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1896
24 October 1896
24 October 1896
Messrs. T. H. Marks and Company, Market and Church streets, conduct the business originally established in old Mudgee House in 1851 by Dickson and Sons, from which it was purchased some 11 years ago by the late Mr. Marks. The present buildings, which were built by Mr. Marks in 1890, occupy the very best position, and are the most striking business pile in the township. The fittings and fixtures in every department have been arranged with judgment, and the large plate-glass, brass-fitted, and neatly dressed windows help to make up a front equal to many of the most pretentious Sydney establishments. On the death of the late proprietor, three years ago, the business was left to Mrs. Marks, with Mr. F. J. Bird as managing partner; and from the many evidences of its extensive operations, it is clear that the prosperity which distinguished the firm in its earlier days has by no means diminished under the present popular management. In fact, the extensive alterations and enlargements which have been effected during the past twelve months point to a considerable increase in the volume of trade. As well as being general storekeepers on a very large scale, Messrs. Marks and Company are buyers and sellers of every description of colonial produce, wool, &c. The large well-stocked wine cellars have the, for Mudgee, unique feature of being always perfectly dry, the great majority of such receptacles being in a continual state of dampness and often half full of water. Dressed with the new season's goods, the establishment just now presents a very animated and vigorous appearance1
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1899
23 September 1899
MESSRS. T. H. MARKS AND CO., DRAPERS AND STOREKEEPERS.
The firm of Messrs. T. H. Marks and Co., at the corner of Church and Market streets (the principal thoroughfare of Mudgee), a view of whose premises is presented in this publication, is one of the oldest wholesale and retail establishments in Mudgee, and, consequently, in the North-Western district. The picture gives a view of the central aspect of the exterior of the premises. The premises, beyond doubt, occupy the best site in Mudgee. The business has been established for over half-a-century, and its progress forms no small part in the building up of Mudgee itself, with whose interests it has been so closely connected. Some fifty years ago the business was established by the late Mr. Thomas Dickson, under the style of Dickson and Sons. Mr. Dickson, a gentleman esteemed for his geniality and probity, extended the business far and wide. Some fifteen years ago the business was purchased by the late Mr. T. H. Marks from Dickson and sons, and the firm, started on its honourable career, has continued to trade under this name down to the present time. Mr. Marks as a business man was noted for shrewdness, activity, energy, and ability, and under his able management the business increased very rapidly. He became a large buyer in wool and produce, and the teams which brought in the golden fleece and the products of the farm to Mudgee also took back supplies for stations, farms, and country stores. The people got value for their money. Under these circumstances, it is no wonder that the firm could hardly do anything else but grow rapidly, and obtained an important position in the stirring Mudgee of what is known as the good old times. The firm's representatives, the same as now, received the support of pastoralists, farmers, miners, hotelkeepers, and storekeepers in the North West, and the firm became a familiar "household word," all over the district. This state of things continued up to seven years ago when the old premises were destroyed by fire. This necessitated the building of the fine commodious stores at the corner of Market and Church streets. About six years ago Mr. Marks died, and this sad event led to the introduction into the firm of Mr. F. J. Bird, who retired about a year ago. On Mr. Bird's retirement, Mr. J. W. Duesbury became a partner, and with the widow of the late Mr. Marks constitutes the present firm, which is still carried on under the old style of Messrs. T. H. Marks and Co. Mrs. Marks, who is well known throughout the Mudgee district, is a generous donor to Catholic objects and charities, and is a good friend to the poor. Mr. J. W. Duesbury, a gentleman favourably known in Sydney commercial circles, is an alert businessman, and his introduction into the firm is not likely to cause any great change other than infusing more, energy into its conduct. He is constantly on the lookout for new ideas in the trade, and his able management is clearly making itself felt in increasing the business of the firm. When Mr. Duesbury came to Mudgee, among other things he saw that the produce business was not encouraged as it might have been done. He at once set to work, and gave the farmers to understand that Messrs. T. H. Marks and Co. were buyers in any quantity of their produce. The highest price has been given by the firm to the producers, and, as showing the extensive operations of the firm since Mr. Duesbury came into the business, he purchased 2000 bags of wheat, £5000 worth of wool, about £1000 worth of marsupial skins, 300 tons of chaff, and an enormous quantity of lucerne hay, their purchase in one month alone amounting to 175 tons and 7000 bushels of maize, which is a very good record for one season's purchase. The premises, excellently lighted and well ventilated, consist of a fine substantial brick structure, with walls 14in thick, and provide accommodation for several large departments. These departments are drapery, men's mercery, millinery, grocery, crockery, boots and shoes. In the various branches the main principle guiding the business of the firm is to supply goods of reliable quality and sterling value only. The enterprizing proprietors consider rubbish dear at any price, and the large connection forming the backbone of the business evidently endorses their views. Upon entering the premises by the main entrance in Market-street one is struck with the appearance of such an immense stock that is on the shelves, counters, and, in fact everywhere, that not an inch of room is there wasted. In the boots and shoes for ladies and gents, it is almost superfluous to record the fact that the establishment keeps well abreast of the times in style, quality, and prices. The sales in this department have increased 50 percent, during the last six months. There may be seen boots of all kinds, from the weighty toe-plated and nugget-nailed blucher, worn by those who have to try conclusions with the utmost ruggedness of Mother Earth, up to the dainty creation of delicate kid worn by the foot of beauty. Here are strong boots, with the indestructible toe, for boys, who - as is the fashion of their tribe - think that it is a moral duty to kick them to pieces as soon as possible; and here again are shoes for 4s 11d, in which the "light fantastic toe" ean foot it featliest. Boots and shoes guaranteed, in fact, at all price, and good value in all of them. In modern agricultural implements the firm has a fine showing, and in this department Messrs. T. H. Marks and Co. lay themselves out to give good value, and thus ensure an ever widening area of popularity. They are the sole agents for the Massey Harris farming implements. As we said before, Mr. Duesbury is well and favourably known in commercial circles in Sydney, having been connected for years with the Merchants and Trades Association. He is a Honorary Magistrate, member of the local hospital committee, and an officer of the Mudgee Agricultural Show. In the drapery department, under the management of Mr. B. Walker, and to which particular attention is paid, there is a large stock of woollens, and the firm are now unpacking novelties and other specialities for the summer, Khaki clothing, and Assam silks. In the men's mercery and clothing department, which is in charge of Mr. A. E. Beer, the stock of men's and boys' clothing is of superior quality and cut, the old-fashioned, slop-make giving place to tailor-cut, proper-fitting clothing, which is sold at astonishingly low prices. Two ladies preside over the department devoted exclusively to ladies' requirements, and Miss Brien, a capable milliner, with a metropolitan training, is in charge of the millinery, which is replete with everything that is required. In the grocery department, the firm makes it a point to obtain the best goods, with the result that a first-class trade is done. In the way of crockery and chinaware the display is second to none out of Sydney. I might add that, on the occasion of Mr. Duesbury's departure from Sydney, a large number of the leading merchants in the city assembled at the Civic Club, and tendered him a purse of sovereigns, and honoured him with an illuminated address and a tea and coffee service2
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1900
1 June 1900
1904
1905
6 September 1905
6 September 1905
MESSRS. T. H. MARKS AND COMPANY, GENERAL MERCHANTS.
The firm of T. H. Marks and Company is the oldest established business concern in the district, being successor to the great firm of Dickson and Sons, who founded their colossal business in the early 40's. About 20 years ago the late T. H. Marks, who had shortly before sold his business at Inverell, purchased the assets of the firm Dickson and Sons, and carried on business for about six years in the old premises. About 12 years ago he built the splendid store, replete with every modern convenience, at the corner of Church and Market streets. The fine plate-glass windows, artistically dressed with goods representing each of the various departments, are equal to anything to be seen in George-street, Sydney, and the latest system of cable cash tramway is installed, not only throughout the main store, but the produce and other outside departments also. The store, as will be seen from our illustration, has a very large frontage to each street, and separate buildings have been erected for the machinery and produce departments. The machinery building is the finest in the district, and contains samples of all the latest agricultural machinery, ploughs, cultivators, drills and harrows. At this time of the year there is also a special show of Deering reapers and binders and "Sunshine" harvesters well to the front. The produce store is fully stocked with all sorts of forage and seeds. The firm makes a special feature of handling large quantities of produce of every description. Whatever is produced in the district the firm is always able to sell, and therefore open to buy from their customers. No doubt to a large extent this is one of the reasons of the great expansion of the firm's business during recent years. When Mr. Marks died, about 10 years ago, Mrs. Marks took in a partner, in order to carry on the business. The present managing partner is Mr. J. W. Duesbury, a gentleman well known in Sydney business circles, having been for many years manager of the Haymarket Building and Investment Company, and more lately manager of the Merchants' Association in Sydney. Since he took charge in 1898, the business has greatly developed, and large additional promises, commodious and substantial, have been erected to provide accommodation for the continually increasing operations of the firm. In addition to the ordinary storekeeping business, where everything is sold (Including drapery, clothing, boots, groceries, ironmongery, furniture, wines and spirits, etc.), If not from the proverbial "needle to an anchor," at any rate, from a pin to a threshing machine, the firm buys largely of produce of every description. Lucerne hay, a distinctive product, which has made the Mudgee district famous throughout the State, chaff, maize, wheat, wool, sheepskins, marsupial skins, beeswax, gum, and every other product of the district, also gold, are largely purchased by the firm. The business transactions have more than doubled within the last seven years, and the firm, being popular among all classes, is one of the most important and flourishing in the district. The outlook at the present moment is one of abundant promise. Coming after many dry seasons, the copious and splendid rainfall of the last few months has been fully appreciated, and just now things look at their very best. Not only has a larger area than ever known before been put under cultivation, but the splendid prices obtainable for this district's products form undoubtedly an important factor in its prosperity. To give some idea of the confidence farmers have in the coming crop, T. H. Marks and Company have themselves booked orders for over 30 "Sunshine" harvesters, at £105 each3
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1926
21 June 1926
Substantial additions to T. H. Marks and Co.'s already fine establishment have just been completed. Messrs. Stoddart and Sons have completed their contract for Messrs. T. H. Marks and Co. The accommodation comprises furniture4
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