A collapsible silk top hat - perfect for a Victorian night at the opera, or a 20th century magic trick - comes for sale on July 20.
Our Homes & Interiors sale on Tuesday 20 July includes the novelty hat, made by Gibus of 10 Chandles Street, Trafalgar Square alongside a presentation wand given to a member of the Magic Circle with a guide of £80-120.
Antoine Gibus was a Parisian hatmaker who, during the early 19th century, had solved a problem with which wearers of the top hat were well acquainted. Rather than seek a place to hang one’s silk topper, he created a hat, using a system of steel springs, that could be collapsed flat!
The wand, with silver mounts and a presentation inscription to John Holt, Esq M.M.C. 1963 has a terminal enamelled with the signs of the zodiac. It comes in a silk lined case for John Finches, London.
We are delighted to introduce The Simon Hilton Collection, a highly personal and wide-ranging sale taking place on Monday 27 July, at 10am.
We are thrilled to announce Madge Gill: The Arcana Drawings, a selling exhibition held at our London Gallery; open weekdays from Tuesday 21 - Friday 31 July.
An exciting selection of Peter Collingwood’s work is showcased in our upcoming Design sale, to be held on 14 July.
26 June 2026