Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation Owes Big $$$

[Donna McCreary]

(05-18-2018 04:45 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Has anyone calculated how many stovepipe hats Lincoln had during his career? https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a...y-3764960/

I would guess a minimum of two per year was purchased. Lincoln would have needed one for spring/summer wear and one for fall/winter weather. Perhaps another was needed for Sunday dress. Because of the dirt that clung to clothing during travel, and because hat were not easily cleaned, a businessman needed clean head wear and would purchase new hats frequently. Of course, Lincoln also wear hats other than the stovepipe. It is doubtful he wore one during a horse back ride, but rather carried one with him for business attire.

In Washington, he would have purchased more than two per year, and probably received several as gifts.

It would be impossible to calculate exactly how many stovepipe hats sat on Lincoln's head.