Talk:History of Bickford's Australia

Commons
See also http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:A._M._Bickford_%26_Sons Pdfpdf (talk) 12:31, 4 February 2011 (UTC)

Info on slsa website
There's lots of "stuff" on the State Library of South Australia website Pdfpdf (talk) 12:31, 4 February 2011 (UTC)

Books/articles

 * Mail, 9 March 1940, p. 8 (magazine supplement) Title: William Bickford's life. Adventures of pioneer chemist


 * An alchemist's dream : the story of A.M. Bickford and Sons / Marjorie Scales
 * Publisher [Adelaide] : Ronald F. Bickford, 1990 ISBN 0731691067 :
 * Description/Quantity 99 p. : ill., ports. ; 26 cm
 * Note: Available from M Scales, 105 Church Tce, Walkerville SA 5081 - Genealogical table on lining papers


 * Hopkins, Nigel (2006) Bickford's : a great survivor Source: SA life, vol. 3, no. 7 (July 2006), p. 66-67
 * Article about the history of the South Australian company Bickford's, famous for its lime juice cordial and, since 1999, owned by the Kotses family.


 * Lavers, Anthony (1994) Meet a doctor of ailing business Source New outlook, September 1994, p. 11


 * Bickford's cordial View of the iconic South Australian lime juice cordial, made by Bickford's, with a glass of the cordial ready for drinking beside it. DATE 2006


 * Bickford's building Waymouth Street, north side, frontage of building is 13.5 yards near side is 11 yards east of Young Street DATE 1916

Search keywords

 * Kotses, Angelo
 * Bickford, William
 * Bickford, Anne Margaret
 * Lloyd, Guy
 * Lloyd, Adele
 * A.M. Bickford and Sons -- History
 * Pharmaceutical industry -- South Australia -- History
 * Beverage industry -- South Australia -- History
 * (Author) Hoare, Peter

Bickford, James, 1816-1895 (unrelated)

 * A prominent SA Wesleyan minister COMPLETELY unrelated to these Bickfords. ( LOTS of entries.)

Bickford, Humphrey Harding, 1825-1864 (brother of Wm Snr)

 * Humphrey Harding Bickford ca.1863
 * Humphrey Harding Bickford arrived in South Australia with his wife Sarah aboard the 'Gratitude' on the 15th August 1848. He established a saddlery in Hindley Street
 * Bickford's Saddlery, 20 Hindley Street DATE ca.1873
 * (Humphrey) Harding (b.1825) - twin - followed William Snr. to Adelaide, m. Sarah, father of John Pepperell Bickford. Little contact with William's family

Bickford, William, 1815-1850 (William Snr.)

 * Portrait of William Bickford, founder of A.M. Bickford and Sons DATE ca.1880
 * South Australian register, 12 September 1850, p. 2, col. e
 * Notable South Australians, or Colonists - past and present, p. 116 - Loyau, George E. (George Ettienne), 1835-1898
 * Adelaide observer, 28 April 1900, p. 16
 * Observer, 24 November 1906, p. 30 - William Bickford, founder of the firm A.M. Bickford & Sons Ltd. in 1839 and the first colonist to start in business as a druggist in Adelaide
 * SLSA Archive D8377 - Letters to his relatives in England - 1838-1850
 * William Bickford was born ca.1795 in Devon, England and emigrated to SA with his wife Ann Margaret, nee Garrett, on the 'Platina' in 1838-1839. He opened his apothecary business in Hindley Street, Adelaide but died in 1850. His widow and their two sons established A.M. Bickford & Sons, making cordials and aerated waters, including the well known Bickford's Lime Juice Cordial.
 * Letters to his relatives in England - 1838-1850
 * D 8377/1 : To his mother at Stonehouse, Plymouth, 27 July 1838 before leaving England
 * D 8377/2 : To his sister Jane, at sea, 29 September 1838 on the 'Platina'
 * D 8377/3 : To his mother, Cape of Good Hope, 21 December 1838
 * D 8377/4 : To his mother, brothers and sisters, North Terrace, Adelaide, 16 April 1839
 * D 8377/5 : To his sister, Adelaide, 10 April 1841
 * D 8377/6 : To his sister, Adelaide, 25 January 1842
 * D 8377/7 : To his mother, Adelaide, 24 June 1842
 * D 8377/8 : To his sister, Hindley Street, 30 August 1843
 * D 8377/9 : To his brother, Hindley Street, 15 December 1843
 * D 8377/10 : To his mother, Hindley Street, 3 March 1844
 * D 8377/11 : To his sister, Hindley Street, 11 September 1844
 * D 8377/12 : To his sister, Hindley Street, 4 June 1845
 * D 8377/13 : To his mother, Hindley Street, 20 November 1845
 * D 8377/14 : To his mother, Hindley Street, 10 November 1846
 * D 8377/15 : To his mother, Hindley Street, 10 July 1847
 * D 8377/16 : To his brother, Hindley Street, 14 December 1847
 * D 8377/17 : W. and Margaret Bickford to relations in America, 18 February 1850
 * D 8377/18 : Death notice for William Bickford, 'South Australian Register' Thursday 12 September 1850

