Humphrys' Hats Hatbox

Credit LineGift of Dorothy Westhead, 1980.

Object number1980.055.010

Label TextAs wearing hats for both day and evening wear gained popularity, so did the practice of milliners constructing storage boxes to go with them. The boxes protect hats from dust and damage, both physical and environmental. Hatboxes from stores were usually made from cardboard, but more bespoke and robust boxes made of metal and leather were developed for travelling. This hatbox is from Humphrys' Hats. Milliner Constance Larkin Knight Humphrys (1895-1975) operated Humphrys' Hats. The same year she began making hats out of her home at 610 Princess Avenue, her husband Robert (1879-1938), a furrier, died. Constance Larkin Knight Humphrys (1895-1975) made this hat. The same year she began making hats out of her home at 610 Princess Avenue, her husband Robert (1879-1938), a furrier, died. Their company “Humphry’s Hats” continued to operate into the early 1970s. Constance Humphrys created custom hats for the women of London for over 50 years. Her hat-making expertise, motherly personality, and ability to empower women through fashion earned her the reputation of “millinery legend” in London. In 1922, Constance Humphrys immigrated to London, Ontario, from England with her husband Robert and their two children. The family rented a house on the corner of Adelaide and Princess where they soon opened “Humphrys’ Hats.” Robert advertised and delivered hats, while Constance created personalized designs. When Robert died during the Great Depression, Constance kept the business running, providing for her family and continuing to supply London women with hats. She once said, "This is my love. I love my customers, I love my hats. I’ll go on till God takes my health away." And she did. Humphrys died in 1975.

NameHatbox