Top Hat

Object/Artifact

Saco Museum

Name/Title

Top Hat

Entry/Object ID

2023.18.1

Description

Man's top hat. Black silk plush outer covering trimmed with black grosgrain ribbon at bottom of crown where it joins the brim and flat bow on the wearer's left side, slightly curved two-inch brim also edged with black grosgrain. There is a small round mesh vent in top of crown. The interior is lined with a thin purple silk (?) with the retailer's mark printed in gold along with a possible maker's mark and decorative elements. A brown leather band, with a narrow woven tape to serve as an adjustment is sewn to the inside bottom of the crown with large stitches. This band may be a replacement. The underside of the brim is lined with a finely woven wool which may have been black but is now an olive green.

Context

Retailed in Saco. The underside of the crown is labelled for “J. W. LITTLEFIELD, THE HATTER/ SACO”. Acquired by donor in Maine.

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1880 - circa 1905

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Cloth Label

Location

Underside of crown

Transcription

“J. W. LITTLEFIELD, THE HATTER/ SACO”

Material/Technique

Printed

Notes

James W. Littlefield appears in the 1870 directory through the 1907 directory at 56 Main Street, Saco. He is not listed in the 1911 directory.

Dimensions

Height

7-1/8 in

Width

9-1/2 in

Depth

12 in

Circumference

24 in

Dimension Notes

Circumference measurement taken at top of crown.

Materials

Material

Silk, Wool, Leather

Material Notes

The stiffening fabric for the crown has not been determined