Bickford, Ann Margaret, 1810-1877 (wife)

 * Anne Margaret Bickford Portrait of Anne Margaret Bickford (nee Garrett), wife of William Bickford DATE ca.1880

Bickford, William, 1841-1916 (William Jnr. - eldest son)

 * Adelaide observer, 28 April 1900, p. 16, col. a
 * Of A.M. Bickford & Sons.; Mayor of Brighton; President of the Chamber of Commerce.
 * Pastoralist at Burnside Station in the south-east
 * South Australian Celebrities : Wm. Bickford
 * Wm. Bickford Esq., Mayor of Brighton DATE 1880
 * Portrait of William Bickford, Junior, ca.1900; son of William Bickford ; senior partner of A.M. Bickford and Sons. He was born in South Australia in 1841
 * Title [William Bickford, Junior]
 * Dates/Publication Details 1906
 * Source Observer, 24 November 1906, p. 30
 * portrait in newspaper Caption: Mr. William Bickford, eldest son of the founder, and Chairman of Directors of A.M. Bickford & Sons
 * Title [William Bickford]
 * Dates/Publication Details 1906
 * Source Honorary magistrate, no. 6 (January 1906), p. 81, col. a
 * Ex-President of the Justices' Association; Former Mayor of Brighton; Bank director; President of Chamber of Commerce

Bickford, Harry, 1843-1927 (son)

 * Death of Mr Harry Bickford (1927) Source: Chronicle, 10 September 1927, p. 36, col. b
 * Additional family members are named in this notice
 * Chairman of directors of A.M. Bickford & Sons.
 * First President of the Pharmaceutical Association of S.A.

Bickford Harold 1876-1958 (grandson)

 * Harold Bickford aged 11 years old, dressed as an officer for children's fancy dress party DATE 1887
 * Adelaide observer, 25 April 1896, p. 9, col. d
 * Prominent cyclist, associated with St. Peter's College and the Adelaide Cycling Club
 * South Australian homes and gardens, February 1933, p. 26
 * Waiwera Glenelg S Aust House
 * Photographs of hydrangeas in the front garden of "Waiwera", the residence of Mr and Mrs Harold Bickford at Glenelg
 * Advertiser, 25 October 1958, p. 3, col. d
 * Businessman and horse racing identity - obituary

Bickford Harding 1877 1919
Harding Bickford aged 10 years old, dressed as a Infantry officer DATE 1887 Album Collection Children's Fancy Dress Ball, 1887 Collection

Bickford Ascott Harrold 1875 1917 (unrelated)
Nothing definitive.

Bickford Harry Fairweather 1874 1906

 * Fairweather Bickford aged 13 years old, dressed as a Blue Coat Boy DATE 1887 Album Collection Children's Fancy Dress Ball, 1887 Collection
 * Title A very pretty wedding took place at St John's Church
 * Dates/Publication Details 1903
 * Source Quiz, 20 March 1903, p. 4
 * Summary A report on the wedding of [May] Innes Ker and [Harry Fairweather] Bickford.
 * Title [Harry Fairweather Bickford] obituary
 * Dates/Publication Details 1906
 * Source Observer, 14 July 1906, p. 29
 * Description/Quantity citation in newspaper
 * Includes portrait
 * Summary Of A. M. Bickford & Sons

Bickford May

 * May Bickford aged 15 years old, dressed as a Russian fisherwife DATE 1887 Album Collection Children's Fancy Dress Ball, 1887 Collection
 * ditto - different picture

Childrens Fancy Dress Ball 1887

 * 29 M. and G. Beresford aged 10 years old, dressed as fishermen
 * 30 Eveline Bickford aged 9 years old, dressed as Little Red Riding Hood
 * 31 Fairweather Bickford aged 13 years old, dressed as a Blue Coat Boy
 * 32 Harding Bickford aged 10 years old, dressed as a Infantry officer
 * 33 Harold Bickford aged 11 years old, dressed as an officer
 * 34 May Bickford aged 15 years old, dressed as a Russian fisherwife
 * 35 May Bickford aged 15 years old, dressed as a Russian fisherwife - 2nd view
 * 36 Sidney Bickford aged 13 years old, dressed as an officer
 * 37 Antonia Bircher aged 10 years old, dressed as a telephone

info on www.safoodcentre.com.au

 * Angelo Kotses
 * building_the_bickfords_brand, Food Talk, Autumn 2008 (Issue 26)
 * Angelo joined Bickford’s in 1992 as a consultant when it had just come out of receivership. Despite its troubles, he could see the potential of the business, "so my family and I bought it in 1999."
 * From just two full-time and four part-time staff in 1992, today the group – which includes the Wheel and Barrow homewares business and Vok Beverages – employs more than 350 staff and exports products to 18 countries.
 * Wheel&Barrow Head Office: 162 Cross Keys Road, Salisbury South SA 5106 Shops: Shop 2, 156 King William Road, HYDE PARK SA 5061; Shop 3, 140 The Parade, NORWOOD SA 5067; Shop G8 Rundle Mall Plaza, Cnr Rundle Mall & Gawler Place, ADELAIDE SA 5000
 * http://vok.com.au/ home, our business As of December 1 2009 Vok entered into a joint venture with the Fosters Group to market and distribute the following highly acclaimed Australian wine brands – Andrew Garrett, Cartwheel, Fisher’s Circle, Half Mile Creek, Queen Adelaide, Minchinbury, Great Western, Rouge Homme, Yarra Ridge, Maglieri of McLaren Vale, Galway Pipe and Boronia.
 * Vok History: Vok Beverages is a privately owned and managed Australian company based in Adelaide, South Australia. Vok entered the Australian market in 2002 and has since become one of the fastest growing companies in the alcohol market. The company is renowned for realising the untapped potential of ‘tail’ brands and returning them to growth. Vok is a dynamic company with a range of proprietary brands, it’s the exclusive distributor for a number of Diageo brands and has entered a joint venture to distribute various Treasury Wine Estate brands. Vok Beverages is a young company with big ambitions to become a national leader and innovator in distributing premium alcohol brands.
 * publications: Food Talk, Summer 2006 (Issue 22) Coopers; food_talk_magazine index; taste_of_sa

Pdfpdf (talk) 12:31, 4 February 2011 (UTC)

The letters of William Bickford
The letters of William Bickford are archived at the State Library of South Australia - http://www.catalog.slsa.sa.gov.au/record=b2557015 - see above for detail.

The contents were summarised in a two part article in "The Register" on Saturday 13 & 20 June 1925. (The following are highly selectively edited extracts - click on the link for the full article. Pdfpdf (talk) 12:31, 4 February 2011 (UTC))

Part 1: 13 June 1925, Page 7
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/54918933

ADELAIDE'S FIRST CHEMIST. Letters of William Bickford. In a recent search for certain details in connection with the firm of A. M. Bickford & Sons, Limited, letters written by the founder of the firm more than four score years ago were found in an old deedbox.


 * ... The foregoing is a passage written by a young Englishman of 23 to his mother on 27 July 1838. The writer was William Bickford, the founder of the first distinct chemist's business in Adelaide, a business which subsequently developed to the large extent we see it to-day. ... 'I detest being under an obligation to any one,' wrote young Bickford further, referring to conditions as they then existed in the old country. 'When a young man is in a situation it is impossible for him to save much money, the salary is so very low, particularly in, the drug business, so I might be an assistant for 20 years, and he very little better for it. It is no g0od to think of opening business in England, for there is not a place where a person can find room to open with any prospect of success. It is that, and nothing more, that has made me determine to go to South Australia. ...


 * In September, 1838, William Bickford again wrote to his mother, telling her how be had inspected his berth on the ship Platena before sailing. ...


 * The next letter William Bickford wrote to his sister a fortnight later at sea. ...


 * When William Bickford arrived in Adelaide he wrote a lengthy letter to his mother, brothers, and sisters from North Terrace, dated 16 April 1838 — two months after coming here. ... The first thing in the morning I stood with one leg on either side of the 'immense' river (Torrens), and washed my face and hands. ... William Bickford proceeded to explain that he had got a very comfortable situation in his own business, and was then living with Mr. Bright, a surgeon, as an assistant in a retail shop at a salary of 40/ a week with board and lodging. 'Every one said when I left that it was no good to take any drugs with me, as there was no sickness, and consequently no drugs required; that all surgeons that were here were starving and could earn nothing at their own pro fession. Ever since I have been here they have scarcely known where to go to first, and if I had had it in my power to have brought out £100 worth of drugs I could have made 200 per cent by them. ...


 * Eight months elapsed before William Bickford again recorded his doings to his people in England. 'Since my last,' he wrote on 20 March 1840, 'Dr. Bright, whom I was living with at the time, has left the colony, and left the business in the hands of his creditors to be disposed of, and men in charge to carry on same until disposed of, which was about two months. The person who bought it did not want an assistant; consequently I was out of a situation, but I was very fortunate in soon securing another in my own business, where I have been ever since. At first my salary was £2 a week, with out board and lodging. Since that the proprietors--both of whom are surgeons--have established another shop and placed me to carry on the retail and dispensing branches of the business, and one is in attendance every day to give advice.'


 * The following passage occurred in a letter, dated 10 April 1841: ... For my own part I have no reason to complain. I have a very good business, and I believe a fair share of the drug trade. I am doing very well in every respect, much, better than I ever expected. When I left Plymouth I little thought I should be in business for myself as chemist within 20 months after landing in the colony. ... Business is going on prosperously, and I have a comfortable home at my own fire side and a good wife, who studies my interest in every respect. William Bickford celebrated the twenty-fourth anniversary of his birth by marrying a young lady — Ann Margaret Garrett — whom he had met on the voyage out. (To be Continued.)

Part 2: 20 June 1925, Page 8
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/54917408
 * Writing to his sister in England on 25 January 1842, giving her a brief account of South Australian conditions, William Bickford pointed out that since that time the previous year the colony had changed very much. 'Then everything was looking prosperous, money was plentiful and merchants and agricultural labourers had plenty of employment. For the last few months,' he added, 'every thing has been very dull.' ... 'As for myself,' wrote the young pharmacist, 'I have no cause to complain, ... I have done a pretty good business, ... In this letter William Bickford announced the birth of his son, William, on 19 November 1841.


 * Addressing his mother from Hindley street six months later, William Bickford told her that he was doing well, ...


 * A letter dated 30 August 1843, intimates the birth six months previously of a son, 'whose name is Harry.'


 * Another, dated 4 June 1845, urges his cousin, Harding, to come to South Australia ...


