Chapeaugraphy
Encyclopedia
Chapeaugraphy, occasionally anglicised
to chapography, is a panhandling trick in which a ring-shaped piece of felt
is manipulated to look like various types of hat
s. The act originated in 1618 with Paris
ian street performer
Tabarin
, the most famous of the charlatan
s who combined a French version of commedia dell'arte
with a quack medicine show
.
In the 1870s another French comedian, Monsieur Fusier, revived the act and managed 15 hat-twisting styles in his act.
Although rarely seen today, it was featured in an episode of Saturday Night Live
in 1985, as performed by magician Harry Anderson
.
Types of hat that can be created:
and several inventive others.
Some know chapeaugraphers are
Anglicisation
Anglicisation, or anglicization , is the process of converting verbal or written elements of any other language into a form that is more comprehensible to an English speaker, or, more generally, of altering something such that it becomes English in form or character.The term most often refers to...
to chapography, is a panhandling trick in which a ring-shaped piece of felt
Felt
Felt is a non-woven cloth that is produced by matting, condensing and pressing woollen fibres. While some types of felt are very soft, some are tough enough to form construction materials. Felt can be of any colour, and made into any shape or size....
is manipulated to look like various types of hat
Hat
A hat is a head covering. It can be worn for protection against the elements, for ceremonial or religious reasons, for safety, or as a fashion accessory. In the past, hats were an indicator of social status...
s. The act originated in 1618 with Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
ian street performer
Busking
Street performance or busking is the practice of performing in public places, for gratuities, which are generally in the form of money and edibles...
Tabarin
Tabarin
Tabarin was the street name assumed by the most famous of the Parisian street charlatans, Anthoine Girard , who amused his audiences in the Place Dauphine by farcical dialogue with his brother Philippe , with whom he reaped a golden harvest by the sale of quack medicines for several years after 1618...
, the most famous of the charlatan
Charlatan
A charlatan is a person practicing quackery or some similar confidence trick in order to obtain money, fame or other advantages via some form of pretense or deception....
s who combined a French version of commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte is a form of theatre characterized by masked "types" which began in Italy in the 16th century, and was responsible for the advent of the actress and improvised performances based on sketches or scenarios. The closest translation of the name is "comedy of craft"; it is shortened...
with a quack medicine show
Medicine show
Medicine shows were traveling horse and wagon teams which peddled "miracle cure" medications and other products between various entertainment acts. Their precise origins unknown, medicine shows were common in the 19th century United States...
.
In the 1870s another French comedian, Monsieur Fusier, revived the act and managed 15 hat-twisting styles in his act.
Although rarely seen today, it was featured in an episode of Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
in 1985, as performed by magician Harry Anderson
Harry Anderson
Harry Laverne Anderson is an American actor and magician.-Early life:Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Anderson was a street magician before becoming an actor.-Career:...
.
Types of hat that can be created:
- baseball capBaseball capA baseball cap is a type of soft cap with a rounded stiff brim. The front of the cap typically contains designs or logos of sports teams ,...
- AmericanUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and BritishUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
army hats from the Revolutionary War - pirate's hat
- navalNavyA navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
captainCaptain (nautical)A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
's hat - Mickey MouseMickey MouseMickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at The Walt Disney Studio. Mickey is an anthropomorphic black mouse and typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves...
ears - UshankaUshankaAn ushanka , also known as a trooper, is a Russian fur cap with ear flaps that can be tied up to the crown of the cap, or tied at the chin to protect the ears, jaw and lower chin from the cold. The thick dense fur also offers some protection against blunt impacts to the head...
(a RussiaRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n fur hat) - mortarboard (a graduation cap)
- CatholicCatholicThe word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
nun's headgear - derby hat
and several inventive others.
Some know chapeaugraphers are
- TabarinTabarinTabarin was the street name assumed by the most famous of the Parisian street charlatans, Anthoine Girard , who amused his audiences in the Place Dauphine by farcical dialogue with his brother Philippe , with whom he reaped a golden harvest by the sale of quack medicines for several years after 1618...
, a French comedian, - Monsieur Fusier, another French comedian who revived the act,
- Paul Wildbaum, a Canadian(?) Magician, and
- Sir Richard, a New Zealander event host.