Bicorn Hat Collection

Mayor Making, Lostwithiel, Cornwall. May 1986
The Mayor of Lostwithiel, Ida (Liz) Keast, pictured with the Mace and Oar used on ceremonial occasions and carried by the Town Sergeant and Sergeant at Arms

Mayor Making, Lostwithiel, Cornwall. May 1984
The Mayor of Lostwithiel, Gwen Powell-Jones, pictured with the Mace and Oar used on ceremonial occasions and carried by the Town Sergeant and Sergeant at Arms

Mayor Making, Lostwithiel, Cornwall. May 1988
The newly installed Mayor of Lostwithiel, Dennis Hutchings. Councillor Hutchings served in 1988 and 1989, and was Mayor when HM The Queen visited the town in 1989. Photographer: Jonathan Barker

English Civil War Society, Lostwithiel, Cornwall. April 1992
Col. Fred Polfrey, left, helps Lostwithiel Mayor, John Reed, inspect the soldiers of Lord Hoptons Regiment of Foote when the group visited the town

Mayor Making, Fowey, Cornwall. May 1993
The Mayor of Fowey, Rhona Foster, with her deputy, Roger Blount, after their induction in the town hall. They are photographed on the Town Quay with the harbour in the background

Mayor Making, Lostwithiel, Cornwall. May 1990
The civic party after the Mayor Making ceremony for Councillor John Reed. From left to right: Bill Doe, Town Sergeant; Dawn Hutchings, Deputy Mayoress; Dennis Hutchings, Mayor; Fran Dennison

Mayor Making, Lostwithiel, Cornwall. May 2000
The new Mayor of Lostwithiel, John Pegg, with the civic party. From left to right: Jonathan Abbiss, Town Sergeant; Reverend Fred Stevens, Mayors Chaplain; Wendy Stuchbery, Deputy Mayoress

Mademoiselle Delong de Geneve, Monsieur Philippe and Monsieur de Texier (w/c)
896341 Mademoiselle Delong de Geneve, Monsieur Philippe and Monsieur de Texier (w/c) by Carmontelle, Louis Carrogis (1717-1806); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris

Mayor Making, Fowey, Cornwall. May 1992
At a ceremony held in Fowey town hall, Marilyn Wellman was officially elected as the towns mayor for 1992 to 1993. Assembled on the town quay are, from left to right: Andy McCartney

Mayor Making, Fowey, Cornwall. May 1995
The new Mayor of Fowey, Ron Bennett, with his Deputy, Michael Culver, after the mayor making ceremony held in the town hall. They are pictured on the Town Quay. Photographer: Jonathan Barker

Mayor Making, Fowey, Cornwall. May 1994
Serving a second term as Mayor of Fowey, Rhona Foster poses with Ron Bennett as her Deputy Mayor. Photographer: Jonathan Barker

New Mayor, Fowey, Cornwall. May 1998
The new Mayor of Fowey, Anne Boosey (centre) posed on the town quay, in front of Fowey harbour. The Mayor is standing with, from left to right: Michael Penprase, Town Crier; Paul Caswell

New Mayor, Fowey, Cornwall. May 1999
The new Mayor of Fowey, Paul Caswell with the Town Crier, Michael Penprase. They are posed in front of Fowey Parish Church. Photographer: Jonathan Barker

Mayor Making, Fowey, Cornwall. May 1991
The new mayor of Fowey, Hilda Court, pictured with her husband Clem. This was Mrs Courts fourth term as mayor and said that next year she would retire to the back-benches

Mayor Making, Fowey, Cornwall. May 1996
After the Mayor Making ceremony the civic dignitaries gather on the town quay. The ceremony takes place in the town hall, adjoining the quay

Mayor Making, Lostwithiel, Cornwall. May 1994
The new Mayor and Mayoress of Lostwithiel, George and Wendy Stuchbery. Councillor Stuchbery served as Mayor in 1994 and 1995. Photographer: Jonathan Barker

Mayor Making, Lostwithiel, Cornwall. May 1992
The new mayor of Lostwithiel, Warren Nicholls, with his wife Helen, after the Mayor Making ceremony held in the Guildhall. The mayor opted to hold his reception in the Community Centre

