Plug Hat with Leather Travel Case
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Plug hat (high silk hat)16cm high x 60 cm around. The brim is 5 cm wide and turned up and in at the sides. Leather band measures approximately 56 cm around and is 6 cm wide. On the inside top is printed "Extra Quality. By Special Appointment, Scott & Company Hattters to H.M. the King and Royal Family. 1 Old Bond Street. Piccadilly. W." The inside is lined with silk. Leather case for the hat. Approx. 77.5 cm around the outside at the bottom and 102.5 cm at the top. The case is round at the bottom and oblong at the top. The height in front and back, outside, is 33cm and 28.5 at both sides. Connected on one side is a leather and cloth strap with straight metal hook on the inside. On the other side is a very short leather strap with an oblong metal ring attached. The inside seems to be lined with cardboard. There are shipping and identification labels all around the outside. Some overlap, some completely worn off. Among these are "Baggage, P&O Son Co. LOndon. Port...Passenger's name V. Mott", "Cabin...P&O SS Egypt V. Mott Berth No. 88. On one side, outside, there is a round metal plate 5 cm in diameter, with a keyhole. Probably the straps had a metal hook that fit into a rectangular hole above. An oblong shaped holder, open in the center. This fits on the inside of the leather case at the top. The cover. Leather, with padding and cloth lining the inside top. Also on the inside are two leather and cloth straps, one on each side. These straps currently have no hooks, but at one time might have. The cover has a leather handle across the top that is 1cm thick and 4.5 cm wide. The handle is both stitched and bolted (1 on each side) to the cover. The cover also has a few shipping labels attached, and stenciled. Across the top are the initials, 4cm high, "V.M.". In the stored document files [LA tried to locate in 2007 not sure what this is referring to] was found a memorandum from Doctor McEwen to Miss Baine (former librarian of the School of Medicine Library) dated 3/16/1956. The memo is unsigned and refers to an attached note from Mr. Orwill VW Hawkins, telling how Doctor Mott's hat came into the possession of the school. A typed (unsigned) copy of the letter is attached. This explains that Mr. Hawkins has a son named Harman, who is married to Janet Gay. "Janet's mother was Helen Remsen, who was the daughter of John F. Remsen and Mr. Gay held it as a curiosity piece." Estate of John F. Remsen See item details for more information.