Maureen A. Taylor, expert in historical photography, and author of Preserving Your Family Photographs: How to Care for Your Family Photographs—from Daguerreotypes to Digital Imaging, Fashionable Folks: Hairstyles 1840–1900, and More Dating Old Photographs 1840–1929, has turned her “Fashionable Folks” attention to headwear in Fashionable Folks: Bonnets and Hats 1840-1900. Throughout history, hats have been a prevalent part of life. Sometimes they served a very practical function and sometimes had only a fashionable purpose. Between 1840 and 1900 hats were worn by nearly everyone on a daily basis. Examining the hats, bonnets, and other toppers in pictures of one’s ancestors can surprising information about the individual. Taylor helps unlock these fashionable mysteries through the information provided in this guide.
According to Taylor, “by analyzing the styles in each decade, you can determine more about the lives of your relatives.” Such details may provide insight to their financial standing, the season of year it was when they took the photograph, and whether they followed the latest trends or kept old favorites around for years.
Traditionally, men’s hats were more utilitarian in nature. Women were more like to seek the latest fashions. Hats and bonnets matched outfits and activities. Some would change the hat they wore many times per day, depending of the anticipated activity. This book teaches how to evaluate photo and compare what is seen with facts and details provided about hat and their use in history. Chapters and sections provide historical background and relative fashionable facts. The majority of the pages, however, educate by example. Most pages are a picture and a description. These individual examples provide a world of knowledge and practice which can be used in investigating and comparing one’s own family photo collection with the knowledge base provided by Taylor.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Fun Facts about Hats
1840-1850
1850-1860
1860-1870
1870-1880
1880-1890
1890-1900
Glossary
Bibliography
Credits
Endnotes
Fashionable Folks: Bonnets and Hats 1840-1900 is available from Family Roots Publishing; Item #: MT03, Price: $19.59.
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