Boater faction!

[mayserwegener]

Mayser's Private Collection of Straws. My guess is some (oldest from 1890) are from Milz & Cie. (Lindenberg) which was a Straw Hat company that Mayser Ulm acquired in 1929 and became Mayser Milz & Cie. They are amazing + in mint condition but sadly not available for public viewing.

 

[Redfokker]

Mayser's Private Collection of Straws. My guess is some (oldest from 1890) are from Milz & Cie. (Lindenberg) which was a Straw Hat company that Mayser Ulm acquired in 1929 and became Mayser Milz & Cie. They are amazing + in mint condition but sadly not available for public viewing.

The two tone number in the upper right is rather interesting.

 

[Gamma68]

Hi everyone,

I posted questions about this straw boater elsewhere but was directed to this particular thread.

I acquired the vintage hat pictured below a couple months ago at an estate sale and would like to learn more about it. Is it a "yeddo" type of boater? In what time period was it made? Is it considered a desirable hat among those who admire and wear boaters? How should I care for it and store it?

It has a 2-1/2" brim and a 3-3/8" crown. I'd be happy to provide more photos if it would be helpful.

Come summer, I'd like to try pairing this hat with a navy blazer and bow tie.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mayserwegener]

I forgot I made a photo copy of Societa Anonima E. Meucci, Fabbrica di Cappelli di Paglia, Lastra a Signa (Firenze / Florence ) catalog and company prospectus ( probably early 1900s) from the Gotisches Haus (Gothic House) Bad Homburg, Germany hat collection.

http://germanaustrianhats.invisionz...di-cappelli-di-paglia-lastra-a-signa-firenze/

I also did some online searching at the time and I remember there is a good amount information about the Firenze / Florence Straw Hat history which was a very important Straw Hat making center. Actually the claimed birth place of the Boater style Straw Hat. I might have posted more in this thread.

 

[mayserwegener]

Check out the above post. My guess is 1920s but could be a bit later or earlier. I can't see the logo clearly. Is it Dante Farrari / Ferrari? Also what is the writing under the crest?

 

[Gamma68]

My guess is 1920s but could be a bit later or earlier. I can't see the logo clearly. Is it Dante Farrari / Ferrari? Also what is the writing under the crest?

It reads "Dante Ferrari" but I cannot make out the writing under the crest, even with a magnifying glass. It's all in capital letters.

 

[mayserwegener]

I found a list of the Straw Hat companies for Lastra a Signa but there isn't a Dante Ferrari. Is there a paper label behind the sweatband?

Ammannati (Carcheri)
Andrei F.lli (Fondata nel 1908)
Baldanzini
Benini Pasquale
Borgioli
Becucci F.lli
Bellini F.ll
Cajoli
Carbonai Francesco
Fiaschi Arnoldo
F.lli Talli
Innocenti e Ballerini
Lascialfari
Maioli
Manetti (Ginestra)
Marinesi Felice &c.
Martini Emilio
Meucci
Nannelli Paolo
Papini (Ponte a Signa)
Pasi F.lli
Ramalli (Ponte a Signa)
Santini (Fondata nel 1836)
Santino
Scarselli (S.Romolo)
Taccetti Pasquale (Fondata nel 1867)

http://www.lastraonline.it/p/storia.php?idpag=61

 

[Gamma68]

I found a list of the Straw Hat companies for Lastra a Signa but there isn't a Dante Ferrari. Is there a paper label behind the sweatband?

There is no label, imprint or writing behind the sweatband.

 

[Redfokker]

Ferrari, must be an Italian Racing Straw!

 

[mayserwegener]

There were so many Straw Hat companies in the Firenze / Florence area. I couldn't find anything on Dante Ferrari. It could be brand name used by one of the companies listed above or some other company that was outside of Lastra a Signa. I have some lists on my old lap top so I will check their too when I find time.

 

[Gamma68]

There were so many Straw Hat companies in the Firenze / Florence area. I couldn't find anything on Dante Ferrari. It could be brand name used by one of the companies listed above or some other company that was outside of Lastra a Signa. I have some lists on my old lap top so I will check their too when I find time.

Thank you for checking. I would also like some tips on how to best clean and care for this hat. I will use some leather cleaner and conditioner on the sweat band to make it more supple.

The small bow on the interior of the sweat band at the back is very deteriorated and falling apart. Is it decorative or does it serve some function?

