Designed by
E.M. Swaim, American
Created by
Merrimac Hat Company, American, 1838 - 1970
Subject of
Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
Date
ca. 1950
Medium
fur felt, silk satin, silk net, petersham rayon ribbon, and elastic
Dimensions
H x W x D x C: 2 × 6 1/2 × 7 1/2 × 20 in. (5.1 × 16.5 × 19.1 × 50.8 cm)
Description
A black hat with a bow and decorative net veil. The body of the hat is made of black blocked fur felt. The top of the crown is flat and is rounded at the sides. An inverted "V" shaped cut out is placed at the center back of the hat. A black silk satin ribbon bow is handstitched to the center back of the hat at the top of the cut out. Another bow is sewn at the bottom of the cut out. This bow is tacked on proper left and right back of the cut out which creates the illusion that the ribbon serves as an adjustable drawstring. A silk net veil is tacked to the center back of the hat at the bottom bow and to the sides of the cut out. The fur felt of the hat's exterior is folded at the edge to the interior. A petersham rayon ribbon sweatband is handstitched overtop of the folded felt securing it to the interior. There is a black elastic strap secured to the sides of the hat behind the petersham ribbon with tacking stitches. Two large basting stitches in white thread mark center front of the hat on sweatband. A fabric label is sewn to the interior at the top of the crown that reads [E.M. Swaim NEW YORK]. Another label is stamped underneath this that reads [Merrimac SUPERIOR FUR FELT].
Cataloging Notes
This project received Federal support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.
Place made
New York City, New York, United States
Collection title
Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Type
caps (headgear)
hats
Topic
Clothing and dress
Fashion
Millinery
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
Object number
2007.3.433
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd54a75b388-aaca-40c7-a560-b9a274d28d8b

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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