Latham “The” Hatter

Latham "The" Hatter 1876

From a guide book to the State of New York, we have this description of Latham “The” Hatter (emphasis always his), who was located at 558 Broadway in the latter part of the 19th century.

Prominent among the business enterprises of North Broadway is the hat emporium of Mr. George Latham, who is largely engaged at 558 Broadway in dealing in fine hats and caps for gentlemen and yhouths. He is a special agent for the celebrated “Dunlap” hats. The store property is a handsome three-story brick, 20 by 100 feet in extent, filled to repletion with all the attractive hats and furs in various styles. This enterprise was established in 1861, and does a handsome business. Mr. Latham is a gentleman forty-three years of age, a native of Connecticut, and has been in Albany for the last thirty-five years. The retail department is in charge of his son, James B. Latham, whose polite and courteous dealings with the public have helped to make Latham “the” hatter the best in town.

(We don’t believe there is a connection to the hotelkeeper William Latham for whom Latham was named.)

4 thoughts on “Latham “The” Hatter

  1. It’s quite a coincidence that you’re talking about an Albany hatter today. Just this week while looking through the Sotheby’s website, I noticed several remarkable militia hats made by “John Mayell, Hat Manufacturer, No. 27 Market Street, Albany”. Some labels indicate a location of 377 So. Market Street.

    Hoffman’s Albany Directory of 1844-5 lists Mayell John, hat and cap store 27 Market, h. 61 Hudson.

    The Bicentennial History of Albany, Howell and Tenney, notes:
    William Mayell, who came from England in 1795, settled in Albany and began to make hats. In an advertisement in the newspapers in 1820 his store was designated as opposite the Eagle Tavern. He was at this time the most extensive manufacturer of hats in the city. Besides being a good mechanic, he made some pretension to science. He was an active members of the Mechanics’ Society, and afterwards of the Albany Institute, of which he is said to have been the founder.

    1. Wow! I think I’ve run across Mayell’s name before but never dug in on him. Incredible that his hats are still around.

      BTW, are you the DOH Dennis Whalen? I’m the ex-DEC Carl Johnson.

Leave a Reply to Dennis Whalen Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *