A collection of furphies has now been sold

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On July 2, 2018, I wrote about Furphy tanks and how, in Australian vernacular, telling a Furphy meant telling white lie or a ‘tall story’ (exaggerated account). As the discussion received ten responses and only about three of those members are still active, I’m going to write about it again as an avid collector of Furphy water-tanks has now sold his collection for some thousands of dollars. His most valuable one was bought for $20 and its value today is estimated at $10,000. John Furphy established a foundry at Shepparton, Victoria in 1864. In the 1880s, he began producing a steel and cast iron water tank which replaced wooden barrels carted on wagons. There were two models - 180 and 250 gallon (681 and 946 litres). In 1896, Furphy added raised lettering to the tank-ends to highlight his company products. The company’s slogan was ‘Good, better, best – never let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best’. The carts were used on the battle-fields of World War I and were often stationed near latrines. At the time, they were like coffee dispensers, a focal point for gossip and conversation. Any snippets of interest were embellished and adorned for the entertainment of the listener. So the term ‘furphy’ came into common usage. The one photographed was in a farm museum in Pearns Steam Museum, Westbury, Tasmania.