Online Collections Database

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Historic Costume | Fine and Decorative Arts

Welcome to our Online Collections Database! Below you will find a searchable database showcasing images and information regarding tens of thousands of items in our online collection. Search using search terms, key words, object names, or names of historical figures to locate specific items, or, peruse at random to enjoy the breadth of collections available for view.

As we continue to digitize collections at GCV&M, more objects will populate this new virtual resource. Please continue to check back, and reach out with any questions!

Questions? Contact our Curatorial Department at (585) 294-8240 or email jjohnson@gcv.org. Interested in donating an object to the collections at GCV&M? Click here to learn more. 

Top Hat

Clothing/Dress/Costume

Man’s beaver fur felt top hat, moderate height, wide brim. Wide brown painted cloth sweat band, tan cardboard lining, the top being an ivory silk self-patterned moire (stripe with floral sprigs) paper (?), and the label printed in black, along with a strip of printed paper bearing the name of Micajah Speakman. The brim has a slight curve at the sides but is overall flat. The crown is a regular cylinder. Narrow black silk grosgrain ribbon hatband with a tiny bow. Hatbox (a) in the shape of the hat, covered with wallpaper of a quasi-baroque architectural pattern in gray and ochre (gold?) on a tan ground (now); blue on outer rim of lid. Lid (b) and box rim lined with pages from a large English Bible, Genesis. The rest lined with plain now-tan paper. No label. Top bears inked inscription: “M Speakman West Nantmeal Chester Co, Pa.” Stubs of brown cotton tape ties on either side of box. Looks like the lid rim was doomed, in being too small to fit over the box rim."

G2008.061.1-2

Bruce and Susan Greene Costume Collection

Adult, Male

Headwear

Historic Costume

Top Hat

Male

Beaver

Fur

felt

Cardboard

moire

Grosgrain

1840 - 1855

User Age: Adult Gender: Male

Makers Mark

Inside Top

"Kimber & Dickinson 19 N. Fourth St. Phila."

English

Stamped

Top

Hat

beaver

Box

Quaker

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