William McKinley Silk Top Hat in Custom Leather Case. A gentleman's brushed silk top hat, 'The Wedge,' with flat crown and narrow silk-bound brim, fitted with a 4 cm black felt ribbon band, the interior lined in leather and silk. Height: 14.5 cm; Width: 25.5 cm; Depth: 30 cm. Accompanied by a signed Executive Mansion visiting card ('Wm McKinley') affixed to the interior crown, together with five additional visiting cards submitted 'to the President' to announce their bearers. Housed in a fitted leather hat case with brass-mounted strap and 'McKinley' stenciled to the lid, the fabric-lined interior retaining ribbon clasps and a printed broadside elegy, McKinley Dead by Richard Le Gallienne, affixed to the interior. (Some slight rubbing to edges.) Dimensions of hat case: Height: 26.5 cm; Width: 30 cm; Depth: 32 cm. Provenance: Gifted by George B. Cortelyou, secretary and close confidant to President McKinley, to 'Major Loef,' likely Charles D. A. Loeffler, longtime White House doorkeeper; by descent; sold Heritage Auctions, 2 December 2008, lot 47193). This distinguished top hat traces its history directly to George B. Cortelyou, President McKinley's trusted secretary and later Cabinet member. In correspondence quoted in the original auction catalogue and dated June 1, 1917, Cortelyou wrote: '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... Very sincerely yours, Geo. B. Cortelyou.' The recipient of the gift is believed to have been Charles D. A. Loeffler (1834-1926), a German-born Civil War veteran who served in the White House beginning in 1869 and remained on the presidential household staff for approximately four decades, attending successive administrations from Ulysses S. Grant through the early twentieth century. The hat also bears a poignant association with the final days of McKinley's presidency. Cortelyou had reportedly urged the President to avoid a public reception at the Temple of Music during the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, fearing a possible security threat. McKinley declined the advice, insisting that 'No one would wish to hurt me.' On September 6, 1901, the President was shot there by anarchist Leon Czolgosz, dying of his wounds eight days later. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing