Earliest fedora image?

[dhermann1]

I'm sure this ISN'T the earliest image of a fedora, I just thought the headline would capture attention. But it's definitely a very early image of one. This is Benjamin Disraeli, the British Prime Minister of the 19th century, taken in 1879. The hat sure looks like a fedora to me. He was an EXTREME dandy as far as clothing was concerned, so it wouldn't surprise me if he sported the latest style, even at the age of 75.

Can anyone find any earlier images?

 

[The Good]

Does that hat have slight creasing on the sides? I'd say it qualifies as either a fedora or porkpie with a high crown.

 

[Dixon Cannon]

Taken in 1882, the same year the Fédora play starring Sarah Bernhardt premiered, Oscar Wilde wear a fedora hat.

-dixon cannon

 

[Yeps]

Taken in 1882, the same year the Fédora play starring Sarah Bernhardt premiered, Oscar Wilde wear a fedora hat.

-dixon cannon

While that coincides with the play, and looks like what we call fedoras, that shape, at least to my knowledge wasn't attached to the name until decades later. Fedoras at the time had curled brims like homburgs.

 

[rlk]

There are two different issues here. The first hat that would be called a Fedora at the time of the image, or the first hat that resembles the modern idea of the appearance of a Fedora. There were hats that resembled the modern Fedora in ancient times. The name applied to the hat is no earlier than the US debut of the play--the images in the ads being the first.

 

[Dixon Cannon]

Sure looks like a "fedora" to me! Suffice it to say, it is a fedora looking hat that looks strikingly similar to a hat later called a fedora by those who wear fedora hats on their head like Oscar Wilde is doing in that old photograph of him in a fedora. -dixon cannon

 

[countryclubjoe]

Hi Folks

I Like Mr.Disraeli's whole look. Clearly a dapper gentleman of his time.

I would have no problem wearing that outfit to dinner tomorrow night. I can only imagine what style Mr.Disraeli's boots look like.

Very enjoyable thread.

TIA

Best regards
CCJOE

 

[Annixter]

There are two different issues here. The first hat that would be called a Fedora at the time of the image, or the first hat that resembles the modern idea of the appearance of a Fedora. There were hats that resembled the modern Fedora in ancient times. The name applied to the hat is no earlier than the US debut of the play--the images in the ads being the first.

Very true. How about Rembrandt:

Sure looks like some fedora-style lids amongst the seventeenth-century gentlemen. We could even say some open-road predecessors too.

 

[countryclubjoe]

Very true. How about Rembrandt:

Sure looks like some fedora-style lids amongst the seventeenth-century gentlemen. We could even say some open-road predecessors too.

WOW great post. The detailing on that table cover is unbelivable. Now who is that gentleman in the back there without his lid?
Fun thread.
TIA
Best regards
CCJ

 

[suitedcboy]

The guy in right frt foreground looks like he's s'porting a Major Moore lid.

 

[Rick Blaine]

 

[Rick Blaine]

Possible candidate

 

[mayserwegener]

Please read this entire thread.

Fedoras in the 19th Century, credit to Robert (RLK) and Spencer (Dinerman)

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?48956-Fedoras-in-the-19th-Century.