Sir Thomas Henry Brooke-Hitching (1858-1926); Kt. (cr 1902); Sheriff of the City of London 1902-3; Lady Brooke-Hitching, née Sarah Kussuth Brooke ( ); Daughter of David Brooke of Stannary; m. (1878) Sir Thomas Brooke-Hitching.

Lady Brooke-Hitching, née Sarah Kussuth Brooke (1849-1932) was presented at the first Court of the Season, on 13 March 1903, in connection with the recent announcement of her husband’s knighthood the November 1902 Birthday Honours List. Her obituary credits her with being the inventor of the “rubber-tyred perambulator”.

For her presentation Lady Brooke-Hitching wore a gown of ivory satin embroidered with ivory velvet flowers and pale green leaves. The ivory brocade full Court train displayed a design of pink and mauve flowers. Her lined satin dress was veiled with emerald and opal embroidery and trimmed with chiffon. She also wore a diamond necklace and a small diamond hair ornament.

Her husband Sir Thomas Henry Brooke-Hitching was at the time a Sheriff of the City of London, a role whose duties had in historic times included conducting judicial executions in the City. Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, he was the son of John Walter Hitching and upon his marriage he assumed the surname Brooke-Hitching by royal licence. He entered business in 1881 as a manufacturer of perambulators and invalid carriages.

Sir Thomas is seen here in Velvet Court dress (Old Style) with the the Chain and Badge of Office of a Sheriff of the City of London.

Date: 13 March 1903.

Occasion: The Court, 13 March 1903: Lady Brooke-Hitching presented by the Lady Mayoress.

Location: The Lafayette Studio, 179 New Bond Street, London, W.

Descr: FL standing.

Costume: (Sir Thomas Brooke-Hitching) Velvet Court dress (Old Style); (Lady Brooke-Hitching) Court dress: Court dress: "...ivory satin embroidered with ivory velvet flowers and pale green leowes; the ivory brocade train displayed a design, pink and mauve flowers, lined satin dress, veiled with emerald and opal embroidery, trimmed with chiffon and emeralds, with full Court train of emerald green satin" (see: The Queen, 21 March 1903, p 442b-c).

Costume Supplier: -

Jewellery: -

Orders, Decorations and Medals: (Sir Thomas Brooke-Hitching) The Chain and Badge of Office.

Furniture & Props: Painted backdrop.

Evidence of photographer at work: Clamp visible behind the male sitter.

No of poses: 2.

Copyright: V&A

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Provenance: Pinewood Studios; acquired 1989.

Biog: (Sir Thomas Brooke-Hitching) Who's Who; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Thomas_Brooke-Hitching

Occasion: The Times, 16 March 1903, p 8a.

Costume: (Sir Thomas Brooke-Hitching) H. Graham Bennet, ed, Dress Worn by Gentlemen at His Majesty's Court and on Occasions of Ceremony, London, 1903; (Lady Brooke-Hitching) The Queen, 21 March 1903, p 442b-c;

Costume Supplier: -

Reproduced: (version with Lady Brooke-Hitching alone) Madame, 21 March 1903, p 582.