to Melbourne from London with his wife and two children, and set up shop at 49 Victoria Street, Abbotsford in 1865, after plans to find gold were fruitless. He later had four more children. The store dealt with china and glass which was hired out for picnics, as well as operating as an ironmonger. James Phillips found success in this business, later owning the store and a house at 52 Victoria Road, Hawthorn. In 1872 he built a shop with a residence on the second floor next door at 51 Victoria St Abbotsford. According to family, James died in 1894 and his wife Mary died in 1896.
Photograph collected as part of Melbourne's Biggest Family Album in 2006.
Description of Content
Hardware shop owner in the doorway of his store, holding infant daughter. Shop windows display a range of household goods.
Physical Description
Digital image file, copied from original sepia print.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Copied from Mrs Robin Elizabeth Wembridge, 20 Nov 2006
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Place & Date Depicted
49 Victoria Street, Abbotsford, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, circa 1865
The child in the photograph looks to be about 2 or 3 years old. It is believed to be one of James Phillips daughter's - Mary, who was born in 1862; Amelia, who was born in 1866, or Milly who was born in 1868. Thus the photograph is estimated to have been taken during the years 1865-1870. It is likely that the photograph was taken to mark the occasion when the business first opened or shortly aftger it opened, so the date is probably closer to 1865. -
Photographer
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Individuals Identified
Phillips, James
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Format
Digital file, TIFF, Black & White
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Inscriptions
PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTIST PATERSON BROTHERS Portrait Rooms 8 Bourke St. East Melbourne
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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References
Sands & McDougall Directories: 1890 p.268 & 1897 p.293.
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Keywords
