UnknownTan leatherette hat box with brown leather binding. C 1940's with keysNil

This large hat box was owned by Miss Katherine Robertson (now deceased). It was sold by Drews, a leather and travel goods shop in Melbourne, and has been made as good quality, sturdy travel luggage. It has its own leather luggage label buckled to the handle and there are remnants of labels on the base of the hat box, signifying that it has indeed been used as luggage. A hat box such as this one is made to protect, store and transport head wear. Hat boxes became popular in the 19th and early 20th century when hats were a part of the modern fashion. Inside the hat box is a brown paper wrapper with two Great Britain postage stamps attached. Both have the portrait image of Queen Elizabeth II (1) orange 1/2d (2) green ten pence. These stamps belong to the Wildings series and were issued 1952-1954. The wrapper was sent by J McGregor in Glasgow, Scotland to Katherine Robertson in Sale, Victoria. The postmark stamp shows it was sent in 1955. The paper had once been folded around something rectangular in shape, perhaps a book. The hat box was recently found by Archie’s daughter, niece of Katherine, when she was looking for something else in the ceiling of her home. The hat box had been there, with the brown paper wrapper inside, for about 30 years, forgotten by the family. There are no family members remaining now to tell the full story. ABOUT MISS KATHERINE ROBERTSON The Robertson family emigrated from the Isle of Wight and settled in Woorndoo, Western Victoria, Australia. Katherine Robinson was the 10th child of 13 children, born in 1906 and lived until 1995. The youngest child in the family was a boy named Archibald (Archie) who was born in 1911. His daughter is the donor of the hat box. Katherine went to school at Woorndoo and later became a trained teacher. She taught in many places, amongst them were Alexandria, Geelong, Sale, Stawell and Ballarat. People said “She was a school teacher 24 hours a day!” She was insistent on being called Miss Katherine Robinson, and no-one dare call her a shortened name in any way, not Kate, or Katie or even Kathie. She spoke with the authority of a teacher throughout her life, never asking but always giving her requests as orders. Miss Katherine Robinson remained single all her life. She bought items that were the best quality and workmanship, which gives reason for the strong and well-travelled hat box. She enjoyed going on trips and travelled the world twice. While on her journeys Katherine would knit Fair Isle patterned socks using fine 4 ply wool because she “Didn’t believe in wasting time!” Katherine’s niece remembers being in Melbourne at Station Pier, seeing her Aunt off on one of her journeys. She recalls the atmosphere and the colourful streamers in the air that celebrated the special occasion. Katherine travelled on the Oriana and Fair Star lines. ABOUT DREWS Drew’s, Leather Goods Specialists, was located at 70 Swanston St, corner of Queen’s Walk, Melbourne, at the time that this hat box was sold by the company. Queen’s Walk was constructed in 1889. It was a lavish ‘L’ shaped arcade that connected Swanston Street to Collins Street and was home to many specialist stores. In the 1950’s Drews address was advertised as Collins Street. In the late 1960’s Queen’s Walk was purchased by the Melbourne City Council and demolished in the early 1970’s, to be replaced by the Melbourne City Square. This very sturdy and good quality hat box is an example of travel luggage available to and used by the Victorian population of Australia in the early to mid-20th century. The retailer of this hat box, Drews, operated from premises on the corner of Swanston St and Queen’s Walk in Melbourne where many other specialist shops were located. Queen’s Walk was only in existence for around 70 years, 1889-late 1960, before it was demolished to make way for Melbourne’s City Square. Hat box, large, deep round shape with a straight section where lid is joined on at the back. Dated early to mid-1900’s. Brown coloured, textured heavy weight card box with folding metal carry handle, three clip closures for lid, metal hinge on back of lid. Purple maker’s label inside lid - DREWS, Leather Goods Specialists, Melbourne. Leather luggage tag has two rectangular cut-outs on front, attached with buckle strap. Underside of lid has two supporting leather straps attached to base. Base has inner cardboard liner around most of circumference. Contained inside are two leather straps with metal buckles. Label remnants, red, attached under base. Hat box was owned by Miss Katherine Robertson. Also inside is brown paper wrapper with three hand written addresses, in blue nib pen, and two attached Great Britain postage stamps, Queen Elizabeth II (1) Orange stamp, QE II, ½d (2) Green stamp, QE II, ten pence. It is postmarked [19] 55. Purple label has printing "70 SWANSTON STREET / Cr. QUEEN'S WALK / DREWS / LEATHER GOODS / SPECIALISTS / MELBOURNE". Wrapper inside has two hand written addresses (1J) Mrs. K. F. Robertson / 33 Mcalister Street / Sale / Victoria / Australia” (2) “from / J Mc Gregor / 15 Napier’s Hall St / Glasgow N W / Scotland” Postmark “ - -em 55” & “CLAS-“ OR “GLAS-“ [GLASGOW] flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, luggage, hat box, hatbox, hat storage box, hat travel case, hat case, bandbox, drews melbourne, drew’s melbourne, drew’s handbags, travel goods, travel luggage, hat box suitcase, hat box luggage, 1952-1954 gb postage stamps 1/2d orange queen elizabeth ii, katherine robertson, archibald (archie) robertson of woorndoo, j mcgregor

