Birchalls Information

Birchalls has the distinction of being Australia's oldest bookshop. Opening for business in November 1844 on its current site as a seller of "books, stationery and fancy goods", Birchalls has survived the hard times and prospered. With over 150 years trading experience Birchalls has continued to stay at the forefront of retailing innovation and boasts five outlets state-wide. Welcome to the 6th store, Birchalls - Online. "By advertisement in the Launceston Examiner of November 23rd, 1844, S.A. Tegg respectfully intimates that he has taken eligible and spacious premises in Brisbane Street with a splendid assortment of books, stationery and fancy goods arriving by every vessel." This advertisement appeared 150 years ago and it was the first printed evidence of a functioning bookshop on these premises. As a bookstore Birchalls goes back to 1844 but trading from the present site goes back further still. In 1825 Michael Bates set up Australia's oldest pharmacy on the site. In 1841 Mr Bates moved his pharmacy to Hatton & Laws corner and a confectionery shop was established on the Birchalls site in the same year. In 1844 Mr S.A. Tegg bought the premises and established a bookshop. He later sold it to Robert Blake on October 2nd 1847, who became insolvent and the stock was sold by auction on April 4th 1849. The business was then bought by Huxtable and Co. on January 1st, 1851, and taken over by Mr A. Duthie, who had been Huxtable's manager, on January 24th 1852. Duthie sold the business to the Walch Brothers of Hobart, who appointed A.W.Birchall as manager. Birchall became a partner in 1867 and the business was carried on under the title of Walch Brothers and Birchall until 1893, when Birchall acquired the business and registered the firm of A.W.Birchall and Sons. During the 1930's Birchalls imported most of it's books from England - very few Australian Books were ever sold. There were seven tables of books containing humour, fiction, general literature and rows and rows of leather bound classic editions. One ...