Statistically, hatters in Victorian times were more likely to commit violent crimes, to die young, and commit suicide. They also suffered delusions, “the shakes,” convulsions, and paralysis.

Why was this?

Image: Man’s light brown beaver fur top hat, 1850s.

#fashionhistory

Let’s back up a bit to the 18th century. Gentlemen’s hats were usually made of beaver. But when supplies grew scarce (due to overhunting) in the early 19th century, hat-makers resorted to other types of fur.

Image: Peck and Co, Top Hat, c. 1832, CCC Discretionary Fund.

Unfortunately, other furs didn’t felt as well as beaver, so hatters had to find some way to break down the keratin in the strands. Mercury was effective and cheap, which is why use continued even though the effects were already understood.

Image: Madhatter by Lewis Carroll.

According to the V&A, mercury contaminates a large proportion of felted hats manufactured between 1820 and 1930. It’s not thought consumers suffered much. Once again, it was the workers, exposed to large amounts of mercury on a daily basis, who bore the brunt.

Having said that, museums keep these hats in Mylar bags to protect curators.

Image: Mylar-bagged fur top hat scanned (badly) from “Fashion Victims” by Alison Matthews David.

Much of the information in this thread is from Alison Matthews David’s “Fashion Victims,” which I highly recommend.

#fashionhistory