Top Hat
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
William Hooker Gillette
(American, 1853 - 1937)
HatterMade by
Henry Heath Limited
(English)
RetailerSold by
The Luke Horsfall Company
(American, founded 1882)
Dateabout 1900-1910
MediumHand-stitched silk plush, silk, leather, cotton/wool, shellacked muslin, wool
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 6 5/8 x 9 1/2 x 11 1/2in. (16.8 x 24.1 x 29.2cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mark Lamos
Object number1998.18.1
DescriptionMan's black silk plush top hat, with the brim slightly dipped in front and back and the edge bound with black grosgrain ribbon. The crown is flared towards the top. The hat band is a strip of black wool fabric, 1 1/4 inches wide. The interior is lined with cream-colored silk and interlined with shellacked muslin to make it stiff. The leather sweatband is 2 1/4 inches wide. A white silk ribbon bow decorates the back of the sweatband.
Label TextMan's black silk plush top hat, originally owned by William Gillette (1853-1937), a Hartford native who became a very popular and wealthy stage actor. He was best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, many aspects of which were adapted by Basil Rathbone in his film portrayals of Holmes. Between 1912-1919 Gillette built Gillette Castle, a 24-room stone castle, atop a bluff overlooking the Connecticut River, above the Hadlyme Ferry in East Haddam, Connecticut.
The hat has brim slightly dipped in front and back, the edge bound with black grosgrain ribbon. The crown is flared towards the top. The hat band is a strip of black wool fabric, 1 1/4 inches wide. The interior is lined with cream-colored silk. The leather sweatband is 2 1/4 inches wide. A white silk ribbon bow decorates the back of the sweatband.
The hat has brim slightly dipped in front and back, the edge bound with black grosgrain ribbon. The crown is flared towards the top. The hat band is a strip of black wool fabric, 1 1/4 inches wide. The interior is lined with cream-colored silk. The leather sweatband is 2 1/4 inches wide. A white silk ribbon bow decorates the back of the sweatband.
Status
Not on view