 * 'Our copper mines are yielding abundantly, and fresh mines are being discovered almost every week.' wrote William Bickford on 20 November 1845. ...


 * A year later he wrote:— 'Respecting my adopted country we have at present— thanks be to the Great Architect of the universe— a great contrast to you. Provisions in the shape of bread and- meat— the staff of life— are very cheap, and in abundance; ... South Australia is the place for cheap living, that is plain, good living. ... Bickford went on to say how that winter he had built a house on a block of land of about 16 acres three miles from Adelaide, and how he had sent his wife and children out to it, while he went in and out each day. This, it is learnt, was the site upon which Benacre now stands. The reason for the removal was because Adelaide had become more thickly populated and was 'unhealthy in the summer months.' During the previous summer they had lost a baby, and therefore he resolved to get his family out of town. A description of the city at that time is not very flattering. ...


 * On 18 February 1850, he wrote concerning his small estate at Benacre, how he had built a house, planted an acre of garden and 2½ acres of orchard, and how 'in another two years if all is well we shall be able to sit under our fig tree and walk in our vineyard.' The optimistic young chemist however, did not see the fulfilment of his ambitions. He was stricken down by brain fever, and after an illness of three days passed away on 11 September 1850, at the early age of 35 - on the threshold of success— leaving a wife and four young children.


 * The young widow, left with her young family, determined to carry on the business for their sakes. Engaging the necessary qualified assistance, she was enabled to continue and develop it. So soon as the elder boys were old enough, she had them trained to take their place in the management of affairs. The second boy, Harry, she sent to England to gain the necessary experience and training as a chemist, while the eldest son, William, was retained here to take charge of the business. In company with her two sons, the firm name became that of the widow and her sons— A. M. Bickford & Sons— the title under which the business is still carried on, although later it was formed into the present limited company. Meanwhile, the business continued to expand, and the expansion largely developed upon wholesale lines. The wholesale side, indeed, soon became the more important, and eventually the retail business was disposed of, and the firm became purely wholesale in its activities. Continual expansion had necessitated two moves to larger premises in Hindley street, but, with the disposal ot the retail side of the business, a large warehouse was built in Currie street on the site now occupied by the firm. The old residential quarters in Waymouth street were some years ago taken over for the growing needs of the manufacturing department, and the present spacious and modern laboratories and works are now located there. The sons, Messrs. William and Harry Bickford, continued the business after the death of their mother. About 10 years ago the elder of the two sons, Mr. William Bickford, died. Mr. Harry Bickford has been in retirement for several years. Their places have in turn been taken by their sons, and the present management is thus the third generation in line from the founder.

A Valedictory Social held for Mr Harding Bickford - extracts
Harding Bickford (1877-1919, aged 42) - was aged 15 when he joined the company, aged 21 at time of article.)

Mr Harding Bickford - A Valedictory Social, The Advertiser, Thursday 31 March 1898 p.6. Accessed 31 January 2011

MR. HARDING BICKFORD. A VALEDICTORY SOCIAL. At the Exchange Hotel on Wednesday evening a valedictory social was tendered Mr. Harding Bickford by the employes of the firm of Messrs A. M. Bickford & Sons. There was a large attendance. Mr. William Bickford, who presided, said they met together to wish Mr. Harding Bickford, who had been in the employ of the firm for six years, (1892-1898) a pleasant and safe visit to the old country, whither he was going to improve his knowledge in pharmacy. ...

Mr H. O'Connor, the manager of the firm, presented Mr. Bickford with ...

Mr Harry Bickford said that ... Mr. J. H. Young submitted the toast of "Pharmacy" ... Mr. C. Radcliffe responded. Vocal and instrumental music was contributed by Messrs. Harold Bickford, Fox, S. W. Ranford, Hammond, and O'Connor.

