Bollman Hat Company digs deep into the annals of its history to capture and commemorate this long forgotten style. The Wide Awake hat was inspired by the paramilitary campaign organization of the 1860s. The Wide Awakes, affiliated with the Republican Party during the 1860 election, supported Abraham Lincoln and the Union while strongly opposing slavery. The Wide Awakes were well-drilled and served as political police in escorting party speakers and in preserving order at party demonstrations and had over 400,000 estimated members. The standard Wide Awake uniform consisted of a full robe or cape, a torch, and of course the black hat for which we pay tribute. The Bollman Hat Company produced this hat and all of their hats in black only when George Bollman and Isaac Sowers first opened their hat factory in Adamstown, Pennsylvania in 1868. *Please note that this style is part of an exclusive Collector’s Edition and hats.com does not accept returns on this selection.