Waterproofs
Ask for Patent Odourless Waterproofs, Made in W’lgton.
These underprints advertised “Pear Tree” brand waterproof clothing
that was manufactured and distributed by B. Birnbaum & Son Ltd., a British company
with branches in New York, Melbourne and Wellington. As well as being a
surname, Birnbaum is German for pear tree; and so the pear tree and bee (for
the founder’s initial) were used in their advertising.
Invention of the Waterproof (Raincoat)
The pioneer of waterproof fabric was Scotsman chemist
Charles Macintosh, who sold his first Mackintosh raincoat in 1824 after
patenting it a year earlier. Two layers of fabric sandwiched a solution of
rubber dissolved in naphtha (“liquid rubber”) and the layers were pressed
together. The naphtha was obtained from distilling coal-tar. This first
generation of products had some teething problems though: smelly, too stiff in
cold weather and too sticky in hot weather [WikiMac].
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Natural rubber, as initially extracted from suitable trees,
was sometimes called caoutchouc. This consists of approximately 95% latex and
5% impurities (other organic compounds). The latex is a polymer of isoprene,
with structure [WikiIsoPr]
[WikiPolyIsoPr]:
 ... which polymerises to ...  Natural rubber is found in many plants, such as the “milk”
of dandelions, where it is produced as a defense against herbivorous insects.
Latex should not be confused with plant sap; latex is a distinct substance
and made separately by specialized laticifer cells [WikiNatRub] [WikiLatex] [WikiLacif].
Rubber was introduced to Europe in 1744 as a product of
the Pará rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) found in the Amazon
rainforest. During much of the nineteenth century that tree continued to be
the main source of natural rubber. The tree was not grown successfully
outside Brazil until the 1870s, when (after a first failed attempt) 70,000
seeds were smuggled to Kew Gardens in 1875, some 2400 were coaxed to
germinate, and then seedlings were sent to India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and
Malaysia to start plantations [WikiHeveaBrasil].
At the same time the rubber bush (Ficus elastica) is another rich
source of rubber, and its natural range extends from Nepal, through Bhutan,
northeastern India, Burma, Yunnan (in China) and Malaysia to Indonesia [WikiFicusEl], and
this likely explains the alternative name Indiarubber.
Gutta-percha is chemically similar to natural rubber,
being also a polymer of isoprene, but with E stereochemistry instead of
natural rubber’s Z stereochemistry [ChemDienePolymers].
Gutta-percha was harvested from Palaquium gutta trees found in Malaysia. It
found use in insulating underground telegraph cables, furniture, golf balls,
jewelry, pistol hand grips, rifle shoulder pads, walking sticks, dental
fillings and the like, but there no mention of gutta-percha clothing [WikiGuttaPercha] [EndoGuttaHist].
|
In 1839 Charles Goodyear (of tyres fame) invented vulcanisation
which increases the rigidity and durability of rubber by forming cross-links
between sections of the polymer chains. Goodyear’s process involved heating the
rubber with sulphur (and then the cross-links are chains of sulphur atoms); and
by 1843 it was applied to waterproof clothing too [WikiVulc] [WikiMac].
 |
A representative diagram of sulphur cross links (black) connecting poly-isoprene chains (red and blue) by displacing hydrogen atoms (and – apparently – some carbon atoms within the chain too) [WikiVulcChem] |
Bernard Birnbaum and the Birnbaums
Bernard Birnbaum was born around 1830-1832 in the
Russian-controlled section of Poland, which he left when aged 18 [EastLondonObs1911Aug26P5].
Poland had been a nation state since the tenth century but, by the nineteenth
century, was carved up between Prussia, the Habsburg Empire and Russia, where
Russia had the lion’s share [WikiPolMid]
[WikiPol1795-1918].
Bernard Birnbaum, as a Jew, was subject to double taxation and also liable to serve
in the military, where he might have been forced to convert [WikiPol19thCentJew].
We can hypothesise these constraints drove him to emigrate.
Not too much later (i.e. nearly half a century before 1894),
B. Birnbaum started a business manufacturing waterproof clothing. Reportedly he
started in Spitalfields, London [SpitalHackneyWick],
the firm was connected to 21, 22 and 23 New Broad-street during the 1870s [Ancestry, London City Directories] [SydneyMornHer1879Nov24P3],
Dace St in 1885 [Ancestry, London City
Directories], and nearby Wick Lane, Bow, London by the end of the 1890s [WairarapaDaiTim1894Aug10P3].
At that point the firm was known as B. Birnbaum and Son.
In this narrative, J.B. Birnbaum and Isidore B. Birnbaum will
prove to be particularly important; yet J.B. Birnbaum will be peculiarly elusive.
For now let us record that in London in the second half of the nineteenth
century there were several Birnbaum families [Ancestry, England census]:
- Joseph (born around 1821) was married to Lewis (1830), with children Lewis (1855), Wilhelmina (1858) and Frank (1860).
- In 1861, Joseph was recorded as a musician rather than a manufacturer, and with origins in Hungary rather than Poland.
- Isaac (1829) was married to Nessa (1832), with children Bernard (1857), Moses (1863) and Rebecca (1868).
- In 1871, Isaac was recorded as a manager at a waterproof factory, with origins in Poland, so it seems most likely that he was part of the extended family of Bernard Birnbaum and worked in Bernard’s firm.
- The founder Bernard (1830-1832) was married to Rebecca (1838-1839) and ultimately they had six sons and six daughters, namely Henry (1862-1863), Priscilla (1864), Theodore (1865), Rudolph (1867-1868), Jenette or Ilinia (1868-1869), Gertrude (1869-1870), Isidore (and sometimes found as Isadore or Isidor) (1870-1871), Albert (28 October 1871), Eve or Eva (1873), May or Mary (1874-1875), Kate or Katy (1876), and Sidney (1878). Rebecca seems to have been an impressive mother, both in her fecundity and that all her twelve children survived. The variety of names arises from the variegated spelling in the source documents (most especially the 1871 and 1881 English census). The birth dates are calculated from the year of each record minus the listed age, which leads to some ambiguity as indicated.
- The eldest son Henry is denoted as a clerk in the 1881 census, is not recorded in the census in 1891 (travelling?) and in 1901 he is Director and Manager of India Rubber works. Most likely Henry is the “Son” in “B. Birnbaum and Son”
- Theodore and Rudolph were both identified as managers of the factory in the 1891 census, and Theodore seems to have been granted a patent with an 1896 priority date [UniPatent189609622A]
- Isidore first appears as a 4 month old baby in the 1871 census but is not living with the family in the 1881 census (he seems to be at boarding school) nor in the 1891 census (travelling?). Unlike his younger brother, Albert, who was an Oxford man, Isidore seems to have more of a mechanical bent.
- Eugene J.W.P. Birnbaum (1849) was married to Maria, with children Amy (1874), Caroline (1875), Charles (1880), Henry (1882), Alexander (1883), Louisa (1884), Helena (1886), Paulina (1887) and Joseph (1889)
- Eugene was a hawk-stall (sp?) keeper and Maria performed plain needlework in 1891.
- John Birnbaum (1862) was a labourer at a sugar factor in 1881
- Adolf Birnbaum resided in Cripplegate in 1866
- James Birnbaum was on the electoral register in 1893 and onwards, at South St, St Luke, London (but we have no other details)
Thus, for the elusive J.B. Birnbaum, we find a few J.
