General stores were a vital part of the regional communities that developed throughout Australia in the 19th century. They were the link between their communities and the metropolis and to overseas markets. Chinese immigrants were a dominant part of this retail trade across the country. By 1901 there were 800 people of Chinese descent working in NSW shops - a statistic that suggests the existence of several hundred 'Chinese stores' in the state.

The significance of this point-of-sale advertisement for locally made Buffalo Boots derives from its relationship to a Anglo-Chinese family who ran a store near Crookwell in south western NSW.

Wong Sat and Amelia Wong were married in 1864. Seven of their 10 children were born there. Both Amelia and Sat had migrated to Australia in the 1850s. Amelia arrived with her family from Manchester where they had a drapery business. Like many other Chinese men Sat made his way to Australia alone and in search of gold. He too made his way to the Bathurst area. Again like many other Chinese migrants, Sat moved from mining into trade - possibly as a butcher, shopkeeper or carrier.

Sat and Amelia were selling supplies to Chinese and European customers in the gold mining town of Tuena from 1864 to 1875. In that year the family moved south to the Fullerton/Bolong area near Crookwell where they continued to trade and farm on a rented property. In 1879 Sat was naturalised which allowed him to purchase land. Several hundred acres were bought in 1880 and a small wooden store was built on the property. Built on a sheep farm well away from link roads, the rudimentary wooden building was a 'convenience store' supplying local families on the properties and occasional travellers with a vast array of goods from foodstuffs to clothing, school needs to farm supplies. Where city and large country department stores were utilising sophisticated display techniques the Wong store had a functional set of shelves. Most goods were stored in boxes or cupboards to be brought out upon request. Like other general stores, the Wongs' business also served an important economic function as a provider of credit for families waiting for returns on their wool clip or harvest. The Wongs became highly respected members of the local community. The store traded until Sat's death in 1916.

The sign was made for C. Gillespie, Goulburn, New South Wales, by John Sands Ltd., Sydney, New South Wales, between 1875 and 1916.

The sign was used as a point-of-sale display at the Wong store near Crookwell, New South Wales, to promote the sale of Buffalo Boots.

Following the closure of the Wong store in 1916 the stock remained largely undisturbed until the growth in interest in 'Australiana' in the 1970s. At that time restaurateur Peter Doyle bought a considerable amount of stock from Robert Wong who then owned the property. Doyle had known the family since being evacuated to the Crookwell area as a young boy from Watson's Bay in 1942. At that time he visited the farm, was taken into the store and given a 'new' pair of shoes. Over the next 30 years he continued to visit the area and became friends with the Wong family. Having developed an interest in 'Australiana' in the 1970s he bought some of the material still left in the shop.

Doyle passed much of his collection on to Sydney dealer and collector Anne Schofield. She, in turn, donated this to the Museum in 1984. Twelve years later the Museum purchased more shop stock, fittings, account books and family photographs from the family.

In 2002 Peter Doyle donated most of the remaining items that he purchased in the 1970s.

Sign, advertising, 'Gillespie's Celebrated Buffalo Boots', cardboard / paper, part of shop stock, Wong family, made for C. Gillespie by John Sands Ltd., Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1875-1916.

Point-of-sale advertisement in landscape format on thick card with light green background and a colour illustration of a buffalo and the text 'We Sell Gillespie's Celebrated Buffalo Boots.' The advertisement states that the boots never get hard or crack, are always soft and are made in Goulburn. Gillespie's trademark is displayed in the centre of the advertisement. String is threaded through two holes at the upper centre.

Made: John Sands Pty Ltd; Sydney; 1875 - 1916

Used: Wong Family; Crookwell, New South Wales; 1880 - 1916

Printed on front lower right corner, in green 'JOHN SANDS LTD / SYD.'.

2003/35/3

1875 - 1916

505 mm

315 mm