Toppers Unite

[Steve1857]

It is scheduled to arrive tomorrow! I am excited…the hat looks like it was put in the box, and forgot about for the last 120 years!

I'm excited for you, Matt.

 

[Matt o]

I have good news and bad news…the good news is that this hat, box, swagger stick, etc is really neat! The hat does not appear to have ever been worn, and to my eye is in mint condition. It appears that it was purchased, and left in the box with the original tissue paper at the bottom for however many decades! The bad news is that it doesn’t fit my head! Can’t win em all I suppose!

What do you guys think about all this?

 

[Matt o]

 

[Matt o]

Stick appears to be lacquered, probably not black wood.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

I have good news and bad news…the good news is that this hat, box, swagger stick, etc is really neat! The hat does not appear to have ever been worn, and to my eye is in mint condition. It appears that it was purchased, and left in the box with the original tissue paper at the bottom for however many decades! The bad news is that it doesn’t fit my head! Can’t win em all I suppose!

What do you guys think about all this?

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That is very cool. So what size do you reckon it is and are you planning to keep it or move it on? Personally this is the first top hat I have ever thought I might like for my collection - it seems to be very nice and in great shape.

 

[Matt o]

That is very cool. So what size do you reckon it is and are you planning to keep it or move it on? Personally this is the first top hat I have ever thought I might like for my collection - it seems to be very nice and in great shape.

Hi Cowboy! I would guess a tight 7 3/8. I haven’t really thought about moving it along, and I couldn’t even find much information about the Chicago Company where it was made.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Hi Cowboy! I would guess a tight 7 3/8. I haven’t really thought about moving it along, and I couldn’t even find much information about the Chicago Company where it was made.

TFL has a number of topper collectors who might be interested if you do decide to pass it on. I’m certainly not suggesting you should (especially since I know now that it’s too big for me! )

Great looking lid and appears to be a worthy addition to any collection, though those who know these things will be able to say for sure.

 

[Steve1857]

I have good news and bad news…the good news is that this hat, box, swagger stick, etc is really neat! The hat does not appear to have ever been worn, and to my eye is in mint condition. It appears that it was purchased, and left in the box with the original tissue paper at the bottom for however many decades! The bad news is that it doesn’t fit my head! Can’t win em all I suppose!

What do you guys think about all this?

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Super Top Hat, Box, and cushion, Matt. Usually the cushion matches the name inside the hat, so maybe it isn't original to the Topper. However, it might be something Bergdorf Goodman added.

Shame it's not your size. It's sadly not mine either. If it had turned up for sale in Denmark though, I'd have been all over it.

 

[shopkin]

The silver band on the walking stick is marked with the date code 'K'. That means it was made in 1905, 1925, or 1945. An expert with a better photo may be able to decipher the rest of the mark.

 

[Rmccamey]

Wow, what a great find - a whole collection in one box.

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[Steve1857]

This fun little fella will keep me amused while waiting to find my next Topper.

Sadly, I can’t upload the video showing how he twirls around.

 

[Matt o]

Wow, what a great find - a whole collection in one box.

Thanks! I have something neat arriving next week! I think that one might fit…though not mint!

 

[Hurricane Jack]

A local in character.

 

[Steve1857]

A local in character.

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Now that is one tall crown.

How's the beer, Jack?

 

[Hurricane Jack]

They brew 2 Wheats, 2 Ales, an IPA, a German Kolsch & a Stout. Unless thunderstorms keep us home, a group of friends are going tomorrow for Father’s Day.

Now that is one tall crown.

How's the beer, Jack?

 

[Steve1857]

Newly acquired Johnson & Co Hatters Top Hat. 15.5cm crown, 5cm brim to the curl.

Probably the missing link as to why Herbert Johnson claim to be established in 1790.

Here's a link to more on this one in The Great British Hat Makers thread

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-great-british-hat-makers.66592/post-3107751

Icing on the cake, it fits.

 

[ruvort]

Had a chance this past weekend to wear a top hat to a horse derby event.

 

[batankyu]

Hello, I purchased a vintage brown top hat for 7 euros at a garage sale in Gavray, Normandie, France on Thu 8 Aug 2024. No inner lining, no sweatband, so origin is unknown, plus the inside had newspaper sheets glued to it for an unknown reason. I had to scrub them away. I also presume the inner mesh glued inside comes from a restoration. It comes with its hatbox in poor shape now, no inscription, lid is missing. Any idea for a date range, country, maker ?

Top view:

Front view:

Left side view:

Rear view:

Right side view:

Bottom view after purchase: no inner lining, no sweat band, with newspaper pages glued for unknown reason:

Bottom view, after most of glued newspaper pages got scrubbed away, showing inscription "4 1/2 U" and "ML":

Bottom views of hat and its damaged box whose lid is also missing:

Top hat on new owner:

 

[batankyu]

View of the hat box in a separate post becuse it seems there's a limit of 20 photos per post...

Hat box upside down, top view:

Hat box upside down, less damaged side view:

Hat box upside down, most damaged side view:

Hat box upside down, most damaged strap view:

Hat box upside down, less damaged strap view:

Hat box, bottom view:

Hat box, most damaged strap view:

Hat box, less damaged strap view:

Hat box, less damaged side view:

Hat box, most damaged side view:

 

[alanfgag]

Hello, I purchased a vintage brown top hat for 7 euros at a garage sale in Gavray, Normandie, France on Thu 8 Aug 2024. No inner lining, no sweatband, so origin is unknown, plus the inside had newspaper sheets glued to it for an unknown reason. I had to scrub them away. I also presume the inner mesh glued inside comes from a restoration. It comes with its hatbox in poor shape now, no inscription, lid is missing. Any idea for a date range, country, maker ?

Top view:

Front view:

Left side view:

Rear view:


Right side view:


Bottom view after purchase: no inner lining, no sweat band, with newspaper pages glued for unknown reason:


Bottom view, after most of glued newspaper pages got scrubbed away, showing inscription "4 1/2 U" and "ML":


Bottom views of hat and its damaged box whose lid is also missing:


Top hat on new owner:

Nice find and quite old I would guess. The height of the crown appears tall and the brim (flat originally) suggests nineteenth century and perhaps mid nineteenth century. 4 1/2 would be the size (56 in centimeters). It might have been black silk plush originally, faded over time to appear brown. The mesh is the original structure of the hat I think to which the silk plush is attached. It likely would have had an oiled fabric sweatband rather than leather. Thanks for sharing it.