Birnbaums, but most seem to be very unlikely candidates. Only James Birnbaum
seems possible, yet almost nothing is known about him beyond his connection to
St Luke, London. Outside of Australasia during the time of interest, the site [Ancestry] has no records of another J.
Birnbaum with a connection to Britain nor, outside of the USA, a J.B. Birnbaum
alive in 1892-1893. Perhaps J.B. Birnbaum was a nom de plume (!?) or J.B. Birnbaum
spent his formative years outside the Anglophone world, such as Poland or
thereabouts?
The British Operations of Bernard Birnbaum
In the words of the firm, their success was built on
sustained innovation, since “the proprietors recognised at once that something
better was required than the unhealthy and evil smelling articles which were
for years known by the name of macintoshes, so named after the Scotchman who
first patented the invention of making cloths impervious to moisture. Every
year saw an improvement in the goods turned out by the firm until to-day Messrs
Birnbaum’s goods have no equal in the world” [WairarapaDaiTim1894Aug10P3].
In 1879, a reporter relays their manufacturing process as follows
[SydneyMornHer1879Nov24P3]:
“The raw caoutchouc (which as most of our readers are doubtless aware, is
obtained principally from the acrid and tenacious juice extracted from certain
species of trees growing in the East Indies and South America) is represented
in rough balls and rolls, which are quite “springy” but have anything but an
attractive appearance. By the application of a powerful solvent, such as bisulphuret
of carbon, naptha, crude petroleum, benzol, and the essential oils of
turpentine, lavender, and sassafras, the raw caoutchouc is rendered soluble,
and, in the hands of manufacturers, such as Mr. Birnbaum, is turned to valuable
account in the preparation of water-proof clothing and a thousand other
articles, small and large, that enter into daily use in civilized communities.
In the preparation of water-proof clothing the caoutchouc is very thinly spread
over the cloth, while the latter is being passed over hot rollers, and this
process is repeated until a sufficiently thick and perfectly even coating is
obtained, which renders the cloth thoroughly water-proof. This is what is
called “single waterproof,” or “single fabric.” To make “double waterproof”
goods two pieces of cloth, treated in the manner just described, are laid
together, with the caoutchouc-covered sides face to face, and are then passed,
between rollers, when they unite so thoroughly as to become one piece of cloth.
The process of vulcanization is, however, first resorted to, and therein really
lies the commercial success of the use of what is usually called indiarubber.
For the purposes of vulcanisation, sulphur and caoutchouc are mixed, and
submitted to a heat of 800°F., when the two ingredients unite and form a
substance which acids or alkalies will hardly affect, which the usual solvents
such as naptha, turpentine, or bi-sulphide of carbon came to render soluble,
and which remains thoroughly elastic under the influence of any climatic
temperature.”
The article goes on to say that “Mr. Birnbaum's show-case [at
the Sydney International Exhibition] contains a great number of articles
illustrating the use to which this valuable material is put, such as coats,
leggings, Inverness capes, ladies’ capes, circular capes, driving capes, bags,
satchels, strops, knee-wrappers, or gig aprons, horse loin covers, helmets,
ladies' aprons, &c. The gentlemen’s coats and ladies’ capes have an
exceedingly neat appearance, being lined on the inside with some thin material,
while the outside' is made up of the ordinary fabrics, such as Indian cloth, twill,
silk, &c. These articles are light, well made, very flexible, and comfortable
to wear, and thoroughly waterproof. All the other goods are equally well made
and serviceable, and after a glance at the contents of this show-case, we can
easily understand the rapid increase which has taken place in the use of
caoutchouc in the manufacture of articles of all kinds where elasticity or
waterproof qualities are requisite. Forty years ago the amount of raw
caoutchouc imported into Great Britain did not exceed four or five
hundred-weight, and now the importation has increased to the extent of several
thousands of tons.” [SydneyMornHer1879Nov24P3]
B. Birnbaum and Son was a regular exhibitor at international
exhibitions, and likely this was a pillar of their marketing strategy when entering
new markets. The firm won gold medals for their waterproofs in Vienna (Vienna
World's Fair, 1873), Santiago (Chilean International Exhibition, 1875), Paris (Exposition
Universelle, 1878), Sydney (Sydney International Exhibition, 1879 [SouthAustaliaRegister1879Oct02P6]),
Melbourne (Melbourne Centennial International Exhibition, 1888), Paris (Exposition
Universelle, 1889) and in Dunedin (New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, 1890).
Over 1886-1889, the firm built their Wick Lane Rubber Works
on Smeed Rd. Here balls of raw rubber, perhaps transported by canal to Old Ford
Lock and then hand-carted to the back of works, was processed into a solution of
dissolved latex and spread on fabric. Reportedly this building is London’s and
possibly England’s only surviving nineteenth century rubber works. The fabric
was turned into waterproof clothing at the adjacent four-storey factory, on the
corner of Smeed and Dace Roads [SpitalHackneyWick].
 |
| 1909 map of Hackney Wick. Birnbaum’s premises are marked as India Rubber Works east of the “W” in the North London Railway. The uncoloured constriction of Hackney Cut east of the India Rubber Works is Old Ford Lock. Credit [AbebooksBacon1909]. |
 |
Left to right: views of the waterproof clothing factory from
Smeed Rd, corner of Smeed and Dace Rds, and Dace Rd [SpitalHackneyWick].
|
By 1894 the firm employed over 1000 hands in its London
factory and 150 in Melbourne, in addition to its other numerous branches and
agencies [WairarapaDaiTim1894Aug10P3].
New Zealand Presence
Waterproofs had been imported into New Zealand by 1853 [NzSpecAndCookStrGuard1853Apr20P2],
but it was not until 1889-1890 that Birnbaum-branded waterproofs were heard
from, where they are exhibitors at the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition,
a world’s fair held in Dunedin from November 1889 to April 1890 [WikiNzSSExh1889].
Local waterproofs included products by Hallenstein Bros. and Co. and Zealandia
Waterproof Company, but it was Birnbaum’s clothing that received the most first
class awards [EveningStar1890Feb19]
and it was his firm’s items – including a “beautiful waterproof carriage” –
that “attracted so much attention” [OtagDaiTim1890Apr26P2].
 |
| Evening Star, 19 February 1890, P4. Credit: Allied Press Ltd., subject to a Creative Commons New Zealand BY-NC-SA licence [EveningStar1890Feb19]. |
After the exhibition closed, the products on display (“Men's
Waterproof Coats, Ladies’ Silk Waterproof Cloaks, Ladies’ Heavy Waterproof Cloaks,
Men’s Fishing Stockings, Leggings, [that] Beautiful Waterproof Carriage, Rugs,
&c”) were sold off at the “D.I.C.” [OtagDaiTim1890Apr26P2].
The D.I.C. was the Drapery and General Importing Company of New Zealand Ltd, a
New Zealand chain of department stores that started in Dunedin in 1884 on the corner
of The Octagon and Princes Street, and finally closed its doors in 1991 [WikiDIC].
 |
| Map of Wellington in 1887 showing Cornhill Lane and Victoria St [NatLibNzTeAroReclaimedLand]. The “upwards” leg of the historic Victoria St is now named Wakefield, St, and instead the historic Farish St has become an extension of the modern Victoria St [GoogleMapsTeAro]. |
Nothing more was heard of from B. Birnbaum and Son in New
Zealand until 1892, when we learn that the firm were hiring girls and
machinists for coats at Cornhill-street in Wellington. This is a small lane connecting
the end of Old Custom House St to Manners St. The work was assisted by “water
power” [EveningPost1892Feb29P3].
