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

Cream silk lace collar with silk cord and two tassels at one endcostume accessories, collar accessories

Cream silk crochet baby bonnet lined with cream silk. Edged with white lace around face. Cream silk ribbon threaded through eyelets.costume, infants'

Refer Cat No. 1280 for Jack Grintons service, Cat No 1320P for Bert Grinton DCM.Postcards - collection top to bottom - left to right. Nine (9) cards. Top left: cardboard, insert coloured silk embroidery on cotton, flowers, flags, sailing boat, greeting. Middle: cardboard, inset coloured silk with embroidery on cotton, butterfly, greeting. Right: cardboard, inset coloured silk embroidery on cotton, flowers, greeting. Second row left: cardboard, inset coloured silk embroidery on cotton, basket of flowers, greeting. Middle: cardboard, handwritten greeting and note in black ink. Bottom row left: black and white photograph postcard, cardboard. Two soldiers in uniform. Middle: cardboard, handwritten greeting and note in black ink. Bottom row - top right: black and white photograph postcard, three women. - Lower right - colour printed postcard, with flowers, flags, painting and "Good Luck and Coo-ee" greeting on scroll. Frame - Perspex front, screwed to brown painted MDF backing board. Dark brown mount, cardboard.Greeting silk embroidery. "From your loving son" From your Soldier Boy", "With my love". "Loving Greetings". Handwritten greeting in black ink. 2nd row middle Dated “21.10.17", frame/ “Dear Arthur/ love from your loving brother/ Jack W. Grinton" Bottom Row: Middle - "From your loving/ brother/ Albert V. Grinton". framed accessories, camera on the somme, ww1, 38th bn, grinton

Bonnet was made by Donor's mother, Mrs Harris in 1924Cream silk crochet bonnet with silk cord threaded through edges. Made in 1924costume, children's headwear

Cream boudoir cap made of fine tulle and silk. Tulle is embroidered with cream silk.costume, female headwear, female underwear

The child's silk smocked dress with feather stitching is believed to have been worn by Mary Hodgetts, sister of the donor's mother. The dress is estimated to have been made in c.1919, but from its style it may date from the 1900s. This would not be uncommon as children's clothing was often 'passed-on' or reconfigured to fit a new wearer. Mary Hodgetts grew up in Kensington Park, Adelaide. As an adult, Mary enlisted in 1941 to the 1st AWAS camp. After six months she volunteers for the 58th AASL (Anti Aircraft Searchlight Battery). She was sent to Sydney where she attended Training School with 33 males and one other female. Mary was the first AWAS to receive a Commission in the RAA (Royal Australian Artillery). Mary Downer was one of many under Mary's command on returning to Adelaide. After a March through the streets of Adelaide, most of the unit transferred to Western Australia (Fremantle area) in 1943 and were scattered amongst the 55th and 65th AASL Batteries. At the conclusion of WW2, Mary travelled to Melbourne to be with her sister and studied Accountancy. She first lived in Mary Street, Hawthorn, and then bought a unit in Harcourt Street, East Hawthorn. During this period she worked as Bursar to St Catherine's Girls' School. On retirement, she purchased a house in Edgecombe Street, Kew, and lived there happily for many years. During this time she was active with the Kew Meals on Wheels, receiving her 10-years of service certificate. Mary Hodgetts died in 2018.Child's clothing associated with the history of a significant Australian woman who served with the 2nd AIFChild's silk smocked dress Shoulder width 26 cm / Length 52 cmmary hodgetts, 58th aasl (anti aircraft searchlight battery), children's clothing, women- ww2

This blouse was made by Annie Beryl Mathieson from silk material which came originally from China via family relatives. Annie Beryl Mathieson, born in Western Australia in 1910, married John Harman in Nullawarre in 1939 and made the blouse which she wore under a navy costume for her 'going-away' outfit. They lived at Macarthur and Annie Beryl died in 1983. This blouse is of interest as an example of women's fashions in in the late 1930s and of handmade clothing in the same era.This is a cream silk blouse. It is gathered from the bust line with navy cotton embroidery on the upper section and it has a pointed collar with cream lace edging, small puffed sleeves with navy embroidery and an open neckline laced up with a navy cord. annie beryl harman, warrnambool history

