William Need, Melbourne Jeweller 1861-95

A gold ring in Moorabool’s October 2025 sale proved to be a fascinating research project. A search through the literature fails to find William Need recorded — yet resorting to original sources, the firm of ‘WM. NEED’ is in evidence for over 30 years in Melbourne, through adverts, obituaries, and an unfortunate robbery widely reported in the Australian papers.

Gold Masonic ring with intaglio-cut compass and square, clearly stamped “NEED” and “9C.” Australian colonial manufacture, circa 1880. Rings like this were made for Lodge members, earned as part of their progress and worn to indicate their membership to other Masons.

William Need Masonic gold ring, Melbourne, c.1880 — Gold Masonic ring stamped “NEED” and “9C” — Melbourne, c.1880

William Need hallmark detail — NEED 9C — Hallmark detail — “NEED” and “9C”

William Need Masonic gold ring — face detail — Intaglio compass and square, Masonic emblem

Who Was William Need?

So who was the jeweller “William Need”? A search of the newspapers takes us to Melbourne in its Golden Age. An 1879 advertisement describes “18 years practical watchmaker” — giving us 1861 as a starting date, when Melbourne was still riding the tail of the Gold Rush boom.

1879 advertisement for Wm. Need, Melbourne jeweller — 1879 advertisement — “18 years practical watchmaker”

Obituary of William Henry Need, 1877 — Obituary of William Henry Need (senior), 1877 — leading to the discovery of William Need junior continuing the business

The Shop: Eastern Market, Melbourne

William Need's premises opposite the Eastern Market, Melbourne, c.1880 — William Need’s premises, opposite the Eastern Market, c.1880

One of the rows of terraced houses in the middle of this 1880 image marks where the Need family business was located, c.1864–1879 — like many small businesses in Melbourne at the time, the family lived above their shop.

By 1879, William Need junior was advertising a move to “14 Eastern Market Buildings, Bourke Street” — the magnificent newly constructed buildings just over the road from the previous address. He continued to be listed in the trade directories at 14 Eastern Market Buildings throughout the 1880s.

Eastern Market, Bourke Street East, Melbourne, c.1876–1894 — State Library Victoria — Eastern Market, Bourke Street East, c.1876–1894. State Library Victoria.

The Robbery of 1890

In 1890 Need was in the news for an unfortunate incident: a brazen robbery. His wife was the victim of a “respectably dressed young man” who distracted her and ran off with £50 worth of gold rings — a small fortune at the time. The robbery was widely reported in Australian papers, a testament both to the audacity of the crime and to the prominence of the Need business.

1890 newspaper report — Need jeweller robbed of £50 in gold rings — 1890 newspaper report of the robbery

The End of the Business, c.1895

The 1890s in Melbourne were very different from the earlier Golden Years. A severe financial crash caused widespread pain, and many luxury goods retailers closed down — including Need the Jewellers. The 1896 obituary for “the late W. Need” marks the end of a 35-year story: from Gold Rush-era watchmaker to respected Melbourne jeweller, maker of rings that still surface today stamped with that distinctive ‘NEED’ mark.
He doesn’t appear in any of the literature or public collections….. yet!