eBay Tuesday: T.M. Lyon Top Hat

With one manufacturer's stamp, this top hat identifies itself as dating back to the mid-19th century with a likely connection to one of New London's grand old summer resorts.

The antique beaver fur top hat is offered by user matteov772012. The ornate stamp on the interior says the hat was made by T.M. Lyon, located on the corner of Bank Street and Court Street (now State Street).

The hat refers to the business of Thomas M. Lyon, who was born in 1803. He became a clothier in the city, and settled his father's estate in 1826. One directory listed him as one of three "gents furnishing stores" in New London.

It is uncertain if Lyon was one of the founders of the Pequot House, but it seems likely. In 1850, a T.M. Lyon (identified in one account as "Thomas M. Lyons," president of the Pequot Stock Company) joined with two other businessmen, John Bishop and Perry Douglass, to build the inn on Montauk Ave.  The Pequot House would take a central role in the Pequot Colony, attracting the well-to-do to the shoreline summer destination. A fire demolished the hotel in 1908, marking the beginning of the end for the colony.

Lyon proved to be a successful businessman. In the 1859-1860 year, he employed 25 men and 75 women. It would be his last year at the shop; Lyon died in 1860.

The hat is eight inches by six-and-a-half inches on the interior and seven-and-a-half inches tall above the brim. There are some dents at the top. The starting price is $59.99 plus $13.97 for shipping. The auction ends at about 9:40 p.m. on June 4.

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