Tailor’s Buttons
John Martin & Co. Ltd.
This department store became a limited liability company in 1889, the year Mr Martin died, dating this button from that time until the last store was closed in 1988. See http://www.austbuttonhistory.com/branded-buttons/branded-buttons-department-store-buttons-h-z/.
The store adopted the “early closing” time of 6pm in 1891. They had an athletics club, a football team, a cricket team and a literary club. In 1898 the store had undergone significant extension. it comprise three floor, the basement dubbed “the magic cave” featuring a painting of a waterfall. It was devoted to toys for the Christmas season, and “Santa Claus” was in attendance:
In 1933 “Jonnies” (or “the Big Store”) held their first Christmas pageant, which became a beloved institution.
During the 1960s suburban branches were opened. Whilst in Melbourne you may be described as having “more front than Myers”, in South Australia you have “more front than John Martin’s”.
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