May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
This style of low-crowned, round hat of black felt made of a mix of wool and fur, hand-blocked and well-stiffened with a mixture of shellac and alcohol and possibly wax. It was the type commonly favored by both American and European sailors during the last quarter of the 18th century and into the first decade of the 19th century, then enjoying a brief resurgence in popularity during the mid-1820s-1840s. However, this fine example from New England is believed to be from the earlier period, based on the form of its crown, which was blocked on a round or circular crown, as opposed to the oval crown blocks which began to proliferate in the early 1820s. This hat is nearly identical to another in the personal collection of noted antiquarian William Guthman that was sold by Northeast Auctions at his estate sale in 2006. With late 19th century hat or wig stand of wire. 2 pieces. CONDITION: Good to very good, but lining missing, some ingrained dust on hat crown and upper side of brim and slight chipping to the edge of the brim. JLK
Illustrated and discussed on pp. 194-195, where it is incorrectly described as being of "tarred leather"(felt hats during this period were sometimes japanned or tarred, but this hat shows no sign of such topical applications).