While the vast majority of Victorian items we see are perfectly anonymous, once in a while we find a piece with an inscription or dedication; thanks to the excellent free resource that is Trove Australia, we can use such information as names, places & dates to find the original Newspaper reports of the events for which it was engraved.
A recent piece of local history which fits this scenario is a beautiful ebony & silver conductor’s baton, in original leather-clad case.
Arthur J Hardeman was born in Birmingham in 1864. One of five siblings, his father is listed in the 1881 census as living in Rudlan (Flint), Wales, occupation ‘Piano Forte Dealer’. In 1884, the whole family migrated to Australia on board the ‘Melanope’, still listed as a ‘Piano Forte Dealer’. The family lived in Richmond.
Arthur set about becoming a teacher, advertising lessons from the Eastern Arcade in the city in 1886. He also advertised classes in Geelong, although he is still listed as living in Richmond.
He also had an idea of forming a musical group, advertising in the Age in January 1886: “AMATEURS.— Wanted. String Band, Pianist, Trombone, E flat bass, side Drum. Hardeman, Age office.”
The ‘Richmond Amateur Orchestra’ was formed in 1894 by a group of 25 local musicians under Arthur J Hardeman.
Their first performance was on the 10th October, 1894, a Wednesday evening performance of ‘Jo Smith’s play “Drifting” ‘.
By 1897, the year this baton was purchased & presented to Arthur, there were 30 in the group. They provided music for numerous stage performances, as well as musical interludes for other stage shows.
The ebony is a luxury imported wood; the silver-work is not hallmarked but appears to be silver – the engraved maiden-hair ferns and inscription show the same metal throughout. It would have been made by one of the numerous Melbourne silversmiths, housed in a handsome silk-lined leather presentation box, and custom engraved for the musicians of ‘Professor’ Hardeman’s musical group in time for them to present it to him a few days before Christmas, 1897.
The inscription reads: “PRESENTED TO PROFESSOR ARTHUR J HARDEMAN BY THE MEMBERS OF THE RICHMOND AMATEUR ORCHESTRA AS A TOKEN OF ESTEEM DEC. 22ND 1897”
The event is recorded in the “Richmond Guardian” newspaper, Friday 24th December 1897:
“A very pleasant invitation social was given by the Richmond Amateur Orchestra to Mr and Mrs Arthur J. Hardeman at the Richmond Coffee Palace on Wednesday evening, 22nd inst. There was a large attendance, and the evening was a most pleasing one. Mr W. Spangler, on behalf of the members, presented their conductor, Mr Arthur J. Hardeman, with a handsome silver-mounted baton, in a morocco ease, and beautifully engraved., with inscription, Mr Spangler spoke in high terms of the worthy recipient, whom he hoped would be spared many years to employ the baton with his wonted musical skill. Mr Hardeman acknowledged the compliment paid to him in graceful and cordial terms. A capital programme of orchestral, instrumental and vocal items was gone through in a highly efficient manner, and dancing was indulged in later on. Mr Lee Murray acted as M.C. Great credit is due to the managers, Messrs LeBoeuf Bros, and A. Moorehead. The catering was carried out in an efficient manner by Mrs Coles.”
Moorabool is very pleased to offer this fascinating piece of social history.
There’s also some interesting research below on the ‘City of Richmond Coffee Palace’, an undocumented piece of Melbourne’s history which we have unearthed in the process of researching this baton.
The City of Richmond Coffee Palace was a briefly popular entertainment venue. ‘Coffee Palaces’ were extremely popular in the boomtown days of late Victorian Melbourne, being an alternative to the pub -only more family friendly, without the alcohol. The ‘City of Richmond Coffee Palace’ was established with the funds of public shareholders in 1888 – but just 3 years later found itself in trouble, running at a loss. A ‘stormy’ public meeting was held in 1892, addressing concerns of profitability; the idea was controversially put forward to apply for a liquor license to make some money; naturally, the core of Temperance share-holders were outraged! It was wound-up as a share company in 1892, a director pinning the blame on the Bank of Victoria, which had raised the interest rate on the loan the company had from 6 to 8 %…… and a liquor license secured. It was still known as the ‘Richmond Coffee Palace’, but you could get a little bit of something else mixed into your coffee!
It was in this entertainment complex the party was held and this baton presented. It’s a fascinating piece of Melbourne’s history.
Today’s building, the 1888 facade still intact & Heritage protected. 
Background story, 1888 Newspaper – The City Of Richmond Coffee Palace 
Opening reported, 4th August 1888 
Problems…. company winding up in 1892 
The End of the ‘Coffee Palace’ concept, Newspaper report 1893 -The City of Richmond Coffee Palace 
Australian Silver presentation conductor’s baton, Hardeman, Richmond Amateur Orchestra 1897