The Bowler hat, characterised by its dome-like crown, was invented in 1849 by a pair of hat-makers: brothers Thomas and William Bowler. They were commissioned by the famous London hat retailer “Lock & Co” to invent a close-fitting, low-crowned hat for their customer Mr. Edward Coke. It would be sturdy and not easily knocked or blown off the wearer’s head. The difference between a Bowler hat and a Derby hat is simply that Bowler hats are British, Derby hats are American. The Bowler / Derby hat was devised in London during a time when the top hat was the upper-class men’s hat of choice and the lower social class wore soft, cloth caps. However, the top hat was impractical and inconvenient for those on horseback as it easily toppled over and was easily damaged. Bowler hats were termed “stiff” hats– they were given a coat of shellac in the construction process and therefore never conformed to the shape of the wearers head. While very stiff, the hat is lined in a beautiful, soft silk to ensure comfort. The Bowler hat marked the first middle ground between formality and casual wear. c1900 The Derby hats were very popular for all classes in USA including criminals like Butch Cassidy & Sundance Kid and c1920 many fashionable women also wore them. In England and Commonwealth the Bowler hat remained popular throughout the 1800s and through the first half of the 1900s, being worn by everyone from politicians, actors, accountants, bankers, and the 'everyman' on the street.The family of Nance Blackman were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireA black felt Bowler hat with cream silk lining and black ribbon bandInside Crown & Band ; The Cobweb Felt / easiest/ fitting / extra light / Inside Band Best Quality / 6111hats, hatters, blackman nance, clothing, suits, fashion wear, bankers, actors, politicians, bowler hats, derby hats, top hats, social classes, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, brighton, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, bowler thomas, bowler william, lock & co. ltd. london, england, america, canada

Woodrow Hats, Piccadily, were the makers of fine felt bowler hats. Associated with men's formal wear of the 1940's. Round black fur felt bowler hat with upturned brim and black decorative bow and ribbon around the base of the crown. Internal crown has a leather in-lining. The box is hard cardboard with branding on the front in a brown square : London Hats and a crown logo above this wording. Inside the hat around the crown is a leather in-lining sheath which states "The Myer Store for Men". The inside crown base has a branding which indicates : "Woodrow Hats and Crown and Lion logo, fur felt, The Myer Shop for Men, The Isis, The Woodrow".

Flt Lt J S Austin DFC, 400363. No 608 Sqn RAF, Nos 32, 13 & 2 Sqns. Stock agent of Lara, Vic; b Melbourne 15 May 1918. Died of illness 9 Nov 1943. Timor was the target for the night of 6 July, when Flight Lieutenant "Bunny" Austin (A16-207) led five Hudsons to bomb Koepang town. The next night he led back seven aircraft against the airfield at Penfoei, attacking before dawn on the 8th prior to United States Liberators bombing the runways and barracks. 75 Austin's aircraft was caught by Penfoei's master defensive searchlight, and Austin used violent evasion and switching on and off of his IFF equipment, a tactic used in Europe. The radar-controlled searchlights went out. Flying Officer Mick Helsham (A16-160) attacked first to act as a pathfinder and mark the target for the other Hudsons and Liberators:Full service records of J. S. Austin held by Lara R.S.L.Plain Sheet A4 paper with 2 photographs 1. A. Bowler W. 9.8 cm H. 13.8 cm photograph 2. J.S. Austin W. 1`5.9 cm H. 10.0 cmA4 sheet heading as: W.W. 2 War Graves of Lara Men. Note on photograph 1. Grave of A. Bowler, Bomana War Cemetery.r.a.f., graves, lara

Donated Ansett Hostess / Stewardess orange bowler hat with turned brim, made & worn 1972 - 1977Ansett Hostess hat, bowler-style with turned brim. Tangerine-orange poly-cotton with 2cm wide black grosgrain ribbon trim on hat body and on edge of brim. 8cm wide bow on both trims at rear of hat. Crown is 12cm high measured from lower edge, 4cm turned brim. Hat size 19&1/2 inch circumference. Hat-elastic secured to sweat-band.White label with black print indicating manufacture by Nivek Headwear Reg.Melb. ansett australia, hostess / stewardess, bowler hat, turned brim, tangerine orange, 1970s

