Designed by
Whistler, Vera, American
Manufactured by
Julius Lewis, American, founded 1900
Owned by
Barnett, Etta Moten, American, 1901 - 2004
Date
1950-1980
Medium
cloth
Dimensions
H x W x D: 5 7/8 × 7 1/2 × 7 1/2 in. (15 × 19 × 19 cm)
Description
This is a Vera Whistler gold and white fabric hat (.1) and hatbox (.2ab). The hat (.1) has a gold-colored crown. The gold fabric around the forehead is sewn in tight horizontal gathers. The rest of the crown material is smooth. A brim composed of white fabric flares out and up from the crown. It reaches a high peak in the front of the hat and gradually slopes down on both sides to meet at a lower point at the back of the hat. The interior is lined in dark red shiny fabric. There is a fabric tag sewn to the interior of the grosgrain sweatband. The tag is white with red text that reads “VERA WHISTLER / ORIGINALS.” There is a small white paper sales tag attached to the interior by a string. The hatbox (.2a) is an off-white-colored circular box with a gold cord to fasten down the lid threaded into the body of the box to create a second loop as a carrying handle. The lid (.2b) is plain off-white background with gold text in the center that reads “VERA / WHISTLER / ORIGINALS / JULIUS LEWIS.”
Place purchased
Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, North and Central America
Place used
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Etta Moten Barnett Archive
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Type
hats
hatboxes
Topic
Activism
Actors
Broadway Theatre
Clothing and dress
Fashion
Millinery
Singers (Musicians)
Women
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
A2022.13.1.30.1-.2ab
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown – Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd56dc21da8-6d63-430c-81ec-bb42c2b71afe

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

Share this page