Baker house or Churchwell, 411 Dryburgh Street, North Melbourne
Graeme Butler and AssociatesJuly 1991
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Baker house or Churchwell, 411 Dryburgh Street, North Melbourne
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Date of work:
July 1991
Reference number:
BIF-NORTH 102842
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
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Graphic materialsTextual material
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
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UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
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GRAEME BUTLER 1983,1991 CONSERVATION STUDY FOR THE CITY OF MELBOURNE OF NORTH AND WEST MELBOURNEGrading as at 1991: CPeriod : Late Victorian (1885)Grantee : J Laurens 1865History- In 1883-84, Frederick Baker acquired this allotment from John Laurens. He owned and occupied the house which was built thereon in 1885 and remained there at least until 1895.Frederick Baker was a partner with his brother H.H. Baker in the Melbourne Branch of a London firm in Watson and Sons, Opticians to the British Government and makers of other quality instruments, especially microscopes and photographic equipment.The Melbourne branch was founded following the 1888 Exhibition and taken over by the Bakers at the turn of the century. They specialized in instruments for correcting 'defects in the refraction of the eye' among other marvels. The Bakers were contractors to the Australian Government for Surveyors' instruments and other goods. [see Cyclopedia of Victoria Vol 2, p 169]Description- A two storey stuccoed brick house with two level cast iron verandah and iron picket and stuccoed brick fence at the frontage. Decoration is confined to a segment arch pediment with scrolls and piers, masks and brackets to the party walls and architraves to the openings.Integrity- The cast iron balustrade has been replaced as has the roof and verandah guttering and possibly the bressumer.Streetscape - Contributive part of an homogenous and impressive line of two-storey row houses, 413 being almost identical.Significance - Architecturally, of little significance given the alterations and low nature of the decorative scheme: of local interest.Historically, Baker parallels with Thomas Henderson (qv), also of Dryburgh Street, as an instrument maker, being however of more prominence in the metropolis; of regional importance.Recommendations:• Restore verandah balustrade, bressumer gutter moulds and dentillation;• investigate original urns/acroterion at parapet;• repaint in typical or original colours..References:(RB= Rate book; D= Melbourne or Victoria Directory; CofV = Cyclopedia of Victoria)1. RB 1895-96, 3391; RB 1885-8, 3297: RB 1884-85, 3272; RB 1883-84, 32362. C. O. V. Vol. 2, p. 169___________________________The Cyclopedia of Victoria, 1903-1905Vol. 2, p. 169 BakerThe firm of W. WATSON and SONS was founded in London in the year 1837, the year in which Queen Victoria ascended the throne. The Melbourne establishment is, how- ever, of more recent origin, its beginning dating from the time of the Centennial Exhibition of 1888, at, which time two nephews of the late Mr. W. Watson came from England to represent the firm in Melbourne, and at the close of the Exhibition opened a branch agency in this city. The Melbourne business has developed during the past fifteen years into a well-established concern, and has recently been taken over by the Messrs. H. H. and F. L. Baker, who have been identified with it from the commencement, and who still keep a good representative stock of the manufactures of the London firm. The various instruments of an optical and scientific character manufactured by this firm are exceedingly varied, and are familiarly known to the students of science 'and the devotees photography throughout Australia. The introduction in recent years of the cinematograph, the X rays, high frequency electrical currents for therapeutic purposes, and wireless telegraphy, have at once caused the addition of the finest productions for work in these departments to the already comprehensive stock manufactured by the firm. We may perhaps mention some of the principal items which are comprised in the latter. In the first place, photographic cameras and material of all the latest and most popular designs form a very considerable part of the stock. Watson's cameras are celebrated for their high quality and finish, the "Acme" and "Premier" being regarded by many as standards in those respects. Messrs. Watson have recently introduced a new lens of the anastigmatic class, working at a very large aperture and giving most brilliant definition. This has been christened the "Holostigmat"This firm is also in the forefront among English makers of microscopes, their instruments being in very large demand among medical students at many Universities. They possess also what is probably the largest collection of mounted microscopic specimens in the world. Their manufactures cover also optical lanterns and -cinematographs, surveying and mathematical instruments, opera and field glasses, and many other indispensable scientific goods. The Melbourne partners make a special study of defects in the refraction of the eye, and have special rooms fitted with the most approved instruments for testing the eyesight and correcting all optical disorders. They have workshops where expert mechanics adjust and repair the instruments which from various causes need to go into hospital, and also make instruments of special design as required. The firm are opticians by appointment to the British Government, and have recently executed many large contracts for telescopes, field glasses, heliographs, etc., for the War Office. They are also con- tractors to the Australian Governments for surveyors' instruments and other goods.___________________________
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 102842 | 1 PDF : 1029 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |