LAWSONS/BOTTLING, A 80mm

Yes, a quick search of the National Library Papers Past shows that Laery and Co Ltd, were import agents for a wide range of products in the early 1900's.

In 1903 they were in Jervois Quay, Wellington, the agents for safes and locks. In 1910 they were located at 7-15 Allen Street, Wellington, and an ad says they were holding a sale of 'choice cigars' there. They were selling dried fruit and cheese in 1918, and 'fowl wheat' at auction at the fruit exchange in 1923. In 1937 they were at Allen Street and sold Mutton Birds from Stewart Island. And of course, they were the agents for liquors, including McEwans Pale Ale and Guinness's Extra Foreign Stout. A generic ad from the Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 982, 24 November 1910, Page 7 can be seen here

I agree with crowncork, that  while theoretically either E. M Lawson, Wakefield Brewery or Lawson Wilson and Co, Dublin, could have been responsible for this opener, Lawson Wilson has the edge with that exact term, "Lawson's Bottling" appearing on both the opener and the postcard. Lawson Wilson and Co, Dublin could easily have been sending openers along with the Guinness to NZ.

In addition to exporting to New Zealand, Lawson's bottled Guinness Foreign Extra Stout (brewed and bottled in Dublin), was also sent to Singapore, imported by agents L. Y. Swee Co., Ltd, 57 Cecil Street, Singapore, (The Straits Times, 2 August 1920, Page 15 Advertisements Column 5).

I have seen a picture with the following caption: "Lawson's Bottling of Guinness Stout 1799, Dublin". And then on the picture itself, "Lawson's Bottling of Guinness Stout is the only brand exclusively bottled in Dublin where it is brewed. You can taste the difference. On sale everywhere", which may suggest that they bottled for the domestic market as well as for export.

It would still be good to have other feedback and further information on both E. M Lawson, Wakefield Brewery and Lawson Wilson and Co, Dublin.

The Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 31 December 1906, page 6 shows that Lawson Wilsons Bottling was exporting bottled Guinness to Australia, handled by Curcier Adet and Co., Wholesale Agents. A similar ad can be seen in the Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW), Sunday 31 March 1907, page 8.

So, Guinness bottled by Lawson Wilson and Co since 1799 for the Ireland domestic market and later Extra Foreign Stout bottled by them and exported to Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.  I suggest Ireland might indeed be the best country to list the opener. But, it would still be good to learn more about the E. M Lawson, Wakefield Brewery in NZ c1918-1937.

Many thanks to the Tasman District Libraries for their help with finding out about the Wakefield Brewery

Here is a photo from the Kete Tasman website (source) which is of Eliab Baigent on the balcony of his home and business which were later to become Tidd’s Boarding House and the Wakefield Brewery, (which was situated at the rear of the Boarding House). William Lawson ran the business until his death around 1932, and then his wife and son Baden continued to run the brewery until it closed down in 1937:

And another photo of Wakefield Brewery and Martin's Butcher Shop, (source)

The Wakefield Brewery

Further detail sourced from the following books:

1) A history of Nelson’s early manufacturers – their wares and containers by Rob Packer (1996)

2) Just another row of spuds : a pioneer history of Waimea South by Marion J. Stringer (1999)

Thomas Tidd, born in Nelson (02-09-1842), formed a partnership with Eliab Baigent and established the Wakefield Brewery in 1892. The Wakefield brewery was behind Eliab Baigent's boarding house at the Nth end of the Domain. The TidD/Baigent partnership came to an end in 1894 and Tidd continued with the brewery by himself until he died in 1909. Charlie Trower (from Matiri Valley) took over the Wakefield brewery after Tidd's death. Between 1904 and 1918 Trower was assisted by Charles Burn. Trower died in 1918 and William Lawson took over the brewery. Burn went to Harley and Sons as a cellarman. Different members of the lawson family were associated with the Wakefield brewery, including Williams son, (R. B. Lawson) and second wife (E. M. Lawson). The brewery ended around 1937.

Below is a photo from the Kete Tasman website of the Tidds boarding house (source). The caption reads "Tidd's Boarding House with Brewery (just seen) at the rear of the building. Sign above the entrance says "Mrs G. A. Burn Tea and Luncheon Rooms" Thomas Tidd had been in partnership with Eliab Baigent in a brewery, which opened in 1892, at the rear of the building. In 1894, when Eliab moved, Thomas began a boarding house in Eliab's business premises. When Thomas died in 1909 his wife ran the boarding house until Charlie Burn took over (Stringer, Marion (1999). Just another row of spuds, p.33).

Thanks again to Kete Tasman and Tasman District Libraries
280 Queen Street, Private Bag 3, Richmond 7050
03 543 8500
www.tasmanlibraries.govt.nz

Lawson's bottle found in Western Australia. The neck label says Lawson's Bottling and the main label says Lawson Wilson & Co's., Ltd, Guinness's Foreign Extra Stout. This bottle looks very similar to the one shown in the post card earlier in this thread. It would seem logical to add the LAWSON'S/BOTTLING opener to the list of Guinness Cast Iron Bottle Openers (Version 1.8).

Different variation of the LAWSONS/BOTTLING, A Type bottle opener, 5mm longer because of the screwdriver end, also added to list of Guinness cast iron openers (Version 1.9).