Almost immediately a boy was needed [EveningPost18920303P3],
a telephone line was installed [EveningPost18920311P2]
and then they sought an experienced mantle machinist. Their new telephone
number was 714 [NzTim1892Mar22P3].
This site was always intended to be a factory, not a showroom
for imports; and accordingly formal approval for this purpose was obtained [EveningPost1892Mar04P4].
Although it seems that it would have been easier for the firm to simply import its
finished products to New Zealand directly from Britain or Melbourne, there is a
mix of potential overt and covert reasons for local manufacturing:
- At the time, New Zealand imposed import tariffs on finished goods but not raw materials, so local manufacture enabled them to reduce their prices “The firm manufactures almost entirely in the Colony for local consumption, thereby reducing the cost to the buyer by the amount of duty payable on the articles imported, as the raw material comes in duty free” [WairarapaDaiTim1894Aug10P3]
- B. Birnbaum and Son might expect greater sales by having a local connection. This is strongly suggested in [EveningPost1896Sep22P4]
- B. Birnbaum had six sons and perhaps he sought to provide them with individualized opportunities to develop skills and experience
- Presumably shipping costs could be lowered by transporting the raw material directly from Asia / South America to New Zealand and avoiding the extra leg to Britain (but this potential reason is severely weakened by the existence of their Melbourne operation).
|
The tariff on waterproofs in 1893 is hard to determine
exactly, but does not appear to be especially high. Depending on the imported
item, tariffs were charged by weight, volume, or by the value of the item
(the latter is known as an ad valorem tariff). For instance an 1863
report by the Mr. Wood, Colonial Treasurer of New Zealand, reports “We all
know what the duty is upon spirits, wine, sugar and tea, and on all articles
paying a fixed [ad valorem] duty; but duty is levied upon a variety of
articles at 4s. per cubic foot, and upon others at 3s. per hundredweight; and
it is not so easy to ascertain the [effective] ad valorem rate upon these. I
have never yet seen any statement exhibiting the per-centage that is paid
upon the value of these imports, and very exaggerated notions are abroad of
the amount of taxation paid by the people of this Colony. Now, Sir, the duty
which is paid upon spades and shovels is 2¼ percent, ad valorem : total value
imported during the last six months being £12,785, and the duty upon them
£294, 1s. 7d. Upon boots and shoes, which were imported to the value of
£96,489, the duty levied was £5,368 or a per-centage of 5½. Upon candles the
duty amounted to 2½ per cent.; upon cotton goods, 5½ per cent. (hear, hear) ;
upon silk, 3-1/3 percent.; upon slop clothing, 6¼ per cent, (hear, hear);
upon woollen clothing 6-1/3 per cent.; and upon other goods of a similar
description, 6¾ per cent. (Hear, hear.) … Upon dried fruits. An article of
great luxury I should say, the duty comes to 17 and 1-10th per cent.; … With
the exception of some few articles, which may be classed as those of
considerable luxury, consumed only by persons who can very well afford it, I
consider that the amount of duty which is levied under this tariff does not
press hardly upon the people of the Colony.”
Waterproofs are arguably similar to woolen clothing, so
the 1863 duty was presumably charged 4/- per cubic foot and in the
neighborhood of 6¾% ad valorem [AJHR1864,
A1, P11], then increased by 1/- per cubic foot in 1864 [AJHR1864,
B1A, P6] to reach circa 8½% ad valorem. In 1878, there were
sweeping tariff changes proposed [AJHR1879,
B2A,P17] and adopted [AJHR1878,
B2, P58] [CustTarifNz1980,
P225], but the largest changes were to the ad valorem tariff, to
arrest the loss of revenue due to importers that lowballed the value of their
imported goods in order to reduce the tariff paid, and changes were not made to
the volumetric tariff.
In fact, in the same year, it is possible that the
tariffs for non-clothing waterproofs were actually lowered, to zero.
Certainly it is recorded that the total annual tariff revenue from “Gutta
Percha Manufactures, not being Wearing Apparel, and not otherwise enumerated”
amounted to just £45, and it was proposed that these items be struck out of
the tariff. Given the similarity of gutta-percha to natural latex and the peculiar
reference to clothing (for which gutta percha was not used), this £45 could
relate to other waterproof items made from vulcanized natural rubber such as
“bags, satchels, strops, knee-wrappers, or gig aprons, horse loin covers,
helmets, … &c” [SydneyMornHer1879Nov24P3]
[AJHR1878,
B2, P58].
Still, even if a tariff of 5/- per cubic foot averaged out
to around 8.5% ad valorem, that seems a relatively minor cost compared
to the effort of starting a new business on the far side of the world. It
suggests that some of the other reasons were at play!
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Business Travel before the Birnbaums
Since the Cornhill factory was secured and employees were
hired before there is any (discernible) record of a Birnbaum family member
either reaching New Zealand or traveling internally within New Zealand, then
presumably the local business was started by a senior manager not part of the
Birnbaum family.
An intriguing candidate is Joseph Gee, who visited New
Zealand regularly in the 1890s and was later described as “Resident partner in
the Melbourne branch of the English firm of B. Birnhaum, and Sons (Limited),
London” [EveningPost1895Jan22P2].
From emigration records, several Joseph Gee’s sailed to Australia and New
Zealand at different times (including a cook), but a standout itinerary is when
a Joseph Gee (aged 25) embarked from the Melbourne, the site of Birnbaum’s
Australian factory, for New Zealand on 11 November 1891 [VicArcGee1891]
on the ss Tekapo and reached Dunedin at 19 November [OtagoDaiTim1891Nov19P1].
There were many Gee’s living in New Zealand at the time, and
the shipping records typically only record the surname, but it is plausible
that the following travels show Gee scoping the principal cities of New Zealand
for a base, visiting family in Auckland over Christmas in 1891, then setting up
an establishment in Wellington. Or there could have been multiple Gee’s
steaming between cities, some – or all – of whom were not working for Birnbaum
at the time.
After apparently inspecting Dunedin for several days, he plausibly
took the train to Christchurch where “Joseph Gee of Melbourne” stayed at the (higher-end)
Coker’s Hotel, “three minutes walk from the Christchurch railway station”, over
24-27 November 1891 in order to scope out Christchurch (and Lyttelton) [Press1891Nov24P4
… Press1891Nov27P4]
[CantStorCokers].
Next there is a trip by a “Gee” on the ss Omapere that
reached Wellington “from South” on 1 December [NzTim1891Dec02P2].
After two weeks there (presumably conducting more due diligence), a “Gee” sails
on the Mararaoa from Wellington on 16 December up the east coast to Auckland (with
ultimate destination Sydney) [Press1891Dec17P4].
Given that two “Misses Gee” travelled by themselves from Auckland to
Christchurch (via Wellington) then back to Wellington over January and February
1892 [OtagoDaiTim1892Jan29P1]
[Press1892Feb02P4]
[LytteltonTim1892Feb10P4]
[NzzMail1892Feb12P29],
it seems possible that there were members of the extended Gee family already
living in Auckland, and this “Gee” spent his Christmas there with them, as well
as scouting out Auckland.
Next, on 18 January 1892 a “J. A. Gee” leaves Auckland “for
the south” (i.e., New Plymouth, Wellington and Lyttelton) by the ss Takapuna.
Given that no “Gee” disembarked at New Plymouth or Lyttelton, it seems most likely
that J. A. Gee’s journey ended at Wellington, where he could begin setting up business
[NzHer1892Jan16P1]
[TarankiHer1892Jan19P2]
[OtagoDaiTim1892Jan19P1]
[LytteltonTim1892Jan22P4].
|
At the same time it must be acknowledged that there are
other Gee travels that do not fit into this explanation, but might hint at an
extended Gee family with prior connections to Wellington:
|
Birnbaums and Their Cornhill St Factory in New Zealand
The first record of immigration to New Zealand or internal
travel within the country by a Birnbaum the family is when a Mr J. Birnbaum
travelled from Dunedin for Christchurch on 19 March 1892 [EveningStar1892Mar19P3]
then took the ss Rotorua and arrived at Wellington on 21 March [NzTim1892Mar21P2].
Presumably Mr J. Birnbaum had reached Dunedin from Melbourne [and a detailed
search of these
records might bear fruit].
Within 10 days of Mr J. Birnbaum’s arrival in Wellington, “Mr
Birnbaum” joined the social activities of the day. He contributed to a program
of song and silent tableaux (i.e., costumed recreations of historical events)
in aid of St Paul’s organ enlargement fund in front of a packed audience at the
Theatre Royal for two nights. In one tableau he played Jack in the Green and
“caused much amusement”; he sang the nursey rhyme Jack and Jill with
Miss F. Johnson, to an encore, then during the singing of Auld Robin Gray
he was dressed as Jamie in sailor dress [WikiJackGn] [WikiAuldRobGry] [NzTim1892Mar30P2]
[NzMail1892Apr08P5].
The hiring at the factory continued apace, with “Wanted, at
once” advertisements for finishers [EveningPost1892Apr07P3],
a good mangle and coat machinist, plus a strong lad [EveningPost1892Apr22P3],
and an assistant stock cutter [EveningPost1892May19P3].
In May, there is a slight change to the advertisements:
candidates are still “Wanted, at once” but now they are seeking smart
candidates, and specifically six girls, as apprentices, to learn waterproof
garment making [EveningPost1892May21P3].
Likely “smart” was being used in the sense of “smart appearance” given a later
advert seeking a “smart, intelligent” candidate [EveningPost18920709P3].
Meanwhile the firm advertised “good, strong, empty cases,
zinc lined” for sale [EveningPost1892May04P3].
This was the first of several occasions (for instance they were selling 50
zinc-lined cases and some tin-lined cases in August 1893 [EveningPost1893Aug02P3]
[EveningPost1893Aug18P3],
then more empty packing cases in September 1894 [EveningPost1894Sep19P3]).
It seems that the firm was importing something regularly that needed careful
protection, but what? Since we later learn that the waterproofed fabric was
manufactured at “Home”, and that their Wellington operations were confined to
cutting, sewing, gumming the seams and incorporating buttons/button holes [NzTim1894Apr24P3],
then the more plausible candidates are delicate manufacturing equipment such as
Singer sewing machines [EveningPost1893Apr17P3]
on the one hand, or the waterproofed fabric on the other hand.
Next we learn that J.B. Birnbaum (surely the same J.
Birnbaum as earlier) has a private residence on the Terrace, with a new
telephone line [EveningPost1892Jun11P2].
Now it gets confusing since an I. Birnbaum (but not J.
Birnbaum) is recorded as being presented at the Governor (Lord Glasgow’s) first
levee [EveningPost1892Jun27P2]
and an I. B. Birnbaum appears at the following Citizen’s Ball [EveningPost1892Jul05P2].
Presumably Isidore Birnbaum, son of the founder, had newly arrived from
Australia/Britain yet reached New Zealand without his immigration records being
readily accessible in the modern databases (not an uncommon situation), and for
a time he became the public face of the firm. It is unknown whether the earlier
songster “Mr Birnbaum” was Isidore or J.B. Birnbaum.
Meanwhile, the hunt for further smart employees
continued through 1892: a smart, experienced machinist [EveningPost1892Feb06P3],
a smart, intelligent boy [EveningPost1892Jul09P3],
smart finishers [EveningPost1892Jul30P3]
and a smart Improver Machinist [EveningPost1892Nov25P3].
Isidore’s mechanical bent can be ascertained from a patent
he applied for in New Zealand in 1892 [EveningPost1892Oct06P3]:
|
An invention which will commend itself to persons who use
kerosene and other crystal oils has been patented by Mr. Isidore Birnbaum, of
the firm of Birnbaum and Son, waterproof manufacturers, Cornhill-street,
Wellington. The apparatus is a galvanised iron vessel 19 inches deep and
capable of holding ten gallons. It is provided with a lid on hinges, and is
covered in near the top with a metal plate through which work a small pump
and a telescopic syphon. The metal plate is curved so as to dip towards the
centre, where there is a round hole about an inch in diameter. Through this
hole the oil which it is intended the box should hold is poured, and when a
person requires to draw any of it off, all he or she requires to do is to
work the pump, and the oil runs out of the mouth of the syphon. Any oil which
may drip out of the syphon finds its way back into the reservoir through the
hole in the centre of the plate, and not a drop is lost. Another important
feature of the invention is that when the lid is being closed a small metal
shaft is pushed down, and a disc immediately stops up the round hole referred
to, so that no evaporation can possibly take place. When the lid is down, the
box, which is made of galvanised iron, and which holds ten gallons, is flame-proof,
and a light can be placed against it without fear of an explosion. The
apparatus, which ought to recoup any householder its cost in less than a
year, will no doubt be extensively used in country districts, where gas is
not obtainable. The invention is now on exhibition in Wilkins & Field's,
Manners-street, and is well worthy of inspection.
|
A Mr Birnbaum went to the horse races in Christchurch [NzMail1892Nov11P15].
We further see that “Bernard Isidore Birnbaum” (surely I.B. Birnbaum
aka Isidore Birnbaum) was a wine customer worthy of courting, with an interest
in Yalumba claret. Also Isidore, then aged around 21 or 22 years affected a
silver-crooked stick. [EveningPost1892Dec17P2]
[NzTim1892Dec19P2].
Next we learn that J.B. Birnbaum departed Wellington on 28
December 1892 bound for Sydney on the ss Mararoa [Ancestry,
NSW Unassisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, December 1892]. A Mr J.B. Birnbaum,
listed as 30 years old (of an age with Henry Birnbaum), sailed just two days
later from Melbourne on the ss Rotomahana at 30 December, 1892 with a
ticket for Wellington [VicArch
VPRS948/P00001, img379] [Press1893Jan04P6].
This was a lightning fast journey since, in this era, the railway journey from
Melbourne to Sydney took 18-24 hours [Bradshaws1905]
and so the duration of reverse journey can be assumed to be similar. Given misbehavior
by Isidore comes to light later, and given that telegraphic communication
between Australia and New Zealand was possible since 1876 [TeAraTelegraphy]),
one speculates that a complicated and/or private consultation was needed with
the family in Australia then an urgent answer/decision was conveyed back. Next,
on 10 January 1893, a “Birnbaum” sailed from Wellington on the Manapouri for
Melbourne via the south [Press1893Jan10P6].
