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Provenance: This hat came from the estate of Countess Mathilde Mara de Bninska. Born of nobility in Wurzburg, Bavaria in 1895, the Countess was well known in European, English and New York society. Countess Mara acted in numerous films in Paris in the 1930s. She was also a well known milliner in the 1930s-1940s with shops in NYC and Paris. Her hats, such as the one offered here, were sold under the label "Mme. de la Barre". Countess Mara built Wentworth Castle in Jackson, New Hampshire in 1959. She lived in NH until her death in 1992 at the age of 97. Three Labels: Woven brown on cream label in hat and paper label on hatbox read, "Exquisite Hats Mme de la Barre 10 West 55th St New York - Paris". Paper price/model label attached to inner ribbon band, "No. 49 $47.50". Condition: Perfect. The hat has all its original tags. Hatbox is missing the carrying ribbon and has some minor damage to the bottom. Measurements: Hat: 11" x 11". Hatbox: 14" Wd x 7" Ht. Comments: I purchased this hat at Countess Mara de Bninska's NH estate auction in 1994. This stunning blue fedora was loaned to Desire Smith to be included in her 1996 book, Hats; it is featured on page 39. Countess Mara left her homeland as a young woman, either during or just after the First World War. She was a beautiful, aristocratic and eccentric woman who led a full and fabulous life. If you are a hat collector, don't miss the rare opportunity to own a Countess Mara hat which originally belonged to the Countess herself.
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