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Rare Size 7 1/2” (61cm), Brim 2”, Crown 5 3/4”
There is intriguing historical speculation that the initials JWM Jr. inside this Stetson silk top hat may represent John Willard Marriott Jr., the former CEO of Marriott International and one of America’s most iconic business magnates. Born in 1932, J.W. Marriott Jr. came of age during a time when formal attire, including silk top hats, was still favored for society’s most prestigious events.
This Stetson silk top hat was ordered by Robert S. Atkins Inc., a premier men’s outfitter in San Francisco renowned for its sophisticated offerings from its advent in the 1920s. This establishment catered to affluent clients, including those from influential families, making this Stetson hat association with J.W. Marriott Jr. probable. Moreover, as J.W. Marriott Jr. played a key role in expanding the family’s business empire to major cities, he spent time in San Francisco, laying the groundwork for Marriott International’s presence on the West Coast. This hat embodies not only the elegance and prestige of San Francisco’s premier retail history but also, if accurate, an intriguing connection to a man whose innovative vision redefined the global hospitality industry.
Neither Stetson, Marriott International, nor Robert S. Atkins Inc. were able to provide me with conclusive evidence linking the hat to its presumed owner.
Remarkably, the hat remains in pristine original condition, its silk finish unblemished and its craftsmanship unaltered, a testament to the exceptional quality of Stetson hats from that era. This extraordinary level of preservation not only highlights the durability and artistry of Stetson in early to mid-20th-century formalwear but also enhances its historical intrigue, cementing its status as a rare and valuable artifact.
Rare Size 7 1/2” (61cm), Brim 2”, Crown 5 3/4”
There is intriguing historical speculation that the initials JWM Jr. inside this Stetson silk top hat may represent John Willard Marriott Jr., the former CEO of Marriott International and one of America’s most iconic business magnates. Born in 1932, J.W. Marriott Jr. came of age during a time when formal attire, including silk top hats, was still favored for society’s most prestigious events.
This Stetson silk top hat was ordered by Robert S. Atkins Inc., a premier men’s outfitter in San Francisco renowned for its sophisticated offerings from its advent in the 1920s. This establishment catered to affluent clients, including those from influential families, making this Stetson hat association with J.W. Marriott Jr. probable. Moreover, as J.W. Marriott Jr. played a key role in expanding the family’s business empire to major cities, he spent time in San Francisco, laying the groundwork for Marriott International’s presence on the West Coast. This hat embodies not only the elegance and prestige of San Francisco’s premier retail history but also, if accurate, an intriguing connection to a man whose innovative vision redefined the global hospitality industry.
Neither Stetson, Marriott International, nor Robert S. Atkins Inc. were able to provide me with conclusive evidence linking the hat to its presumed owner.
Remarkably, the hat remains in pristine original condition, its silk finish unblemished and its craftsmanship unaltered, a testament to the exceptional quality of Stetson hats from that era. This extraordinary level of preservation not only highlights the durability and artistry of Stetson in early to mid-20th-century formalwear but also enhances its historical intrigue, cementing its status as a rare and valuable artifact.
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