Harry S. Truman's Top Hat
Owner
Harry S. Truman
(American, 1884 - 1972)
Date1949
ClassificationsClothing
DimensionsOverall: 5 1/2 x 12 1/4 in. (14 x 31.1 cm)
DescriptionHarry S. Truman's top hat. The hat is black beaver felt, size 7 3/8, with cream silk lining. The interior makers stamp depicts two facing griffons with "Excelled By None" script beneath. Imprinted in gilt on the brown leather interior hat band, "Harry S. Truman" on proper left side. Stored in a rigid brown leather Brooks Brothers hat box with "J.W.S." imprinted on the lid.President Harry S. Truman wore this top hat at his second inauguration on January 20, 1949. This was the first televised inauguration, where Truman was seen sitting in his motorcade donning this hat. Truman later gifted the hat to his close personal friend, John W. Snyder, who served as Secretary of Treasury from 1946-1953. Truman and Snyder had served together in the U.S. Army.
Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) served as the 33rd President of the United States from 1945 to 1953. Truman had been a U.S. Senator from Missouri before being elected as Vice President in 1944, serving with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Months after taking office as Vice President, Roosevelt died in office, where Truman assumed the presidency in the midst of World War II. Truman guided the nation through the end of the war and helped implement post-war policies in Europe to assist with economic recovery. His policy of fighting "authoritarian threats" later became known as the Truman Doctrine, and was integral in American decision making during the early Cold War period.
3D Model
Franklin D. Roosevelt
1941-1944
