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Hatpins reached a peak of popularity between the 1890s and 1920s, as music hall actresses like Lillian Russell and Lillian Langtry fueled the popularity of large elaborate hats without bonnet strings. Having originated in the 1850s to secure straw hats, hatpins became longer and more ornate over time (1910 was the height of hatpin length, with the stems alone reaching 10 to 12 inches).

The mass produced white or black bead on a pin was the basic 'working girl' hatpin, but ma...

Key hatpin manufacturers included Unger Brothers, Lincoln, William Kerr, Alvin Manufacturing, R. Blackington and Company, Day and Clarke, and The Sterling Company. Notable hatpin designers included Charles Horner, Louis Tiffany, William Codman, James T. Wooley, Barton Jenks, and George Gebelein.

Hatpins spanned many styles including Baroque, Etruscan Revival, Greek Revival, Egyptian Revival, Oriental influence, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and even Art Deco, before waning around WW1 when metals became scarce and hats got smaller.

Collectors also seek specialized hatpins, including hallmarked hatpins, hatpins that serve vanities, opera hatpins, and compact hatpins that have a mirror and a powder puff. Amethyst and pearls are popular, as well as Plique-a-Jour enamel. Hatpin holders are also sought after.

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Recent News: Hatpins and Hatpin Holders

Source: Google News

Unionists remember Brisbane's 1912 general strike
Green Left Weekly, February 2nd

A highlight of the strike was when the famous unionist and feminist Emma Miller stuck her hatpin into the police chief's horse, sending him flying. The dispute was eventually won, although it was years before suspended workers were reinstated...Read more

Welcome Center greets visitors to Mississippi
SunHerald.com, January 28th

Terry Jones and his wife, Linda, from near Arab, Ala., recently stopped by to get Mississippi hat pins for their growing collection. "I've been all over the country and didn't know about the pins at welcome centers," Terry Jones said,...Read more

Antique show hopes for luck of the draw
Glens Falls Post-Star, January 28th

They offered everything from glassware, silverware, porcelain, furniture, paintings and postcards to linens, quilts, mirrors, Victorian hatpins, baskets, pin cushions, lamps and marbles. Among the many jewelry collectors was Kym Lander with her...Read more

Why cockfighting persists
Salon, January 22nd

You can also avail yourself of a cockfighting T-shirt, gopher bait, blood stop powder, “Rooster Booster” black salve for wounds, a gold hat pin sporting two majestic cocks midfight, and tiny decorative scabbards for a cock's sharp spurs done in a...Read more

The 12 Most Corrupt Public Officials In Illinois History: Michael "Hinky Dink ...
NBC Chicago (blog), January 19th

A madam named French Annie stabbed her boyfriend with a hat pin. “It's a lollapalooza! . . . There are more here than ever before. All the business houses are here, all the big people,” Kenna proudly proclaimed. “Chicago ain't no sissy town...Read more

Brisbane's great strike remembered
Brisbane Times, January 18th

Emma Miller, then in her 70s, reportedly pulled out her hatpin and jabbed it into the rump of Commissioner Cahill's horse causing the horse to rear and and throw Commissioner Cahill. At first "Black Friday" was known as "Baton Friday" because of the...Read more

Flower-Embroidered Straw Hat from River Island
Retro To Go, January 17th

You really need a glamorous up-do that you can pin the hat atop - wear alone or add a veil or hatpin for extra vintage glamour. It would make a great retro accessory to liven up wedding outfits for summer 2012. The hat costs £18 from River Island...Read more

James Millar speaks out: Why I should have been seen for Sandy
Aussie Theatre (blog), January 11th

Millar, who wrote the lyrics and book for the acclaimed musicals The Hatpin and LoveBites has dabbled in video auditions previously, including a fully costumed audition reel for the role of Mary Poppins (which was filled with emotion and was very well...Read more

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