Pith Helmet Collection (page 7)

Speculators On The Corner, Ballarat, Australia, 1886. Artist: William Thomas Smedley
Speculators On The Corner, Ballarat, Australia, 1886. The town of Ballarat was founded in 1852 after gold was discovered nearby

Lieutenant-General NG Lyttelton, commanding 4th Brigade in South Africa, 1902. Artist: C Knight
Lieutenant-General NG Lyttelton, commanding 4th Brigade in South Africa, 1902. Lyttleton (1845-1931) was appointed Chief of the General Staff in 1904

Lieutenant General Sir Henry Rundle, Commander 8th Division, South Africa Field Force, 1902
Lieutenant General Sir Henry Rundle, Commander of the 8th Division, South Africa Field Force, 1902. Portrait of Rundle (1856-1934) from Celebrities of the Army, published by George Newnes, (London)

The Boer leaders were blindfolded and guarded by soldiers of the Black Watch, 1902, (1905). Artist: As Forrest
The Boer leaders were blindfolded and guarded by soldiers of the Black Watch, 1902, (1905). The Boer War; British soldiers lead Boers blindfold to a meeting to discuss peace terms

Transportation of the injured, Allied operations in the Dardanelles, Turkey, 1915-1916. Launched in March 1915, the Allied landings on the Gallipoli peninsula were intended to establish a supply

Good-Bye, Daddy, 1901. Artist: FGO Stuart
Good-Bye, Daddy, 1901. Illustration from The Process Year Book, A Review of the Illustrated Arts. published by AW Penrose & Co, (London, 1901)

M le Myre de Vilers in Madagascar, 1894. Artist: F Meaulle
M le Myre de Vilers in Madagascar, 1894. Myre de Vilers attempted to bring about a reconciliation between the islands government and France

The Prince of Wales tiger shooting in India, 1921
The Prince of Wales tiger shooting in India, the Indian Tour, 1921. The future King Edward VIII on a tiger hunt. Illustration from George V and Edward VIII, A Royal Souvenir, by FGH Salusbury

The Prince of Wales tiger shooting in Nepal, the Indian Tour, 1921. The future King Edward VIII and his entourage pose with a dead tiger

The Prince of Wales and a group of Usuta dancers, Zululand, 1925. The future King Edward VIII enjoys a cultural event during a royal visit

The Prince of Wales watching a traditional dance, Freetown, Sierra Leone, 1925
The Prince of Wales watching a traditional native beauty dance, Freetown, Sierra Leone, 1925. The future King Edward VIII enjoys a cultural event during a royal visit

The Prince of Wales decorated by King Neptune, HMS Repulse, 1925. The future King Edward VIII on board ship. Illustration from George V and Edward VIII, A Royal Souvenir, by FGH Salusbury

Drummer, 5th regiment of the French Foreign Legion, 20th century. French postcard

Bugler, 5th Regiment of the French Foreign Legion, 20th century. French postcard

Assault on a Hova Fort, Madagascar, 1883-1896. France invaded Madagascar in 1883 in what became known as the first Franco-Hova War (Hova being the name of the islands Merina aristocrats)

French Reconnaissance Troops, Madagascar Expedition, 1883-1896. France invaded Madagascar in 1883 in what became known as the first Franco-Hova War

An Engagement against the Hovas of Madagascar, 1883-1896
An Engagement against the Hovas of Madagascar. 1883-1896. France invaded Madagascar in 1883 in what became known as the first Franco-Hova War (Hova being the name of the islands Merina aristocrats)

Viscount Wolsley, British soldier, 1874. Artist: Carlo Pellegrini
Viscount Wolsley, British soldier, 1874. Garnet Joseph Wolsley, (1833-1913) won the Victoria Cross in the Indian Mutiny and led the relief of Khartoum in 1884-1885

Field Marshal Roberts relieving the siege of Kimberley, Boer War, South Africa, 1900. Frederick Sleigh Roberts (1832-1914) was Commander-in-Chief in the field in the 2nd Boer War

Pig-stickers, Beware!, 1878. Lord Lytton, the Viceroy of India, wearing a topee, tests the point of a spear as his horse rears

Cary Grant in George Stevens Gunga Din (1939)
Cary Grant

Tiger hunt in British India, 1800s
British hunting party in India en route to a tiger netting, circa 1890. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

GAFR2A-00014
British attack on Egyptian artillery at Tell el-Kebir, Egypt, 1882. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

GAFR2A-00017
British General Sir George Colley at Majuba Mountain, Transvaal War, 1881. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Warrior-head sculpture pith helmet placed top
Warrior-head sculpture with pith helmet placed on top, Edmund Lincoln miscellaneous papers relating to the excavation of Maya ruins, circa 1880-1900, Expedition to Copan, Guatemala, Lincoln, Edmund

Sir Frederick S. Roberts, 1880, (1901). Creator: Maull & Fox
Sir Frederick S. Roberts, 1880, (1901). Portrait of Sir Frederick, 1st Earl Roberts (1832-1914), one of the foremost British military figures of Victorian times

RSR 16th Battalion, Sussex Yeomanry, in camp
Royal Sussex Regiment Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: RSR Uncat Acc 4254 16th Batt Sussex Yeomanry/008 October 1915 Postcard. See 008b for reverse

President Arthur fishing on a remote lake
President Chester A. Arthur on a fishing trip, 1884. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th century illustration

