Gordon Francis Higgins (1905-1957), politician and lawyer. An anti-confederate, he was sent to Ottawa in 1947 to look at options for for joining Canada. Unconvinced, he advocated for Responsible Government during the referendum of 1948. Post confederation, he was one of the first seven NL members in the House of Commons and sat as a PC. He resigned in 1950 to go back to NL with the intent to have NL secede from confederation.

The silk top hat was made in France for Battersby and Co in London, c. 1930.  The leather hat box predates the hat which is not unusual and was made by Gregory Kane in Dublin prior to 1887 when his business closed. He described himself as "Military Portmanteau...manufacturer to the Earl of Besborough. Both the silk hat and cowhide hat box are in excellent condition