A General Officer (oil on panel)
MAN443324 A General Officer (oil on panel) by Meissonnier, Jean Louis Ernest (1815-91); Manchester Art Gallery, UK; © Manchester Art Gallery

Pub interior with crowds, 1881 (oil on canvas)
OVR394364 Pub interior with crowds, 1881 (oil on canvas) by Stoltenberg-Lerche, Vincent (1837-92); 63x94 cm; Private Collection; Photo © O. Vaering

Sir Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 2nd Earl of Moira, c. 1813 (oil on canvas)
NAM280802 Sir Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 2nd Earl of Moira, c.1813 (oil on canvas) by Raeburn, Henry (1756-1823); National Army Museum

Hannah Snell, the Female Soldier, published by R. S. Kirby, 1804 (engraving)
NAM280866 Hannah Snell, the Female Soldier, published by R.S. Kirby, 1804 (engraving) by Scott, G. (fl.c.1804); National Army Museum

The brandy seller (colour litho)
STC259099 The brandy seller (colour litho) by Vernet, Antoine Charles Horace (Carle) (1758-1836) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Group at Headquarters, from an album of 52 photographs associated with the Crimean War
NAM261085 Group at Headquarters, from an album of 52 photographs associated with the Crimean War, 1855 (b/w photo) by Fenton, Roger (1819-69); National Army Museum

Admiral Sir Cecil Burney, K. C. B. G. C. M. G. Second-in-Command of the Grand Fleet
STC359755 Admiral Sir Cecil Burney, K.C.B. G.C.M.G. Second-in-Command of the Grand Fleet, 1914-19 (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Full Dress Uniform of a Field Marshal, from Costumes of the Army of the British
NAM254102 Full Dress Uniform of a Field Marshal, from Costumes of the Army of the British Empire, according to the last regulations 1812, engraved by J.C. Stadler, published by Colnaghi & Co

The new Imperial Royal Austrian Light Infantry after the Napoleonic Wars, c
STC227358 The new Imperial Royal Austrian Light Infantry after the Napoleonic Wars, c.1820 (colour litho) by Stubenrauch, Phillip von (1784-1848) (after)

Little Major the toll keeper at the New Bailey Bridge, first quarter of the 19th century
CHL404784 Little Major the toll keeper at the New Bailey Bridge, first quarter of the 19th century (pen & ink and w/c on paper) by Gerrard (fl.c.1800-25); 17x15.4 cm; Chethams Library, Manchester

Captains, plate 5 from Costume of the Royal Navy and Marines
STC97215 Captains, plate 5 from Costume of the Royal Navy and Marines, engraved by the artists, c.1830-37 (colour litho) by Mansion, L. and Eschauzier, St

Self portrait as a sailor (cyanotype)
LSH239058 Self portrait as a sailor (cyanotype) by Sambourne, Edward Linley (1844-1910); Linley Sambourne House, London, UK; eLinley Sambourne House; English, out of copyright

Quarter Master General and Assistant Quarter Master General
NAM254106 Quarter Master General and Assistant Quarter Master General, from Costumes of the Army of the British Empire, according to the last regulations 1812, engraved by J.C

Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown and Staff, from an album of 52 photographs associated
NAM261083 Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown and Staff, from an album of 52 photographs associated with the Crimean War, 1855 (b/w photo) by Fenton, Roger (1819-69); National Army Museum

Officers on the Staff of Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown
NAM261082 Officers on the Staff of Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown, from an album of 52 photographs associated with the Crimean War, 1855 (b/w photo) by Fenton

Patients at the Hotel des Invalides, 1809-11 (w / c on paper)
CHT236373 Patients at the Hotel des Invalides, 1809-11 (w/c on paper) by French School, (19th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; eArchives Charmet; French, out of copyright

Marshal Andre Massena (1758-1817) Duke of Rivoli (oil on canvas)
XIR245709 Marshal Andre Massena (1758-1817) Duke of Rivoli (oil on canvas) by French School, (19th century); Musee d Art et d Histoire, Palais Massena, Nice

Bonaparte (1769-1821) 1er Consul, from a painting of Andrea Appiani (1754-1817
PLT238262 Bonaparte (1769-1821) 1er Consul, from a painting of Andrea Appiani (1754-1817) engraved by J.J.F. Tafsaert (coloured engraving) by Hennequin

Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) (litho)
ACT226757 Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Hannah Snell, enlisting in King George IIs Army, illustration from Munsey
PNP391924 Hannah Snell, enlisting in King George IIs Army, illustration from Munseys Magazine (newsprint) by English School

Playing card: King of Clubs (colour litho)
DHS212778 Playing card: King of Clubs (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Dallas Historical Society, Texas

An officer riding a camel (lead on paper)
622845 An officer riding a camel (lead on paper) by Gerome, Jean Leon (1824-1904); 32.8x22.8 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; French, out of copyright

Man in large black bicorn hat, era of Marie Antoinette
5893154 Man in large black bicorn hat, era of Marie Antoinette. by Compte-Calix, Francois Claudius (1813-80); (add.info.: Man in large black bicorn hat, white cravat, brown coat over cream breeches)

Hannah Snell, the Female Soldier (colour litho)
PNP391923 Hannah Snell, the Female Soldier (colour litho) by English School, (18th century); Royal Marines Museum, Portsmouth

Lieutenant William Vincent (1781-1859) c. 1804 (oil on canvas)
NAM237720 Lieutenant William Vincent (1781-1859) c.1804 (oil on canvas) by English School, (19th century); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: painting possibly by D.C)

Count Jacques-Louis-Cesar-Alexandre de Randon (1795-1871) Marshal of France
XIR238763 Count Jacques-Louis-Cesar-Alexandre de Randon (1795-1871) Marshal of France, 1857 (oil on canvas) by Vernet, Emile Jean Horace (1789-1863); 220x143 cm; ChAteau de Versailles

Louis-Joseph de Bourbon (1736-1818) 8th Prince de Conde, c. 1820 (colour litho)
CHT268778 Louis-Joseph de Bourbon (1736-1818) 8th Prince de Conde, c.1820 (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris

Uniform of a Lieutenant General of Cavalry, from Costumes of the Army of the British
NAM254103 Uniform of a Lieutenant General of Cavalry, from Costumes of the Army of the British Empire, according to the last regulations 1812, engraved by J.C. Stadler published by Colnaghi & Co

Equestrian Portrait of General Jean Rapp (1771-1821) 1816 (oil on canvas)
XIR218796 Equestrian Portrait of General Jean Rapp (1771-1821) 1816 (oil on canvas) by Lagrenee, Louis Jean Francois I (1725-1805); 296x246 cm; Musee d Unterlinden, Colmar, France; French

Playing card: King of Hearts (colour litho)
DHS212770 Playing card: King of Hearts (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Dallas Historical Society, Texas

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"Bicorn Hat: A Timeless Symbol of Authority and Tradition" Throughout the years, the bicorn hat has graced numerous significant events in Cornwall's history. From Mayor Making ceremonies to English Civil War reenactments, this iconic headpiece has become synonymous with authority and tradition. In May 1984, at the Mayor Making ceremony in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, a distinguished figure donned a bicorn hat as they took on their new role. The hat's elegant silhouette added an air of grandeur to the occasion, symbolizing power and responsibility. Fast forward to May 1986; once again, Lostwithiel witnessed another momentous Mayor Making event. As the town embraced its new leader amidst cheers and applause, the bicorn hat stood proudly atop their head – a testament to their newfound position within the community. The English Civil War Society brought history back to life in April 1992 when they descended upon Lostwithiel wearing authentic attire from that era. Amongst musket fire and battle cries echoed by passionate reenactors was one individual sporting a bicorn hat – an emblematic reminder of past conflicts and bravery. Meanwhile, Fowey experienced its own mayoral traditions during May 1993. The newly appointed mayor stepped into office adorned with a bicorn hat as they pledged their commitment to serving the town. This timeless accessory served as a visual representation of leadership throughout generations. As time marched on towards May 2000, Lostwithiel once again celebrated Mayor Making with great pomp and circumstance. The familiar sight of a dignified figure crowned by a resplendent bicorn hat marked yet another chapter in local governance—a continuation of heritage preserved through time-honored rituals. Beyond official ceremonies or historical recreations lies an exquisite painting capturing an anonymous General Officer wearing his trusty bicorn hat—an artistic tribute paying homage to those who have worn it before him—evidence that this remarkable headpiece transcends time and place.