118 - 120 BRISBANE STREET, BIRCHALLS

BIRCHALLS, BRISBANE STREET MALL

Shopfronts change, businesses move in and out, and the city is almost a living entity in that it grows and evolves over time. Generally I embrace the interest and energy of change, but every now and again I just don't want to let go. I am not alone in feeling a sense of almost personal loss at the looming end of Birchalls, the heart of the mall, and almost everyone's favourite shop. 

Usually I play around with the photos doing things like taking out annoying power lines or accentuating the structure, or just playing for the sake of it, but this photo is just Birchalls as it is in February 2017, early in the morning before the customers arrive. It seems right to present it “as is.”

There are a lot of references on-line about the business, plus of course, you can look up lots of information and early advertising in newspapers of the time via TROVE. Birchall's site contains a brief history as well. I don't know if this website will continue to be available, so if you are interested you should look now! I won't “re invent the wheel” and rewrite it all here but......

In summary the business has operated on its current site since 1844. Prior to that, the Brisbane Street site had been occupied by a pharmacy and later, by a confectionery shop. Birchalls is credited with the invention of the writing pad, and has always stocked books and stationary. Art supplies have been sold since the early twentieth century, and various other sections ranging from toys to cake decorating, giftware to snacks, have been established to cater for local demand. It really has been the very best sort of department store – and I cannot begin to say how much it will be missed.

94 BRISBANE STREET - PERRINS DRAPERY part two

PERRINS DRAPERY, 94 BRISBANE STREET

Hold on to your hats (and trims).......this is part two of the Examiner's article (early advertorial?) for Perrins drapery , built in the late 19^th century by J & T Gunn which once had pride of place just over the St John Street intersection, in Brisbane Street.

The reporter from The Examiner, recounting the treasures that could be found in the shop in September 1898, was enthusiastic. They wrote:

“The show-room has a very special display of French and English millinery, that is at once tasteful and stylish, generally speaking, although of course rather daring combinations of tones appear occasionally. The "Mushroom" hat. is evidently a leading shape, and should, on its own merits,

become very popular, there being certain amount of simplicity accompanying the newness that should prove a recommendation. These have a drooping brim, and rather wide, flat crown, usually chiffon or gauze is used to drape round the crown and over the brim, some flowers being placed under the brim, near the back,and a rather high- mount of waving quill feathers, with ribbon at the back. Satin straw has all the favour—no doubt this is owing to its extreme lightness and softness. A very stylish "Mushroom" hat of deep yellow satin straw, I admired immensely; it was trimmed in front with gauze ribbon of its own tint, and black lace and sequin wings, while under the brim, at

the back, was a spray of deep yellow crushed, roses and. bright autumn leaves.”

After breathlessly describing the Arline hat, a French bonnet and any number of trims, The Examiner's writer describes (in a similar amount of detail) the children's section, and selections available in blouses, underclothing (available in a clearly impressive choice of 3 sizes), skirts and corsets . Evidently “tweeds suited for cycling costumes”..were “well represented”. (Maybe not as comfy as lycra but surely more classy). “The fancy department” provided “all the latest fripperies,”

and there were gloves to suit everyone and “evening gloves of all classes.”

An undated photograph taken when Perrins were still operating can be viewed on the LINC website.

Perrins were still trading in the 1950s.

92-94 BRISBANE STREET - PERRINS DRAPERY

PERRINS BUILDING, 94 BRISBANE STREET

I was a little bit confused at first when I tried to find out a little more about this building, which again illustrates the advice I'd give to all tourists (and locals!) in Launceston – look up! It is located in Brisbane street and is now home to Lovisa and Gloria Jeans. The uncertainty arose because the building indicates Perrins was established in 1870, and newspaper advertising confirms that Pepper and Perrins were operating in Brisbane Street in this era. QVMAG's ever reliable article on Launceston's industrial heritage, however, dated the building to 1898. Just to confuse things a little more, the drapery of J.Pepper which was associated with Perrins dates back to 1850.

The answer was a destructive fire that occurred in the premises of this large “drapery” store in May 1898. Although some areas of the building were left intact, and fire brigade were quick to act, the damage was extensive, and by September the business had re opened in a new building. The following description from The Examiner 24^th September 1898 makes me somewhat envious of nineteenth century shoppers. Not everything improves with time. I wouldn't normally include an article of this length, but as everything in it seemed worth imagining, I think its worth posting over a couple of weeks.

“At the new buildings,Messrs. Pepper and Perrin are now making a splendid spring show throughout their drapery establishment, Central Brisbane-street. The large and attractive premises that have recently been completed for this firm have given them very great advantages in displaying the new importations.

The three large show windows in front afford admirable means of showing dainty goods; and passing through either of the glass entrance doors brings one into a spacious shop that has a full complement of wide, polished counters, with foot rest, and are furnished with comfortable chairs.

A wide staircase of Tasmanian blackwood and pine leads up to the showroom, which is quite the largest in the city; and is fitted luxuriously with carpet, and mirror panels set into the wall, and, full length swing mirrors on the floor. Polished counters of blackwood and pine, and glass showcases round the walls, add to the general appearance.

