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Image Not Available for Top Hat
Top Hat
Image Not Available for Top Hat

Top Hat

Retailer (American, 1856 - 1870)
Date1856-1870
MediumHand-stitched silk plush, cardboard, silk/cotton grosgrain ribbon, leather, and glue
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 11 3/4 x 10 x 7in. (29.8 x 25.4 x 17.8cm)
Other (width of brim): 2in. (5.1cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Norma Mehl
DescriptionMan's black silk plush top hat with black grosgrain trim. The hatband is one inch wide and is tied with a half bow on the proper left side. Black grosgrain ribbon edges the brim. There is black fabric on the brim underside. The lining is a wide-striped fabric in pink and gold. The brim curves up at the sides, also curving in towards the hat along its edge. The crown flares out at the top, from a circumference of 21 7/8 inches to 22 7/8 inches. The leather sweatband is 2 1/4 inches wide, shellacked to a dark brown. There is a double bow of colored cording at the back.
Object number1991.124.3
NotesHistorical Note: The 1870 Hartford City Directory lists Stillman & Co., run by P. D. Stillman and W. H. Stillman, at 347 Main Street. They only appear in the Directory between 1856 and 1870.
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