While today everyone pretty much buys everything on Amazon.com or some other online retailer back not all that long ago catalogs provided a way for people to browse products from the comfort of their homes. This interwar catalog from Ellwood Hats Ltd. successors to J. Ellwood & Sons of London shows how sun/pith helmets were marketed.
Figure 1. The crest of Christys’ of London; they have been producing hats for almost two and a half centuries. Underneath the Christys crest on this silk label is the name of the Canadian shop where this helmet was sold, Thorne Brothers occupied that address between 1880 and 1909 3. Behind the sticker can be seen the sheets of pith used to construct this helmet.
Christys’ & Co Ltd, established in 1773, are well known hatters who are still producing quality hats to this day. At the end of the 19th century they were the world’s largest headwear manufacturer. They have always been famous for producing best quality products, supplying Royalty since King George III’s reign, entitling them to use the royal crest on their logo. They are perhaps most famous for designing the Custodian helmet for the British police in 1863.
This style of the wicker helmet was called the ‘K’ Pattern and is c1896. (Author’s collection)
Helmets made of wicker were in use in India from, at least, the 1850s and lasted into the early 20th century with units despatched to the Second Anglo-Boer War from India. These helmets and their cork Colonial equivalents were replaced by the Wolseley pattern in the first years of the 20th century and this was completed by 1910. Continue reading
A very rare example of an Ellwood’s air chamber helmet. (Collection of Roland Gruschka)
Stuart Bates’ article on “Ellwood’s Air Chamber Helmet” from July 5th 2012 describes Ellwood´s patent for a hat suitable for tropical regions. Whatever the shape – the idea is always executed in the same way. There are two shells that do not meet and form an “air chamber” – ventilated by holes or not – where the air is used as isolation against heat. Theoretically, a fine idea – but, as Stuart notes correctly: “There is no provision for the escape of heat, emanating from the wearer’s head, out of the inner shell which must have lessened the overall effectiveness of the design.” Ellwood´s must have had the same thought and here is an example of an Ellwood helmet where their own patent is altered. Continue reading