Skip to main content

Bowler Hat Collection

"The Bowler Hat: A Timeless Icon for an Audience of One" From Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times (1936) to Naunton Wayne as Blakeworth

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times (1936)

Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times (1936)

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Audience Of One

Audience Of One
circa 1926: A solitary member of the public seated in front of a band stand, listening to the brass band. (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Naunton Wayne as Blakeworth

Naunton Wayne as Blakeworth
enters the rail station

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: An Englishman in Moscow, 1913-1914. Artist: Kazimir Malevich

An Englishman in Moscow, 1913-1914. Artist: Kazimir Malevich
An Englishman in Moscow, 1913-1914. Kazimir Severinovich Malevich (February 23, 1878 - May 15, 1935) was a painter and art theoretician

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy in George and Mildred 1976 TV programme

Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy in George and Mildred 1976 TV programme

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Mr. Churchill contemplates the ruins of the House of Commons, bombed in May 1941, 1941

Mr. Churchill contemplates the ruins of the House of Commons, bombed in May 1941, 1941 (1955). Incendiary bombs which fell on the nights of 10

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Bus Driver

Bus Driver
March 1929: A set of instruments on a bus route survey vehicle for measuring distance, gradient and camber on roads used by the London General Omnibus Companys fleet of buses

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Young Gents

Young Gents
February 1958: Eleven year old Major Thompson, dressed as a future diplomat, explores Kensington Gardens in London with his nanny and two friends. (Photo by Russell Knight/BIPs/Getty Images)

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Tetley shire horses, Roundhay Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, 1968. Artist: Michael Walters

Tetley shire horses, Roundhay Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, 1968. Artist: Michael Walters
Tetley shire horses, Roundhay Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, 1968. The world famous shire horses gave service to the company for 184 years

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: A man in a barrel crossing the Niagara Falls, illustration from Le Petit Journal

A man in a barrel crossing the Niagara Falls, illustration from Le Petit Journal
XIR346392 A man in a barrel crossing the Niagara Falls, illustration from Le Petit Journal, supplement illustre, 9th October 1910 (colour litho) by French School

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Men In Boat

Men In Boat
circa 1900: A group of men wearing bowler hats and playing instruments in a rowing boat. An English concertina on the left and a button accordion on the right

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Hole in the Wall Gang, Fort Worth, Texas, 1900 (b/w photo)

Hole in the Wall Gang, Fort Worth, Texas, 1900 (b/w photo)
415581 Hole in the Wall Gang, Fort Worth, Texas, 1900 (b/w photo) by Rose, Noah Hamilton (1874-1952); Denver Public Library, Western History Collection; (add.info.: In Fort Worth, Texas)

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Racehorse trainer Stanley Wootton (right) seen here with apprentice jockey Charlie Smirke

Racehorse trainer Stanley Wootton (right) seen here with apprentice jockey Charlie Smirke. Smirke went on to become one of the greatest flat jockeys in English horseracing. Circa 1920

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Candidate for Oldham, 1899, (1945). Creator: Unknown

Candidate for Oldham, 1899, (1945). Creator: Unknown
Candidate for Oldham, 1899, (1945). Portrait of British politician and statesman Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) who stood as a Conservative parliamentary candidate at the June 1899 by-election in

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: London Docks

London Docks
1893: No 1 quay at London docks. Officials are watching a ship being unloaded. (Photo by London Stereoscopic Company/Getty Images)

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Mr Gutbush, The Swanley Station Master. 1938

Mr Gutbush, The Swanley Station Master. 1938

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Get Ahead Get A Hat

Get Ahead Get A Hat
31st July 1950: Three bowler hats on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. (Photo by Ron Gerelli/Express/Getty Images)

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Interior of the winter Bierhaus in Vienna by Wilhelm Gause (1853-1916), watercolor

Interior of the winter Bierhaus in Vienna by Wilhelm Gause (1853-1916), watercolor 20th century, Historisches Museum der Stadt Wien (History Museum)

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: At the Ranelagh Horse and Polo Pony Show. Miss Dorothy Lawson, Mrs John Lawson

At the Ranelagh Horse and Polo Pony Show. Miss Dorothy Lawson, Mrs John Lawson and Miss Alison Lawson. 1931

