Historical information

Hat pins were essential women's accessories in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, used to secure large, decorative hats to carefully styled hair. These “Queen” brand pins were marketed as rustless and climate-suitable, highlighting their appeal in Australian conditions. Manufactured in England by William Briggs & Co. Ltd., they were distributed across the British Empire, including rural Australia. This type of display card was used in haberdasheries and general stores, combining functional fashion with affordability.
Hat pins were used for decoration and for fastening a woman's hat securely to her hair. They became a popular and important clothing accessory in the late Victorian era and the beginning of the 20th century.

Physical description

A pair of original hat pin display cards, each containing a set of “Queen” brand hat pins, still mounted in their original packaging. The cards are vertically oriented, with printed text in gold and black on a white background with grey stripes. Each card holds multiple long metal hat pins, secured through pre-punched slots.
The card text reads:
"The Queen Hat Pins"
Superior Quality – Rustless – Specially Made for the Australian Climate
Manufactured by William Briggs & Co. Ltd. – Made in England
Two small, printed prices are visible on the cards:
One marked 3½d (three and a half pence)
The other marked 4d (four pence)
The visible heads of the pins are rounded, with one set showing a light lilac colour, suggesting variation in styles or finishes.

Inscriptions & markings

The Queen Hat Pins
Superior Quality – Rustless – Specially Made for the Australian Climate
Made in England
Manufacturer: William Briggs & Co. Ltd.