Vigo County Historical Society

Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - June 17, 1984
By Richard C. Tuttle
Vigo County Historical Society

For night out, hat was a real topper

A European style for men that became popular in the United States and remained "the fashion" here for many years is this "topper" or collapsible hat -- worn to formal affairs such as dances and the theater.

The particular hat pictured here was presented to the Wabash Valley Historical Museum by Stephen Cornell of Chicago, and belonged to Mac Ehrmann, a close friend of Cornell's grandfather, Willis Douglas Miller. The initials "M. E." are in the hat purchased from Weinstein Brothers, 523 Wabash Ave.

The material is grosgrain fabric, not the shiny "silk topper" which also was popular during the same period.

Ehrmann was not very tall, and the topper added to his stature and dignity. He was not a "dude" in his dress. He was conservative and always in the style of the day -- which included a stiff collar, separate from the shirt, and in many instances, spats.

When toppers were first made, a clipped beaver fur was attached to the hat frame. These were somewhat heavy and hot, and the lighter materials were soon adapted to the stovepipe frame. In the interest of saving space, the hats were made collapsible, and snapped open merely by striking the frame lightly against the palm of the hand. To close, the top of the hat was held against the body, and the hand pulled inward from the brim.

While the Ehrmann is a bit worn, it would be as fashionable today as it was during the early years of this century.