Authentic Gatsby Era Tangerine Plumed Hat From JR Libby Company, Maine

The Roaring Twenties roared with color! 

This rare Gatsby Era, tangerine plumed hat dates to the early 1920s. Tangerine or lemon against black were popular colors in that day, and this hat is exemplary! 

Those luscious tangerine colored ostrich plumes are indeed original to the hat. You will know this immediately if you closely examine the stitches and threads that connect the feathers to their wire foundation. 

The hat was initially sold at the JR Libby Company department store. This was a grand place located in Portland, Maine. The store resembled a smaller version of Selfridge’s and an early image of it may be seen on the Maine Historical Society’s website. 

The hat was created on a sturdy, oval, wired foundation and entirely covered with ultra fine, silk tulle. The outer ribs of the foundation were covered with braided black straw. This also spirals around the crown of the hat. Finally, the hat was swathed in luxurious tangerine colored ostrich plumes which remain brilliant to this day. Black and tangerine were a most stylish color during the early 20s. 

This hat is incredibly comfortable when worn and those long plumes float elegantly in the air. It was designed for wear pulled down low over the forehead, and may also be worn at a slight sassy tilt. This is quite a rare and beautiful 1920s millinery gem that is destined for a discerning private collector or museum. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find hats such as this in such wonderful overall, wearable condition. 

The hat features a strong interior silk satin lining that is blazing with color as well. The beautifully embroidered logo reads “La Rose Hats, JR Libby Co.” 

This hat is in excellent condition overall…some might even believe that it is a notch above excellent. The silk tulle is fragile, but intact. The hat is indeed wearable with tender loving care for special occasions…as its value remains true based on its amazing condition.  The size measures to fit a generous 22 inches or 56 cm.