Buckley & Nunn department store, Bourke Street between Elizabeth and Swanston streets, Melbourne
The Age (Melbourne, Vic.: 1854- )c Dec 1933
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Total copies: 1
In 1933, G.J. Coles, a variety store whose slogan was "Nothing Over 2/6d", took on the lease of 298 Bourke Street, occupied by the Buckley & Nunn department store. This would create an island between the western and eastern areas of the store.
Title:
Buckley & Nunn department store, Bourke Street between Elizabeth and Swanston streets, Melbourne
Collector:
Date of work:
c Dec 1933
Reference number:
MCK103
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materials
Part of:
Sub-sub-collection: McKenzie Collection of glass plate negatives (SC_MCKENZIE)
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedOpen access
Use restrictions:
Refer to individual item records for Use Restrictions.Please contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images. High resolution files may be available on request. Users must acknowledge City of Melbourne Libraries when reproducing images.
General notes:
Photographer notations on slide: "B20".Description: Pedestrians carrying umbrellas walk by parked cars outside Buckley & Nunn department store, which has construction notices and works. On the eastern side of the store is Sutton's Music, Holder's clothing and "Chic" milliner stores. Double headed street lamp..Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer:In 1933, G.J. Coles, a variety store whose slogan was “Nothing Over 2/6d”, took on the lease of 298 Bourke Street, occupied by the Buckley & Nunn department store. This would create an island between the main store and the new Men’s store on the eastern side..In 1934, Clement Langford Master Builders of 275 Bridge Road Richmond (who constructed St Paul’s Cathedral spires for cost in 1926), undertook the alterations. The basement was excavated and the ground floor show windows enlarged. Tragically, bricklayer George Sharp aged 57 of Carnegie was killed during construction when a bank of earth fell on him during the excavation of the basement..G.J. Coles used the basement and ground floors for retail sales and the second and third floors for offices and storage until 1938. Coles then moved to their extended store on the southern side of Bourke Street. Buckley and Nunn took over the whole premises and they were able to add new departments and reconnect with the Men’s Store..In 1851, Mr Mars Buckley, his wife Elizabeth and their child, emigrated from Mallow, Cork County Ireland, selling goods on the Ballarat and Forest Creek goldfields. He went on to open a drapery store with English born partner Crumpton John Nunn in Bourke Street, becoming Buckley & Nunn, one of Melbourne’s biggest retailers. Nunn soon returned to England to manage the buying and export of the stock. After Nunn suicided in 1891, Buckley sold the business. Buckley lived at “Beaulieu” (now St Catherine’s School, Toorak), dying in 1905 aged 80..Buckley and Nunn’s first drapery store was a small wooden building but as the business prospered the store expanded. In 1912, prominent architectural firm Bates, Peebles and Smart designed a new store at 298-310 Bourke Street. Heritage Council Victoria describes the building as “Edwardian Baroque style facade with rusticated giant order columns, unusual lattice-effect balustrades with Art Nouveau detailing and colourful mosaic panels which include the names Buckley & Nunn Limited and Victoria House” There is also some lovely Art Nouveau gum nut and leaf trim..In 1933, Buckley & Nunn added two storeys to the western building and undertook extensive interior improvements including new cash tube system, lifts carrying 24 passengers, telephone exchange for 70 departments and larger show windows. On 27 July 1933, The Argus reported- “Two stags’ heads will adorn the new facade of Buckley & Nunn’s enlarged building. The heads will be of cast stone, and though it was intended at first that the antlers should be of cast bronze, the architects Messrs Bates, Smart and McCutcheon have decided to use real antlers. They will be durable and with a thin coating of bronze they should last for many years.”.The stag’s head was the Buckley & Nunn emblem and featured on their clothing labels, stationery, advertising and is etched into their second floor windows..In December 1933, the Buckley & Nunn Men’s Store opened at 294-296 Bourke Street. It was designed by Walter Osborn McCutcheon of Bates, Smart and McCutcheon in the “Jazz Moderne” style. (McCutcheon also designed ICI House in the 1950s)..The four storey building is faced in black glazed terracotta panels. The three levels of steel framed windows are edged with Staybrite steel chevrons inserted with blue and gold coloured musical notes. The top edge of the building is decorated with three male bas relief figures depicting the epitome of the Buckley & Nunn customer. The first figure swings his golf club while sporting plus fours, the second, dressed in a dinner suit lifts his pink champagne glass in a toast beside a bunch of coloured balloons and the third figure strolls in tweeds, carrying a walking stick. All are backed by sunburst motifs..Across the top of the store large metal letters in Art Deco typeface spelt out "Buckley's" and across the parapet "Buckley & Nunn Ltd, Men’s Store"..The building cost £18,000 and featured all the latest interior fixtures. The National Trust of Victoria has described the lift cars and lobbies as “unequalled in Victoria as examples of the European ‘Art Deco’ geometric forms which dominated decorative art in the 1930’s.”.In 1934 the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects Street Architecture Medal was awarded to Bates, Smart and McCutcheon for their design of the Buckley & Nunn Men’s Store for being “a distinct departure from the traditional and thus exemplary of the modern trend in design and thought in good taste and suitability of purpose. The architects have very successfully introduced colour, a relief too seldom seen in our city streets.”.The Elizabethan Tea Rooms on the second floor of Buckley & Nunn Ltd. department store, was a popular place for fashionable Melbourne ladies to meet for morning and afternoon tea, luncheon and Friday night tea from 5-7 to compliment Friday night shopping. It could seat 200 people..The room was decorated in Elizabethan style in black and pink with black oak tables and chairs, wood panelling and quaint ceiling beams. There was a “Smokeroom” providing a convenient meeting place for business men or for “those who would smoke over their meals” and a glamorous chintz papered restroom with long mirrors, comfortable lounges, writing table and public telephone. Illustrated papers and fashion magazines were available for ladies to scan when “fatigued by shopping.”.In the 1930’s, the three course luncheon cost two shillings and included the likes of thick mock turtle soup, consumme Pot-eu-feu, lamb’s fry and bacon, calf’s head en Tortue, steak and kidney pie, braised rabbit and for dessert, steamed Nelson pudding with Madeira sauce, pudding a La Diplomate, baked Alexandra custard and steamed Mildura pudding. Tea or coffee to finish..The tea rooms often held “Cafe Chantants”: concerts and bridge parties with raffles and stalls to raise money for charities including the Foundling Hospital, distressed soldiers and The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind..Special social events at the Elizabethan Tea Rooms in the 1930’s included:- Crystal gazing, tea cup and palm reading by Zeiga, the Egyptian princess, with an opportunity to wish over her Egyptian talisman!- Character reading and handwriting advice from the noted Monsieur Alexandre (late of school of Psychology, Paris)- Mannequin parades of the latest fashions from London, Paris and New York, hosted by Miss Jessica Harcourt*, “Australia’s most beautiful girl”!- Business Girls’ Session mannequin parades at the convenient time of Friday evening of 7.30pm- “Gilbert and Sullivan Teas - in Music, Song and Story” performed by singer and actress Countess de Vilme-Hautmont (Vinia de Loitte)- Alexander Browne, Melbourne’s leading baritone accompanied by Miss Rebe Parkinson on violin and the Buckley’s Popular Orchestra- “The idol of Vienna”, star of stage and screen, Mr Theo Shall, advertised in Hollywood as “the handsomest man in the world” and known throughout Europe as “the man who kissed Greta Garbo”, (he was Greta Garbo’s love interest in the 1930 German language film “Anna Christie”), to meet his fans and sell autographed photographs for charity- Bridge lectures from world renowned international bridge authority Mr. R.F.Foster, certified teacher of the Culbertson Standard System..In 1982, Buckley & Nunn Ltd. business and properties was purchased by David Jones, Australia’s oldest department store company, founded in Sydney in 1838..Nunn Lane, a laneway in East Melbourne, is named for Philip Henry Nunn (1832-1907), younger brother of Crumpton John Nunn, founding partner of the Buckley & Nunn department store in Bourke Street. Philip was also on the board of directors and lived at 125 Hotham Street and 74 George Street, East Melbourne with his wife Martha until he built “Claverings” at 120 Powlett Street, East Melbourne in 1867..The house was designed by architect John M. Barry and is described by the National Trust as, ‘A charming villa with elaborate veranda valence and brackets, all in timber, and two arcaded chimneys complete with their original pots.’.“Claverings” stayed in the Nunn family for 100 years, with Annie, the daughter of Martha and Philip, living there until 1968, dying a year later aged 89. It was classified by the National Trust in 1972. Nunn Lane is situated directly behind the house, between Gipps and Grey streets..*Jessica Harcourt (1905-1988) began her showbiz career as a program seller at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney, before becoming a chorus girl and acting in musical comedies..Jessica made her cinema debut playing Sarah Purfoy in the 1927 silent film “For the Term of His Natural Life” directed by American, Norman Dawn and partly filmed at Port Arthur. Jessica later featured in “The Adorable Outcast” filmed in Fiji and “The Russell Affair”, both made in 1928..A miniature portrait of Jessica painted on ivory by Melbourne artist Ada Whiting was selected as a finalist in the 1925 Archibald Prize. Sir John Longstaff also painted her portrait describing her as “more English than Australian, her lovely colouring and features, combined with character and high intelligence, give her very high rank among the many beautiful women I have seen.” Both portraits are in the collection of NGV..In the 1930s, Jessica directed mannequin shows for department stores all over Australia and created a line of beauty products called “Jessica Harcourt Beauty Preparations” scented with orange blossom, presented in Wedgewood blue and white containers. She also wrote newspaper articles and published a short story “The Mystery Submarine”. In 1938 Jessica married prominent author Frederick J. Thwaites and retired from acting..In 1981, Jessica appeared as a special guest at the premiere of the restoration of the film “For The Term Of His Natural Life” at the Carlton Moviehouse...References:MELBOURNE. (1933, May 27). The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 8. Retrieved February 14, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141375604CRUSHED BY EARTH WORKMAN FATALLY INJURED (1934, January 23). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 9. Retrieved February 14, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11732135Buckley & Nunn, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckley_%26_NunnPERISCOPE THAT SEES NOT (1933, July 27). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 6. Retrieved February 14, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4751399Heritage Council Victoria Database Report: David Jones (formerly Buckley & Nunn), https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/29906Elizabethan in Character (1918, October 26). Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), p. 42. Retrieved February 14, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132726859A New Tea-Room (1918, October 17). Graphic of Australia (Melbourne, Vic. : 1916 - 1918), p. 13. Retrieved March 6, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153587184'East Melbourne, Powlett Street 120 - Burchett', East Melbourne Historical Society, https://emhs.org.au/catalogue/wbpowst120'What's in a name? The lanes of East Melbourne', East Melbourne Historical Society, 2008, https://emhs.org.au/system/files/catalogue/pdf_files/embk0071.pdf'Miss Jessica Harcourt', Ada Clara Whiting, miniature painting on ivory, 1925, Art Gallery of NSW, https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/1925/19683/'Jessica Harcourt', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_HarcourtWOMEN SHOULD BE MORE FEMININE" (1935, October 30). Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), p. 4 (DAILY : The Examiner WOMEN'S SUPPLEMENT). Retrieved November 10, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51961243
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Record types:
Images, maps and artefacts
Record number:
1534280
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copy | MCK103.jpg | 1 JPG | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |