In 1879 Brothers James and John Griffiths started producing Australian-grown tea in the Dandenong Ranges on the outskirts of Melbourne. Griffiths Brothers was established as one of Australia’s first coffee and tea distribution businesses based in Melbourne, in 1915 they built their Sydney outlet and Tea rooms.
Griffiths made the company a household name through the clever use of outdoor advertising the blue and white enamel “Griffiths Tea” signs were visible Australia wide on railway fences, stations and other buildings. These signs let the rail travellers know the distance to where the tea could be enjoyed, with a distance shown as “— miles to Griffiths Tea”, These signs were well known along the eastern states railway lines.
We have a large collection of the other common promotional item. The 2lbs Tea Tin is one of our favourites. Griffiths made tin canisters in the 2lbs size for their tea with common kitchen consumables listed on the front . The tins, when emptied, became useful kitchen canisters and helped promote the brand. Example of the names include Flour, Rice, Sugar, Sago, Candied Peel, Tapioca, Spices, Starch, Biscuits, Currants, Barley, String and of course Tea .
Griffiths made the company a household name through the clever use of outdoor advertising the blue and white enamel “Griffiths Tea” signs were visible Australia wide on railway fences, stations and other buildings. These signs let the rail travellers know the distance to where the tea could be enjoyed, with a distance shown as “— miles to Griffiths Tea”, These signs were well known along the eastern states railway lines.
We have a large collection of the other common promotional item. The 2lbs Tea Tin is one of our favourites. Griffiths made tin canisters in the 2lbs size for their tea with common kitchen consumables listed on the front . The tins, when emptied, became useful kitchen canisters and helped promote the brand. Example of the names include Flour, Rice, Sugar, Sago, Candied Peel, Tapioca, Spices, Starch, Biscuits, Currants, Barley, String and of course Tea .
We are interested in buying and selling Griffiths Brothers Antiques and can help sell your tins on consignment if you wish. We also have tins for prop hire as needed. Please contact us using our contacts page if you have any Griffiths related sales or purchase requirements.
COMMERCIAL TINS (Hinged Lid Design)
Paper Labelled |
Red & Silver
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Blue & Silver 5lbs, 6lbs, 7lbs, 14lbs
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Victoria's Centenary
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ROUND PUSH LID DESIGN
Blue & Silver
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Round Canister
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Pure Blend Tea 2/9
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COFFEE WITH CHICORY
Coffee with Chicory |
1 lb Sunbeam
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Cardboard box
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COCOA TINS
Malted Cocoa
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Malted Cocoa
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1 lb Cocoa
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CONFECTIONERY TINS
6lbs Sugared Peanuts
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1lbs Confectionery Hinged Tins
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RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN TEA CANISTERS
These tins would have been sold containing 2 lbs of tea in each. The idea behind these tins was for re-purposing in the household kitchen, with the convenience of commonly used consumables written on the front of the tin, the other three sides had pictures of Sydney Waratah, Melbourne Pink Heath and Adelaide Sturt's Desert Pea, these are the state flowers from the locations Griffiths Brothers operated.
Currants, Oatmeal, Tea, Sago Tapioca, Barley, Starch, Spices |
Christmas Greetings 1933 |
Greeting were sometimes printed onto the tins |
SAMPLE TINS
Cocoa, Tea
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TEA ROOM TABLEWARE
Bread Knifes |
Small Tea Pot |
Serviette Rings |
WAR EFFORT
Timber Note Book & pencil |
Sent to the Men & Women During World War 2 |
HOUSEHOLD PROMOTIONAL ITEMS
Shopping Bag carrier |
1908 Calendar (Front)
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Calendar Dates (BACK)
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Small Thimble |
1906 Postcard
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Griffiths Bros'
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Tinned Matches
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Camp Fire Billy with Cup |
Tin Cup |
TEA SCOOP, TEA STIRRER, PAGE TURNER (Debatable Purpose)
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ORIGINAL PAPER LABELS
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