The item was purchased from Robinson & Moffatt department store at Post Office Place Melbourne between 1884 when the store opened. Between 1911 and 1934 Robinson & Moffatt appeared to have sold out along with other businesses to became part of the Myer Emporium. Robinson & Moffatt were an early upmarket department store for the wealthy with a branch in Perth that was opened in 1899. During their time in business Robinson & Moffatt appear to have imported goods from England and Europe. The hatbox appears to be a British pattern made for a beaver type top hat around late 19th or early 20th century. A personal item made for Robinson and Moffatt department store, imported from England and sold to a wealthy colonial gentleman sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. The item was purchased from one of the earliest department stores in Melbourne, that later was incorporated into what has become an iconic Australian department store operating out of one of Melbourne's iconic building locations,the Myer emporium.Gents leather oval hat Box, with concave lid reinforcing strap and leather handle. Has metal locking device and key hole. Handle held to top with 2 studs. Velvet inside lid. Catch inside box."Made for Robertson & Moffatt Melbourne"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, hat box, gentleman's hat, gent's hat box, hatbox

This sturdy, deep hat box has been carefully constructed to give the contents utmost protection in the roughest of travel conditions. At the same time, attention to detail and quality of materials makes the box an attractive, desirable and useful piece of luggage. The supports inside the hat box show that the hat’s brim dipped at the front and back in the popular 1920s Homburg or Derby style. The hat box was likely to have been purchased, complete with its fashionable hat and personalised with the initials ‘G.M.’. The five shipping labels on the hat box tell that the owner traveller overseas with it on more than one occasion. The owner had first travelled with the shipping line Peninsular & Orient Steam Navigation Company, and may have been one the first Australian passengers in 1932, as the remnant of label on the base reads Sydney. The owner later voyaged under the company’s new name of P & O. and travelled from at least one of the voyages from Melbourne to London The square label, with “P & O” and red printed “M” in centre of circle, refers to alphabetical organisation of baggage by surname, connecting the owner ‘G.M.’ to the owner’s voyage with P & O. The P & O shipping line’s early beginnings started with the partnership of London ship broker Brodie McGhie Willcox and Scottish sailor Arthur Anderson in 1822. The partnership was joined by Irish shipowner Captain Richard Bourne in 1835 and they began operation as the Peninsular & Orient Steam Navigation Company with a service between London- Spain - Portugal. In 1932 the company expanded to include Australia with its passenger services departing from Sydney; in 1840 the company was incorporated. After various take-overs of other shipping lines and businesses, it operated under the name P & O. JOHN BRUSH The hat box was made by Australian saddle designer and maker, John Brush, Sons & Co. Brush began his saddlery trade in Roma, Queensland, His designing process included consulting with the men who rode and worked the horses. He was described in the Sydney Morning Herald of December 15, 1897, as a leading Sydney saddler, well known and reliable, with every kind of English and Australian saddle on view. John Brush established his business in 1840, operating from 371 George Street Sydney. A catalogue from that era jointly advertises John Brush (371 George Sty Sydney) and Butlers & Brush (432-4 Queen Street Sydney), both under the name of Edward Butler & Co. Pty. Ltd. The catalogue included saddlery, harness equipment, riding wear and travel goods, and strongly promoted the Wienkek made saddles, which he distributed Australia wide. John Brush, So & co. advertised its ‘new’ address in 1887, as 403 George Street Sydney. In 1898 Brush made a side-saddle for a customer, a design popular with gentlewomen of the era. The business was still operating over 100 years later, producing a catalogue in the 1950s.This early 20th century hat box is significant for being one of a kind in our Collection. Its fitted design shows the shape of the hat, dating it from the 1920s men’s fashions. The hat box is significant for being a high quality hat box made in Sydney, Australia by prominent and successful early colonial saddler and leather goods business, John Brush, Son & Co. The labels on the outside of the hat box are also significant, representing the prosperous lifestyle of an Australian traveller who purchased quality goods and cared for them. The traveller was able to depart from firstly the Port of Sydney and later the Port of Melbourne. Hatbox, oval shape, brown leather, strong, sturdy construction, six pieces, and metal lock on base. Wide lid, then tapers to a narrower base that has a red leather trim. Brown velvet fabric lining inside and covers some accessories. Other internal accessories are trimmed with plain red paper and blue and white striped paper. The lid has two attached leather tabs and a leather handle and underneath it has a drawstring liner and oval, gold-lettered maker’s label. The internal oval box has a leather retention strap and brim support. Separate moulded brim support is included. A detached leather strap with catch is inside the base. Inscriptions are stamped on the lid, printed on the maker’s label, attached as printed paper labels to the lid, sides, and under the base. Maker is John Brush, Son & Co. of Sydney. The owner’s initials “G.M” are embossed on the lid.Stamped on lid “G. M.” Label, oval, inside lid “JOHN BRUSH, SON & CO. / MANUFACTURERS & IMPORTERS / of / SADDLERY AND HARNESS / 403, GEORGE ST. / SYDNEY” Label, paper: “BAGGAGE, MELBOURNE TO LONDON’, part of word ‘CABIN’ and “P & O” Label, square, white background, black print, circular emblem: ‘PE - - - - - & ORIEN-’, ‘STEAM NAVIATION COMPY.’ BAGGAGE’ and a red printed “M” in centre of circle. Label, rectangular, white background, black print; narrow line border, text in rows and an ‘X’ overprinted, from corner to corner of the border: “BAGGAGE / P. & O. S. N. Co. / MELBOURNE / To / LONDON” Label, paper, rectangular, white background, black print, an “X” across the label: “CABIN / P & O / “ Label, paper, on base, “– aid” [Paid], “SYDNEY” flagstaff hil, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, hat box, leather hat box, vintage hat box, top hat, homburg hat, derby hat, travel ware, luggage, leather goods, travel goods, clothing accessory, men’s clothing, john brush, son & co, saddler, sydney firm, peninsular & orient steam navigation company, p & o, g.m., melbourne to london, sydney port, melbourne port, hat case

Very sturdy brown leather fully lined with red velvet. Base has a velvet lined insert to hold the hat in position. A 2.5cm wide braid, attached at each side, fastens with a silvery, metal clip, to secure the hat in position. A velvet covered frame sits at the top of the hat box, this has an oval shaped hole over the centre of the hat. A very sturdy, heavy lid has a strap across the lid - part of which is now missing-this strap would have fastened and locked into the circular brass locking fastener on the hat box. Two metal circular studs and stitching, hold the handle in place on the lid. A label and stamp have been attached to the lid, but are now badly worn, and a third Victorian Railways stamp can be identified.A card inside the hat box reads box 564 Cowling Collection hat box/hat. We are however unable to find any evidence of a Cowling Collection. Contains Top Hat 11400.836, packed in Clothing Box 158.costume accessories, male, leather hat box

Leather, oval shaped hat box (in which is stored a men's silk top hat - 11400.834). Lined in blue velvet, and blue silk. Looped handle, 29cm long, attached with 2.5cm circular metal studs - possibly brass. An oval shaped insert, lined with blue velvet and silk, hold the inverted top hat. This hat was owned by John Sargood ( refer enclosed notes) whose initials are marked on trhe hat-box - J.S. - two cms high. An internal strap of black fabric, has a leather tab at one end with a metal key shaped fastener. Unfortunately the other end is broken off. This strap would hold the hat in the cavity. An outer leather strap, 4cm wide passes over the lid, and fastens at a 6.5cm diameter, circular metal disk with key lock. End of this strap is also broken - a piece of leather is inside the hat box. Strap is marked with a two cm high letter H which lines up with the owners initials when closed J.H.S..Sargood Family Notes in Clothing Box 157.costume accessories, male, leather hat box

