Top Hat Collection (page 100)

SUICIDE ATTEMPT, 1859. Wood engraving, American, 1859

THE SPIRIT OF PROHIBITION. Personification of prohibition in America. 20th century illustration

MISSIONARY, 1837. The Missionary and the dying Woman. American line engraving, 1837

LEON GAMBETTA (1838-1882). French politician. Gambetta assaulted by Sainte-Croix at the Sainte Lazare Station, Paris. Wood engraving, 1874

TAX-GATHERER, 1853. Line engraving, English, 1853, after a painting by G. B. O Neill
TAX-GATHERER, 1853. Line engraving, English, 1853, after a painting by G.B. O Neill

MENs FASHION, 1894. Wood engraving, English, 1894

EXCISEMAN, c1840. Wood engraving, 1840

PORTABLE TYPEWRITER, 1889. A man using a Victor portable typewriter while riding in a railroad car. Wood engraving, American, 1889

LONDON: TALKING FISH, 1859. A leopard seal trained as a talking fish, London, England. Wood engraving, 1859

BARNUMs MUSEUM, 1853. The Happy Family Display, a wide range of animals living in harmony, at P. T
BARNUMs MUSEUM, 1853. The Happy Family Display, a wide range of animals living in harmony, at P.T. Barnums American Museum in New York City. Wood engraving, English, 1853

CARTOON: TEMPERANCE, 1884. Foster and the Army of Cranks. Cartoon characterizing the temperance movement as bigoted, hypocritical, and anti-immigrant. Line engraving, American, c1884

BARBER SHOP, c1825. Scene in an English barber shop, c1825. Wood engraving, American, 1875, after a painting by Frederick Barnard (1846-1896)

DEATH OF LINCOLN, 1865. Evening newspaper sales in London, announcing the news of the death of Abraham Lincoln, 1865. Wood engraving

IRELAND: MAYO, 1880. Security on the street during the Land War, Westport, County Mayo, Ireland. Wood engraving, 1880

POST OFFICE, 1863. First dispatch of mailbags through the pneumatic tube from the district office in Eversholt Street to Euston Station. Wood engraving, English, 1863

HOUSE OF LORDS, 1854. Refreshment room of the House of Lords, Westminster Hall, London, England. Wood engraving, 1854

HOUSE OF COMMONS, 1854. Refreshment room at the House of Commons, Westminster Hall, London, England. Wood engraving, 1854

OBESE MAN, 1883. An obese man answers his critics on a New York City street. Wood engraving, American, 1883

MOTHER GOOSE. Wood engraving from a late-19th century American edition of Mother Gooses Melodies

PARIS: CAFE VACHETTE, 1889. Line engraving, 1889

ART GALLERY CARTOON. De Corsett (referring to the lower painting) - Of all the bleak, grim, grewsome, and chilling-looking daubs I ever saw, that is certainly the worst

RAGMAN, 19th CENTURY. Line engraving, French, after Charles-Joseph Travies de Villers (1804-1859)

ENGLAND: POSTAL EMPLOYEES. New uniform for the letter-carriers, mail guards, and drivers in the employ of the General Post Office. Wood engraving, 1860

HOUSE OF COMMONS, 1859. Entrance to the House of Commons, Westminster Hall, London, England. Wood engraving, 1859

OBESE COUPLE WALKING. Wood engraving, American, 19th century

SCOTTISH GAMES, 1867. A performance of the Highland Fling during the Scottish Games at Jones Wood, New York City, sponsored by the New York Caledonian Club, 1 July 1867

LONDON: STREET MUSICIANS. A family of street musicians in London. Wood engraving, American, 1858

TOBACCO: GAS LIGHTER, 1861. Man lighting cigar off new movable gaslight apparatus. Wood engraving, 1861

PARIS: COMEDIE FRANCAISE. Interior of the Comedie Francaise, Paris, France. Line engraving, American, 1887

A PAUSE IN THE ARGUMENT. Wood engraving after painting by the French artist Leo Herrmann (1853-1927)

TEMPERANCE VOTER, c1896. The temperance voter, characterized by his drink of choice, ice water. Cartoon engraving, American, c1896

DWARF: SIMON PaP, 1823. Line and stipple engraving, English, 1823

GAMBLING: KENO, 1867. The game of Keno at a New York City gambling hall. Wood engraving, 1867

JOHN BULL HAT. Line engraving, English, c1900

POLICEMANs HAT, c1830. Original hat of the London policemen, c1830. Line engraving, English, c1900

TOP HAT, c1870s. The Dandy. Line engraving, English, c1900

FRENCH FAIR, 1889. Test of strength at a French fair. Line engraving from a French magazine of 1889

ENGLAND: CHESS MATCH. Chess match between Oxford and Cambridge. Wood engraving, English, 1873

MENs FASHION, 1852. A fashionable gentleman in his overcoat. Wood engraving, English, 1852

BRIGHTON AQUARIUM, 1872. Visitors at the aquarium in Brighton, England. English engraving, 1872

CHIMNEY-POT HAT, c1850. Fashionable c1850. Line engraving, English, c1900

LONDON: CLUB, 1849. The principal drawing room of the Military, Naval, and County Service Club at St. Jamess Street, London. Wood engraving, English, 1849

NEWGATE PRISON, 1873. Photographing inmates at Newgate prison in London. English wood engraving, 1873

MENs HAT, c1840. Silk hat worn at county cricket matches in England, c1840. Line engraving, English, c1900

STOVE-PIPE HAT, 1847. Line engraving, English, c1900

BREAD-MAKING MACHINE, 1858. Experiments made with Stevens bread-making machine at Marylebone Workhouse, London, England. Wood engraving, 1858

BEAVER HAT, c1820s. Black beaver hat, early 19th century. Line engraving, English, c1900

MENs FASHION, 1880. Whenever handsome Charley was seen on the shady side of Piccadilly or Pall-mall, he had a Lord arm-in-arm; and there was a bailiff round the corner. Wood engraving, English, 1880

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"From Isambard Kingdom Brunel to Fred Astaire: The Timeless Elegance of the Top Hat" Step back in time and explore the fascinating history of the iconic top hat. First popularized by English engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this distinguished headwear symbolizes sophistication and class. In a captivating image, we see Brunel standing proudly before the launching chains of his masterpiece, the Great Eastern. But it wasn't just engineers who donned this stylish accessory. Entertainers like Fred Astaire and Harpo Marx brought their own flair to the top hat. Astaire's graceful moves in "Top Hat" (1935) left audiences mesmerized, while Marx's comedic antics in "Duck Soup" (1933) added a touch of whimsy. The top hat even found its way into political cartoons, portraying England as an imperialist octopus grabbing land across continents. Meanwhile, old sea dogs and influential figures like Mrs Lloyd George, David Lloyd George, Winston Churchill, and Mr Clarke were often seen sporting these timeless hats. Literature also embraced this fashion statement; Lewis Carroll's Alice joined the Mad Hatter for a topsy-turvy tea party immortalized by Sir John Tenniel's wood engraving in "Alice Adventures in Wonderland" (1865). J. M. W Turner captured its elegance with his pencil drawing that showcased both artistry and refinement. Not limited to individuals alone, institutions such as LLOYDs OF LONDON featured grand rooms where gentlemen gathered wearing their finest attire – including their beloved top hats – as depicted in an exquisite line engraving from 1890. Even Hollywood recognized the allure of this headpiece; Marlene Dietrich exuded glamour when she wore it in Josef von Sternberg's "The Blue Angel" (1930), adding an air of mystery to her character. Through centuries and across various realms.