Thanks Bingley-- i wasn't sure it if was the end product, or the production. The hatter is "mad" from mercury poisoning.. some sort of mercury compound was used to turn beaver skins into stiff top hats.. where as milliners used fabic, felt, feathers, ect.. It was (and to some degree remains) a whole different style of hat making.. I think today, most men's hats have a wool felt base, as do many woman's hats, rather than fur. Unless, of course they are "fur hats".


my other obsession