Starkeys Ginger Beer, Cordial & Aerated Water manufacturers.

Most collectors will have at least a couple of Starkey's bottles in their collection, & as one of Australia's longest running ginger beer, cordial & aerated water manufacturers, not to mention the largest ginger beer business in the Southern Hemisphere, there are certainly plenty of variations to choose from.

W. S. Starkey / T. Field double stamped dump blob top ginger beer.

Business founder William Starkey probably arrived in New South Wales as a convict on board the Lord Sidmouth in 1819. After securing his Certificate of Freedom in 1834, he turned his attention towards the ginger beer manufacturing trade, establishing a factory in Elizabeth Street, Sydney, between the Three Tuns Inn & Professor J. Clarke’s saloon of dancing around 1838.

Starkey "S" in star impressed dump blob top ginger beer.

Sydney Morning Herald, 5 December 1856.

By 1850, the business had grown to such an extent that it became necessary to relocate to larger premises. To that end, the move was made to a site in Castlereagh Street, Sydney. Situated between Rowe & Moore Streets, thoroughfares no longer in existence, the factory was described as "...a large, substantial building, & in every way adapted to the purpose for which is was erected."

William Starkey "WS" in star impressed dump blob top ginger beer.

Starkey's dumb blob top skittle with "star and key" trade mark.

Starkey's crown seel skittle with "star and key" trade mark.

Ten years later, William took his son John into the business, & together they continued to build up trade until in 1875, William stepped down & John took over in his own right. He immediately turned his attention towards the erection of yet another factory at 164a Phillip Street. It was noted in 1899, more than a quarter of a century after construction, that "...these works are prominent for their extent, & certainly have not been surpassed for good arrangement & excellence of manufacturers even by more recent factories. The various buildings were erected from Mr. Starkey's own designs, & nothing short of a thorough practical experience of that which was required could have so well worked out the plan."

William Starkey "WS" in star impressed dump blod top ginger beer.

William Starkey "WS" in star impressed dump blob top ginger, made by Mashman, Chatswood, potter.

Browsing through old directories, it is evident that father & son were associated with a number of different Sydney addresses. During 1858-59, William Starkey is listed as a ginger beer manufacturer at 151 Castlereagh Street. By 1861, W. & J. Starkey, cordial, ginger beer & aerated water manufacturers, are listed at the same address, while in 1867, John Starkey is noted as a lemonade & cordial maker at 140 Phillip Street. Four years later he is listed as a soda water manufacturer at 138 Phillip Street & in 1873, he is noted as a cordial manufacturer at the same address. The same year, William A. Starkey is noted as a ginger beer manufacturer at 147 Castlereagh Street.

Starkey's tan "S" in star dump blob top impressed ginger beer.

John Starkey embossed Sydney codd.

John Starkey embossed Sydney codd with lion, star and key trade mark.

John Starkey embossed Sydney codd with lion, star and key trade mark.

John Starkey embossed Sydney codd with lion, star and key trade mark.

Starker's "star and key" trade mark transferred crown seal ginger beer, made by Fowlers potters.

Starkey's "star and key" trade mark transferred dump blob top ginger beer.

Starkey's "star and key" trade mark transferred dump blob top ginger beer.

Starkey's "star and key" trade mark transferred dump blob top ginger beer.

Starkey's "star and key" trade mark transferred dump blob top ginger beer, made by Fowler's potters.

The Castlereagh Street premises was closed down in 1891 when the business merged with that of Messrs Brogden Brothers at 158a Phillip Street. James & John Thomas Brogden had been operating as ginger beer & lemonade manufacturers in Sydney since 1884, but from 1891 traded as W. Starkey & Co. J. Brogden is recorded as the company manager at 62 Castlereagh Street.

Starkey's amber dump crown seal ginger beer.

With a workforce that grew to number more than forty people, the available lines expanded to include ginger beer, lemonade, soda water, ginger wine, gingerade, bitters, cordials & syrups.

Starkey's Ltd crown seal with "star and key" trade mark.

Starkey's Ltd crown seal with "star and key" trade mark.

 The company also showed an unusual concern for the well being of their employees & in 1899, it was remarked that "...the majority of the hands [from the firm's early days] are now gone over to the majority. The few remaining ones, whose health will permit, are in the employment of the present firm. The work given to them is, of course, merely formal, for which the old people receive good wages. This is as it should be, & it is gratifying to know that such consideration is given to those who have worked & struggled to nearly the end of life's journey."

Large and small Starkey's Ltd crown seals with "star and key" trade mark.

The firm became known as Starkey's Limited in 1912 & continued to operate until the 1950's when it was purchased by Shelley's & subsumed into their operations.

Starkey's Ltd soda syphon with "star and key" trade mark.

© Angela George