The Fur Trade Hat Catalog

Page Four of Four

Top Hats

The top emerged as a gentleman's alternative in the latter part of the 1700's. There were three events which caused the end of the reign of the tricorn. First, the French Revolution made Europeans more aware of extravagances at the expense of their fellow countryman. The guillotine underscored that point! Since many wigs were powdered with flour and the flour cost about a guinea per week, the people who continued to use flour were called guinea pigs. Second, the English placed a tax on other types of powder which became much more expensive. The initial purpose of the tricorn was to show off the wig. Third,when wigs became passe the tricorn was tossed aside in favor of the elegant top hat.

Top hats, also known as Bell Crowned Hats, have existed in one form or another for over two hundred years. During this time the brims have changed, becoming wide or narrow, curled or flat, and the crowns have become exaggeratedly-belled or straight-sided, high or low.

The image on the right painted by John Trumball is from the back of a two dollar bill and it shows Stephen Hopkins in a top hat during the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Thus, the top hat had begun to emerge even before cocked hats were out of style.

The image to the left is of Stephen Hopkins of Rhode Island painted by James R. Lamdin, after John Trumball.  He withdrew from public service in 1780 and died in 1785.

Courtesy Independance Historical Park

Karl Bodmer, Paulus Leeser, courtesy Rare Book Division, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations

The 1833 image above is from Karl Bodmers work

Meeting the Minnetarees. Several mountain men

are shown inside Fort Clark wearing top hats.

The Top Hat - $ 150 coffee color shown

Available in black or coffee only

The Tall Top Hat - $ 175

Available in black only

The High Rider - $ 150

Available Oonly in black.

Courtesy The Clearwater Hat Collection

The Travis - $ 150 Black color shown

We also offer a Travis style. it has a lower crown and a wide brim with a pencil curl.

Some American raftmen being obliged to return home without selling their timber, were out of cash, and had no mode of replenishing their whiskey keg. "Let me have it," said one; "I'll try what I can do."So putting in half a gallon of water, he stepped into a store and asked for half a gallon of whiskey, which was measured and poured in. "You must wait until we come down again for your pay," said the raftsman; "we have left our timber, and shall return next week." But the storekeeper refused to give trust. "You must take your whiskey back." said the fellow. So the storekeeper measured back his half gallon of grog, and the raftsman rejoined his companions with two quarts of strong whiskey-and-water.

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