This Rare Relic Has Been Sold. Thank you!   RARE JACK TAR SAILOR'S HAT & VEST From the H. Wells Henderson Collection Presented is a seaman’s hat and vest from the early 19th Century, a wonderfully evocative and romantic addition to any period nautical collection. The hat is very rare and is made of leather with a gold and black striped ribbon streamer that dates back to the first quarter of the 19th Century. In the 1930's straw hats of this design were called "sailors". For its age, the vest is in excellent condition. It is constructed of black (or very dark blue) cotton velvet front with polished cotton lining and back. There is an adjustable tab and buckle in the back and leather insets on the bottom front inside lining. The entire vest shows meticulous hand stitching throughout. The ten buttons are fabric covered. Hats such as this were commonly part of a sailors dress uniform as was the vest. The sailors of this period were referred to as "Jack Tars", and relics of this age were a prominent part of the J. Wells Henderson collection which was sold at auction in 2008. Henderson's collection, presented in a single-owner day long session with its own separate catalog. A founder of Philadelphia's Maritime Museum, Henderson held his first exhibition in 1957 at the Peabody Museum of Salem, now Peabody Essex. Much of the collection is documented in his "Jack Tar": A Sailor's Life 1750–1910 which illustrated many of the pieces that had been off the market for six decades or more. The carved and painted figure of "Jack Tar” featured on its cover, sold just below estimates at $337,000.   HISTORY OF THE TERM: During the early sailing ship era, sailors were referred to by their first names only and Jack was most common. Tar was used as a waterproofing agent on ships gear and rigging and also to waterproof a seaman's clothing. Hence, the term Jack Tar evolved. In the U.S. Navy a Jack Tar was a seaman that had his act together and was reliable and trustworthy. Velvet front 16 3/4“ W x 22“ H Back polished cotton, split seam Hat size 4 1/2 mostly illegible markings CONDITION: The hat is in generally good condition with some warping to the rim and some dents, and minor signs of age. The hat's two ribbons are old and dusty and are frayed. There is a crack around the rim where it meets the cover which is barely noticeable. The vest is in very good condition with no moth holes. The stitching on the back seam is split, but can be repaired. DIMENSIONS: Hat: Crown 7" diameter Brim 12" dia Circumference 22 1/4" Vest: 16 3/4" W x 22" H OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges are included in this offer if the error is due to our fault. International buyers welcome, but inquire first.  We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean. ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. No credit cards or PayPal accepted on this item. Copyright 2014 - 2009 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved