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1890 (21 Nov) Victoria 2p embossed stationery cover to the #philatelic firm of Mssrs. Dawson Alexander Vindin, at 11 Victoria Arcade, Sydney; from Melbourne.
#philately #stampdealer
1890 (21 Nov) Victoria 2p embossed stationery cover to the #philatelic firm of Mssrs. Dawson Alexander Vindin, at 11 Victoria Arcade, Sydney; from Melbourne.
#philately #stampdealer
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Vindin was a pioneer philatelic trader & publisher in New South Wales. He began his journey aged 12, when he was apprenticed to Buckley, Blunsum & Co.; the earliest of the professional philatelic traders in Colonial Australia. By age 14, he was the firms sole proprietor.
Vindin was a pioneer philatelic trader & publisher in New South Wales. He began his journey aged 12, when he was apprenticed to Buckley, Blunsum & Co.; the earliest of the professional philatelic traders in Colonial Australia. By age 14, he was the firms sole proprietor.
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Much has been written about Vindin, so I won't retell the tale here in a lengthy thread. Instead I'll direct you via links below to some interesting reading, then talk more about the address on the cover.
https://issuu.com/dahubbpostal/docs/sn2013-11
https://thephilately.com/leading-london-dealers-dawson-a-vindin
Much has been written about Vindin, so I won't retell the tale here in a lengthy thread. Instead I'll direct you via links below to some interesting reading, then talk more about the address on the cover.
https://issuu.com/dahubbpostal/docs/sn2013-11
https://thephilately.com/leading-london-dealers-dawson-a-vindin
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The cover is addressed to Vindin's firm at 11 Victoria Arcade, Sydney. The advertisement pictured below is from the 29 Nov 1890 edition of The Bulletin, showing that he occupied two shops in the Arcade - No.'s 9 & 11.
The cover is addressed to Vindin's firm at 11 Victoria Arcade, Sydney. The advertisement pictured below is from the 29 Nov 1890 edition of The Bulletin, showing that he occupied two shops in the Arcade - No.'s 9 & 11.
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In an 1891 article from The Australian, Vindin is reportedly at No.'s 7 & 11 Victoria Arcade; No.11 being for the "sale and purchase of stamps, stamp albums and Philatelic publications, and here a large local business is transacted." See also pictured advert (Nov 1891).
In an 1891 article from The Australian, Vindin is reportedly at No.'s 7 & 11 Victoria Arcade; No.11 being for the "sale and purchase of stamps, stamp albums and Philatelic publications, and here a large local business is transacted." See also pictured advert (Nov 1891).
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The four-storied Victoria Arcade was completed in 1887-88. The arcade's grand facades faced Elizabeth and Castlereagh Streets, sandwiching a large oval-shaped interior space with a central kiosk and spectacular glass roof.
The four-storied Victoria Arcade was completed in 1887-88. The arcade's grand facades faced Elizabeth and Castlereagh Streets, sandwiching a large oval-shaped interior space with a central kiosk and spectacular glass roof.
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Pictured is a ground-floor plan of the Arcade and an 1892 photograph of the oval, glass-roofed interior. I have orientated the floor-plan and drawn a line across it to show the area visible in the photograph.
Pictured is a ground-floor plan of the Arcade and an 1892 photograph of the oval, glass-roofed interior. I have orientated the floor-plan and drawn a line across it to show the area visible in the photograph.
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With a little research, it has been possible to identify the shops to the right of the interior photograph (which I have annotated): No. 4 C.F. Jones (stationer & typewriter agent) and No. 5 Victoria Buffet (café). Opposite these is the No. 11 - Vindin's main sales room.
With a little research, it has been possible to identify the shops to the right of the interior photograph (which I have annotated): No. 4 C.F. Jones (stationer & typewriter agent) and No. 5 Victoria Buffet (café). Opposite these is the No. 11 - Vindin's main sales room.
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In the 1892 interior photograph, No. 11 looks to be empty. Looking through old newspapers, Vindin's last advert for stamps at No. 11 was 3 Sep 1892. Later that month, the address is being used by a money lender. In Jan 1893, E.A. Levy, tailor, commenced business there.
In the 1892 interior photograph, No. 11 looks to be empty. Looking through old newspapers, Vindin's last advert for stamps at No. 11 was 3 Sep 1892. Later that month, the address is being used by a money lender. In Jan 1893, E.A. Levy, tailor, commenced business there.
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Vindin left for London in October 1893 to establish a business there, but looks to have returned to Australia in the second half of the 1890s in connection to the mining industry in Western Australia. Abandoning philately altogether. He died in London in 1936.
Vindin left for London in October 1893 to establish a business there, but looks to have returned to Australia in the second half of the 1890s in connection to the mining industry in Western Australia. Abandoning philately altogether. He died in London in 1936.
PS1.
The Victoria Arcade was demolished in 1965. In the book 'Saga of Sydney' (1962, p.208), it was described as "a resort of Sydney's Bohemia, and a thronged shopping centre."
The plans pictured in this thread are from the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales.
The Victoria Arcade was demolished in 1965. In the book 'Saga of Sydney' (1962, p.208), it was described as "a resort of Sydney's Bohemia, and a thronged shopping centre."
The plans pictured in this thread are from the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales.
