| Vintage Hats 1830-1840 | |
|
History: During this decade, the “development” of the new wonderment – the photograph, was being discovered by Louis Daguerre of France and Henry Talbot of England. In 1830, Frenchman Barthelemy Thimonnier, received a patent for his one-thread chain stitch sewing machine. Improvements were made by Eias Howe and Isaac Singer. The Alamo fell on March 6, 1836 where Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie lost their lives. The “Victorian Era” (1837 – 1901) began in June 1837 when 18-year old Alexandrina Victoria was ordained Queen of England. Godey’s Lady’s Book, the most famous ladies magazine was first published in 1830. The first institution of higher learning to which women were admitted was at Ohio’s Oberlin College in 1833. Mt. Holyoke was the first all-women’s college, established in 1836. Fashion: Tight corsets, small waistlines accented with belts, wide V-neckline bodices, huge leg-of-mutton sleeves, full dome-shaped skirts worn to ankle length, and flat square-toed shoes was “the style of the day.” Hats: Bonnets replaced the hats of the 1820’s. They rose high off the face in a circular shape framing the face nicely. Ribbons, laces, feathers, and artificial flowers decorated the exterior. The wearing of an interior lingerie cap was replaced when the interior of the bonnets started to be decorated with gathers and ruffles.
|
|
|
ca. 1820–1840 A large leghorn bonnet with possible original trim. It is extremely rare to find one with its trim intact from the period of its creation. This one is of European (British) origin but very similar ones were being worn in America at the time. |
 |
|
ca. 1825–1830 Black straw hat with upright crown, wide oval brim edged with velvet. Presumably, this hat once had additional decorations such as plumes and artificial flowers. The only remaining elements consist of two large stiffened satin and velvet trefoils (ornament in the form of a three-parted leaf) on either side of the crown. This hat is a rare survivor. |
 |
|
ca. 1825–1830 A large, fragile cloth bonnet drawn over canes. The upstanding trim is formed over wire and straw. The interior of the bonnet has been patched in recent years and older, replacement ribbons have been added over top the old broken ties. The cap under the hat is from the Van Rensslaer family estate in New York. The Van Rensslaer family, of Dutch heritage, goes back to colonial times when they settled in New York |
 |
| top | |