The hat box was very necessary for Ladies to protect, store and transport their beautifully decorated hats.The family of Miss Carol Pedersen-Green were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire of Scandinavian descentA lady's, large, hat box made of brown leather with metal hinges and securing clips and inside 2 large leather restraining straps.green carol, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, early settlers, pioneers, leatherwork, hats, milliners

A cylindrical brown leather cabin hat box. it has a leather hinge with a metal lock at the front. On top is a leather handle with metal (brass?) fittings. There is a variety of labels pasted on. They include : On sides - Kindly place this label on the end of the package. P.&.O. SN Co Bombay to Melbourne Passrenger's Name - T. D. GoveIn gold paint T.D.G. 2 x in gold print G-90mmstorage luggage container hat-box

Two brown vinyl hat boxes, one large and one small. On smaller hat box, back of box, centre: "2044/14". On smaller hat box, lock latch: "PATENT/No 205740/RUSTLESS".clothing, clothes, fashion, hat, hats, hat box, women, wodonga

Owned by Mary Hardcastle 1920 -1920?Round brown hat boxA.G. Perl Handbag Travel Goods 166 Bourke St, Melbourne

Cardboard hat box / Oval Shape Akubra Hats of Quality

Oval Metal Hat Box with Lid.hatboxes, clothing storage containers

Brown square cardboard hat box."Hicks Atkinson & Sons Pty Ltd 348 & 350 Collins Street, London & MELBOURNE"hatboxes, clothing storage containers

Cardboard hat box covered with magazine pictures

Metal green painted oval shaped hat box.'Westley'personal effects, travel goods

Used by those that could afford them when travelling. Thuis item was purchased from the Royal Auto Club, London.This piece of luggage is rarely seen in use today, so is of interest general interest. An ovel shaped leather hat box with R.W.R. inscribed below the lock.R.W.R. inscribed below the locktravel, luggage, hats, hat boxes

Black square cardboard hat box. Contains 1 hat - # 1835."Ann Austin Model Hats 7 The Block Collins Street Melbourne"hatboxes, clothing storage containers

Oval Shapped metal hat box, Fawn coloured, Hinged lid with metal handle

Owned by Mrs H.N.LordBrown leather hat box with metal clasp and luggage tag. Blue and pink flock lining."Prov. Patent"hatboxes, clothing storage containers

Light brown heavy cotton hat box cover with leather handle and metal press studs.covers, clothing storage containers, hatboxes

Black metal oval shaped hat box used in cabin aboard 'Fairsky'. Metal clasp'Sitmar Line/Sitmar Lin e Cabin/Franklin-Jones, Fairsky Cabin 287/A11/From Southampton /Date 19.9.1966/Landing Port Melbourne.personal effects, travel goods

Metal black painted oval shaped hat box used for storing hats whilst travellingpersonal effects, travel goods

Round Hat Box containing a collection of lace womens wedding items. Box is approximately 400mm in diameter.

Belong to Beryl Gray's mother Mrs. Evelyn Smythe.Round brown hat box - cardboard with leather like coating. Metal handle and three metal clasps.H250/16costume accessories, hat accessories, personal effects, travel goods

Sent to H.N. Lord Esq. Flat 2 "Berwyn' 7 Glenroy Road Hawthorn Vic.Round light brown patterned cardboard hat box. Contains 2 men's hats - #'s 613 and 3044."Henry Buck's of Swanston Street Melbourne"hatboxes

HatboxMelbourne Stawell Railway LineCrocodile Patterned Hat Box provided with compliments to guests of the federal Hotel in Melbourne, who were travelling with Victorian Railways Victorian railways - Luggage Melbourne (Spencer Street) to Stawelltransport, railways

Round cream and purple cardboard hat box, with stripes and pink cord handle. Contains 2 hats - #'s 932 and 1834"Mon Salon Français The Myer Emporium Ltd Melbourne"hatboxes, clothing storage containers

Box made by donor in a workshop at the Vermont South Community House during the 1990s.A fabric covered round hat box with lid in black fabric with red and blue roses pattern with fawn connecting lattice pattern.

Round Brown leather hat box with metal locks and brown satin lining. Contains 4 hats - #'s 299, 356, 611 and 1368."Antler"hatboxes, clothing storage containers