Barramundi (Lates Calicarifer)
The word barramundi is an aboriginal word meaning big fish. It is from the perch family.
Barramundi are abundant in the fresh and estuarine systems of northern Australia where they are caught by handline or are farmed. They make excellent eating and are prized as one of Australia's most popular game fish.
One of the most intriguing things about them is their sex life. All barramundi are born male but partway through their life they become female - and lay more eggs than almost any other fish.
In recent times, Australian tanners have perfected descaling, deodorizing and colouring techniques, to produce something of value and beauty. The leather is strong, supple and lasting: the bold-scale pattern is an outstanding feature, the finish can be glazed (smooth) or unglazed (ruffled). See the Victoria for evidence of durability.

Genuine Ostrich
Native to South Africa, the ostrich is in the same family as cassowaries, emus, rheas and kiwis and is the biggest bird extant. Use of ostrich products goes back at least 5000 years but the modern industry started in South Africa in the 1830's.
Farming in Australia started in 1869 but was not successful. In 1983 feral birds from this first attempt formed the basis of a new industry. Prices for breeding birds went extremely high during the late 80's early 90's, and then plummeted in 1995. Things have settled down now and a proper industry is developing.

Ostrich leather is one of the toughest, yet most pliable leathers; only kangaroo is tougher. The distinctive quill pattern is most attractive and highly prized.
Birds live for 30 to 50 years and females can lay up to 70 eggs per year, each the equivalent of 20 hens eggs. They can grow to 2.75 mt tall and weigh up to 160 kg. They have acute vision and huge eyes - at 50mm diameter, the largest of any land animal.

Ostrich don't bury their heads in the sand, they just lie very still and flat to the ground when in danger - that's if they have nowhere to run.... An adult bird can maintain an average speed of around 50 km per hour and can reach 70 km in short bursts, achieving strides of 3.5m. Ostrich are gregarious and communicate with a vocabulary of whistling, snorting, guttural and booming calls, bill-snapping and stomach rumbling.

Whilst demand for products (particularly feathers) before W.W.1. endangered population numbers, their suitability for farming has meant that the ostrich is no longer under threat. Habitat destruction however, has caused the decline of populations in the wild.

BEHIND THE SCENES.
Manufacturing ostrich leather requires certain special techniques. Firstly the back of the skin needs loose fibre removed by glueing and tearing off a special backing. This can be done up to 5 times to take off the fibre. Then certain of the quill nodules need backing - this is done with 5mm pieces of tissue thin leather. Both these process are skilled and time consuming but must be done before a product is made.

CARE OF OSTRICH LEATHER
Best to use a soft cloth only to buff leather. If it gets wet dry only in the shade. You may apply a waxy non-coloured cream but test on the inside/underneath first. If anything really bad happens contact Poco Profile, we may be able to help.

Paper
100% Recycled (80gsm) Australian Made Re-right. This is a high quality recycled paper that will not feather or print through easily. It's stronger than the White non-recycled (70 gsm) BUT it does take up a bit more room.