A good example of a Victorian leather hat box designed to hold two top hats. The outer of the box is covered in a rich brown leather with a leather carrying handle and brass lock plate. It has a lovely selection of original travel labels on the top including P&O and Southern Railway.
Inside, the case is lined with white cotton and purple silk covered fittings with elasticated straps for securing the hats. It has a top section for the first hat which lifts out and a further section below for hat number two.
The leather strap is embossed with the retailers name "Hiekel Jn. 18 & 20 Rue Tronchet Paris Londres".
Hiekel Jeune was a historically prominent English hatmaker and bespoke milliner located at 18-20 rue Tronchet in Paris during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The case is in good condition and has a lovely aged patina with just the right amount of wear to show that it has been used but well cared for. There are of course some minor scuffs and marks but nothing detrimental and the interior is generally clean and tidy. We do not have a key and the leather strap that would go all the way around the outside is not intact and has worn through at the back. It has been cleaned and lightly polished and is a lovely decorative piece with a great history.
