2 British Hats - Info Wanted Please

[ARFoulkes]

Hi,

I have just bought two hats, and hoped someone on here could help me to ascertain how old they are and what they may be worth.

They both came in their original hat box, which had a George V stamp dating them between 1910 and 1936, I think they are from the 30s but would appreciate any help.

The above pictures are of the first hat, as can be seen it was made by Bradleys there are no labels under the edges of this hat. For the size see below as it is the same size as the next hat.

To be continued...

 

[ARFoulkes]

As can be seen this one is made by Tress and Co of London, its a size 6 3/4. Hopefully the pictures are enough, but if anyone needs any info I will do my best to answer. I don't know much about hats though.

The final few pictures show the box they came in.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer me,

Best Wishes

Andrew

 

[jlee562]

Well, I don't know anything about the maker, but they didn't immediately strike me as 30's styled hats.

Via a few different Google searches I've found that RW & TK Thompson was the store in Kendal, which operated sometime into the 60's.

The Tress family has their own website. The former Tress factory is now the Mad Hatter hotel, and operated until 1953 at which time they were bought out by Christy's hats.

Perhaps someone more knowledgeable on British hats can chime in, but it's safe to say they predate 1953. Beyond that, I cannot personally answer.

 

[rlk]

The box is from a Ladies' Milliner and older than the hats and not useful for dating. The Tress name continued to be used by successors after the plant closed.

 

[ARFoulkes]

Thank you for the replies so far, I should have noticed the box doesn't match the hats, didn't really think about it to be honest.

Do we think the hats are 50's then?

Is there any real way to tell?

What sort of price would you put on them? and would the hat box be worth anything on its own?

Thank you for taking the time to help me.

Cheers

Andrew

 

[jlee562]

They are a rather small size, which don't command much value.

 

[ARFoulkes]

OK, Thank you

 

[Baron Kurtz]

The sweatbands would suggest a 50s date to me, but could be earlier. Hard to tell.