GAFR2A-00016
British 92nd Highlanders skirmish with Boers in the Transvaal War, South Africa, 1881. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Henry Stanley leading an African expedition, 1870s
Stanleys expedition marching toward Muta Nzege near Mount Ruwenzori, 1870s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Opening of the Saida railway in Algeria, illustration from Le Petit Journal
XIR267197 Opening of the Saida railway in Algeria, illustration from Le Petit Journal, 18th February 1900 (colour litho) by Belon

Off duty soldiers during WWI, fishing for sticklebacks (b / w photo)
XJF447309 Off duty soldiers during WWI, fishing for sticklebacks (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Sir Henry Morton Stanley watching a phalanx dance by Mazambonis warriors at Usiri
KW441407 Sir Henry Morton Stanley watching a phalanx dance by Mazambonis warriors at Usiri, 1890 (wood engraving) by Riou

Scouts serving out milk and butter for broth to starving Pygmy natives, 1890 (wood
KW441390 Scouts serving out milk and butter for broth to starving Pygmy natives, 1890 (wood engraving) by Riou, Edouard (1833-1900); Private Collection; (add.info.: Emin Pasha Relief Expedition)

Pygmy natives as compared with English officers, Sudanese and Zanzibaris, 1890 (wood
KW441391 Pygmy natives as compared with English officers, Sudanese and Zanzibaris, 1890 (wood engraving) by English School

Verney Lovett Cameron visiting King Konngo, 1878 (wood engraving)
KW441352 Verney Lovett Cameron visiting King Konngo, 1878 (wood engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Verney Lovett Cameron arriving at the village of Oulonnda, Africa, 1878 (wood engraving)
KW441351 Verney Lovett Cameron arriving at the village of Oulonnda, Africa, 1878 (wood engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Effects of the new civilization at Tripoli, illustration from Le Petit Journal
XIR414745 Effects of the new civilization at Tripoli, illustration from Le Petit Journal, supplement illustre, 5th November 1911 (colour litho) by French School

Stanleys attack on Zimbizo during his expedition in 1871, illustration
KW409903 Stanleys attack on Zimbizo during his expedition in 1871, illustration from The World in the Hands, engraved by Henri Theophile Hildibrand (1824-97), published 1878 (engraving) by Bayard

Sir Henry Morton Stanley, illustration from The World in the Hands, engraved by J
KW409900 Sir Henry Morton Stanley, illustration from The World in the Hands, engraved by J. Robert, published 1878 (engraving) by Bayard

Drowning in the Mekong rapids, illustration from Le Petit Journal, supplement illustre
XIR346375 Drowning in the Mekong rapids, illustration from Le Petit Journal, supplement illustre, 31st July 1910 (colour litho) by French School

Burmese dancers celebrating, Burma, late 19th century (albumen print) (b / w photo)
XIR287245 Burmese dancers celebrating, Burma, late 19th century (albumen print) (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); 19x24 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Danse de fete)

Winston Churchill on horseback in Bangalore, India in 1897, from A Roving Commission
KW280607 Winston Churchill on horseback in Bangalore, India in 1897, from A Roving Commission by Winston S. Churchill, published by Scribner s, 1930 (litho) by English School

General Alfred Amedee Dodds (1842-1922) in Dahomey, from Le Petit Journal
XIR246061 General Alfred Amedee Dodds (1842-1922) in Dahomey, from Le Petit Journal, 3rd December 1892 (colour litho) by Meyer

Emile Gentil (1866-1914) 1899 (oil on canvas)
XIR232892 Emile Gentil (1866-1914) 1899 (oil on canvas) by Merwart, Paul (1855-1902); Musee du Quai Branly et des Arts Premiers, Paris, France; Polish, out of copyright

Kana Fetishes in Dahomey, from Le Petit Journal, 26th November 1892 (colour
XIR246060 Kana Fetishes in Dahomey, from Le Petit Journal, 26th November 1892 (colour litho) by Meaulle, Fortune Louis (1844-1901) & Meyer

General Alfred Amedee Dodds (1842-1922) (coloured engraving)
XIR232829 General Alfred Amedee Dodds (1842-1922) (coloured engraving) by French School, (19th century); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris

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"Pith Helmet: A Symbol of British Colonialism and Military History" The pith helmet, a distinctive headgear with its wide brim made from lightweight material, holds a significant place in the annals of British history. From the House of Commons v. House of Lords in 1925 to its presence in various military campaigns, this iconic hat has witnessed pivotal moments and adorned numerous notable figures. Dating back to the late 19th century, the pith helmet was worn by members of The Corps of Guides, both cavalry and infantry units serving under the Anglo-Indian Army. Its appearance on soldiers during this era is vividly captured in Richard Knotel's artwork showcasing different types of soldiers from the first half of the 19th century. Intriguingly, even renowned author Conan Doyle found inspiration for his literary works while donning this headpiece. Perhaps it served as a muse during his writing process or provided him with an air of adventure akin to his famous character Sherlock Holmes. Beyond military contexts, photographers like George Greenwell utilized their trusty pith helmets during expeditions such as their journey to Harrar Camp in Ethiopia in 1935. These explorers relied on these hats not only for protection against harsh elements but also as a symbol representing their adventurous spirit. Moreover, le Toubib Aperitif and Tonic Wine label from the late 19th century features an illustration depicting this hat alongside other colonial imagery—a testament to its association with European influence abroad. The pith helmet's role extended beyond mere symbolism; it played an active part during conflicts like the Mahdist War in Sudan during which English cavalry used them while watering their horses. Additionally, it witnessed battles such as The Capture of Marovoay by French forces in Madagascar or The Battle of Majuba Hill where Richard Caton Woodville II immortalized intense moments through his artistry.