ANSWER

It can be very
difficult to restore a silk top hat oneself and this is often detrimental to
its value. Old silk top hats, depending on their size (the larger the
better), can be quite valuable and any extra damage to the silk can
affect this.

Patey (tel 020 7706 7632) has extensive experience and is
able to repair and patch the silk top hats carefully, but cannot replace it.
Patey can also rebuild the body of the hat and correct most other
problems.

Refurbishment normally takes around four weeks and costs up to
£200.

As regards storage, Patey suggests putting the silk top hatsin
a box with a few moth or cedar balls, stuffing the crown with newspaper
to draw any moisture from it and, if dusty, brushing the top hat with a soft
clothes brush.

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