Incredibly rare, large Silk Top Hat, Size 7 1/2 | 61

Manufacturer:
J. HEINR. JTA, K.u.K. HOF-HUTFABRIKANT WIEN, Vienna, Austria-Hungary
(Appointed hat manufacturer for the Austro-Hungarian imperial and royal court)

Size: 7 1/2 | 61 cm
Measured head opening: 21 x 17.3 cm
Crown height: 6 3/4″ | 17 cm

This one-of-a-kind antique silk top hat is an incredibly luxurious rarity.
Its size, shape, state and height are extremely hard to find on their own, let alone in combination.

The hat comes with a special history: It originally belonged to the royal head groom (Oberstallmeister, a very prestigious title granted only to one member of the highest nobility each generation) of Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary.

The topper is made of with extremely high quality and care, there was no expense spared which is apparent by the quality of the silk and its other materials – the difference is immediate when comparing it to other antique top hats. It has been professionally refurbished to a gorgeous state by Patey Hats in London while keeping it true to its original shape as much as possible.

Originally, the topper was adorned with a golden ornamental hat band that has been exchanged for an elegant black formal one so it can be worn to the most prestigious events like Royal Ascot or highest weddings. Its inner lining has two small tears, it has been intentionally kept like that to preserve its originality and can be replaced with a new fabric free of charge, should you wish so.

The original box has been lost to time unfortunately, we will add a complimentary hat box for you to store the hat in. We also offer a number of antique luxury leather hat cases which you can find in our shop.

The topper will fit a size 7 3/8 (60) as well if some padding is added underneath the leather band or a Size 7 5/8 (62) if the leather sweatband is replaced with silk. This can be done free of charge by us or by a qualified hatter of your choice.

Your hat will be delivered with careful packaging to make sure it arrives in the condition it was sent. Personal delivery within mainland United Kingdom can be arranged.
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How to measure your head for a silk top hat

Traditionally, top hats are worn higher than most other hats. To achieve an elegant and sophisticated look, a topper ideally sits dead straight around one inch (2-3 centimetres) above your ear, but can be worn lower or higher according to your personal preference – the brim should never touch the ear, however.

To determine the proper size for your new top hat, snugly measure with a flexible tape around your head around 2-3 centimetres above your ear. Typically, your top hat size is around one size smaller than your standard hat size.

A perfect fit for your new top hat can be achieved by proper conforming it to your personal head shape. This can be done by a professional hatter of your choice.

The size of the hats has been measured with a hat measuring device to the best of our ability. There might be small differences in measurement due to the condition of the sweatband, the concavity of the hat and other factors. For further detail, please see the width and length of the head opening, which has been carefully measured from the inside edges of the leather sweatband.
Please note that here is often no direct correlation between hat size and width/height of the head opening as some sweatbands narrow considerably, or vary in flexibility, while others do not.

Please see the photos to get a good understanding of the look and state of our top hats.
Make sure to have a look at our luxurious and sturdy antique top hat cases. There is no better way to safely store and transport your new topper.

For further inquiries regarding our hats, recommendations for conformation or any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. (contact@imperialtophats.co.uk).