Tonio
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1860-1870ish top hat from Cooke & Aldrich. Size around 7-1/8 - 7-1/4. The crown measures 7".
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Toppers Unite
- Thread starter Garrett
- Start date
I've been on the lookout for a decent topper for some of our members. These were sold to me as size 58 and 59 hats. They are not. Both of them are size 56 because they fit me perfectly. So not a big loss and I didn't pay a lot for them. Here they are side by side, just to see the difference in size and shape.
The one below is an early Burton (made by Spoorenberg in Eindhoven, Holland). I've posted the story of Burton and Spoorenberg before and it's nice to find an early example of one of their hats, even if it is in rather poor condition. It has been dented and the brim binding is as good as gone. To point out a few points of difference. Note the brim curl of these hats. The Burton on the right has a very sharp edged D'Orsay curl, which lies almost flat. The liner is just paper however and less attention was put into the sweatband as well compared to the other one.
It could be repaired; the dents could be ironed out, the brim binding could be replaced and the liner could be fixed, but I think I'm going to leave it as it is.
The one below is an early Burton (made by Spoorenberg in Eindhoven, Holland). I've posted the story of Burton and Spoorenberg before and it's nice to find an early example of one of their hats, even if it is in rather poor condition. It has been dented and the brim binding is as good as gone. To point out a few points of difference. Note the brim curl of these hats. The Burton on the right has a very sharp edged D'Orsay curl, which lies almost flat. The liner is just paper however and less attention was put into the sweatband as well compared to the other one.
It could be repaired; the dents could be ironed out, the brim binding could be replaced and the liner could be fixed, but I think I'm going to leave it as it is.
The Arthur Peppe hat is in far better condition. Lower crown and less bell shaped. I like the sharp brim treatment of the Burton better, but other than that the finishing on this one is excellent.
The crown patch is heavy paper, as it usually is, bit the sides are lined with silk and sewn in under tension, which is certainly not always the case (paper is far more common). The sweatband is lacquered white, which is also a nice detail and would have been seen as appropiate with white tie affairs.
Couldn't find anything about Arthur Peppe, except these two pics of the store in 25 Leys Straat, Antwerp. The shop did make it past WWII, because I have a hat from the sixties naming Etienne Peppe as the shop owner.
The crown patch is heavy paper, as it usually is, bit the sides are lined with silk and sewn in under tension, which is certainly not always the case (paper is far more common). The sweatband is lacquered white, which is also a nice detail and would have been seen as appropiate with white tie affairs.
Couldn't find anything about Arthur Peppe, except these two pics of the store in 25 Leys Straat, Antwerp. The shop did make it past WWII, because I have a hat from the sixties naming Etienne Peppe as the shop owner.
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Steve (mayserwegener) asked me to post this wonderful Lincoln Bennett & Co silk top hat here on this thread. I'm more than happy to do so.
I had no idea this thread existed. I can see, I have so many great posts to catch up on.
Here are the first photos.
The box.
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I had no idea this thread existed. I can see, I have so many great posts to catch up on.
Here are the first photos.
The box.
Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Tapatalk
The inside of the hat box sans hat along with envelopes inside which, along with the clues on the hat and labels on the box, helped me piece together the story of the hat's owner and it's age (1907-1919)
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The Lincoln Bennett & Co silk topper was owned by a Danish doctor. He was born in Shanghai in 1873, studied at Copenhagen University, where he graduated in 1900, then worked at the major hospital in Copenhagen.
In 1907, he became the first professor of pathology at Oxford Uni. He specialised in vaccines. He was awarded the CBE after WW1 for his contribution to helping aviators be able to breath properly during flights. Aviation was a whole new ball game back then.
The stickers on the box tell that he sailed to America on the SS Adriatic. This must have been in 1919 when the envelopes are dated. Probably to a conference, or a meet up with colleagues.
The hat must have been bought somewhere between 1907, when he became Professor of Pathology at Oxford and 1919, when he sailed with it as part of his luggage to the USA.
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In 1907, he became the first professor of pathology at Oxford Uni. He specialised in vaccines. He was awarded the CBE after WW1 for his contribution to helping aviators be able to breath properly during flights. Aviation was a whole new ball game back then.
The stickers on the box tell that he sailed to America on the SS Adriatic. This must have been in 1919 when the envelopes are dated. Probably to a conference, or a meet up with colleagues.
The hat must have been bought somewhere between 1907, when he became Professor of Pathology at Oxford and 1919, when he sailed with it as part of his luggage to the USA.
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Thanks for these great additions!!!
You're welcome, Alan. It was a pleasure. I'm glad Steve introduced me to this thread. Now I've got some catching up to do [emoji4]
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Thanks for this series Steve. This topper tells such a great story, and to have it's owner's story, truly special.The Lincoln Bennett & Co silk topper was owned by a Danish doctor. He was born in Shanghai in 1873, studied at Copenhagen University, where he graduated in 1900, then worked at the major hospital in Copenhagen.
In 1907, he became the first professor of pathology at Oxford Uni. He specialised in vaccines. He was awarded the CBE after WW1 for his contribution to helping aviators be able to breath properly during flights. Aviation was a whole new ball game back then.
The stickers on the box tell that he sailed to America on the SS Adriatic. This must have been in 1919 when the envelopes are dated. Probably to a conference, or a meet up with colleagues.
The hat must have been bought somewhere between 1907, when he became Professor of Pathology at Oxford and 1919, when he sailed with it as part of his luggage to the USA.
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These two toppers are really interesting. The amount of wear on the brims being different lends to an individual's care for his headwear.
Thanks, Mike. These toppers usually are in good condition because they would not be worn often. Exceptions are the hats that were worn professionally by undertakers. The Burton could have been worn for that.
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Thanks, Mike. Ja, it really is a hat that just keeps on giving.
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What a super looking topper, Stefan, and what a great photo of the shop. Wouldn't it be great to go back then, stay at the Metropole, buy a hat or three at M. Peppe's establishment, and then watch the passersby go by while enjoying a cognac at the café next door? Ah well, one can dream [emoji4]
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Cornshucker77
Call Me a Cab
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Beautiful hat and box, and love the story, Steve.The Lincoln Bennett & Co silk topper was owned by a Danish doctor. He was born in Shanghai in 1873, studied at Copenhagen University, where he graduated in 1900, then worked at the major hospital in Copenhagen.
In 1907, he became the first professor of pathology at Oxford Uni. He specialised in vaccines. He was awarded the CBE after WW1 for his contribution to helping aviators be able to breath properly during flights. Aviation was a whole new ball game back then.
The stickers on the box tell that he sailed to America on the SS Adriatic. This must have been in 1919 when the envelopes are dated. Probably to a conference, or a meet up with colleagues.
The hat must have been bought somewhere between 1907, when he became Professor of Pathology at Oxford and 1919, when he sailed with it as part of his luggage to the USA.
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Enjoy? I'm in awe. Top hat heaven for me, Alan. Your eclectic hat collection is beyond compare and beyond enviously beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks, Scott. This was indeed a most serendipitous find.
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