PanosChris
Practically Family
- Messages
- 977
Amazing find, Steve! Super research tooJohnson & Co Hatters Top Hat. Crown height 15.5cm, brim 5cm.
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I believe this company must be the one Herbert Johnson claim to be the heir of.
When looking at the history of Herbert Johnson, it is mentioned that he was apprenticed to Lincoln Bennett in 1872, and started his own hattery in 1889.
However, their logo states, established in 1790, as is the date on the liner logo of this one:
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A fun address explanation - 111 Regent Street, one door from Vigo Street.
While trying to find information about Johnson & Co, I found this bill of sale on English Ebay, which I just had to buy:
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It is not the bill of sale to my Topper. However, it is interesting to see that in 1845 Johnson & Co were at 113 Regent Street at the corner of Viggo Street.
They also claim to be the inventor of and patent holder of the flexible velvet hat. I assume this to be an English version of the Gibus or Opera Hat.
The bill of sale is for such a patented velvet hat. £1 and 3 shillings sounds cheap, but was a whopping equivalent of over £150 back then.
While mine is not as old as 1845, I believe it to be pre 1900s, and quite possibly beaver felt.
Does the underbrim feel like felt as well?