Top Hat Crown Height?

[filfoster]

I posed this question in the current top hat thread but I fear it is buried so I'll start one: Does anyone have information about the heights of top hats during different time periods? Very early photos, 1840s-50's, show very tall toppers, perhaps as tall as 8" or so. Twentieth Century top hats seem to be less than 6". Anyone have more specific info? I see some information on
www.historyinthemaking.org but it's very general. Any top-hatted doyennes in the Lounge?

"Come on, throw me a bone, here." - Dr. Evil

 

[scotrace]

Thread title changed so it reflects what you want to know and might get you some information.

 

[filfoster]

Thanks

Thread title changed so it reflects what you want to know and might get you some information.

Thanks.
I know someone in the Lounge must know more than I do about toppers. I am interested in the possible time period top hats with a crown height of 5 1/2" to 6 1/2" might have been favored.
I have several vintage ones, 5 1/2" to 5 3/4", but all are undated. I have one that is a 'new-made', 7" tall, covered with hatter's silk plush. I have a 5 1/2" conical top hat that is most unattractive, and the ubiquitous collapsible opera top hat.
I need some information to better pair these with frock coats or tails of different eras.

 

[zetwal]

It was up and down. See The Top Hat, Debbie Henderson. Concerning typical preferences (and skimming the pages) she says -

1790s - 1830s = 6 to 7 inches
1840s - 50s = brims broaden and crowns taper
1850s = 8 inches straighter sides
1860s = lower again
1870s = back up
1880s - 1890s = lower again
until being replaced by bowlers and fedoras 1900s

She seems to give these fluctuations in relation to formal wear. And she says that low crowned toppers (3 to 5 inches) were popular with the working class throughout the 1800s.

Check out the book. I may have made mistakes here. And, in any case, you may read it differently.

 

[filfoster]

It was up and down. See The Top Hat, Debbie Henderson. Concerning typical preferences (and skimming the pages) she says -

1790s - 1830s = 6 to 7 inches
1840s - 50s = brims broaden and crowns taper
1850s = 8 inches straighter sides
1860s = lower again
1870s = back up
1880s - 1890s = lower again
until being replaced by bowlers and fedoras 1900s

She seems to give these fluctuations in relation to formal wear. And she says that low crowned toppers (3 to 5 inches) were popular with the working class throughout the 1800s.

Check out the book. I may have made mistakes here. And, in any case, you may read it differently.

Zetwal: Thanks! I just scored a copy on Amazon.com the full title is:
Top Hat: An Illustrated History of Its Styling and Manufacture for anyone else who wants one. This should do it. Again, the Loungers pull through!

 

[zetwal]

Her books are really great. Get one called Hat Talk too if you can. You'll love 'em both!