Chapeaugraphy

This article is part of the Hats and Headgear series: Overview of headgear Hats; Bonnets; Caps Hoods; Helmets; Wigs Masks; Veils; Scarves Tiaras; Crowns List of hats and headgear

Chapeaugraphy, occasionally anglicised to chapography, is a panhandling trick in which a ring shaped piece of felt can be manipulated to impersonate multiple types of hat. Started in 1750 by french performer Tabarin and used ten styles in his hat-twisting act. In the 1870's another french comedian Monsieur Fusier revived the act and managed 15 styles of hat in his act.

Rarely seen today it was once featured in an episode of Saturday Night Live in 1985

Types of hat that can be created:

• baseball cap
• American and British revolutionary war hat
• pirate hat
• naval captain hat
• Mickey Mouse ears
• Ushanka (a Russian fur hat)
• mortarboard (a graduation cap)
• catholic nun's headgear
• derby hat

and several inventive others

Chapeaugraphers:

• Tabarin a french comedian
• Monsieur Fusier another french comedian who revived the act
• Paul Wildbaum a Canadian(?) Magician
• Sir Richard a New Zealander event host