Bounce Magazine 76

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 2019 | ISSUE 2019 | #76 ISSUE | #76 HISTORY
The Most Expensive Cap
in the world...
Herbert Rumsey Wells
became a partner in his
father’s company T Wells &
Son of 4 St Andrews Street,
Norwich in 1904 selling caps,
hats, ties, badges, sashes and
ribbons.
In 1914 Herbert introduced the
first ever semi-soft service cap
for Officers. He was so proud
of his city and his country that
he gave his caps local names,
which were the Brancaster,
the Blofield, the Westwick,
the Conesford, the Wellscap,
the Yare, the Reepham, the
Burgh, the Wroxham and the
Plumstead. Ladies products
were also included, with the
Rumishanter and matching scarf
and for Norfolk schoolboys there
was the Sprowston.
By 1935 the company was
described as being the most
expensive capmaker in the
word. There was also a branch
in Cheapside, London. The
company which was then
called T Wells can be traced
back to 1815 when Mr Wells
had premises at Cockey Lane,
Norwich (now London Street)
before moving to St Andrews
Street during the 1870s. One
of the first newspaper adverts
placed in the Norwich Mercury
stating ‘the company beg to
acquaint their friends and the
public that they have opened
the above situation, where there
is now ready for their inspection
an elegant and extensive
selection of goods’.
When Herbert took over adverts
became more direct, and one
advert stated ‘Some men wear
some sort of a cap made from
some sort of cloth, cut in some
sort of way – the sort of chap
you see in railway carriages.
They serve their purpose there I
suppose, but, if these men knew
what awful sights they looked
in them, they would have more
respect for themselves and
consideration for those who
have to look at them.’
Herbert invented the ‘Doggie’
which was the Rolls-Royce of
the cap world which was made
to fit the wearer’s head. A
conformateur was used to
take measurements, and these
were sent across the world to
wherever the cap wearer ended
up.
The business had customers
across the Empire and it
was claimed they would be
recognised by wearing his cap.
Ex-patriots would greet them
with a hearty handshake saying:
‘I don’t know who the blazes
you are, sir, but you’re wearing
a Rumsey wells cap, so dash it,
come and have a drink!’.
Working with many weavers,
he came by an 18th century
peacock-patterned Norwich
design which he offered over
five hundred colourings. Herbert
received Royal recognition and
that his company had been
honoured with Royal commands.
He travelled around Norwich
on his bicycle and supported
local charity and cycling
organisations and attracted top
cycling champions to the city
and also produced many cycling
equipment.
Aged 60, Herbert died in
December 1939 with out a fifth
generation to take over staff
members Edna Watling and
Elsie Bugden took over until
closing in 1974.
Today Herbert is remembered
with a blue plaque situated
between a residential block
of flats named after him and
the Rumsey Well public house
where the business was situated.
By Michael Chandler - Author, Historian, Broadcaster & Features Writer, Restaurant &
Food critic. Researcher of old buildings and creator of historical and Corporate DVDs.
Contact me @EastAngliaMedia - Mention BOUNCE and receive a 15% discount.
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