Franklin Delano Roosevelt Straw Boater by Knox, New York. A gentleman's 'Superfine' straw boater by Knox of New York, the natural straw body with flat crown and wide brim, finished with a black grosgrain ribbon band, the interior fitted with a silk lining and leather sweatband stamped with serial number 'LS 16596,' size 7 2/16. Height: 9.5 cm; Width: 31 cm; Depth: 35 cm. Provenance: Gift of Eleanor Roosevelt to Mr. and Mrs. Lester Entrup; by descent through the family (see letter dated March 10, 1997 and a copy of Eleanor Roosevelt's Testament; sold Alexander Autographs, New York, 24 June, 1997, lot 1063). The straw boater was among the most fashionable summer accessories for gentlemen during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Founded in 1838, the Knox Hat Company of New York ranked among America's premier hatmakers, and its Brooklyn factory was at one time the largest hat manufacturing facility in the world. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was frequently photographed wearing straw boaters during the earlier decades of his political career, particularly in informal summer settings. Mr. and Mrs. Lester Entrup served for approximately fifteen years as caretakers, cooks, and household staff to Eleanor Roosevelt at Val-Kill. In a notarized statement dated March 10, 1997, their son recounted that Mrs. Roosevelt gifted the present hat, together with other Roosevelt memorabilia, to his parents during their years of service. The statement further identifies the hat specifically as a 'Knox Superfine boater,' serial number 'LS 16596,' which descended within the family following the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Entrup. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing