Fine smooth black silk. Brim bound with black fabric. Side edges of brim rolled inwards. A 4cm wide felt band runs around the base of the crown. Underside of brim lined with black fabric. A 6.5cm wide band of cream leather lines the crown. A fine one cm wide silk ribbon bow finishes the seam of the leather. Upper part of crown is lined with cream silk. Marking on leather band ;W2637, also written in biro RHSV. In hat box 11400.835, packed in Clothing Box 158.HILHOLISE & Co, Hat and Cap Makers, 11,New Bond Street, London.costume, male, man's silk top hat

This item is representative of formal gentlemen's dress in the latter part of the 19th century/early 20th century.Man's top hat, black velour with ribbon around base. Brown leather and cream silk inner. With cover - bright red top hat keeper.Made expressly for Robertson & Moffat. Burke St East Melb. Inside - 7 1/8 YL/021/-hat costume-men headwear top-hat

This top hat belonged to bank manager Walter Tom Washington (1870-1948). Walter emigrated to Victoria from the Isle of Man at the age of eleven with his family in 1884. His daughter Lucy Frances Morrison (1905-2005) donated his hat to the Society in 1977, while she was living in Brighton. She recalled that he had purchased the hat for a wedding in 1911 and would wear it to church on Sundays. Established in London in 1773 by Miller Christy, Christys' continues to manufacture hats today. Their hats have been worn by members of the British royal family, Winston Churchill and Marlon Brando in the film 'The Godfather'.Black plush silk top hat with cream silk lining and leather and padded cloth interior bands. Black wool band.Label, printed in blue on crown silk lining: ENGLISH MANUFACTURE / CHRISTYS' LONDON'top hat, silk plush, nineteenth century, christy & co, christys', menswear, walter tom washington