Mid-19th century Silk Top Hat, famous London maker , hatter to the Queen and Napoleon

This is a great piece which has been in my collection for over 20 years. Being offered is an early to mid-19^th century top hat. The exterior is polished silk with a black satin ribbon; the interior has a silk and calf leather, hand-sewed lining. The hat stands 6” high, the diameter at the top is 8” x 7 ¾”, the opening is 6 ½” x 7 ¾”, and the overall width is 12 12” x 11”.

Stamped in the interior is “Harris & Co. / Opp Post Office Portland”. Below that is the name of the famous maker “MELTON / HATTER / TO THE / QUEEN / TO H.R.H. THE / PRINCE OF WALES / AND / NAPOLEON / THE THIRD”. Below that is “194 REGENT STREET / LONDON”. Henry Melton was considered the best manufacturer of hats in England, called “Prince of Hatters”.

The silk top hat became an essential component of the gentleman's wardrobe in the mid-19th century. During the reign of Queen Victoria in England, where this example was made, the gentleman who wore such a hat also followed a prescribed code of etiquette, such as raising or tipping the hat or touching the brim to acknowledge his social peers or superiors. Such attention to detailed social protocol also meant that hats required frequent brushing to ensure the hat and the gentlemen looked polished at all times.

These hats also became popular in the United States, and they were exported by Melton and others. Actually, they can be seen in period Civil War photographs being worn by soldiers, usually Confederate (see pictures).

This hat is in very nice condition, retaining its original shape. There are a few blemish spots on the hat, but nothing serious, only from typical use. The stamp with “Harris & Co.” was probably an independent seller of Melton’s hats. This particular hat was made prior to the Civil War – later hats had an additional marking above their usual stamp “PRIZE MEDAL PARIS EXHIBITION 1867”. This is a fantastic piece and would be hard to find a nicer example.