Was this Isidore being dispatched from New Zealand in disgrace? Certainly he
seems not to have returned for some time since his patent application, 5779,
lapsed on 29 March 1894 [Ancestry, NZ
Gazette, 29 March 1894, No. 25, P502].
Soon after there was an apparent cost-cutting exercise. The
only apparent Birnbaum now in New Zealand (J.B. Birnbaum) departed Claremont
House, an eleven room house with a splendid view of the city and harbor. As
well “high-class and artistic household furnishings at the residence of Messrs.
Birnbaum, and McLean” were put up for sale. Likely this is the same house on
The Terrace that J.B. Birnbaum had occupied since June 1892 [EveningPost1892Jun11P2]
[EveningPost1893Feb11P2]
[EveningPost1893Feb11P3].
In parallel, more employees were wanted at once at
the Cornhill St factory: now a cutter [EveningPost1893Jan09P4]
and an improver for Singer machines [EveningPost1893Apr17P3].
Later an apprentice for coat finishing was wanted [EveningPost1893Jun06P3],
and a lad to run errands and make himself useful [EveningPost1893Sep28P3];
then a smart lad [EveningPost1894Jan05P3],
a good needle hand and more improvers [EveningPost1894Jan12P3]
The change of abode did not seem to impair Birnbaum’s social
life, as follows. The United Hunt Club help a meet at “the Miramar estate” with
various riders and dogs chasing first one hare then another. There were many
spectators following behind including “Mr Birnbaum” who drove a dogcart
containing Miss Dyer and Mrs John McClean [NzTim1893May22P2].
Further we hear than “Mr J. Birnbaum” was among the 600 persons invited to the
Birthday Ball at Government House hosted by the Governor, Lord Glasgow, and his
wife Lady Glasgow [EveningPost1893May25P4].
Later the firm received thankful acknowledgement for
donating a pound towards Christmas festivities for patients in hospital
(presumably Wellington Hospital) at the time [EveningPost1893Dec28P2].
Stamp Adverts
Their first Birnbaum advertising in New Zealand was their
1893 underprint design on the Second Side Faces. Since instructions in relation
to the advert designs were being provided by businesses around mid-December
1892 [TaranakiHer1893Oct03P2],
it is plausible that Isidore Birnbaum was responsible for authorising B. Birnbaum
and Son’s advert design.
The Victoria St Factory in New Zealand
In mid-1893, something is going on in Christchurch but the
fragmentary history leaves the modern inquirer in the dark. Certainly a second
Mr Birnbaum arrived at Lyttelton on 10 July 1893 from Newcastle [FamSearBirnbaum],
then another “Birnbaum” (J.B.) reached there too, perhaps from Wellington, on
July 18 [Press1893Jul19P6].
Another week or so later again, the Cokers Hotel reports that “J.B. Birnbaum”
was visiting Christchurch [Press1893Jul29P8].
Were they considering whether to move their New Zealand base of operations to
Christchurch? If so, nothing came of it.
|
Instead, the first Christchurch connection is not until
October 1894, when it seems B. Birnbaum and Son seeded an article in the
Christchurch Star. The apparent goal of the piece was to raise the firm’s
profile, and report that their waterproofs would be in stock in the “leading
drapers, outfitters, and clothiers in the colony.” [Star1894Oct30P3]
|
Next a (third?) “Mr Birnbaum” arrived at Bluff in 8
September 1893, aged 27 (of an age with Theodore or Rudolph Birnbaum), from
Melbourne on the Wairarapa and paid to Wellington [FamSearBirnbaum27].
We infer that he espied something of note in Dunedin and disembarked there
because there is also a record of a Birnbaum from Dunedin on the Flora headed
for the north on 11 September [Press1893Sep12P6].
These travels and deliberations seem to have reinforced
their decision to remain in Wellington, and indeed embark on a purpose-built
facility close by, on Victoria St. William C. Chatfield was engaged as
architect, and tenders for erection of a four-floor “warehouse” were solicited
at the end of October 1893 [EveningPost1893Oct28P3].
Construction was swift, since the building was open by April
1894 [NzTim1894Apr24P3]
(and [NzMail1894Apr27P32]),
with the following description:
|
NEW FACTORY. MESSRS B. BIRNBAUM AND SON.
The firm of Birnbaum and Son (Limited), waterproof manufacturers,
have recently removed from their former premises in Cornhill street to larger
and more comfortable quarters in a building erected to the order of Mr Jacob
Joseph [i.e., owner according to [EveningPost1897Jun05P5]]
in Victoria street. The change was made with great expedition, for, although
the order for the removal was not given until the afternoon of Friday week
last, the machinery had been removed, and all the hands were at work in the
new building by the usual time on the following Monday morning.
The new building is a business-like and commodious brick
structure, faced with cement, with an extreme height of 67 ft and 61ft to the
parapet, the frontage being 41ft and the depth 60ft. Passing through a
handsome entrance 7ft wide, and provided with cedar and plate glass swing
doors, one finds on the right the office of the manager for New Zealand (Mr
W. R. C. Fox). Mr Fox is a gentleman of very wide business experience gained
in every quarter of the globe, and under his energetic sway the business
promises to assume very large proportions. His office is a nicely furnished
apartment, 14ft 6in by 14ft, the ceiling and walls being lined with red pine,
and varnished. To the left of the entrance is the clerks’ office, under the
superintendence of Mr E. Peters, managing clerk [and attorney [NzTim1894Mar21P1]];
it is 14ft 6in by 23ft, and is provided with all necessary accessories,
including a telephone, and speaking tubes to all the floors. At the rear of
the manager’s office is a well fitted up room, specially arranged for samples
and for indenting goods. Behind these offices is a packing room, 32ft by
36ft, in which the goods as they come down from the factory are packed up in
readiness for transmission to various parts of New Zealand, wide doorways
facilitating the work of despatching them to their destination. In the far
left-hand comer is a hydraulic lift, travelling to the top of the building
past the various floors. It was manufactured by Messrs Luke and Son, is
provided with Seagar valves, and works as smoothly and satisfactorily as
possible.
Returning to the entrance, and passing up a handsome
staircase, the showroom and warehouse is reached. This is a handsome room,
57ft by 38ft, beautifully lit by large windows, and admirably adapted for the
display of goods, Here may be seen excellent specimens of the work turned out
in the factory – natty driving waterproofs, featherweight ladies’ ulsters,
gig aprons, and in fact every variety of the lighter classes of waterproof goods,
of a style and shape which must commend them to the purchasing public. The
best feature of it is that, with the exception of the proofing, which is made
at Home, the manufacture of these garments is carried out on the premises, as
was apparent on proceeding further with a visit of inspection we recently
paid to the factory, On the second floor is the cutters’ room, a
well-appointed apartment of the same dimensions as the showroom, and under
the charge of Mr Heald, the head cutter. Here it is that the material is cut
out ready to be made up by the other hands, the single textures being
manipulated on one side of the room, and the double textures on the other. In
one corner is a three-horse power gas engine by Crossley, used for driving
the sewing and other machines, and a waterpower machine, by J, T. Glover, of
the Queen’s Foundry, Wellington, for use in cases of emergency. On the same
floor is a comfortable dining-room, provided for the convenience of the girls
working in the factory — a convenience, we may add, which is greatly
appreciated.
