Hat or wig stand / stretcher?

Today I found this interesting hat stand, or wig stand, or hat stretcher (not sure which!). Google Lens isn’t turning up any matches, so I’m wondering if this is something the group is familiar with. Segments of the wooden stand open and close like flower petals when the stand is rotated on its base. I’m not really sure what exactly this thing is, but I think it’s cool!

 

I’ve seen similar used by milliners to stretch hats, they usually have a wind out mechanism though.

 

That's fascinating. Can find nothing like it. Hope Marjorie had a sense of humor.

Debora

 

Yes, I’ve seen the stretchers that I believe you have in mind, that expand in one direction when a crank is turned. This one opens like a flower when the base is rotated, unlike anything I’ve seen before.

 

Would have had a patent. You might do a word search on the US Government web site.

Debora

 

Maybe this thing is a one-off, invented and made by Laurence in his shed?

 

Good thinking! I’ll search the patent databases and see if anything similar turns up.

 

Could have been homemade, I supposed. But quite a sophisticated (and humorous) gift.

Debora

 

For sure. I see it was given to Marjorie for Easter, 1933. Maybe her Easter bonnet needed stretching, before the parade.

 

it's cool !

 

I have seen those. My Grandfather had a millinery/bridal/gloves business.

 

Interesting! Does it have a special name? I’m having no luck finding another example online, but maybe I’m not using the right key words.