PIKE, MRS. Neg. No: (GP) L 10086 Neg. Size: 12"x10" Neg. Date: 22-06-1927 Sitters: (L-R) Mrs. Hardress William Lucius Waller, née Lydia Dorothy Muriel Pike ( ); Mrs. Joseph Pike, née Frances Anne Critchley ( ); Mrs. F. Leonard Bishop ( ). Summoned to the fourth Court of the Season on 22 June, this group portrait shows (L-R) Mrs. F. Leonard Bishop, Mrs. Joseph Pike and her daughter Mrs Hardress William Lucius Waller who was being presented in connection with her recent marriage to Major William Lucius Waller following the death of her first husband at the beginning of the First World War. At the fourth Court of the Season, when attendance numbered more than one thousand, the three ladies managed to catch the attention of the press, who reported in great detail about their gowns which were all probably made by the esteemed firm of Reville of Hanover Square, London. The three ladies are wearing an up-to-the minute style of gown, characterised by its sheer simplicity of line, and the unusually low waist. All three also wear the fashionably short hemline, meaning that their stockinged legs and shoes now formed part of their visible ensemble. Mrs. F. Leonard Bishop (left) wears a gown of maize georgette, embroidered with crystal and diamanté. Her train of maize brocade is embroidered with diamanté to match the gown. Mrs. J. Pike (centre) wears a gown of pearl-grey mousseline de soie, hand embroidered in diamanté, crystals and silver thread, the corsage being embellished with real lace. On one shoulder are two large flowers of orchid velvet and grey chiffon. Her Manteau de Cour is of orchid-mauve velours de soie souplé lined with silver woven lamé. Mrs. Hardress Waller (right) wears a gown of deep shell-pink georgette, embroidered in diamanté and crystals. Her Manteau de Cour is of pink and silver woven lamé façonné, fastened on the one shoulder with a magnificent gold, crystal, and diamanté ornament. A newspaper report of the scene at the Court pointed out that “diamonds sparkled everywhere, for, although the old-fashioned tiara has lost caste, the flat diamond hair bandeau has taken its place, and is often worn by the young matron who is presented on her marriage.” Biog: (Mrs. J. Pike) Daughter of Walter Richard Critchley, of Salwick Hall, Lancashire; m. (1881) Joseph Pike J.P., D.L.; (Mrs. Hardress Waller) only child of Joseph Pike, of Barton Abbey, Oxon; m. 1stly (?) Capt. Lachlan Gordon Duff (d. 1914); m. 2ndly (1926) Major Hardress William Lucius Waller, D.S.O.. Date: 22 June 1927. Occasion: The Court, 22 June 1927: Mrs. J. Pike presented her daughter, Mrs. Hardress Waller, and Mrs. F. Leonard Bishop. Location: The Lafayette Studio, 160 New Bond Street, London, W. Descr: FL standing. Costume: Court dresses: (Mrs. J. Pike) "Lovely gown of pearl-grey mousseline de soie hand embroidered in diamanté, crystals and silver thread, the corsage being embellished with real lace. On one shoulder were two large exquisite flowers of orchid velvet and grey chiffon. Manteau de Cour of orchid-mauve velours de soie souplé lined with silver woven lamé" (The Morning Post, 23 June 1927, p 4c; (Mrs. Hardress Waller) "Beautiful gown of deep shell-pink georgette, embroidered in diamanté and crystals. Manteau de Cour of pink and silver woven lamé faconné, fastened on the one shoulder with a magnificent gold, crystal, and diamanté ornament" (The Morning Post, 23 June 1927, p 4d); (Mrs. F. Leonard Bishop) "A gown of maize georgette, embroidered with crystal and diamanté. A train of maize georgette embroidered with diamanté to match the gown" (The Morning Post, 23 June 1927, p 4e). Costume Supplier: (Mrs. J. Pike & Mrs. Hardress Waller) Reville, Hanover Square, W. Jewellery: - Furniture & Props: Painted backdrop; column. Photographer: Lafayette Ltd., 160 New Bond Street, London. Evidence of photographer at work: - No of poses: 2. pik10087.html Copyright: V&A All images on this site are copyright V&A. For further information on using or requesting copies of any images please contact the V&A Picture Library: vaimages@vam.ac.uk including the URL of the relevant page Provenance: Pinewood Studios; acquired 1989. References: Biog: - Occasion: The Times, 24 June 1927, p 21a-c. Costume: (Mrs. J. Pike) The Times, 23 June 1927, p 19f; The Morning Post, 23 June 1927, p 4c (Mrs. Hardress Waller) The Times, 23 June 1927, p 19g; The Morning Post, 23 June 1927, p 4d; (Mrs. F.L. Bishop) The Times, 23 June 1927, p 20d; The Morning Post, 23 June 1927, p 4e. Costume Supplier: (Mrs. J. Pike & Mrs. Hardress Waller) The Times, 23 June 1927, p 19f-g; The Morning Post, 23 June 1927, p 4c-d. Jewellery: - Reproduced: -