Bicorn, plume and carrying tins for the bicorn worn in HMS Pinafore
Theatre Costume
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
W.S. Gilbert frequently used characters dressed in uniforms in his operas, and as a stickler for detail had them made by the firms that made them for their original purpose. This bicorn was made by the London firm Ede & Ravenscroft, thought to be the world's oldest tailoring firm. Originally founded in 1698, the firm provided regalia for twelve coronations and today provides tailoring and robes to the church, state, legal profession and academia. The lining of the hat is stamped in gold: 'Ede & Ravenscroft By special Appointment to the King and Queen, 93 & 94, Chancery Lane, London'.
This would have been worn by singers playing Sir Joseph Porter in HMS Pinafore. Sir Joseph Porter is one of W.S. Gilbert's earliest characters singing comic patter songs. The role of the First Lord of the Admiralty who had never ever been to sea was played by George Grossmith in the original production that opened at London's Opera Comique in May 1878. Gilbert based the character on the Conservative member of parliament W.H. Smith (1825-1891) who became First Lord of the Admiralty in 1877, despite never having been to sea. Writing to Sullivan while he was writing the piece in December 1877, Gilbert noted: 'The fact that the First Lord in the opera is a Radical of the most pronounced type will do away with any suspicion that W. H. Smith is intended'.
This would have been worn by singers playing Sir Joseph Porter in HMS Pinafore. Sir Joseph Porter is one of W.S. Gilbert's earliest characters singing comic patter songs. The role of the First Lord of the Admiralty who had never ever been to sea was played by George Grossmith in the original production that opened at London's Opera Comique in May 1878. Gilbert based the character on the Conservative member of parliament W.H. Smith (1825-1891) who became First Lord of the Admiralty in 1877, despite never having been to sea. Writing to Sullivan while he was writing the piece in December 1877, Gilbert noted: 'The fact that the First Lord in the opera is a Radical of the most pronounced type will do away with any suspicion that W. H. Smith is intended'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 4 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
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| Title | Bicorn, plume and carrying tins for the bicorn worn in HMS Pinafore (generic title) |
| Brief description | Admiral's bicorn hat worn by Sir Joseph Porter KCB, First Lord of the Admiralty in D'Oyly Carte Company productions of HMS Pinafore by Gilbert & Sullivan, made by Ede & Ravenscroft, with original tin containers for hat and plume made by Hawkes & Co |
| Physical description | S.1108:1-2021 Velvet bicorn with black watered silk appliqué ribbon and black fabric rosette underneth gold metallic decoration featuring a gold metal button with a raised Royal Standard motif S.1108:2-2021 Shaped hinged tin with handle, worn to the original metal in several places and originally painted with the name of the officer for whom it was made. Metal plate attached embossed with the name of the maker S.1108:3-2021 Cylindrical lidded tin made to contain ostrich feather plume to add to the hat S.1108:4-2021 Plume of red and white feathers on brass finial knob made to screw into the hat |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by The D'Oyly Carte Company |
| Object history | This object with its containers would have been made for the original naval officer who wore it, and would have been acquired by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company at some date, with whom it remained until it was given to the museum |
| Summary | W.S. Gilbert frequently used characters dressed in uniforms in his operas, and as a stickler for detail had them made by the firms that made them for their original purpose. This bicorn was made by the London firm Ede & Ravenscroft, thought to be the world's oldest tailoring firm. Originally founded in 1698, the firm provided regalia for twelve coronations and today provides tailoring and robes to the church, state, legal profession and academia. The lining of the hat is stamped in gold: 'Ede & Ravenscroft By special Appointment to the King and Queen, 93 & 94, Chancery Lane, London'. This would have been worn by singers playing Sir Joseph Porter in HMS Pinafore. Sir Joseph Porter is one of W.S. Gilbert's earliest characters singing comic patter songs. The role of the First Lord of the Admiralty who had never ever been to sea was played by George Grossmith in the original production that opened at London's Opera Comique in May 1878. Gilbert based the character on the Conservative member of parliament W.H. Smith (1825-1891) who became First Lord of the Admiralty in 1877, despite never having been to sea. Writing to Sullivan while he was writing the piece in December 1877, Gilbert noted: 'The fact that the First Lord in the opera is a Radical of the most pronounced type will do away with any suspicion that W. H. Smith is intended'. |
| Associated object | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1108:1 to 4-2021 |
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| Record created | September 9, 2021 |
| Record URL |
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