Victoria - Standard Bushel
A rare 19th century Australian brass alloy Imperial Standard Bushel measure for Victoria, undated
By J. McEwan & Co., London and Melbourne. Engraved with territory name 'Victoria', Distinguishing Number '62' for the City of Essendon, a suburb of Melbourne, and maker. Diameter 49.5cm (width 61cm including handles)
On 1 July 1851 Victoria became a separate colony of the United Kingdom, and over the next decade started the slow transition from the New South Wales legislation to the Imperial system, needing to standardise weights and measures partially as a consequence of the Australian Gold Rush of the 1850's and 60's. In February 1862 the Victorian government passed the Weights and Measures Act, and in 1864 this was amended to pass responsibility for local authorities or unions to administer weights and measures at a regional level. In 1857 twenty-four sets of weights were received from the colonial Agent-General. On 11 September 1863 it was announced that an additional 27 sets of Standards had been ordered from James McEwan. Along with many other local authorities, there was little need for the larger measures of capacity (bushel, half bushel, peck) in the daily operations of their Inspectors, and these measures were not returned for verification after 1915. Smaller measures were reverified until 1965, when Essendon became part of the Northern Suburbs Weights and Measures Union.
Condition Report:
The finial to one handle has broken off, but is present.
There are typical scuffs / dents / scratches and marks. Not all stamped marks are mentioned in the cataloguing, and some may be indistinct / rubbed.
Probably re-lacquered and possibly re-finished
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any specific questions.
Condition reports are offered as a guide only and we highly recommend inspecting any lot to satisfy yourself as to its condition and finish.
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
A rare 19th century Australian brass alloy Imperial Standard Bushel measure for Victoria, undated
By J. McEwan & Co., London and Melbourne. Engraved with territory name 'Victoria', Distinguishing Number '62' for the City of Essendon, a suburb of Melbourne, and maker. Diameter 49.5cm (width 61cm including handles)
On 1 July 1851 Victoria became a separate colony of the United Kingdom, and over the next decade started the slow transition from the New South Wales legislation to the Imperial system, needing to standardise weights and measures partially as a consequence of the Australian Gold Rush of the 1850's and 60's. In February 1862 the Victorian government passed the Weights and Measures Act, and in 1864 this was amended to pass responsibility for local authorities or unions to administer weights and measures at a regional level. In 1857 twenty-four sets of weights were received from the colonial Agent-General. On 11 September 1863 it was announced that an additional 27 sets of Standards had been ordered from James McEwan. Along with many other local authorities, there was little need for the larger measures of capacity (bushel, half bushel, peck) in the daily operations of their Inspectors, and these measures were not returned for verification after 1915. Smaller measures were reverified until 1965, when Essendon became part of the Northern Suburbs Weights and Measures Union.
Condition Report:
The finial to one handle has broken off, but is present.
There are typical scuffs / dents / scratches and marks. Not all stamped marks are mentioned in the cataloguing, and some may be indistinct / rubbed.
Probably re-lacquered and possibly re-finished
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any specific questions.
Condition reports are offered as a guide only and we highly recommend inspecting any lot to satisfy yourself as to its condition and finish.
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
