Wardrop's Building, 197-199 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Wardrop's Building, 197-199 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 103182
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
Part of:
Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
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Period: EdwardianConstruction date: 1914ASSOCIATIONS: Wardrop, George.ASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER:.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites PPT.;Victoria Illustrated: 96-7.LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEXRecord 75228 Wardrop, George Melbourne VIC Warehouses Fowles, W J - Hopetoun Ave Canterbury 1914 02 17 4713.NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)Wednesday 10 April 1935 - Page 10https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12227856 illustWARDROP'S NEW SHOP IN ELIZABETH ST. -This morning a tailoring and mercery firm which was established in the city 50 years ago by a young Colonial Scot, who was a bricklayer's labourer when aged 13 years, a commercial traveller through the goldfields when aged 17 years, and in business on his own account when aged 25 years, will open for business the doors of its new premises in Elizabeth street.G. Wardrop Pty. Ltd., in the expansion of their business, have given the city another excellent example of modern shop architecture and of the latest equipment in front and behind the counter. The life and business story of the founder of the firm (the late Mr. George Gavin Wardrop) is the account of the career of one who as a boy saw in Australia a land of opportunity and who grasped his share of it early.BRICKLAYER TO BUSINESS MAN WARDROP’S YOUTHFUL FOUNDER 50 YEARS OF DEVELOPMENTThis morning a tailoring and mercery firm which was established in the city 50 years ago by a young Colonial Scot, who was a bricklayer's labourer when aged 13 years a commercial traveller through the goldfields when aged 17 years and In business on his own account when aged 25 years will open for business the doors of its new premises in Elisabeth street. G Wardrop Pty Ltd in the expansion of their business have given the city an- other excellent example of modern shop architecture and of the latest equipment in front of and behind the counterThe life and business story of the founder of the firm (the late Mr George Gavin Wardrop) is the account of the career of one who as a boy saw In Australia a land of opportunity mid who grasped his share of It early. George Wardrop the child of Scottish parents was born in Cromwell street Collingwood In 1860 and attended for some years Trythols School in Victoria street near the comer of Punt road in East Melbourne. Books were closed and work commenced at an early age in the sixties and the seventies Young George Wardrop left the schoolroom to work as a bricklayers labourer when he was aged only 13 years. His first job In this capacity was when his employer was engaged in the construction of a warehouse for the Colonial Sugar Refining Company at Yarraville. Daily the lad used to walk from the home of his parents in Cromwell street to Spencer street to catch the train for Footscray whence he would walk the remaining distance to Yarraville A few months later he ceased the building of walls to commence his career in the building of business by way of an apprenticeship to Mr J L Jones tailor of 215 Smith street Fitzroy. He became a commercial traveller for his firm when aged 17 j ears and regularly visited most of the mining districts of the StateIn Business When Aged 19 Years.Two j ears later-In 1879-he began a business career of his own shaping He entered into partnership with his employer and the firm took the style of Jones and Wardrop although as the junior partner was then aged only 19 years all documents had to be signed on his behalf by his father In 1885 when aged 25 years George Wardrop went into business on his own account at 348 Smith street Collingwood. His first employee Miss Mary McGregor worked with the him as a tailoress for 31 years before she retired on a pension There were many employees whose length of service was extraordinary In 1893 when aged 14 years Mr R D Currie commenced his connection with the firm of which he is now managing director With the late Mr J H Saunders he was taken into partnership in 1911 The business had prospered from the start but when in 1894 Mrs Wardrop suggested that the firm sell ties as well as tailored suits the proposal was considered weightily The plunge was taken and about four dozen ties were ordered Wardrops became a mercery business although just within the definition of the term but the addition of shirts and hats to the stocks confirmed the new status How a Slogan Was Born Efficient advertising has made the slogan of the firm- Wardrop My Tailor -a byword in Melbourne It had its origin in a piece of facetiousness in Parliament House On a day in 1888 Mr Wardrop accompanied by an old friend went to Parliament House to listen to a debate of mutual interest to them In the midst of a sudden spell of silence Mr Wardrop’s friend In a husky whisper said Now s your chance George Get up and shout Wardrop my tailor 346 Smith street CollingwoodMr Wardrop knew the value of advertising but he also knew the duties of a sergeant-at arms He kept his silence and his thoughts about that suggested shout Very soon afterward he had printed a number of little stickers bearing the slogan which has become so well known He was fond of walking and pleased with his stickers..(Caption to illustration-) An interior view, looking toward Elizabeth street, of the ground floor shop in the new building No. 52 Elizabeth street, as ¡I will appear when the scaffolding is removed within the next few days. Less than a month ago an- other building, since demolished, stood on this site. An interior view, looking toward Elizabeth street, of the ground floor shop in the new building.He stuck them wherever he could -on fences, on walls, on outbuildings, and on the doors of country hotels during walks and when travelling. The next development of the business was its extension to districts north of Melbourne by trips with a jinker on Sundays. The Wardrops lived frugally while they were fighting for a place in the young business world of Melbourne. The family resided at the shop, but as the business grew they had less and less "house." The time came when Mrs. Wardrop had for the use of the family only two small rooms at the rear of the premises, and the workroom was used as a lounge and as sleeping quarters after the staff had gone away at night. That was changed in 1898, when the Wardrops took a house. Their employees shared their fortunes. From that time the firm took the staff, which then numbered 15 persons, for an annual holiday of a week at Portsea, where a house was rented for the purpose. Mr. Wardrop paid all expenses, and Mrs. Wardrop cooked for her guests and kept house. The annual holiday plan was continued for many yearsSalesmanship had vigour of expression in the early days One traveller for the firm it is recorded when asked `Will this material wear? 'replied, It will wear the seat out of a buggy'In 1914 the firm commenced business In Elizabeth street and commenced a new period of expansion Mr Wardrop made several visits to England, engaging expert cutters and other workmen, and purchasing his own lines of clothUntil about 1920 Wardrops had been essentially a credit business Only about 10 per cent of the business was cash but Mr George Wardrop was one of those who believed that such prosperity could not be permanent, and gradually the percentage of cash transactions was increased until when the depression began to take effect in 1930 the firm had only about 25 per cent of credit accountsMr George Wardrop died in March, 1932 ….
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Record number:
1204423
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 103182 | 1 JPEG : 278 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |