Silk top hats crafted by Herbert Johnson.
GosSamer Body
Herbert Johnson's silk velvet top hats are highly coveted in auctions, celebrated for their exquisite quality characterised by a "gossamer body." These top hats, crafted from silk velvet, possess a remarkable lightness compared to traditional beaver hats.
The delicate yet durable gossamer body of these silk hats made them ideal for protective headgear in equestrian pursuits. Consequently, Herbert Johnson's brand became increasingly prominent in the realm of hunting hats, polo hats, and cavalry helmets in the 18th century.
Rescued From the Titanic
Specialising primarily in riding and hunting hats, Herbert Johnson's early offerings for women were predominantly of this nature. Their inventory rarely included hats for fashion purposes typically found in ladies' millinery shops.
Among Herbert Johnson's most iconic creations is a silk hat recovered from the wreckage of the RMS Titanic, which tragically sank in the North Atlantic on April 14, 1912. The label bears the address "38 New Bond Street," where Herbert and Edward established their shop just before the turn of the century.
