A WILLIAM MCKINLEY TOP HAT IN CUSTOM CASE. Gentleman's brushed silk top hat, 'The Wedge,' pat #1...

A WILLIAM MCKINLEY TOP HAT IN CUSTOM CASE. Gentleman's brushed silk top hat, 'The Wedge,' pat #1409209, with flat crown, narrow silk and felt brim, 4 cm black felt ribbon, leather and silk interior. H: 14.5 cm; W: 25.5 cm; D: 30 cm With signed ('Wm McKinley') Executive Mansion visiting card laid down to interior crown, and with five additional visiting cards submitted 'to the President' to introduce the bearers. Hat and cards housed in fitted leather hat box with brass accented strap, 'McKinley' stenciled to lid; interior with fabric covered sides, ribboned clasps and with printed elegy 'McKinley Dead' by Richard Le Gallienne laid down to interior. Dimensions of hat box: H: 26.5 cm; W: 30 cm; D 32 cm Provenance: gift of McKinley's secretary and confidant George Cortelyou to 'Major Loef,' likely Charles A. Loeffler, White House doorkeeper (correspondence dated June 1, 1917, quoted in Heritage auction description); sold Heritage Grand Format Americana Auction, December 2-3, 2008, lot 47193. This handsome McKinley top hat has its origins with the 25th President's longtime secretary and confident George Cortelyou. In a letter quoted in the original auction description, Cortelyou writes: 'My dear Major Loef, With regard to our personal conversation you should now have in your possession the formal hat of our slain President and mutual friend William McKinley. / I feel deeply giving it up but Mrs. Cortelyou and I agree it could not be in the care of a finer man. / Please note that I added the clipping inside the box and the executive card bearing his signature. Please call when you are in our city we always look forward to the special time we all share. / Mrs. Cortelyou and the family join me in saying congratulations and best wishes. / Very sincerely yours, / Geo. B. Cortelyou.' Cortelyou advised McKinley to forego a public reception at the Pan-American Exposition's Temple of Music, fearing a security risk. McKinley overruled Cortelyou, arguing that 'No one would wish to hurt me.' Unfortunately, Cortelyou's premonition turned out to be correct; McKinley was shot twice that very afternoon by anarchist Leon Czolgosz. German immigrant Charles D.A. Loeffler (1834-1926) joined the U.S. military and served in the Civil War and the Indian wars before joining the White House staff in 1869, serving American presidents for the next 40 years. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing