Collections Online

Pink hunting coat marked G.H. for Glamorgan Hunt. Worn by donor's father Robert William Llewellyn.

Pink (*see note below) hunting coat, made of red melton cloth; lined above waist (incl. sleeves) with red tabby-woven wool (sides and back); interlining of non-woven wool fibres (felt?); front and below waist lined with red molton fabric (same as outer); single-breasted with 5 domed brass button down centre front; 2 further buttons at back vent; 1 smaller button on each cuff; two flap pockets at hips (with 1 brass button fastening underneath flap), 1 slit chest pocket (proper left) and two inside pockets (chest area on proper right side and hip area on proper left side - both with 1 brass button fastening); all pockets (except inner hip pocket) lined with cream tabby woven cellulosic fabric; inner hip pocket lined with stiffened cream tabby woven cellulosic fabric (finer weave compared with other pocket linings); narrow stand-up collar to be fastened with oval-shaped crosspiece onto 3 brass buttons along front neck; additional piece of red melton fabric stitched to inside at top of vent; at this point (top of vent / rear buttons) there is a reinforcing interlining of cream tabby woven linen fabric; remains of black stitching thread and differential soiling indicates that an armband / badge? was once stitched to the proper left upper sleeve (= 7.5cm wide); red melton cloth worked with unfinished edges in many places, e.g. lower hems; additional strip of red wool lining fabric with elasticated edge attached at inner cuff; irregular patch inserts of red melton fabric under-arm (later repair); shallow c. 2.3cm deep recess (like an upside-down pocket) along waist seam (between lowest button and proper right hip pocket) - purpose unknown; white elasticated tape (width = 1.3cm) at inner centre back with brass ring (Ø=1.8cm) for hanging up coat, in addition to this there is a strip of red melton fabric, lined with a section of white linen tape (tabby), attached to inner neck for hanging. Below this strip, there is a stitched-on paper label which is inscribed in pencil (?) - now very faint and worn but the legible parts appear to read: '100.00 R...wellyn Eq' (= Robert Llewellyn / wearer of coat). Buttons (down front, at cuffs and above vent).

NOTE: Explanation of the term 'pink' taken from http://www.messdress-britishmilitaria.com/New/new_pinks.html

Why is the traditional red hunting coat called a "pink"? the name derives not from the coat's color but from the name of the late 18th century London tailor who specialized in sewing the popular field coat. The coats made by Thomas Pink were of rain resistant scarlet cloth, tightly woven and durable enough to be immune to thorns and branches on the chase. A Pink hunting coat was a mark of distinction in the 18th century, implying the wearer was a person of affluence and taste, and today the coat carries much of the same cachet.