Link to a selection of my store of photos

GlimpsesofOldMelbPhotoAlbum 

Perdriau Rubber Products

Perdriau Rubber Company Ghost signs in Commercial Rd Armadale and Malvern Rd East Malvern

Over about five years I have found two excellent signs that reveal a long heritage in rubber products and signage in Australia. The signs have been related to car tyres but a publication has reminded me that rubber use extends to personal items such as waterproof clothing.

Sign from Commercial Rd Armadale

Cnr Tooronga and Malvern Rds East Malvern

Full wording is " Perdriau Balloon Tyres". Garage is heritage listed but sign is fading fast. I'll post pictures taken more than 5 years ago to show the contrast.

Henry Perdriau (1845-1935), rubber merchant and manufacturer, was born on 6 December 1845 at Balmain, Sydney. His family was English and of French Hugenot origin. His father arrived in Australia in the 1830's and was prominent in steam boat traffic around Sydney Harbour.  Henry worked his father's company but had also become involved in importing and cutting up bulk rubber for railway-carriage buffers.   By 1888 Perdriau & Co. had agencies for many large English, German and American rubber firms and a large intercolonial trade for rubber goods for mechanical, agricultural, surgical, mining and general purposes.  Perdriau Rubber Co. Ltd was formed on 16 April 1904 and Henry as chairman. In 1928-35, after the company amalgamated with the Dunlop Rubber Co. of Australasia Ltd, he was a director of Dunlop-Perdriau Rubber Co. Ltd.

Source: Australian Dictionary of Biography, Article by GP Walsh on Henry Perdrieu

Lovely Fashion Mackintoshes by Perdriau

Early Work 2007-08: Stirling Dairy Portsea Sign

Early 20th Century Public Transport Corporation Advertising

Source: Victorian Government Image Library

Reidy's Lonsdale Street Melbourne 2008

Second panel sign from left  says "Suppliers to the Refrigeration Industry". A little research has indicated that there is a history back to the 1930's in refrigeration supplies from Reidy's and other companies that now go under the Actrol brand. It is well described on the web as follows:

A History of Actrol (and Reidy's)

During the 1930's, new refrigeration and air conditioning units were being invented and the first sealed refrigeration unit was manufactured.  By the end of the 1930's almost 100% of Australian households had some form of refrigeration and the air-conditioning era had begun.  In this climate a store owner in Brisbane, Mr. Phillip H. Phillips branched into the supply of refrigeration and air conditioning parts.

Rapid market expansion led Ray Inns of Adelaide and Jeff Reidy of Melbourne to consider establishing a national network of independent dealerships. In 1955 R.E. Inns Ltd. opened in Adelaide (with Phillips and Reidy's support) followed in 1961 by J.F.Reidy's Pty. Ltd. in Melbourne.  The Phillips, Inns and Reidy union firmly established the group of independent wholesalers.  1965 saw Joe Doyle Pty. Ltd. open in Sydney.  Nation-wide status followed in 1970 via acquisition of both Hobart and Perth businesses.

1979 saw Actrol become a part of Repco resulting in the opening of many new branches around the country.  Actrol's then parent company Repco began to shed its assets in 1985 and in 1986 Actrol was procured by Gold Securities Australia (GSA Ltd) becoming once again a private owned identity.

With a solid capital foundation and the allegiance of many of the world's biggest and most renowned suppliers, Actrol was in a very strong position.  Growth continued for the next 25 years under GSA to result in Australia's largest private wholesaler to the refrigeration and air conditioning industry with national coverage incorporating 49 branches.

May 2010 saw Actrol commence a new chapter in its journey. Ownership was exchanged into the competent hands of Catalyst Investment Pty Ltd.  The change saw Actrol in a position to further expand and strengthen its relationships with both customer and supplier.  

Source:  Actrol web site at http://www.actrol.com.au/About-Us/A-History-of-Actrol/

Early Project Photos 2007-2008

Very Interesting Cash Grocery building in Melbourne's west taken in 2008. Features McAlpin's Flour, Robur Tea, Berger Paints and Kem-Tone Wallpaper signs

Sabatys Blue Stores, Frocks, Coats and Costumes,
 above University Meats, Glenferrie Road, Glenferrie 

 Early Project Photos (2007-2008)

Sabaty's Blue Stores, Glenferrie, Melbourne

I have yet to research either Sabaty stores or University Meats but the Sabaty sign seems a good example of a Ghost Sign. The full wording is:

Sabaty’s Blue Stores

Frocks Coats Costumes

Value Quality Satisfaction