In the centre of the room a large glass case, set in a frame, with massive base, attracts attention at once, being filled with various kinds of millinery accessories of the brightest and most bewitching varieties.

Costumes, blouses, and millinery are displayed upon stands in various parts of the unusually large room. A fitting room,where customers may fit jackets,costumes, blouses, etc., is a happy thought, and will be the means of abolishing so much approval business - here the fitting can be attended to,

and alterations, if needed, arranged at once.

Welsbach gas lamps, with rose-tinted glass, is used for lighting the showroom, the other parts of the building having electric lamps. Special attention has been given to ventilation, and a splendid lavatory is provided, and altogether Messrs.Pepper and Perrin are to be complimented upon their really fine house of business, in regard to both the building itself and the very complete stock of choice and novel goods that crowd each department. Throughout the building the arrangements for admitting light are excellent, so that customers have every opportunity of well inspecting before they purchase that which they may require.”

Sadly modern fit-outs have removed all trace of the Perrins of old.

NEXT WEEK: What might you have purchased in this fine establishment?

32 BRISBANE STREET - MARRILAC HOUSE

MARRILAC HOUSE

The glass above the front door of 32 Brisbane Street reads “JM Pardey.” Dr James McImery Pardey's obituary, published in The Examiner in August 1944 refers to his move to 32 Brisbane Street around 1893, and confirms that he was living elsewhere when he died. The article is well worth reading, as Dr Pardey,Chad an interesting career, entwined with Launceston's history.

After cancelling his plans to move to the mainland, to deal with an outbreak of smallpox in 1887, he worked in a variety of roles including surgeon superintendent at the General Hospital, medical officer for the Gaol, a doctor in private practise and as the City Medical Officer. As medical officer, his duties included assessing whether or not particular dwellings were “suitable for human habitation.” He clearly believed in a healthy lifestyle - he was medical officer for the Northern Tasmanian Football Association, a tennis competition was named for him, and he was a bowler, angler and gardener. The Examiner mentions that his “handwriting was excellent” - perhaps a little dig at the usual stereotype.

Dr Pardey was a modern man – he was one of the city's earliest motorists and had the phone connected to the Brisbane Street House in November 1894 (the number was 157!). The life of an early doctor would have been challenging. Certainly there were financial rewards and social standing but there are numerous newspaper reports of various calamities occurring in Launceston at all hours of the day and night which ended with someone being dispatched to fetch Dr Pardey. One gains the impression that holidays out of town would have been essential!!

The house seems to invite a name. Whilst Dr Pardy and his family lived there, and for some time later, it was called “Lapoinya.” In the 1940s it was occupied by a Dr John MacDonald and his family. There was a legal issue with a tennis court at the rear of the building around this time, although its not clear whether or not this was part of the original house.

I was fortunate enough to have stayed in the house when it was “The Maldon” - which was­ somewhere between a hotel and a B&B (and a great place to stay with two active toddlers who could be taken to play in nearby City Park). Other things were taking my attention at the time (!) but the amazing pressed tin and ruby glass stayed in my mind.

The house has been reborn as “Marrilac House”, and is now run by the St Vincent de Paul Society as affordable accommodation for those who need to travel to Launceston for medical care.

POSTCARD OF BRISBANE STREET

BRISBANE STREET 1950s

 When a friend showed me this postcard of Brisbane Street from George Street, it was easy to know what I'd be doing in the lunch break!

As it was a tad busy I couldn't really stand in the middle of the road to get the same shot but there is enough of the location to play "what's changed".  I'll start you off....two way traffic, a mall at the end of the block, the Myers building, traffic lights, clothing styles, car and truck models, lighting .......and so on...........

BRISBANE STREET 2014

The ANZ bank now stands on the site that was then Findlays.  The latter moved to the site (known then as Bungey's corner after the clothing store that occupied the premises) in 1925.  From their newspaper advertising, it seems that Findlays sold pianos, sheet music, gramaphones and records, radios, hearing aids and (somewhat surprisingly) sewing machines!
The firm was founded by Percy Findlay (a photo and brief biography can be found on the Launceston Family Album site), and had branches throughout the state.

The real surprise for me regarding the John Sands postcard, however, was the photographer - Frank Hurley.  Although I had been aware that this renowned Antarctic, Pacific and war photographer, and pioneer film maker, began his career in postcards, I did not expect that he would have been doing the same towards the end of his life, and in Launceston too!  (I don't know why I felt this way - its a perfectly reasonable thing for a photographer to be doing, especially one aged in his seventies! ).

There is a great deal of information about Frank Hurley available on-line, as well as the opportunity to view many of his photographs.  There are also many books including Frank Hurley - A photographer's life by Alasdair McGregor.

The photo appears to have been taken in the 1950s.  Hurley died in 1962 so it was obviously before then.  Although its hard to see, it appears that the Myers building is not there - that was built in 1960. The cars and clothes would suggest perhaps the late fifties.