Top hat styles and dates

[Trishanne]

Unusual to have his eyes closed, looking at a book.

[Ruskie]

Unusual to have his eyes closed, looking at a book.

He does look very sleepy doesn't he? 

I briefly wondered if it might be a PM photo but the hands, crossed legs and feet look very natural. There may be an extra chair leg though?

Perhaps the photo was taken in 1879.

[cristeen]

This photo shows locals in their Sunday best dated before 1862, can't be much before that date for obvious reasons and I know the cottage in the background was demolished in 1862. The men are probably fishermen so a different 'class' but may be of interest

[jim1]

Only middle & upper classes wore toppers.

[cristeen]

Happy to be corrected My 'fishermen' comment was on the description of the photo on the site where I found the image.

[Trishanne]

He does look very sleepy doesn't he? 
I briefly wondered if it might be a PM photo but the hands, crossed legs and feet look very natural. There may be an extra chair leg though?

Ruskie, I thought it could be a PM photo too which is why I commented. He does look a bit slumped and it's unusual to have his eyes closed. I hadn't noticed the extra leg/stand.
If it is a PM photo it is very well arranged, but I have seen something similar before.
Pat

[Guy Etchells]

Is anyone here an expert in identifying a particular style of top hat, and suggesting a likely date?

Does the  period of the hat match the style of the other clothes or furniture? Can you tell anything about the wearer from the style of his hat?

All I can get from some basic searches is that it most closely resembles the Oxford or Collegian hat, but has a pronounced widening bell shape rather than stove-pipe, with a very thin brim and restrained curve, ie unlike a Dandy.

Many thanks

I would suggest it is a PM photo. The background to me looks like a movable divider or background rather than a 3D wall.
Cheers
Guy

[josey]

I would suggest a PM photo too. There seem to be 2 additional legs to the chair, the second just behind the left knee. But actually can't see the RH back leg of actual chair - must be behind the coat tail.

Might the top hat standing on its crown be a subtle 'hint' about this, the meaning of which has got lost in time?

[Milliepede]

By PM do you mean deceased?  How would his arms be in that position holding up a book.

I hadn't thought he had his eyes closed just cast downwards looking at the book but am happy to be educated on these photos.