Summary

Retractable gold engraved pencil in original box It is engraved 'ADL from GDL' - Arthur David Langridge from George David Langridge. The pencil was a 21st birthday gift from George Langridge to his son Arthur and purchased at 23 Bourke Street Melbourne in 1879. The pencil was then passed on to Jeannie Langridge Arthur's daughter and then by her to her son Ron McKenzie (the donor) in 1946.

George David Langridge was an English migrant who as well as Trades & Customs Commissioner, served at different times as Postmaster General, Collingwood Councillor, member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly and grand master of various friendly societies.

Significance

Statement of Historical Significance:
This collection as a whole provides a valuable tangible link to one of Melbourne's most significant 19th century buidlings, the old Customs House which houses the Immigration Museum, enabling further interpretation of that site. The collection, and the story of George David Langridge, repesents a number of key moments in Melbourne and Victoria's history - his arrival in Victoria was motivated by the gold rushes in 1853; his carpentry work contributed to the building of Victoria's military barracks; he led the establishment of significant Melbourne friendly societies including the Langridge Mutual Permanent Building Society. Langridge became a high profile Melburnian, serving in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, and as Commissioner of Trades and Customs.

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