During the evening Mr. William Bickford said 'he thought the time opportune to bring before the public a short statement showing the state of the business. The "short statement" read as follows :—


 * The name of the late William Bickford, the founder of the business, was green in the memory of many old colonists. He was born at Churchstow, Devonshire, and sailed in the good ship Platina from Plymouth in 1839 for South Australia. His quiet manner and kindly spirit made him a general favorite with the little band of pioneers. After spending a few months in the service of the late Dr. Bright he opened a chemist shop near Rosina-street in Hindley-street, and in a remarkably short space of time the trade had increased so much that he removed into larger premises built by the Rev. Mr. Playford opposite to Club-lane, in Hindley-street. It was here in 1850, after a short illness, that he was called away to join the great majority. His death was a severe blow to his relatives and numerous friends, who mourned the loss of a man who had endeared himself to them by his integrity and his every ready willingness to do his part towards alleviating the sufferings of the poor and needy. For 14 years Mrs. A. M. Bickford, the widow, carried on the business, ably supported by the late Mr. Edwin Page and Mr. Robert Hutton, now of Rundle-street. During 1864 Mr. William and Mr. Harry Bickford were taken into partnership, and the firm was then known as A. M. Bickford and Sons. Mr. William Bickford for many years represented the firm on the Murray and River Darling, at the same time taking commissions from Messrs. D. & W. Murray, Harrold Brothers, Whyte, Counsel & Co., and W. Milne & Co. The trip was done with a buggy and pair through Gawler, Truro, Blsncbetown, and then the River Murray, the sheep and cattle stations being visited en route. Wentworth was reached in due course, and as the town was flourishing a good trade was done with the storekeepers and hotel keepers. From Wentworth the River Darling was followed, and all stations and townships between there and Wilcannia were included in the list. Wilcannia was the last port of call, where Mr. Bickford disposed of the turnout, and returned to the city by steamer or coach. This journey occupied three months, and was undertaken twice a year regularly for some years. The splendid results of the efforts of William Bickford necessitated the erection of buildings to be devoted solely to the manufacture of cordials and aerated waters. The freehold of half an acre of land in Waymouth-street was purchased, and on this were placed the present structures. In its initial, stage this new industry was worked by comparatively small machinery, but as the reputation of their beverages grew Messrs. Bickford, always alive to satisfying the public demand, added the latest appliances, until at the present time their plant was most replete and extensive. In the meantime the Hindley-street business grew apace, and the premises were found altogether unsuitable for the requirements of the trade, and a site at the corner of Currie and Leigh streets was selected, on which a warehouse was built. In August, 1879, the removal into the new building took place. Since 1889 a complete laboratory and an assay plant had also been added. The firm was represented by five commercial travellers, and employed 53 hands. A branch was established at Perth, Western Australia, worked upon the same lines as the parent business. It was the intention of the firm to add cordials to the other proprietary articles supplied to the public. The management of the concern was entrusted to Mr. Robert McClure, who was for about 18 years in the Adelaide house. It had been found necessary from the growing demands to have regular direct shipments from London and America ia order to keep pace with the times.

Pdfpdf (talk) 13:17, 4 February 2011 (UTC)

Photo Album
http://www.bickfords.net/photo%20album/index.html - pp.16-17 General Price List 1926
 * Directors in 1926
 * Harry Bickford, Chairman - (1843-1927 - second son of Wm Sr.)
 * Harold Bickford, Managing Director (1876-1958 - 3rd child of Wm Jr.)
 * Leslie B Bickford (7th child of Wm Jr. - Also manager of the Surgical and Veterinary Department)
 * Reginald Bickford (5th child of Wm Jr. - Also manager of Aerated Water and Cordial Factory)

way too much detail
While the level of detail here is incredibly respectable, I don't know if it is quite in keeping with Wikipedia's style. Large expanses about the family's personal lives feel irrelevant, and some of the language feels unnecessarily fluffy.

At the very least I would suggest reformatting this article for the Bickford family specifically, and creating a separate page for the current cordial and soft drink company. Most readers will only be looking for the bottler, but I would hate to see the wealth of information here put to waste.

Atreem (talk) 11:48, 13 December 2015 (UTC)

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External links modified
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