📦 Vintage Bates Gentlemen’s Hatter Export Parcel Box – Jermyn Street, London
Mid-20th century | Postal & military ephemera once owned by major. P.gilham ( research may give more information)
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Displayed with other boxes for sale separately illustration only
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Please note a % of the profit will go to blesma the charity for ex service men and women who have lost limbs
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30 cm wide
29 cm tall
15 cm depth
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This wonderfully evocative original Bates Gentlemen’s Hatter cardboard export parcel box is a superb survivor of mid-20th-century London retail and postal history. Rich with period labels, stamps, and handwritten customs declarations, it tells a very human story of travel, service, and craftsmanship.
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The box retains its original printed Bates label reading “From Bates Gentlemen’s Hatter, Over 60 years in Jermyn Street, 21a Jermyn Street, St James’s, London”, alongside British Commonwealth & Foreign Parcel Post labels. A customs declaration identifies the contents as “1 Military Cap”, valued at £3.3.0, strongly suggesting wartime or post-war overseas dispatch to a serviceman.
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🧵 Maker History – Bates Gentlemen’s Hatter
Bates was one of the long-established traditional hatters of Jermyn Street, the historic heart of British menswear. Jermyn Street has been synonymous with gentleman’s tailoring and accessories since the 19th century, serving military officers, civil servants, and discerning London clientele.
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Bates specialised in high-quality hats and military headwear, and their location and longevity place them firmly within the golden age of British bespoke outfitting. Ephemera bearing their branding—especially with original postal use—has become increasingly collectible.
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✨ Why this piece is special
Authentic used export parcel box with strong visual character
Period customs declaration & postal labels intact
Clear association with military history
Ideal for display, styling, film/TV prop use, shop décor, or ephemera collections
A rare survival – these boxes were never meant to last
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📏 Condition
Structurally sound with expected age-related wear, creasing, scuffs, and handling marks consistent with genuine postal use. All wear adds to its authenticity and narrative charm.
