1940s-1950s. If the little "Tramp" is Charlie Chaplin's most well-known character, his signature bowler hat is the most iconic costume piece defining that character. Chaplin has described the creation of the character and dependence on the costume in the creation of the character:
"A hotel set was built for (fellow Keystone comic) Mabel Normand's picture Mabel's Strange Predicament and I was hurriedly told to put on a funny make-up. This time I went to the wardrobe and got a pair of baggy pants, a tight coat, a small derby hat and a large pair of shoes. I wanted the clothes to be a mass of contradictions, knowing pictorially the figure would be vividly outlined on the screen. I wore a small mustache which would not hide my expression. My appearance got an enthusiastic response from everyone, including Mr. Sennett. The clothes seemed to imbue me with the spirit of the character. He actually became a man with a soul—a point of view. I defined to Mr. Sennett the type of person he was. He wears an air of romantic hunger, forever seeking romance, but his feet won't let him."
Offered here is one of Chaplin's personal black felt bowler hats with grosgrain ribbon band and piped grosgrain trim around the brim. Retaining the interior leather sweat band bearing the "Rothschild Star" maker's imprint, the 6-7/8 size decal, and handwritten in pen on the band, "To Shirley from Texas with love – Te pareses como, Charlie Chaplin." Above the Maker's imprint, Chaplin has also written, "Texas." The story behind this hat begins with a gentleman originally from Texas, who worked as a grip on a Charlie Chaplin movie set. At the time, Charlie became smitten with the gentleman's wife, Shirley. After wrapping the film, Charlie walked over to Shirley on set, took the derby off his head and graciously signed it to her. Exhibiting age, wear, handling and some minor splitting to brim piping.
12 x 9 x 5 in.
1940s-1950s. If the little "Tramp" is Charlie Chaplin's most well-known character, his signature bowler hat is the most iconic costume piece defining that character. Chaplin has described the creation of the character and dependence on the costume in the creation of the character:
"A hotel set was built for (fellow Keystone comic) Mabel Normand's picture Mabel's Strange Predicament and I was hurriedly told to put on a funny make-up. This time I went to the wardrobe and got a pair of baggy pants, a tight coat, a small derby hat and a large pair of shoes. I wanted the clothes to be a mass of contradictions, knowing pictorially the figure would be vividly outlined on the screen. I wore a small mustache which would not hide my expression. My appearance got an enthusiastic response from everyone, including Mr. Sennett. The clothes seemed to imbue me with the spirit of the character. He actually became a man with a soul—a point of view. I defined to Mr. Sennett the type of person he was. He wears an air of romantic hunger, forever seeking romance, but his feet won't let him."
Offered here is one of Chaplin's personal black felt bowler hats with grosgrain ribbon band and piped grosgrain trim around the brim. Retaining the interior leather sweat band bearing the "Rothschild Star" maker's imprint, the 6-7/8 size decal, and handwritten in pen on the band, "To Shirley from Texas with love – Te pareses como, Charlie Chaplin." Above the Maker's imprint, Chaplin has also written, "Texas." The story behind this hat begins with a gentleman originally from Texas, who worked as a grip on a Charlie Chaplin movie set. At the time, Charlie became smitten with the gentleman's wife, Shirley. After wrapping the film, Charlie walked over to Shirley on set, took the derby off his head and graciously signed it to her. Exhibiting age, wear, handling and some minor splitting to brim piping.
12 x 9 x 5 in.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
