A flimsy and torn December l911 invoice has been found that was sent from the Sydney firm of Feldheim, Gotthelf Limited, general merchants and importers of British, Continental and American merchandise , to a prominent North Queensland company , Hollimans Limited, Ravenswood , into furniture, hardware , mining and farming supplies, groceries and household goods.
It shows that an order for tricycles had been shipped aboard SS Aramac for S. Allen and Sons , Townsville . A copy of the invoice had also been sent to the mining centre of Charters Towers , one of three towns where Hollimans was in business , Townsville the other, still delivering a diversified range of services in the region.
The Australian Postal History and Social Philately website says the name of Feldheim, Gotthelf & Co. has been linked at several Powerhouse Museum sites.
In the decades that followed Australia’s Federation in 1901, a number of ceramics decorated with Australian motifs were produced in Britain. Wedgwood, Doulton and Worcester in particular designed and made series of wares mostly destined for the Australian market.
These tablewares, it continues, were sold by local retailers, for example Sydney’s Flavelle Bros, Feldheim Gotthelf and Company and Anthony Hordern's, so the firm was in very good company.
In addition to tableware , they sold an earthenware chamber pot with a ‘Wattle’ pattern, produced by Doulton & Company and a 1905 Bismark ‘Rosette’ embossed opal glass lamp produced in Germany for the company.
The finding of a 1902 postal cover addressed to Noumea, New Caledonia, in a Spink philatelic auction, proved that the company also catered for clients outside Australia.
The company also produced trophies , one being for the inaugural l895 Head of the River Regatta , won by the Sydney Church of England Grammar School. Made from sterling silver in Europe , it depicted a youth holding an oar in his right hand , on a wooden pedestal .
Moritz Gotthelf , born in Germany in l840, arrived in Melbourne in l860 , then moved to Sydney, becoming a successful businessman , a prominent member of the Jewish community , involved in many community organisations . A president , vice-president and treasurer of the Great Synagogue , he was elected a life member of the board of management.
(Tricycles, Trophies, Townsville.)