Clothing. Fine cream silk in a circular shape, 13.5 cms in diameter. Surrounding the silk is a 1.5 cm wide border of silk, four petalled flowers, as in 11414.26 and 11414.30. Then a band of lacework, 8 cms deep is extremely fine silk lace. A lacy looped edging, in one fine silk thread edges the handkerchief.costume accessories, female, silk handkerchief

Item sent home to "Dorrie" Elizabeth Dorothy Irene wood by her father, Private John Edward Wood 5239, 6th Battalion. Embarked 1/4/1916, killed in action 20/9/1917. No known grave. Name on the Menin Gate Panel 7, AWM Panel 49, Bendigo RSL Museum Roll of Honour. Headstone Eaglehawk Cemetery erected by his wife Ethel Irene Wood.Gold and green embroidered flowers on a blue silk fabric. Silk rope binding around its edges with knot on each corner. Cream silk on back and item is padded."Souvenir from France" embroidered in black/gold metal thread.souvenir, craft, textile, handkerchief holder

Pink silk boudoir cap pin tucked, embroidered with cream silk and cream lace border.costume, female headwear, female underwear

Container for prestige scantiesscanties, ivory, summer silk, ivory, 38 seat, quarterlingerie, scanties, silk

A tie pin is a neckwear-controlling device, originally worn by wealthy English gentlemen to secure the folds of their cravats. They were first popularized at the beginning of the 19th century. Cravats were made of silk, satin, lace and lightly starched cambric, lawn and muslin, and stickpins were necessary accoutrements to keep these expensive fabrics in place and safe. Stickpins commonly used pearls and other precious gemstones set in gold or other precious metals and were designed specifically for their owners. By the 1860s, wearing cravats had been embraced by the English upper middle classes with a consequently lower quality of materials and designs used in both the neckwear and in the stickpins used to keep it in place. By the 1870s Americans had embraced stickpins and designs were mass-producedThe family of Lorna Risstrom were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireA tie-stud and chain in a small, blue velvet covered, silk lined, hinged jewellery box with . The tie-stud has a red stone set in gold metalmoorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, early settlers, pioneers, market gardneners, jewellery, risstrom lorna, tie-pins, tie- studs, cravats, silk, lace,

The item was brought back from Japan by Sapper Albert Alexander Founds VX71775 who joined from Lara Victoria 12 January 1942 and was discharged on 9th July 1947.Brought back by Sapper Albert Alexander Founds VX71775 from World War 2Silk Japanese Flag Nonejapanese flag, nippon, silk, japan

MEDIUM: Oil on silk

Sash Black Silkuniform, ran

Edo PeriodInk and watercolour on silkrider, landscape

Unconditional surrender of Japan.

Ivory silk negligee

Booties were crocheted by donor's mother whilst living in Oakura Taranaki New Zealand. Donor also donated her daughter's baby clothes NA3591.1.2 booties, NA3586 bonnet and NA3587 dressCream silk crocheted booties, 1929, tied with cream silk ribbon threaded through opening at anklecostume, children's

Cream cotton Nightdress with silk crochet square neckline. Three triangles at waist gathered with silk thread.costume, female nightwear

Silk piano shawl with deep cream silk fringing. White background with embroidered flowers, birds and flowers.manchester, bedding, handcrafts, needlework

Square cream silk doyley. Inner circle of plain silk with outer square of delicate maltese lace.manchester, table linen

Yellow silk sleeveless tailored dress with two purple buttons on front. Materials: Silk, Thread, Plastictennis

This hat was part of the ceremonial dress of Williamstown Mayors. It is evident in early photographs of Williamstown Mayors from circa 1880 to the 1920's. The hat is designed to be folded as is often shown carried under the arm in Mayoral portraits.The hat is significant as an example of Mayoral ceremonial dress and is documented in Mayoral portraits associated with Williamstown Council.Black beaver fur bicorn ceremonial hat with silk brocade and ostrich feather trim. Silk lined.

Hand sewn and machined by Elizabeth Webber nee Eddy1920s Black silk brocade gown lined with sateen trimmed with jet sequins and beads. It has a matching black silk brocade shirt front with high collar neck lined with cotton and false bolero lined with silk. Also matching is a black silk brocade vest.costume, female