Description: Man's black wool felt derby hat, decorated on the outside crown with a matching grosgrain band. Before the 1960s, hats were an intergral component of both male and female wardrobes. This hat is an example of a popular late 19th-century style worn by men. Known as a derby in America, or a bowler in Great Britain, it gained favor as a more practical alternative to the higher-crowned tall hats in fashion for much of the previous decades. Worn by Henry A. Clare (b.1863) of Elizabeth, New Jersey and Athol, Massachusetts. Made by the John B. Stetson Company, and sold by Schwed & Bro., 208-210 Broad Street, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Stamped and embossed inside "COMFORT/ JOHN B. STETSON CO./ PHILADELPHIA/ Flexible/ Conforming"; Schwed + Bro/ 208-210 BROAD ST./ ELIZABETH, N.J."; JOHN B. STETSON COMPANY/ Select Quality/ SCHWED & BRO./ 208-210 BROAD ST./ ELIZABETH, N.J."
Subjects: Textile fabrics; Leather; Wool Link to share this object record: https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+1999.12.4 |