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Antique French Collapsible Top Hat - Exposition Universelle 1900 Paris Marking US Hat Size 7 1/8

Currency:CAD Category:Collectibles / Vintage Clothing Start Price:10.00 CAD
Antique French Collapsible Top Hat - Exposition Universelle 1900 Paris Marking US Hat Size 7 1/8
SOLD
Winning Bid Undisclosedto
This item SOLD at 2026 Jul 21 @ 13:30UTC-07:00 : PDT/MST
Preview: July 18th (10am - 5pm)
Pick ups: July 23nd - July 25th (10am - 5pm)

Preview and Pick up location: 27294 Fraser Hwy, Aldergrove, BC V4W 3P8

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Antique French collapsible top hat (opera hat), featuring an interior maker's lining stamped "Exposition Universelle 1900", commemorating the Paris World's Fair held at the turn of the century. These folding silk hats-popular among gentlemen attending opera houses, formal events, and society functions-were engineered with spring-steel frames allowing the crown to collapse flat for travel or storage.

Historical Context
The Exposition Universelle of 1900 showcased French craftsmanship, luxury goods, and technological innovation. Many Parisian hatmakers produced commemorative pieces or stamped their linings to mark participation in the fair. Collapsible top hats from this era are associated with Belle Époque fashion and high-society attire.

Design & Construction
Typical features include:

Silk plush exterior

Spring-loaded collapsible frame

Satin interior lining with the Exposition Universelle 1900 stamp

Leather or fabric sweatband
These hats were precision-made and remain collectible for their engineering and period elegance.

Collectibility
Such hats occasionally appear on vintage marketplaces and antique clothing dealers, valued for their connection to Parisian craftsmanship and World's Fair heritage. They appeal to collectors of Belle Époque fashion, theatrical costume, and French historical memorabilia.

Materials: Silk plush; satin lining; spring-steel frame; leather/fabric sweatband.
Era: Circa 1900 (Belle Époque).
Notes: Collapsible opera hat with Exposition Universelle 1900 marking; desirable French historical accessory.