CIVIL WAR SEA CAPTAIN'S ANTIQUE BEAVER SKIN TOP HAT AND CARRYING CASE

The Hat is in Near New Condition!

Beaver skin Hat                                          Initials F. V.B.

Made by Dunlap & Co..                               Size   7

Case 13 1/4" L x 11 1/2" H x 12 1/4" W      Sold by Bazur de Voyage, New York City

< align=Presented is an antique beaver top hat made by Dunlap & Company for sea captain, Spiro V. Bennis, who saw service in the Civil War as acting master of the USS Antona, Aroostook & Stockdale, which operated mostly in Mobile Bay. He also took part in the Fish River expedition of 1864. Afterwards he served as captain of the New York & Cuba Mail Steamship Co's., and SS Niagara when she was returned to the Wards Line after the Spanish American War. The Beaver top hat comes with a Victorian style Leatherette caring case that was sold by Bazur de Voyage of New York City.

It is very unusual to have a top hat of this quality with a known provenance of a distinguished sea captain. It makes an outstanding find and display.

Front, back and three quarter side views of the captain's beaver skin top hat

CONDITION HAT: The hat is in excellent condition and shows very little evidence of wear. On the left side at the center are two narrow one inch vertical areas of roughness which may be natural, but must be mentioned. The sweat band is in excellent condition and has the initials F VB punched in small holes. There is a apace between the F and VB so the F might not be an initial. The top of the cream silk liner has collected some dust that does not blow out. There is an air hole at the top. The exterior band and the interior small bow are also in near new condition. The number 1912 under the sweat band is not a date since he died in 1892. There are other numbers and letters, but no size. We determined the size by measurement.

The exterior of the leatherette case has significant age related losses mostly on the lid

CONDITION CARRYING CASE: The top of the lid has dried out leatherette with many cracks and missing pieces. The outside of the case is in much better condition, but shows numerous marks of use. There is a leather strap that ran from the bottom of the case at the midpoint and secure at the top of the lid. It is missing. The inside of the case is in good condition and all of the material is intact.

Pictured above is an original watercolor painting by the famous artist, Fredrick S. Cozzens of the SS Niagara just as she was joining the U.S. Navy for service in the Spanish American War. It is in our collection of Fine Art.

FLAT RATE SHIPPING to 48 contiguous States $30.00.

OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase, it may be returned, if without damage, within five days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. A prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges are included in this offer within the continental United States and are refundable if due to our error.

International buyers welcome, but must inquire first. You are responsible for knowing your country's import laws covering edged weapons. 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, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.

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