As Mad as a Hatter (or March Hare), 1920s-1950s

As Mad as a Hatter (or March Hare), 1920s-1950s. Silhouette by Harry Lawrence Oakley of a scene from Lewis Carrolls Alice in Wonderland. The Mad Hatter character was inspired by the fact that 19th-century hat-makers were exposed to mercury vapours which caused poisoning. Symptoms included uncontrollable muscular tremors, distorted vision and psychosis. Oakley made tens of thousands of silhouettes between the 1920s and 1950s. Oakley produced portraits, book and newspaper illustrations, and stationery. He perfected the technique of speedily cutting folded paper with scissors, with no prior drawing, and found a good market for portraits. During his time as a soldier in the First World War he designed posters for the army. After the war he continued to earn his living from silhouettes and made portraits of many famous people including royalty. ©SSPL/H L Oakley