Mid-Victorian era finery, this collapsible French made silk top hat remains in fine condition still with its original card travel box, carrying case. The measurements are noted on the photos, including inner band. While when it's initially popped up fully you see some wrinkles to the silk sides, those quite quickly do smooth out and are tightly stretched by the hinged lift-mechanism inside the outer silk and inner lining. Beautifully made, the gold embossed maker's label inside the hat lets us know it's French made, and from a maker in Toulouse, France. The hat went into an English purveyor's presentation and carry box, their gold embossed label on top. The box is not as well-preserved as the hat within, and shows some warping so that the top will no longer fully fit over the rim of the bottom. However, its handle remains and it is visually in nice shape, wonderful as a display. Found in France.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. The set dates c.1840-70, with the hat presenting in very good and wearable condition after all that time. First owner's monogram is affixed within. The box will not close properly, a bit of warping makes for an odd fit. But handle remains and as a storage box or a display, it's quite wonderful, still. There remains an original tissue within, and there are no odors of age. Superb dressing table decor - or wear it if it might fit. I've taken interior rim measurement. Seems smallish to me - people were not so large back then.
