Box

This cardboard box was originally made to transport Griffin's Round Wine biscuits in the early 1960s. Milliner Charles Johnson then recycled it to send a hat from his shop in Woodward Street, Wellington, to Mary McHardy of Hawke's Bay, by Newmans bus. It possibly held the hat she wore to her daughter's wedding.

Charles Johnson ran 'Charles Salon' sited initially in Kelburn Avenue (ie Cable Car Lane) from the late 1940s until about 1955, then later in Woodward Street, Wellington, from 1960 until about 1966. He then worked in premises behind Thompson's Silks in Willis Street Village. He was one of many milliners working in New Zealand during this period, but is distinctive for travelling to Britain and Monaco where he made hats for royal clients. In Britain he worked for Aage Thaarup, milliner to Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother. In Monaco he made hats for Princess Grace.