This mirror was retailed by Lassetter & Co Ltd in Sydney, one of Australia's largest merchant firms in the late 19th century and in the first two decades of the 20th century.

In 1850, Frederic Lassetter (1828-1911), became a partner of Iredale & Co, a hardware and general merchant firm founded in 1820. In 1863, the company was dissolved and Lasseter became the sole proprietor of F. Lassetter & Co with premises in Sydney's George Street, expanding later to York, Bathurst, Clarence and Riley streets. Growing in size and status, F. Las setter & Co (Ltd from 1878), became one of Australia's largest hardware firms. They advertised as wholesale, retail and export ironmongers, steel merchants, gunsmiths and suppliers of agricultural equipment. In 1894, Frederic Lassetter significantly enlarged his George Street showrooms, transforming the firm into an emporium complete with a massive catalogue, 'Monthly Commercial Review' (under this name from 1909), available across Australia. By 1920, the firm was one of the largest businesses in Sydney with about 1000 staff. It collapsed about 1929 and their George Street building was taken over by the firm of Nock and Kirby.

Initially metalware specialists, F. Lassetter & Co eventually offered an extensive range of Australian-made and imported merchandise: from steam engines, agricultural machinery and tools to builders' hardware, light fittings, kitchenware, fireplace grates and cutlery. In the late 1800s, Las setter also supplied glassware, crockery and furniture and from 1894 drapery, millinery, tailoring and grocery.

Eva Czernis-Ryl
July 2008

selected reading:
Frederic Lassetter, Australian Dictionary of Bibliography, online edition www.adb.online.anu.edu.au
Fredric (sic) Lassetter and Co, Sydney, Australia, in: www.firearmsmuseum.org.au/TranterHistory/Dealers/Lessetter.htm
F Lasseter & Co, Historic Houses Trust in: www.hht.net.au/discover/highlight/online_exhibitions/sydneys_home_furnishings

The mirror was made as a promotional item for F Lassetter and Co Ltd, Sydney between 1880-1910.

Mirror, advertising promotion, plastic / glass / paper, F Lassetter & Company Ltd, Sydney, c 1910.
A flat circular mirror, encased at the back and rim in cream plastic. The back is inset with a disc of printed paper set under a piece of glass. The paper is printed in green with a picture of a woman's head in a large hat. Around the head is printed the legend "PRESENTED BY F. LASSETTER & Co LTD. GREATER CHEAPSIDE. IN THE HEART OF SYDNEY". The edge of the mirror is beveled.

Made: F Lassetter & Co Ltd; Sydney; 1880 - 1910

Around the head is printed the legend "PRESENTED BY F. LASSETTER & Co LTD. GREATER CHEAPSIDE. IN THE HEART OF SYDNEY".

86/1077

1880 - 1910

5 mm

50 mm

50 mm