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Presentation of medals to special constables at Petworth Park, March 1930

Presentation of medals to special constables at Petworth Park, March 1930
Lord Leconfield presenting medals to special constables in Petworth Park George Garland Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: Garland N3062

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Gen. Virbeck [i.e., Verbeck; Chandler Hale; Adm. Togo; [and] Gen. Grant, 1911

Gen. Virbeck [i.e., Verbeck; Chandler Hale; Adm. Togo; [and] Gen. Grant, 1911. Creator: Bain News Service
Gen. Virbeck [i.e., Verbeck; Chandler Hale; Adm. Togo; [and] Gen. Grant, 1911. Shows men on the Lusitania welcoming Japanese admiral Togo Heihachiro to New York City

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Connie Mack, Philadelphia Athletics manager (baseball), 1911. Creator: Bain News Service

Connie Mack, Philadelphia Athletics manager (baseball), 1911. Creator: Bain News Service
Connie Mack, Philadelphia Athletics manager (baseball), 1911.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Postmaster Morgan, P.M.G. Hitchcock, & Ovington, 1911. Creator: Bain News Service

Postmaster Morgan, P.M.G. Hitchcock, & Ovington, 1911. Creator: Bain News Service
Postmaster Morgan, P.M.G. Hitchcock, & Ovington, 1911.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Wrecked city auto in Central Park, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service

Wrecked city auto in Central Park, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Wrecked city auto in Central Park, between c1910 and c1915.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Baltimoreans before Dem. Nat'l Comm'e, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service

Baltimoreans before Dem. Nat'l Comm'e, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Baltimoreans before Dem. Nat'l Comm'e, between c1910 and c1915.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Z. Erhard, C. Hoff, G. Simmons, Bert Daniels, E. Bergen, 1913. Creator: Bain News Service

Z. Erhard, C. Hoff, G. Simmons, Bert Daniels, E. Bergen, 1913. Creator: Bain News Service
Z. Erhard, C. Hoff, G. Simmons, Bert Daniels, E. Bergen, 1913. Shows New York Yankees baseball players Zachary Erhard. Chester Cornelius Hoff (1891-1998), George Simmons, Bert Daniels, and E

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Easter - 5th Ave. 1912, Creator: Bain News Service

Easter - 5th Ave. 1912, Creator: Bain News Service
Easter - 5th Ave. 1912,

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: 5th Ave. - Easter 1911. Creator: Bain News Service

5th Ave. - Easter 1911. Creator: Bain News Service
5th Ave. - Easter 1911. The 5th Avenue Easter Parade - the Sunday morning Fifth Avenue Easter bonnet stroll.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Midgets May Party - Central Park. Group seated on grass, 1910. Creator: Bain News Service

Midgets May Party - Central Park. Group seated on grass, 1910. Creator: Bain News Service
Midgets May Party - Central Park. Group seated on grass, 1910.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: A. Bonci, 1910. Creator: Bain News Service

A. Bonci, 1910. Creator: Bain News Service
A. Bonci, 1910.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: R.A. Franks, A. Carnegie, W.B. Dickson, 1910. Creator: Bain News Service

R.A. Franks, A. Carnegie, W.B. Dickson, 1910. Creator: Bain News Service
R.A. Franks, A. Carnegie, W.B. Dickson, 1910.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Caruso, Easter Parade, 1913. Creator: Bain News Service

Caruso, Easter Parade, 1913. Creator: Bain News Service
Caruso, Easter Parade, 1913. Shows opera singer Enrico Caruso (1873-1921) on Easter day, March 23, 1913, New York City.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Lewis Tewanima, 1911. Creator: Bain News Service

Lewis Tewanima, 1911. Creator: Bain News Service
Lewis Tewanima, 1911. Shows Hopi American long distance runner and Olympic medal winner Louis Tewanima (1888-1969) after winning a marathon in New York City, May 6, 1911.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Tewanima (winner), Arquette (came in 5th), 1911. Creator: Bain News Service

Tewanima (winner), Arquette (came in 5th), 1911. Creator: Bain News Service
Tewanima (winner), Arquette (came in 5th), 1911. Shows Hopi American long distance runner and Olympic medal winner Louis Tewanima (1888-1969) and Mitchell Arquette

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: 5th Ave. - Easter 1911. Creator: Bain News Service

5th Ave. - Easter 1911. Creator: Bain News Service
5th Ave. - Easter 1911. The 5th Avenue Easter Parade - the Sunday morning Fifth Avenue Easter bonnet stroll.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: 5th Ave. - Easter 1911. Creator: Bain News Service

5th Ave. - Easter 1911. Creator: Bain News Service
5th Ave. - Easter 1911. The 5th Avenue Easter Parade - the Sunday morning Fifth Avenue Easter bonnet stroll.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Almira & John Deitz, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service

Almira & John Deitz, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Almira & John Deitz, between c1910 and c1915.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Game between Boston NL and New York NL at Polo Grounds (baseball), 1910. Creator: Bain News Service

Game between Boston NL and New York NL at Polo Grounds (baseball), 1910. Creator: Bain News Service
Game between Boston NL and New York NL at Polo Grounds (baseball), 1910.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Hank O'Day, umpire (baseball), 1911. Creator: Bain News Service

Hank O'Day, umpire (baseball), 1911. Creator: Bain News Service
Hank O'Day, umpire (baseball), 1911.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: James McAleer, 1911. Creator: Bain News Service

James McAleer, 1911. Creator: Bain News Service
James McAleer, 1911.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Caruso, 1911. Creator: Bain News Service

Caruso, 1911. Creator: Bain News Service
Caruso, 1911.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Miss Marion Hollins, 1913. Creators: Bain News Service, George Graham Bain

Miss Marion Hollins, 1913. Creators: Bain News Service, George Graham Bain
Miss Marion Hollins, 1913. Horsewoman and golf champion Marion Hollins (1892-1944).

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: R.F. Pettigrew, 1913. Creators: Bain News Service, George Graham Bain

R.F. Pettigrew, 1913. Creators: Bain News Service, George Graham Bain
R.F. Pettigrew, 1913.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Hugh Duffy, 1912. Creator: Bain News Service

Hugh Duffy, 1912. Creator: Bain News Service
Hugh Duffy, 1912.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: R. Bartholdt, of Missouri, standing near Capitol, Washington, DC, 1919. Creator: Bain News Service

R. Bartholdt, of Missouri, standing near Capitol, Washington, DC, 1919. Creator: Bain News Service
R. Bartholdt, of Missouri, standing near Capitol, Washington, DC, 1919.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Bishop next to train, 1910. Creator: Bain News Service

Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Bishop next to train, 1910. Creator: Bain News Service
Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Bishop next to train, 1910.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Bishop, 1910. Creator: Bain News Service

Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Bishop, 1910. Creator: Bain News Service
Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Bishop, 1910.

Background imageBowler Hat Collection: Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Bishop with Clifford Harmon, 1910. Creator: Bain News Service

Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Bishop with Clifford Harmon, 1910. Creator: Bain News Service
Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Bishop with Clifford Harmon, 1910.




For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"The Bowler Hat: A Timeless Icon for an Audience of One" From Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times (1936) to Naunton Wayne as Blakeworth, the bowler hat has graced the heads of many iconic figures throughout history. It symbolizes a bygone era, evoking images of Mr. Churchill contemplating the ruins of the House of Commons after it was bombed in May 1941. But this humble headpiece is not limited to political leaders and film stars alone and has also been worn by everyday heroes like bus drivers and special constables, who received medals at Petworth Park in March 1930. Its versatility knows no bounds, as seen when a man donning a bowler hat crossed Niagara Falls while inside a barrel—an illustration from Le Petit Journal that captured both daring and style. In popular culture, Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy sported these hats in the beloved George and Mildred TV programme from 1976. The London Docks became their backdrop—a testament to how this accessory transcends time and place. The bowler hat even found its way into art forms such as Ken Russell's Troubadour: The Penny Farthing Bicycle photo series from 2006. This whimsical juxtaposition showcases how tradition can merge with modernity effortlessly. Let us not forget Mr Gutbush, The Swanley Station Master from 1938—his trusty bowler hat completing his distinguished look while overseeing train operations. So why should you get ahead? Get a hat. Because whether you're strolling through history or making your mark on contemporary society, the timeless charm of the bowler hat will always be there to elevate your style—and ensure that you stand out among an audience of one.