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Title Eton 4th June 'Boats' hat ribbons & badges
Nationality British
Period c 1880
Price £250.00

These badges and boater ribbons belonged to Gerald W E Loder, who was at Eton 1875-81. Later Conservative MP for Brighton 1889-1906, he qualified as a barrister at the Inner Temple in 1888. He was a lord commissioner of the Treasury in 1905; JP & Deputy Lt for Sussex, Vice-Chairman of Sussex TA association; Deputy Chairman of Southern Railway Co.

He was the owner of Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, Sussex, now an outstation of Kew Gardens.

The 4th June has been celebrated annually at Eton since the 18th century, as the birthday of King George III. From the mid-19th century, this occasion always finished off with a parade of boats and a splendid fireworks display. These badges and ribbons would have been worn on straw boaters for this event by the various crews of the old clinker-built rowing eights. The whole collection is preserved in a rather battered Fortnum & Mason card box. The silk ribbons are all hand painted and rather frail and distressed in parts.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.


[Ephemera : Miscellaneous : British : 19th Century]

testimonials

The pommel arrived safely today... It's a nice little object and really quite tactile... As usual, it was a pleasure to do business with you and I look forward to finding something else in your stock to tempt me.

J M, UK, 09.05.2009

Arrived safely. Excellent item. Really good condition. A good addition to the collection. Many thanks for a stress free transaction.

R B, UK, 17.10.2005

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