Heidelberg Golf Club Bowling Club members are shown at Greensborough Bowling Club in 2014. Members are identified as Ian Bibby, Paul Sarris and Stewart Baker. The photograph was included in the Banyule calendar for 2014.Colour photograph of bowlers on the greenheidelberg golf club bowling club, greensborough bowling club, banyule community calendar, lawn bowls

Port Phillip pilot boat AKUNA.Port Phillip pilot.Extract copy photo re AKUNA from Australian Coastal Shipping, c1997.Reverse " Gift / Neville Bowler / The Age "

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of Bowlers and the Cowes Bowling Green 1930local history, photography, cowes bowling green, black & white photograph, sport, lawn bowls, john jenner, bryant west

Black bowler hat, Bradley's Size 7Bradley's Fit and Comfort, (Size) 7 All fur, British Made F.K.6

Early male lawn bowler, with lawn roller in background.tatura, recreations, games, sports, costume, male

Three bowlers during the Kew Festival. Ben Samual on the left. city of kew, kew festival, lawn bowls, ben samual

Men playing Bowls on the green on the greens on the corner of Gipps and Bank StreetPhotograph of a sports ground that no longer exists on the corner of Gipps and Bank StreetBlack and white photograph of bowlers on the green on the corner of Gipps and Bank StreetOn back of photograph. Port Fairy Bowling Green. Building, Haylocks Carriage, Gobles Mill. S Brown, (Dake) Malone ? on back of photograph. Allen Farrow, 366 Bourke St, MU3422, Melbourne. For re-ordering please quote No 15 bowls, gipps street, bank street, bowling club

Small yellow covered book of matches. Sketch of lawn bowler on front"With the compliments of the President Fred WINDUSS, Port Melbourne Bowling Club. Wishing all members a happy season."domestic life, frederick robert winduss, sport - lawn bowls, port melbourne bowling club

Black & white photograph, Bert Graham Collection, Bendigo East Carpet Bowls - 1970, Alec Craig presenting a round object to a lady bowler, while another lady bowler and a gentleman both look on.bendigo, clubs, bendigo east progress carpet bowls

Black and white photograph.Ringwood Bowls Club, Miles Avenue, c1950. Bowlers on green.

Coloured photographPhotograph shows bowlers playing at old Club in Miles Avenue.

Coloured photographPhotograph shows bowlers playing at old Club in Miles Avenue.

Two B/W photographs of male bowlers in whites playing bowls with lake in background.sports

At the time this match was listed as a 1st grade match but was later seen as the first Ashes match although Australia had toured England twice before. Despite a 1st innings collapse, Australia eventually won by 7 runs, largely due to the efforts of Australian fast bowler Spofforth who finished the match with 14 for 90. Players:- Harry Boyle (Bendigo local)- Medium pace bowler Murdoch - RH batsman Chalmers - Rh batsman & medium bowler Blackham - wicket keeper Bonner - RH batsman, big hitter Garrett - fast medium bowler Giffen - middle order all-rounder Horan - middle order batsman Jones - fast medium bowler and all-rounder Massie - opening batsman. 55 runs in 57 minutes off 60 balls. McDonnell - opening batsman Palmer - off-break bowler Spofforth - fast bowlerCopy of a drawing published in an English newspaper. Australian Ashes Team, 1882, image shows group of men attired in cricket clothing, standing in front of tent. Original drawing has thirteen cricketers. This copy is missing two people on the RHS. Cricketers listed in Image Title.clubs, cricket, australian cricket team 1882, australian ashes team

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of Bowlers and the Cowes Bowling Green 1930. There was an earlier Green at Rhylstone Park Cowes in 1920.local history, photography, cowes bowling green, black & white photograph, sport, lawn bowls, john jenner, bryant west

The Kew Historical Society’s fashion and design collection is comprised of costumes, hats, shoes and personal accessories. Many of these items were purchased or handmade in Victoria; some locally in Kew. The extensive hat collection comprises items dating from the 1860s to the 1970s. While most of the hats in the collection were created by milliners for women, there are a number of early and important men’s hats in the collection. The headwear collection is particularly significant in that it includes the work of notable Australian and international milliners.Bowler-shaped woman’s hat made of blue velvet with a rolled brim that is covered in blue sequins.Nilwomen's clothing -- hats, headwear, bowler hats - women's fashion

2 new Christy's bowler hats, with red silk lining, Size 6 7/8, 56Christy's London, Made in England, 6 7/8, 56