USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -"Beaver fur was at one time extensively used in the manufacture of hats but has become so rare and valuable that it is now chiefly used for muffs, collars, and trimming.

Detailed explanation-2: -From the late 16th to mid-19th century, beaver top hats were an essential aspect of men’s fashion across much of Europe. Not only were they extremely valuable, often treated as a family heirloom passed on from father to son, a hat’s design also denoted an individual’s social status and occupation.

Detailed explanation-3: -Hatters differentiated the quality of felt used in construction and hats made exclusively from beaver were designated castor. If made from a mixture of beaver and other fur, they referred to them as demi-castor. Hats made from rabbit or camel hair were known as dauphin. Only common hats were made from plain wool felt.

Detailed explanation-4: -A beaver hat is a hat made from felted beaver fur. They were fashionable across much of Europe during the period 1550–1850 because the soft yet resilient material could be easily combed to make a variety of hat shapes (including the familiar top hat).