AMER WINTER 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, February 3, 2016.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR ERA TRICORN HAT.A difficult object to find for the Revolutionary War collector is an original tricorn hat. The cocked hat was the most popular form of gentleman's headgear circa 1750-1800. This particular piece of headgear is in fine condition with a hand sewn polished cotton liner, hand sewn leather sweatband, cockade, ribbons and felted edging. The cockade device exhibits a hand embroidered six-pointed star sewn over most likely a brass or pewter button. There is an old pasted ink label inside crown which reads "ASEL STEERE'S PROPERTY". The research included locates an Asel Steere born 1780 in Gloucester, RI, dying in 1871. Asel had two older brothers William and Richard who would have been 16 and 17 years old at the close of the war. Asel's father, Stephen, was a Quaker and pacifist and did not serve during the war. Also in records is listed in the 1777 military census the names of 15 different Steere's including an Asa all aged 16-50 that were able to bear arms. Regardless of who originally owned this hat, if not Asel, the hat still appears to be correct and of the era and we have never see another contemporary tricorn offered for sale and overall condition is excellent for display. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Estate of Siro R. Toffolon, of Old Lyme, CT. CONDITION: Very good overall. Insect damage to scattered areas. Nap on velvet ribbons and edging worn and only about 50% intact. Lining and sweatband both fairly sound. 49476-125 JS (6,000-8,000)