The Bowler or Derby Hat

[mayserwegener]

Jeff, It does have a very nice form. Thanks!

 

[newturnofphrase]

Hey thanks Randall! Okay - so basically along the ribbon then? Presumably it doesn't damage the silk ribbon?

To be sure, the ribbon is not the exterior ribbon at the edge of the brim, but the ribbon that encircles the base of the crown.

Thanks guys!

I'm looking at hat brushes, but it just occurred to me that I could use a lint roller, which I use on my suit and is infinitely superior to a brush. Is that what ya'll use as well? Or will a lint roller "pick up" the felt too much? My bowler is a vintage Lock, so it has a bit of a nap to it.

You don't need to get a full hatbrush to clean it if it gets dusty. I wouldn't use a lint roller. Instead purchase a standard hogshair houspainting brush. Something like this http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/paint-brush-de-47370061.jpg Shouldn't be more than a dollar or two at a hardware store. Or buy a hatbrush, but make sure it's not hard or it can tear the felt.

When you brush it, brush off dust with a gentle counter-clockwise brushing motion. This video is applicable to bowlers too: http://youtu.be/pnvorDVgkUQ

 

[randooch]

Haven't heard from Brad lately. Maybe this'll flush him out!

How old is this hat?

 

[alanfgag]

That's a well worn equestrian derby, I believe, may not be as ancient as it appears.

 

[randooch]

I wondered about that metal hanging ring. It smacked of tack room. Thanks!

 

[RBH]

Haven't heard from Brad lately. Maybe this'll flush him out!

How old is this hat?

Old enough to know better.

 

[randooch]

Good one, Rusty!

I figured out what caused the sweatband disintegration. Stress! From cruising along atop a one-ton beast, expecting a sudden and painful death.

 

[mrwilmoth]

Who makes the best derby today?

 

[newturnofphrase]

Who makes the best derby today?

Strictly speaking, nobody. Christys London makes the best bowler hat.

 

[mayserwegener]

The first 8 (all Melone) are new since my last update in 06/27/2011.

 

[bowlerman]

That's awesome, Steve!
What's the glossy one with the cords around it? Very cool.

I've been thinking I really need to downsize my hat collection in general, especially the bowlers. I know, I know... but they just sit around in boxes in the hat room being underappreciated.

Mrwilmoth of Redlands, I'd say it depends on exactly what you're looking for. I've discovered through the acquisition of many vintage derbies with D'Orsay curls, that I actually prefer the more modern, westernized ones on my head. Just about any western hatter could do that. Since you're in CA, try Baron Hats or Knudsen Hats.

IMHO Beaver Brand made a really nice looking derby before they went out of business, too. You might be able to find them around. Stetson and Dobbs still make them, too, but I have never seen one of the modern ones in person.

 

[tealseal]

Strictly speaking, nobody. Christys London makes the best bowler hat.

Hmmm.... mrwilmoth, I agree with bowlerman here; there are many custom hatters in the USA that can produce excellent western derbys and could, possibly, re-create an English one. The trick is finding a hatter that can create a hard felt hat with a curled brim, and western-type hatters excel at this. Lots of options, from about 400-1000 dollars

 

[mayserwegener]

That's awesome, Steve!
What's the glossy one with the cords around it? Very cool.

I've been thinking I really need to downsize my hat collection in general, especially the bowlers. I know, I know... but they just sit around in boxes in the hat room being underappreciated.

Jeff, Thanks! I have sold off some of these so not as bad as it looks. I am mostly interested in old German and Austrian Melone at this point. I don't wear mine often but I do look at them often. I am amazed by their beauty!

Probably some type of clerical hat (size 57.5cm). I couldn't find anything on ATEHA or H. C. & Co. and appears the store that sold it A. Spanke of Münster didn't survive WWII. It could have been custom made (modified?) and has elements of a Top Hat and Bowler. The silk finish, liner, rope and sweatband (hand stitched) are of very high quality. The under brim is fabric lined but not sure of the material. I am thinking early 1900s. It came with the original box and is in near mint condition.

 

[ernesto]

Here are pictures of my bowler

I think it is from the 1920s-1930s . The brand is best quality London. I found it in Verviers , Belgium at the big Easter flea market.

 

[splintercellsz]

Any hope of a noggin shot?

 

[cookie]

Is the this the same style of hat that the guy with the smart mouth who runs the distillery in Boardwalk Empire wears? I was going to buy it as it was a 7 5/8.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20086451...pok=&rt=nc&_trksid=p4340.l2557&orig_cvip=true

 

[splintercellsz]

It looks to be. Just a different color (I like the one in the auction more).

 

[danofarlington]

Is the this the same style of hat that the guy with the smart mouth who runs the distillery in Boardwalk Empire wears? I was going to buy it as it was a 7 5/8.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20086451...pok=&rt=nc&_trksid=p4340.l2557&orig_cvip=true

That looks like a really old hat.

 

[mayserwegener]

My guess would be 1920s maybe a bit earlier. It has some major problems but brown ones are not common so $25.00 seems reasonable.

 

[mayserwegener]

G. & Fllo Borsalino Qualita Extra-Extra Superiore Bowler + Box, size 7 1/4, weight 195 grams. This one had some major dents but I was able to work them out fairly well with steam. The box has a shipping date stamp of 3/31/31. I am afraid to mess with the sweatband to check for a paper label so can't comfirm the size. At a 195 grams this was not a light weight Bowler!