Vintage Silk Top Hat Collapsible Woodrow Made in England for Holt Renfrew Sz XXL

hatThis is a vintage top hat made in England by Woodrow of Piccadilly, London for the “Holt, Renfrew & Co Limited” of Montreal, Toronto, Quebec and Winnipeg, Canada.  The hat is made of finely ribbed silk and collapses into a “pancake”, for easier transport or storage.  The opening measures 24 1/2” around, making this a size XXL hat, somewhere around US size 7 3/4 or 7 7/8 - the opening measures 7 1/8” in width by 8 1/2” in length.  Please measure your head both ways for fit.  The hat is in excellent condition with no tear, soiling or wear - this has been very well preserved.  I have not flattened the hat as it puts some stress on the hat flattening and opening, but I’m sure that it is functional.

Age: mid-1930s.  The liner reads “By Appointment to the Late King George V”.    George V died in January of 1936, so the hat probably dates to shortly after that, before another Royal Appointment was arranged with the new King.

This hat came from the estate of Thomas Bassett Macaulay.  TB Macaulay was an interesting and influential person, a former  president and chairman of the Sun Life Assurance Company.  He was an influential actuary, served as President of the Actuarial Society of America, and a philanthropist who funded many causes.  But, his most important legacy is that most of the world’s Holstein cattle descend from his herd - Macaulay owned an experimental farm in Hudson, Quebec and, in 1930, acquired a bull by the name of Johanna Rag Apple Pabst, who fathered 51 sons and 44 daughters.  The herd was dispersed and went on to produce most of the pure-bred Holsteins that exist in the world.  Another interesting fact is that he was married to a niece of Confederate General Braxton Bragg, for whom Fort Bragg, North Carolina is named

This is a fine quality silk top hat…..very difficult to find top hats in this size, wonderful acquisition if it fits!