Uniform worn by Sir Edward Deas Thomson as Colonial Secretary of New South Wales
Object No. H7996
This uniform was worn by Edward Deas Thomson, who served as Colonial Secretary of New South Wales from 1837 to 1856. As a member of the Executive and Legislative Council, Thomson wore the official uniform as set down in the colonial regulations of the day, which detailed the dress requirements as established by the Court. Sir Edward Deas Thomson was born on 1 June 1800 in Edinburgh. In May 1828 Thomson took up the appointment of clerk to the New South Wales Executive and Legislative Councils. Somewhat controversially, he was promoted to colonial secretary on the recommendation of Governor Bourke on 2 January 1837. Thomson had married Bourke's second daughter, Anne Maria, on 18 September 1833. The Colonial Secretary was the most important civil officer in New South Wales after the Governor. Serving as the Governor's confidential advisor, the Colonial Secretary dealt with all official business and was responsible for overseeing the Governor's directions (The Australians - 1838, p319).Thomson advocated the establishment of a university and served as Vice-Chancellor and Chancellor of Sydney University from 1863 to 1868 (USYD). Uniforms such as this confer a sense of responsibility and assist in identifying the status of the wearer. T. H. Holding, in his 1894 book 'Uniforms of the British Army, Navy, and Court, wrote: "The chief technicale of their production lies in the trimming, in faithfulness to regulation, and in exactness to those trifles which make all the difference between one uniform and another'. Military uniforms were originally styled on current fashions, but they gradually became standardised during the 18th century and were slow to change after then. Based on the Windsor Uniform, this suit consists of navy wool dress coat and trousers with red collar and cuffs. The collar, cuffs and legs are trimmed with embroidered silver acorn and oak leaf design. Oak trees often feature in English military emblems, and are seen as a patriotic symbol of strength and victory. The buttons of this jacket were made by 'Firmin & Sons', one of the longest established companies in England and the official supplier of buttons for Court attire. Michelle Brown, 2007 REF: Atkinson, Alan and Aveling, Marian. Australians - 1838', Syme & Weldon Associates, Sydney, 1987 Byrde, Penelope, 'The Male Image: Men's Fashion in England 1300 - 1970', B T Batsford Ltd, London, 1979 Holding, T. H., 'Uniforms of the British Army, Navy, and Court', London, 1894 Trendell, Herbert A. P., 'Dress Worn at His Majesty's Court', Harrison & Sons, London, 1912
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Summary
Object Statement
Uniform, comprising tailcoat and trousers, wool / cotton / metal / leather, maker unknown, place of production unknown / Firmin and Sons, London, England, c. 1837, worn by Sir Edward Deas Thomson, Colonial Secretary of New South Wales
Physical Description
Uniform consisting of matching navy blue wool tailcoat and trousers. Semi-fitted tailcoat of navy blue wool with straight cut-away front and above the knee length tails. Tailcoat has a standing mandarin collar of red wool decorated with silver oak leaves and acorns. Cuffs decorated with matching embroidered trimming. Tailcoat opens at centre front and fastens with nine metal buttons decorated with crown and laurel wreath. The reverse of buttons marked 'FIRMIN & SONS 153 Strand London'. Standing collar fastens with three metal hooks and eyes. Tailcoat is fully lined with a centre back vent with side pleats and concealed pockets. Vent trimmed with four metal buttons. Pair of straight legged trousers made of navy blue wool and decorated with matching silver brocade stripe featuring oak leaf and acorn design down outer seams. Trousers secure with a buttoned fly with waist featuring five buttons on the outside and two buttons on the inside. Under foot strap secured to each leg hem with buttons. A concealed money pocket is located inside right front of waist.
PRODUCTION
Notes
It is likely that this uniform was made in England, or was made in Australia from imported materials and official buttons. On the reverse side of the buttons is marked: "FIRMIN & SONS 153 STRAND LONDON". Firmin & Sons was established in 1677 and is one of the longest established companies in England. The company is still in operation in 2007, holds three Royal Warrants of Appointment, including button manufacturer to the Queen, and is the official supplier of a wide range of uniform accessories and equipment to the UK Ministry of Defence (Firmin 2007). As is usually the case with such uniforms, the style is conservative and formal. It is made of navy blue wool and follows the official uniform as set down in the colonial regulations of the day. All details, from the number of buttons through to the style and width of braiding, were meticulously executed according to the position of the wearer. T H Holding writes: 'The principles between an ordinary coat and a military tunic are very striking. To begin with, an ordinary coat to sit free round the back of the body, over the chest, and hollow of the waist, needs a certain distribution of material in that part, and needs to hang freely, but the tunic to fit the back close and snug requires very much less material..than an ordinary coat, because in the first place it is worn without a waistcoat, and in the next place it has to fit the figure snugly without any superfluous material.' REF: Holding, T. H., 'Uniforms of the British Army, Navy, and Court', London, 1894
HISTORY
Notes
Deas Thomson was appointed Colonial Secretary of New South Wales and Registrar of the Records in 1837, positions which carried with them membership of the Executive and Legislative Councils. This uniform, consisting of dress coat and trousers, was worn by Sir Edward Deas Thomson (1800-1879) during his time as Colonial Secretary of New South Wales from 2 January 1837 to 6 June 1856. The suit was formal diplomatic wear for colonial secretaries. The Deas Thomson suit is a very small size. While later photographs show him as portly, in his younger days he must have been quite slim.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Purchased 1966
Acquisition Date
25 August 1966
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