Sold for A$750
Keep the / stopper tight / This jar is the absolute / property of / and must be returned to / Sharpe Bros. / Australia / and / New Zealand / Original & Largest Hygienic Brewers / Caution / Persons damaging, wilfully / retaining, trading with or / misappropriating the use of / this jar / will be prosecuted / Sharpe Bros / Trade Mark Regd // Health Beverages / When empty return / to / Sharpe Bros. / Australia / & / New Zealand / J. H. W. / 1926. Potters stamp: R. Fowler Ltd / Sydney / 26. Stopper: Australia / and / Sharpe Bros / New / Zealand. (Initials to back suggest most likely from J. H. Wilson, Wanganui). Demijohn Printed Two tone, tan top, off white body. Black print. Internal Thread. 1 Gallon. 320 mm. 1920s
Excellent. Little glaze flake to front left shoulder. One tiny little flake to base edge. A little roughness around the base too, this is amongst some folds and so forth from making. Front right shoulder has a deep gouge, this is a making mark as well. A few discoloured spots. A most unusual demijohn for more than one reason. This is the first we have seen that has the standard stamp on one side, and then a secondary standard stamp on another side - but both together on the one demijohn, normally these are on separate demijohns. The other point of extreme interest is the apparent initials of the supplier - J. H. W. in 1926. It has previously been suggested that with Australia mentioned first that this would be an Australian demijohn. However the only obvious match from David Sharpe's history of Sharpe Bros is J. H. Wilson who was manager/owner of the Wanganui factory from around 1915 - 1930. An extremely rare demijohn from this massive company. Grade: 8.7 Estimate: $300 - 350
