Hat

This hat belonged to Sir Walter Henry Wilkin, Lord Mayor of the City of London from 1895 to 1896. It was made by Ede & Ravenscroft, Chancery Lane, a company founded in 1689 and one of the main suppliers of ceremonial robes. The hat is decorated with ostrich feathers died black and a rosette of black silk ribbon with a gilt metal flower ornament and three chains.

Sir Walter Wilkin was born in London in 1842. He worked for a short time as an underwriter at Lloyd's before training to become a Barrister and being called to the Bar by Middle Temple in June 1875. On the death of his father, Sir Walter succeeded his father as a yeast mearchant in Appold Street, EC2. For many years he was an officer in the 3rd Middlesex Artilellery Volunteers, retiring in 1869 with the rank of lieutenant-colonel and hon. colonel. In 1876 Wilkin became a Common Council man for Lime-street Ward and in 1888 he became the ward's alderman. He served as sheriff in 1892-1893 and was knighted on the occasion of the marriage of the Duke of York an Princess May (later King George V and Queen Mary). According to The Times (obituary of 15 November 1922), Sir Wilkin's 'mayoralty in 1895-1896 was uneventful', apart from a 'semi-official' visit by King Carlos I of Portugal to the City, after which Wilkin was promoted to be a K.C.M.G (Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George). Sir Walter Wilkin died on 13 November 1922.