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Fine Art Print : Making beaver hats, 1841
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Making beaver hats, 1841
Making beaver hats, 1841. Although called beaver hats, a certain amount beaver fur was only used in the most expensive examples. In most others, rabbit fur was used. The body of the hats was felted in a kettle. The felted material was then placed on a wooden block and formed into a hat and the nap of the material was then raised by brushing. Mercury was used in the kettle and the hatters inhaled vapourised mercury in the steam. As a result many of them suffered from the uncontrollable shaking typical of mercury poisoning which attacked the central nervous system. The Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland exhibited these symptoms. From The Penny Magazine, London, 1841
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 14866090
© Oxford Science Archive / Heritage-Images
Beaver Hat Disease Hatmaker Hatter Industrial Disease Kettle Manufacturing Mercury Occupational Disease Oxford Science Archive Wood Engraving
20"x16" (+3" Border) Fine Art Print
Step back in time with our exquisite Fine Art Print of 'Making beaver hats, 1841' from Heritage Images. This captivating piece showcases the intricate process of hat-making during the 19th century. Contrary to popular belief, most of these hats were not made exclusively with beaver fur. Instead, rabbit fur was commonly used to create the distinctive felt material. Add an authentic touch of history to your home or office décor with this stunning fine art print from Media Storehouse.
20x16 image printed on 26x22 Fine Art Rag Paper with 3" (76mm) white border. Our Fine Art Prints are printed on 300gsm 100% acid free, PH neutral paper with archival properties. This printing method is used by museums and art collections to exhibit photographs and art reproductions.
Our fine art prints are high-quality prints made using a paper called Photo Rag. This 100% cotton rag fibre paper is known for its exceptional image sharpness, rich colors, and high level of detail, making it a popular choice for professional photographers and artists. Photo rag paper is our clear recommendation for a fine art paper print. If you can afford to spend more on a higher quality paper, then Photo Rag is our clear recommendation for a fine art paper print.
Estimated Image Size (if not cropped) is 49.5cm x 40.6cm (19.5" x 16")
Estimated Product Size is 66cm x 55.9cm (26" x 22")
These are individually made so all sizes are approximate
Artwork printed orientated as per the preview above, with landscape (horizontal) orientation to match the source image.
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The print captures a scene from 1841, showcasing the intricate process of making beaver hats. In this era, despite their name, beaver fur was only used in the most luxurious examples of these fashionable accessories. Rabbit fur was more commonly employed for crafting these stylish headpieces. The image reveals skilled workers diligently engaged in their craft. The first step involved felting the hat's body inside a large kettle. Once felted, the material was carefully placed on wooden blocks to shape it into a hat form. To achieve a smooth and refined finish, the nap of the material was raised through meticulous brushing. However, this seemingly elegant trade had its dark side. The use of mercury in the kettle emitted vapors that were unknowingly inhaled by hatters during their work process. Tragically, many suffered from mercury poisoning as a result, experiencing uncontrollable shaking and other symptoms that attacked their central nervous systems. Interestingly enough, Lewis Carroll's iconic character -the Mad Hatter- exhibited similar symptoms due to his fictional occupation as depicted in Alice in Wonderland. This snapshot offers us a glimpse into an industry plagued by occupational disease during Britain's industrial revolution. It serves as a reminder of both the artistry and hazards associated with traditional craftsmanship while shedding light on historical practices that have since been improved for worker safety and well-being.
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