On the top floor of the building is the workroom, also the
same size as the showroom, and it is at once apparent that the workers are
not in any way handicapped by bad ventilation or the want of proper
appliances, but on the contrary, their convenience and health appear to have
received the utmost consideration. The room is lofty and well ventilated, the
workers have ample elbow room, although the full number of hands is employed,
and altogether the occupants seem to be working under the happiest
conditions. The number of hands all told is 52. All the machines are worked
by the gas engine already mentioned, the work thus being less laborious,
while the firm are enabled to get more work done in the same time (a very fair
exchange, by the way), and that the operators present a healthful appearance
and work with cheerful vigour is not therefore to be wondered at.
The manner in which waterproof garments are made cannot be
explained in the short limits of a newspaper article, but we may say that the
greatest attention is paid to the finish of the garments, the seams being not
only gummed together with a specially prepared solution, but firmly sown throughput,
thus avoiding any danger of the seams gaping open, an experience only too well-known
to purchasers of waterproofs. The button-holes are all made by machines, which
perform the work in a truly expeditious manner, and finish it off most neatly,,
while there is also a machine for button-making — a most ingenious
contrivance – and another for ventilating coats. Mr Chas. Drew occupies the
position of foreman, and appears thoroughly capable of filling the
responsible position in which he is placed.
The electric light is to be installed throughout the building,
it being considered better than gas, as it does not attract the naphtha in the
material to the eyes of the workers. Speaking tubes are provided on each floor,
the sanitary arrangements are as satisfactory as can be desired, and the
Factory Inspectors speak in-terms of high appreciation of the manner in which
the work has been carried out for the comfort and convenience of those
employed.
The building was erected by Mr M. Murdock, contractor,
from designs furnished by Mr W. C. Chatfield, architect; Mr Bruce was clerk
of the works, the sub-contractors being: —Hayes and Co., plumbers; Oughton
and Chote, bricklayers; and E. and B. Tingey, painters.
The Wellington branch has been established since February,
1892, the head office being at 33, London Wall, London, and the factory at
Wick Lane, Bow. There are also branches at New York and Melbourne, and the
kind of work turned out is shown by the medals won by their exhibits at
exhibitions at Vienna, Santiago, Paris, Sydney, Melbourne and Dunedin. The
trade mark of the firm, curiously enough, is a pear tree, the word “Birnbaum”
being German for pear tree, while the initial letter “B” is represented by an
active honey-bee close to the tree.
|
In April, Fox is manager, and there is no record of a
Birnbaum in the country any longer (but no readily accessible record of them
leaving either). Indeed there is no record of a birth, death or marriage of a
Birnbaum in New Zealand [NzBdm].
Such a substantial building might have survived for some
time and be belatedly photographed. A key question then is its street number.
We learn that Abbott and Oram later took over the building [EveningPost1897Jun05P5]
and, according to the 1907 edition of Kelly's Directory of Merchants,
Manufacturers and Shippers they occupied number 26 (or possibly 20 or 28 since
the scan is unclear) [KellyGoogleBooks,
P187] [P187]
yet in 1909 they occupied numbers 40-42 [Dominion1909Mar12P2].
Was there a renumbering exercise in between? Regardless, early photos of
Victoria St are hard to come by, though these drawings might have promise [NatLibAltVicSt].
Isidore’s Disgrace
From earlier. we know that 10 January 1893, a “Birnbaum” departed
Wellington on the Manapouri for Melbourne via the south [Press1893Jan10P6],
and that Isidore Birnbaum’s name did not come up thereafter in New Zealand
newspapers; so he is presumed to have departed on that sailing in disgrace.
It is conceivable that Isidore Birnbaum’s departure is
explained by a subsequent court case, albeit this presumes 15 months had elapsed
between his misbehavior and the court case; but this delay could be explained
by a period of desultory discussions outside the legal process that did not
converge, followed by legal action and then, ultimately, the court proceedings.
The court case pertained to complicated wrangling as to
whether a mere manager of a foreign firm had the right to sue on behalf of the
firm, but the origins of the dispute are clear: “Mr Birnbaum junr” (surely
Isidore, who was then aged around 22; versus J.B Birnbaum who was noted as 30
years old on one crossing), while local manager for B. Birnbaum and Son, had
pawned some £34 worth of waterproof coats and the like, but “had no right to
pledge the property of the firm, and therefore the goods or their equivalent
should be restored.” [EveningPost1894Apr12P3]
The strong implication is that Isidore had run up debts
which he could not pay and which the family would not pay either, and so he
secretively leveraged his position at the factory to borrow/steal the
waterproofs and turn them into some money via a handy pawnbroker. We can only
suspect the reason, but presumably involves the usual human frailties of
gambling (on horses?) and/or amorous activities, with wine as a lubricant.
Two more newspaper articles on the case impart some information
about the Birnhaum travels yet are a little confusing, so both are included
with a consistent (and presumed correct) interpretation provided in braces.
|
From [NzTim1894Apr13P2],
“… For the plaintiff the point was raised that Mr [Isidore] Birnbaum, junr.,
was manager of the company, that in that capacity he had no right to pledge
the property of the firm, and therefore the goods or their value should be
restored. Mr Skerrett, in reply, urged that the company could not sue because
it was clearly stated in its articles of association that before they could
proceed in any action at law the power of attorney to do so must be signed by
the manager and a director jointly. The case must fall through as the manager
[Isidore] was away from the Colony, and had not left the necessary power of
attorney [because he departed in a hurry, in disgrace]. His Worship reserved
his decision on the point raised.
|
|
From [EveningPost1894Apr30P2],
“The case was one in which Birnbaum & Co., Limited, waterproof
manufacturers of London. Melbourne, and Wellington, sued G. W. Smart, pawnbroker,
Manners-street, for £30 odd, being the value of waterproof coats &c, some
time ago pawned by Mr. [Isidore] Birnbaum, junr, then local manager for the
Company. … The case was partly heard last week, and on that occasion whilst
the facts were not denied, it was contended by Mr. Skerrett that the case
must fall through, as the power of attorney empowering Messrs. Peters [the
attorney] and [Isidore] Birnbaum, jun., the local representatives of the firm
when the goods referred to were pawned [by Isidore] was void [at the time
that legal proceedings were brought], Mr. [Isidore] Birnbaum having left the
colony without his power of attorney having been delegated to his successor
[Fox]. To-day Mr. W. R. C. Fox, the successor of Mr. [Isidore] Birnbaum, was
put into the box, but whilst he had a letter from the managing director [Bernard
Birnbaum?] showing he was to take the management of the Wellington business,
he [Fox] could produce no power of attorney from the directors to show he was
to sue or be sued on behalf of the company.
|
Newspaper Adverts
After the 1893 stamp underprints, there was a long hiatus in
the firm’s advertising, perhaps as Mr Fox got his feet, and then a stream of
newspaper advertisements began from April 1894, with many including the bee and
pear tree:
- “Waterproofs | B. Birnbaum, & Son, | (Limited) | Waterproof Clothing Manufacturers | London, New York, Melbourne, Wellington | Ask for no other make, ours have world-wide reputation …” [EveningPost1894Apr25P4].
- “Eight pages of well-engraved illustrations will be given, including …. Birnbaum & Son” [NzTim1894Dec06P3]
- Regretfully these illustrations do not seem to have been preserved
- “Waterproof Garments | B. Birnbaum & Son, | Limited | London and Wellington, | (Established 35 years) | Pear Tree Brand … Draw attention to the fact that their Garments are all Guaranteed Waterproof | Are Sewn and Stuck in Every Part, | Are Made By the Best Skilled Labour …” [EveningPost1895Feb07P4].
- This is the first newspaper advert to bear the same pear tree design as on the stamps
- The motto Industriae Nil Impossibile translates as “with industry, nothing is impossible”.
- “Waterproof Garments | B. Birnbaum & Son, | Limited | London and Wellington, | (Established 35 years) | … Buy the Pear Tree Brand and You Will Secure a Real Waterproof” [EveningPost1895Mar28P4]
- Also bears the pear tree design.
- “Important Notice | B. Birnbaum & Son (Ltd.) guarantee all their “Pear tree” Garments waterproof” [EveningPost1895Apr09P1]
- “Birnbaum “Pear Tree” Waterproofs | Are made in light and heavy textures and are sewn throughout.” [WairarapaDaiTim1895Apr11P3]
- “Health is Everything! Wear Birnbaum’s Waterproofs … They Will Prevent You Taking Cold | Hosiers, Hatters, Drapers and Storekeepers Stock Them” [EveningPost1895May27P4]
- Also bears the pear tree design.
 |
| Credit Fairfax Media, subject to a Creative Commons New Zealand BY-NC-SA licence [EveningPost1895May27P4]. |
A New Zealand trade-mark was recorded in the New Zealand
Gazette published on 21 June 1894.
There are also some glowing articles that verge on
advertising, such as “One of the leading waterproof manufacturing houses in the
world, is that of Messrs Birnbaum and Son, Ltd. This firm has for more than
half a century been established in England, and some time ago they opened a
branch house in New Zealand, the headquarters of which are in Wellington. The
firm’s waterproofs are undoubtedly the leading goods in the market, from the
fact that they possess advantages not seen in other manufactures. For instance,
the Pear Tree brand waterproofs are specially proofed for the New Zealand
climate, they are admirably ventilated by a patent process, they are
manufactured in light and heavy textures, and sewn throughout, not gummed
together as many similar goods are, and above all, Messrs B. Birnbaum &
Son, Ltd., guarantee their manufactures as absolutely waterproof.” [WairarapaDaiTim1895Apr11P2].
Business Is Booming
The new factory received many plaudits including a tour by
the Governor of the day, His Excellency David Boyle, Earl of Glasgow, in August
1894. The Governor “expressed himself as being highly pleased with the manner
in which the establishment was conducted.” [WikiNzGovGen]
Furthermore, Mr Fox seems to have been well-chosen to
replace Isidore Birnbaum: “Since Mr W.R.C. took over the management of the
firm in the Colony the business transacted has increased to an enormous extent,
and on all sides the quality of the goods sent out has been most highly spoken
of. Already orders are coming in freely for the 1895 season, the new patterns
are being rapidly taken up, and under its present able management the industry
is making such strides as bid fair to place it amongst the foremost in the
Colony.”
Another article [WikiNzGovGen],
possibly drafted by Mr Fox, relays the company background then includes some
interesting nuggets:
- “About six months ago [i.e., February 1894] Mr W. R, C. Fox, a gentleman of wide business experience, gained in every part of the globe, and an expert in the manufacture and sale of waterproof goods accepted the position of manager for New Zealand … at once he succeeded in putting the business on a solid foundation by his energy, tact, geniality and commercial acumen”
- The level of positivity seems a little suspicious
- “The splendid premises now occupied by the firm were at once taken and the factory removed from the temporary building in Cornhill Street, off Manners Street”
- Planning probably preceded Mr Fox, but certainly the execution under his leadership was superb
- “The output for New Zealand was very quickly doubled and the firm now sells a dozen waterproofs where one of another make is bought.”
- Those are really strong numbers, and worthy of much pride
- “The firm manufactures almost entirely in the Colony for local consumption, thereby reducing the cost to the buyer by the amount of duty payable on the articles imported, as the raw material comes duty free”
- As above, duty was probably less than 10%, so other reasons – such as offering a local product and nurturing the business experience of his sons – may have played a part too. If the latter item was a goal, then regretfully, for Isidore at least, it did not work out.
B. Birnbaum & Son, presumably under the authority of Mr
Fox, made a mild foray into politics. The firm, along with a few score other
ratepayers, encouraged the politically connected Maurice Cameron to run for
representative of Lambton Ward [EveningPost1894Aug18P3]
[DunstanTim1894May25P3].
Apparently Cameron demurred and instead nominated Thomas Macdonald [EveningPost1893Nov20P2],
who was duly elected [EveningPost1893Dec01P3].
Fox extended the firm’s operations into the South Island too.
A permanent stock and sample room was opened in Dunedin, on MacClaggan St. It
targeted drapers and outfitters, so likely was not a retail outlet [Eveningstar1894Aug27P3].
Mr Austen was manager there [EveningStar1894Oct18P2]
[EveningStar1894Nov09P2].
Fox was also busy innovating, and specifically devised – and
patented – an improved ventilation system [EveningPost1894Sep11P2].
This would have been peculiarly important since rubber clothing cannot breathe.
In the modern era, the solution to this problem is a breathable waterproof
fabric (e.g., Gore-Tex) or underarm vents. [It would be interesting to discover
Fox’s solution and his patent text.]
Birnbaum wares were also exhibited directly by retailers;
for instance at the North Otago A&P Show [NorthOtagoTim1894Nov14P3]
and the Wellington A&P Show [EveningPost1894Nov15P4].
The firm received publicity in other ways, such as by lending their transformer
for lighting a musical festival at the Opera House in Wellington [EveningPost1894Sep29P3].
We learn of the range of waterproofs being manufactured by
the firm from a report of the Wellington A&P Show [NzTim1894Nov15P3]:
“Prominent among the exhibits waterproofs of the Pear Tree Brand, manufactured
by the well-known firm of B. Birnbaum arid Son, whose mackintoshes have made so
favourable an impression upon the public of late. They include some remarkably
handsome mackintosh garments for summer and winter wear, ventilated on the most
approved principle, and made in textures specially adapted for both ladies and
gentlemen. There are also handsome riding and driving coats, carriage rugs, &c.,
all beautifully finished and of a quality which cannot fail to commend themselves
to persons in want of such articles. The whole of the exhibit has been disposed
of by Mr W. R. C. Fox, manager of the firm, to Messrs Davis and Clater, drapers
and clothiers; of Lambton quay, who have arranged them at the far end of the
Shed in a manner which cannot fail to attract the attention of visitors.” The
next year, in 1895, the firm receives a similar mention but now includes “golf
capes, racing coats, … ladies’ and gentlemen’s silk summer texture mantles, …
sponge bags, waterproof saddle-cloths and waterproof bathing hoods for ladies’
wear.”
An article for the Otago A&P Show lists “waterproof
rugs, buggy rugs, and men’s and women’s cloaks and overalls … leggings, bottle
caps, brake blocks, bicycle capes, and waterbottles …” [EveningStar1894Nov29P2].
Bicycle capes and hold-alls are also mentioned [NorthOtagoTim1894Dec07P2].
In December 1894, a Birnbaum is recorded as having sailed
from Wellington for south and thence Melbourne. This might be J.B.
Birnbaum finally departing after living quietly in New Zealand for nearly two years,
but more probably was one leg of a flying visit (with the other leg lost to
history) by a Birnbaum to check up on Mr Fox’s progress [Press1894Dec22P9].
In February 1895, E. Peters, known earlier as the firm’s accountant
and sometimes attorney, was joining the head office in London. Mr Gee reported
that Peters already had 12 years of service with them firm (presumably at
Melbourne and Wellington). This is first time Mr Gee is named in connection
with the firm, and is described as “the Melbourne partner” [EveningPost1895Feb02P2].
Surely as part of a plan to replace E. Peters, the firm had
advertised a few weeks earlier for a new bookkeeper, with knowledge of double
entry [EveningPost1895Jan22P3].
“Waterproof hands” were also wanted, for good wages [EveningPost1895Jan31P3].
Joseph Gee was a useful businessman, being able to secure a
reduction in city assessments related for their Victoria St factory, from £400
to £300 [EveningPost1895Apr06P4].
He was also a writer of popular songs, including “The Vision Song” performed by
Maggie Moore in Australia, with over 5000 copies sold [Observer1895Apr13P15][NzTim1895Apr19P3].
[It would be interesting if the lyrics and/or music could be found.]
Charity contributions were made the firm or its employees: £5
from the firm to the Unemployed Relief Works Fund (i.e., a fund to pay the
unemployed to work on a selected project of benefit to the public) [EveningPost1895Aug03P2],
and £3 8/- 6d from the employees to the Brunner Disaster Relief Fund [NzTim1896Apr11P3].
The latter was in response to the March 1896 explosion deep in the mine, which
killed all 65 miners inside [WikiBrunner].
The practice of farewelling employees leaving for England
continued; this time for Miss Duff (with Mr Drew and Mr Juhl also named) [EveningPost1895Aug17P2].
|
Then there was “The Telephone Case”. Crabtree & Sons
had a very similar telephone number as an ironfoundry, Luke & Co.
Occasionally, Luke & Co. received a call intended for Crabtree &
Sons. (This was in an era of three digit telephone numbers). Employees at
Crabtree & Sons were not always as forthright as one might like, and
sometimes led on the caller of the wrong number. For instance a Jones from
the Wairapapa was quoted (by a Crabtree & Sons employee) a two month lead
time to manufacture a 4-horse engine. Worse was when a Lomax called for old
iron rails and was told (by a Crabtree & Sons employee) that none were in
stock yet Luke & Co. certainly did have them and they were ready for
sale. At some point Crabtree & Sons discovered the tomfoolery, the
Telephone Department held an inquiry and Crabtree & Sons sued Luke &
Co. for telephone misuse in the amount of £4.
The employee mischief appeared to extend to their own
management too. Here Birnbaum & Co. called the wrong number, and John P.
Luke takes up the story: “On a Saturday in May or June last the office boy
told him [John P. Luke] that Birnbaum & Co. had been ringing him up in
reference to some castings. In the Monday he went down to the firm, when they
told him they had never rang him up [at Luke & Co.] at all. He complained
to his clerks of being sent on a fool’s errand.”
The magistrate took a hard line with the Luke & Co. (“The
way the telephone was looked after was scandalous”) and penalised them court
costs of 48/- and solicitors’ costs of £10 10/-. [EveningPost1895Nov25P2]
[NzTim1895Nov25P2]
|
The hiring at Birnbaum & Son continued through for the
first half of 1896: machinists and machinist improvers for Singer’s sewing
machines [EveningPost1896Jan17P3]
with those used to waterproof work preferred [EveningPost1896Apr16P3];
and also a good practical cutter [EveningPost1896May01P3]
.
|
The 1897 Cyclopedia of New Zealand [CycloNzWellBirnbaum]
reported “Birnbaum, B., and Son, Limited. Head office, 33 London Wall,
London. Factory, Wick Lane. Rubber works, Bow. Branches, New York and at
Melbourne. Wellington branch, Victoria Street. This large concern was established
many years ago by Mr. B. Birnbaum, the Wellington branch dating from 1892.
The building—a substantial four-story brick structure—is very complete, and
furnishes full accommodation for the various branches of the trade, being
fitted with a large lift, and brilliantly lighted throughout by electric
light. The offices are on the ground floor, the stock and show-rooms being on
the first flat. On the second floor is the cutting department, while the
factory proper is found on the top floor, about forty hands finding permanent
employment. The motive power is a gas engine, supplemented by a water motor
in case of a breakdown. Every description of waterproof garment is made on
the premises. The Company have been large prize-winners at the various
British and intercolonial exhibitions.”
|
Epilogue
The Cyclopedia material (above) was presumably compiled
before the end of 1896 since, in July 1896, the Birnbaum & Son had left
Melbourne [TheAge1896Jul27P2]
and, in September, they had announced their intent to close their Wellington factory
[EveningPost189622P4]:
“According to its usual practice after establishing a business in a new country,
the firm of Messrs. B. Birnbaum and Sons intends to close its waterproof
factory in this city. Mr. Joseph Gee, of Melbourne, one of the directors of the
firm, is now in Wellington arranging matters in connection with the closing of
the manufacturing portion of the business. The firm does not rely upon agents
in pushing its goods, but when extending its business to a new country it
establishes a factory there, employs local labour, and furnishes on the spot a
similar article to that produced at its English factories. Once the goods are
firmly established in favour, the firm closes up its local factories and
supplies a better article from its central factory. Factories for the
introduction of the firm’s goods had been opened in Russia, the United States,
Canada, and Australia, and after establishing a demand for the manufactures,
the factories in these countries have been closed. That we are informed is the
position in connection with the shutting-up of the New Zealand branch of the
manufacturing business.”
To the modern reader, this account seems a little curious,
and even smacks of public relations spin since the firm had invested heavily in
their building, equipment and staff in New Zealand. An alternative explanation
may be that the business case of the Australasian branches was weak, Bernard
was now around 65, and – given the departure of Bernard’s son Isidore – there
was no side-benefit of training the next generation of the family in the
business.
By December 1896 Birnbaum & Sons had “recently dropped
the local trade” [NzMail1896Dec03P52].
Their stock was transferred to Messrs Ross & Glendining for retail sale [WairarapaDaiTim1897Feb19P3]
[DailyTelegraph1897Feb19P3],
and this handover was advertised until the end of the year [WestCoastTim1897Dec24P4].
Isidore Birnbaum married in Marylebone, London in Apr-Jun
1900 [Ancestry, England and Wales Civil
Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915, Volume 1a, p1158].
Bernard Birnbaum died on 12 August 1911, aged 81 [BritishNewspaperArchive,
e.g., East
London Observer, 26 August 1911].
 |
| Obituary of Bernard Birnbaum. Credit: East London Observer - Saturday 26 August 1911 Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. |
The company continued for some years thereafter:
- They advertised in Vogue in 1916 [NewYorkPubLib]
- They were gazetted as a contractor for the Admiralty in 1926 [MoLGazMay1926, P34]
- Their last British newspaper reference was in 28 July 1926 [BritishNewspaperArchive, Westminster Gazette, 28 July 1926, P12]
It is unclear how B. Birnbaum & Son Ltd ultimately ended,
since it seems to have just faded out.
