LAYAWAY PAYMENT 2 of 2 - RESERVED FOR KATIE - Rare Original 1940s 40s Vintage Mustard Yellow Felt Hat With A Black Velvet Wimple Exhibited In The Imperial War Museum

RESERVED FOR KATIE - PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE - LAYAWAY PAYMENT 2 of 2 - due 30th June 2021

This incredible hat was made from a rich mustard yellow felt in the 1940s. It was fashioned in an oversized beret meets halo hat style. A black velvet wimple has been woven through the felt, drapes around the back of the hat and ties at the side of the head. Mustard felt bands adorn the wimple for a wonderful contrast. Inside, there is a black hat band and a maker’s label for Gertrude Mitchell Ltd of Worcester. 

This hat belonged to the collection of Stephen Furniss, who established the costume department at Bonham’s auction house in the 1970s. He was a prolific collector of 1940s clothing and accessories and a substantial part of his collection was exhibited at the Imperial War Museum in London during the “Forties Fashion and the New Look” exhibition in 1996 and recently in the “Fashion on a Ration” exhibition in 2015. This hat was actually one of the pieces exhibited at the Imperial War Museum in 1996 and we have attached a photo of the exibit that was taken at the time.

As the hat perches on the head, it is suitable for a variety of head sizes.

The hat is in very good condition with only a barely noticeable surface graze as pictured. 

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