'Wonderful' Leeds tiny hats collection to be conserved - museum

Sara Merritt, from Leeds Museums and Galleries, examines a miniature top hat made by John Craig in the early 1900s

A collection of tiny vintage hats dating back to the early 1900s is being conserved and catalogued as part of a major project in West Yorkshire.

The diminutive items, some of which fit in the palm of a hand, were created by Leeds milliner John Craig.

They were made to show to clients and demonstrate his skills and the range of products he had on sale.

Natalie Raw, from Leeds Museums and Galleries, said the replica hats showed off Mr Craig's "skill and artistry".

Hats were sold at John Craig's shop in Leeds city centre from Victorian times until after World War Two

About 200 objects made by Mr Craig, who had a shop on Park Row in the 19th Century before it moved to Wellington Street in 1936, are currently being examined at the Leeds Discovery Centre.

The collection includes tiny hats for both men and women, such as top hats, riding hats, gold-trimmed bicorne and tricorne hats and feather-trimmed hats.

Mr Craig's shop traded in the city until around 1947.

A leaflet from 1927 said he "commenced his business with the ambition of supplying good hats, and as the variety of shapes increased [he specialised] in selecting for his customers the hats of most suitable shape giving especial care to the comfort of the wearer".

Mr Craig's tiny replica hats show his "skill and artistry", according to Leeds Museums and Galleries

Ms Raw, curator of costume at Leeds Museums and Galleries, said she had been working with student volunteers from the University of York to document the extent of the John Craig collection.

"The quite remarkable variety of shapes, sizes and colours of hats in our collection shows the many different ways they have been worn over the decades, including practically as a status symbol, and sometimes as a flamboyant fashion statement," she said.

"These wonderful miniature hats in particular demonstrate the skill and artistry possessed by one traditional Leeds hatmaker and the pride he clearly took in his work."

It was "fascinating to think of each of them carefully and meticulously made in the workshop and then proudly shown to potential customers", Ms Raw added.

She concluded: "We're fortunate to have such an extensive collection to go through and it's been so rewarding to find out more about the history behind these beautiful, stylish creations."

About 200 objects made by Mr Craig are currently being examined and catalogued at Leeds Discovery Centre