As 'cyber archeology' increasingly becomes a possibility it will be possible to dredge the writing of the past searching for keywords. Indeed, it is almost upon us and despite the fact that there is a great deal yet to be done it is possible to do a key word search in some of Australia's oldest newspapers.
Nonetheless, searching microfilm is a tedious business even if thus far keyword searches can lead you to a page on specific date. In time these kinds of opportunities to look back will inevitably change the ways we assess the past in order to better sense of where we have come to.
In any event, these four advertisement are a somewhat random sample from Hobart's Mercury. – late 19th C early 20th C. Linked to the Hobart Necklace Robbery 1907/08 these advertisements are beginning to build a picture of a not so small industry based on shell necklace making – and it seems focused upon southern Tasmania.
At the turn of the century Tasmania's population was 175,000 and Hobart's population was a 36,000. This adds some perspective to the production of shell necklaces at the time. It is highly unlikely that the somewhat large numbers that there is increasing evidence for them being produced in does not seem to be for the domestic market. Nevertheless, it is possible that there might well have been such a necklace in a great many households throughout the state.
NB: The Butterfield Advertisement #2 needs some contextualisation. Click on the links to go to earlier postings [1] • [2] Also, Arthur Robert Butterfield was born 22 Feb 1867 and he was a watchmaker, jeweller and optician at 51 Elizabeth Street, Hobart. His private residence was Mortimer Avenue, New Town – Launceston Library, Civic Square, LAUNCESTON TAS 7250, 09.04.09
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