Pearl shells
from Edwin Munro's collection
in family possession
Edwin Munro joined the Clark organisation in 1893 in Thursday Island (Source: Bris Cour 16 and 17 Jan 1893).
From 1893/4 Munro in charge of 'planting operations' by the Pilot Navigation Company at Friday Island Passage (offence re small shells of July 1895)(BC 5 May 1896)
• Munroe(sic) 'is manager apparently of the cultivation area' (Hon John Douglas in judgement of small shell case Source: BC 20 May 1896)
• 'whom (ie Munro) he recognised as manager of the cultivation business' [Bryant, i/c of the 'Pilot' and the Passage in 1893]. Source: BC 20 May 1896)
Munro running his own fleet(s) from 1894 or 1896, as Munro Outridge & Co
A dozen or so pearl shells with blister pearls in family collection. Oral family information that Munro was involved in trials to grow cultured pearls — what dates are unknown — and it was anecdotal, on unknown basis, that he had been in contact with Mikimoto to that end.
It's assumed that Munro gave up his pearling interest when he sold out to James Clark in 1916 (Source: photocopy manuscript offer to Clark for Ariel fleet, dated 1916; in family possession); but Edwin and Mrs Munro made a trip to Japan in 1932 (Source: Munro passport; visa for one year for travel to China and Japan)
Two pearl shells both with blister pearls about three-quarters detached. No sign of back boring