Book Auctioneer - 1700

[blackjohn]

Just saw this and thought I'd share it.

[CaptainCiaran]

Nice image. I think me wuz one of these chaps in a past life!

[MadMike]

Great pic, Blackjohn.

Looks like the figure on the viewer's right is wearing slops.

Yours, &C.

Mike

[JoshuaRed]

Just awesome. Are those spectacles actually tinted, ya think? Or just drawn that way?

It never ceases to amaze me how many period pics I see of flat-topped cocked hats, yet I never see them available from any sutler. Guess it's time for a custom job!

[Lady Seahawke]

Well believe it or not... (utoh, can you hear it coming)

I went to the local western store and got a stetson hat. Had it reshaped to Tricorn...and it looks right dandy with its flat top and tricorner rim.

[MadMike]

You can shape any wool (or rabbit hair/wool, beaver, etc) hat to shape over a kettle of boiling water. I used a large coffee can to get the correct "flat top" shape for my cocked hat.

The Najecki site offers the following for hat stiffening (I personally haven't tried it yet)-

"Hat Stiffening

If your existing hat is becoming a bit droopy it can be renewed by:

· Let the brims down and brush out the loose dirt from the felt.

· Make a mixture of 1 part shellac (white or orange 3 lb cut) to 2 parts denatured alcohol.

· Liberally brush the mixture to one side of the felt. It should quickly absorb into the felt

· and not lay on the surface. Allow to dry thoroughly (about 8 hours).

· Repeat to other side of felt. Apply additional coats if desired."

Yours, &c.

Mike

[JoshuaRed]

Oops

[Slopmaker Cripps]

Those aren't slop hose the guy on the right is wearing. You can see the knee band and where they are gathered into the knee area. They're just 17th century breeches, and going out of style. I like his monmouth cap though. Looks like it's been stretched out and beaten over the years, thus causing it too fit looser on the head except where the brim is turned up causing the cap to grasp the head. Interesting picture.