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Production Processes at Simpson's Gloves Factory
Image: Glove Cutters
Source: Museum Victoria
Production processes in the making of coats, gloves and handbags did not change greatly in the period from the 1920s to the 1980s, apart from the introduction of hydraulic leather cutters and new sewing machines.
Designs for the gloves and coats were usually drawn by Amos Simpson. Handbags were designed by the foreman Ernest Stokes Munro, and then subsequently by his son Keith Munro. The bulk of the leather came from Victorian and South Australian tanneries. Every part of the leather was used, with the smallest pieces being used for trim on hats or purses.
The pattern was placed on the leather on the cutting table, and cut by hand; subsequently the leather was placed under the pattern press that stamped the piece out. For handbags, leather and linings were pasted together by assemblers, then sent on to the machinists. For coats and jackets, the patterns were used to cut the linings and leather, and then sent to the machinists. One cutter could keep several machinists busy.
The factory was divided into several departments: cutting; table assembly; handbag department; coat machining; and glove machining. Men were used exclusively to do the designing and cutting; women did the assembly and machining. The cutters and assemblers stood at their work benches to do their work; machinists sat at their machines.
Archives:
The University of Melbourne Archives holds business records relating to the company, including ledgers, journals, wages books, time books and catalogues.
References:
Frances, Raelene (1986).'No More Amazons: Gender and Work in the Victorian Clothing Trades, 1880-1939', Labour History, no 50: 95-112.
Interviews with former managers and workers: Arthur Atkins (1989), Ernie Jordan (1989), Nell Marks (1989), Hazel Eddy & Gwen Simons (1990).
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Wall Clock - Sessions Clock Co, 'Foyer', circa 1930
Round wooden framed wall clock, made by Sessions Clock Co, Connecticut, USA, circa 1930. 'Foyer' model. Used in main work area of Simpsons Gloves factory in Richmond, Victoria.
From: Richmond, Australia Images: 0 -
Photographs - Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Collingwood, circa 1928
Set of four black and white photographs in a wooden frame. The images depict the exterior and interior of the factory and showrooms of Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Collingwood, circa 1928. ...
From: Richmond, Australia Images: 1 -
Photographs - Framed, Simpson's Gloves Factory, Richmond, Victoria, 1989
Framed set of 8 photographs of the exterior and interior of the factory and showrooms of Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, 488-496 Victoria Street, Richmond, 1989, at the time of its closure at ...
From: Richmond, Australia Images: 1 -
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Certificate - Centenary Celebrations Fund, Framed, 1934
Framed certificate in recognition of Simpson's contribution to the 1934-35 Victoria-Melbourne Centenary Celebrations Fund.
From: Richmond, Australia Images: 0 -
Hat - Cyclist, circa 1930-1939
Alternative Name(s): Bike Helmet, Cyclist's Helmet, Bicycle Helmet Dark khaki coloured-hat to fit snugly around ears. Made circa 1930-1939 to be worn by bicycle riders/cyclists. Foun ...
From: Richmond, Australia Images: 2 -
Press Knife - Glove, 1920s
Press knife for cutting out gloves used at Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Richmond. Plate for whole glove: little finger on outsides; first finger in the middle, with a hole cut for the thum ...
From: Richmond, Australia Images: 1 -
Photograph - Employees of Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Richomnd, Victoria, Christmas 1932
Group photograph of the managers and employees of Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Christmas 1932. The photo was probably taken at nearby Studley Park. Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd was formed in ...
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Photograph - Group of Employees in Front of Simpson's Gloves Factory, Richmond, Victoria, ...
Group portrait of employees in front of the factory and showrooms of Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, 488-496 Victoria Street, Richmond,1928-1932. Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd was formed in 1924 ...
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Photograph - Workers at Benches, Simpson's Gloves Factory, Richmond, Victoria, circa 1930
Photograph of men standing at cutting our benches in upstairs work room of Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, 488-496 Victoria Street, Richmond, 1928-1932. Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd was formed ...
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Photograph - Employees of Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Richomnd, Victoria, Christmas 1932
Group photograph of the managers and employees of Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Christmas 1932. The photo was probably taken at nearby Studley Park. Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd was formed in ...
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