Photo of the Day: Honest Abe’s Stovepipe Hat

Few objects are so associated with a single person as the stovepipe hat with Abraham Lincoln. This form of headgear was quite popular in the 19^th century, but, if you’re like me, you’re hard pressed to think of another wearer than America’s 16^th President.

I photographed the one you see here back in June 2021, while in Manchester, VT, for a beloved relative’s wedding. It’s part of the items on display in Hildene, the summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln, the President’s oldest son.

Abe Lincoln wore several such hats in his lifetime, as soon as he was old enough to afford one in adulthood. It certainly afforded convenience (he took to carrying his paperwork in it as a young attorney), but I think it also made him look more imposing. 

Typically seven to eight inches tall, these hats, when topping his 6 ft.-4 in. frame, brought his total height to nearly seven feet tall, making him stand out as much as modern pro basketball centers.

Believe it or not, this hat—black and narrow-brimmed, made from glossy black pile textile that covers a paper card support—is only three of Lincoln’s still in existence. Evidently he bought it at Siger and Nichols, a firm then based on Maiden Lane in New York City.

There are plenty of reasons to visit Vermont, but if you find yourself in the southwestern corner of the state, you should make it a point to visit Hildene.

Robert Todd Lincoln was one of the more consequential offspring of American Presidents, serving variously as Secretary of War, U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, and president of the Pullman railroad company.

But there is no doubt that all visitors to this 24-room Georgian revival mansion will want to view its historic exhibit associated with Robert’s father, which not only includes this hat but also an oval dressing mirror from the White House and a Bible owned by the President.

Abraham Lincoln’s words and actions still matter to America. But artifacts like this hat at Hildene also have their function: sort of like relics of a man who’s become known, in effect (and probably to his ironic amusement, could he see it), as America’s great secular saint.

TV Quote of the Day (‘Seinfeld,’ As A Hat and Newman Come Between George and Romance)

[An attractive passerby named Sheila stops and asks]:

Sheila [played by Shannon Cochran]: “What's going on here?”

George Costanza [played by Jason Alexander]: “Oh, this guy tried to sneak into my space.”

Sheila: “I really hate people who do that. I hope you don't let him get away with it.”

George: “Well, thank you for your support.”

Sheila: “Hey, that's a great hat.”

George: “Really? You like it? I got it at a flea market today.”

Newman [played by Wayne Knight]: “Hey, George, nice hat.”

George: “Yeah, thanks.”

Newman: “Can I try it on?”

George: “No! It, uh, it wouldn't fit you.”

Newman: “Well, sure it would.”

George: “No! Get out of here, Newman.”

Newman: “Come on, let me try it on.”’

George: “No, Newman, stop it.”

Sheila: “Let him try it on.”

George: “I don't want him to!”

Sheila: “What is wrong with you?” [She begins to walk away.]

George: “You wanna see?!” (pulling off the hat to reveal the bald pate) “There! There it is!” (turning to Newman) “Alright, here! You wanna try on the hat?! Here! Try on the hat!” — Seinfeld, Season 3, Episode 22, “The Parking Space,” original air date Apr. 22, 1992, teleplay by Larry David and Greg Daniels, directed by Tom Cherones

Photo of the Day: ‘Which Cap Do I Like?’

This afternoon, on my way to an Off-Broadway play, I came across the Ninth Avenue International Food Festival, stretching from 42^nd to 57^th Streets in Manhattan. Though the focus was, of course, on food, it provided people with an opportunity to sample the wares of all kinds of merchants from Ninth Avenue and Hell’s Kitchen, including this hat dealer.