 

[alanfgag]

The bow serves no function. Also, avoid the temptation to treat the leather of the sweatband. It appears to be in good shape. Leather conditioners can soften the old material, but also make it dissolve like a wet tissue. You can vacuum dust and brush the straw with a soft brush. I would not attempt further cleaning. It's a lovely boater - wear it and enjoy it.

 

[Gamma68]

The bow serves no function. Also, avoid the temptation to treat the leather of the sweatband. It appears to be in good shape. Leather conditioners can soften the old material, but also make it dissolve like a wet tissue. You can vacuum dust and brush the straw with a soft brush. I would not attempt further cleaning. It's a lovely boater - wear it and enjoy it.

Thanks for those tips. What about hat storage? Obviously, I need a hat box of some type. A vintage one would be nice (if available) but the primary goal is preservation.

 

[alanfgag]

I have a dozen or so straw boaters. They have a dedicated shelf in my hat room where I stack them, alternating them at 90 degrees. As you can see from how nicely yours has held up over the past century or so, they are quite durable. I would keep it out of direct sunlight and try to add some humidity in the coldest of Detroit's winter, though that is probably more important for your skin than the hat.

As you can see from this thread, boaters are wonderful hats that were manufactured in many variations of straw and weave. They are not as popular as fedoras and can often be purchased at a very good price. No need to baby this one. Just find some others to keep it company. ;^)

 

[Gamma68]

As you can see from this thread, boaters are wonderful hats that were manufactured in many variations of straw and weave. They are not as popular as fedoras and can often be purchased at a very good price. No need to baby this one. Just find some others to keep it company. ;^)

I've just made my way through this entire thread and am amazed by the great variation of weaves in boater hats. As you suggest, I just may have to acquire others to accompany my wonderful estate sale find. Did I mention it cost $20?

Here's a larger photo of my hat to provide a better view of its ribbon and unique weave:

 

[Bertie.Wooster]

A restoration project won. On ebay I have been searching for a reasonable boater, to my delight finding all sorts of interesting variations, Harvard University Reunion boater, Princeton University Boater with 'Beat Yale & 'Beat harvard' badges on the side, fluttering battered boaters that went for sale for high prices and etc.
But it was weeks ago, I noticed the Crofut & Knapp boater that wouldn't get a decent home.

So, I put best offer at 20 dollars and got accepted. SWEET. I haven't seen even ONE Crofut & Knapp boater in my life except for this one. It's original ribbon was stapled to be fixed but really a whole mess, one area was missing a bit of straw but I will have to find a way to fix it up later...... So, perhaps this Crofut & Knapp could be a rare specimen?

So yay, another boater in the collection. Trying to negotiate with my mother about purchasing of a King's College School boater with an very interesting black & white straw weave boater.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Boa...067240?hash=item3ad43fffe8:g:cJkAAOSwcBhWaycA

Looks like a Caston or Midland model boater.

 

[Redfokker]

A restoration project won. On ebay I have been searching for a reasonable boater, to my delight finding all sorts of interesting variations, Harvard University Reunion boater, Princeton University Boater with 'Beat Yale & 'Beat harvard' badges on the side, fluttering battered boaters that went for sale for high prices and etc.
But it was weeks ago, I noticed the Crofut & Knapp boater that wouldn't get a decent home.

So, I put best offer at 20 dollars and got accepted. SWEET. I haven't seen even ONE Crofut & Knapp boater in my life except for this one. It's original ribbon was stapled to be fixed but really a whole mess, one area was missing a bit of straw but I will have to find a way to fix it up later...... So, perhaps this Crofut & Knapp could be a rare specimen?

So yay, another boater in the collection. Trying to negotiate with my mother about purchasing of a King's College School boater with an very interesting black & white straw weave boater.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Boa...067240?hash=item3ad43fffe8:g:cJkAAOSwcBhWaycA

Looks like a Caston or Midland model boater.

Good for you Bertie! I saw that one and thought the history alone would make it a keeper. Too small for me. Keep em' coming!

 

[Bertie.Wooster]

A plenty to come in the future!

 

[Genuine Classic Gangster]

sadly not available for public viewing.

Are they available for public buying? That's what I want to do if they have any that would fit me!

 

[Bertie.Wooster]

Are they available for public buying? That's what I want to do if they have any that would fit me!

Thinking about public buying, I wouldn't think a place where public viewing is EVEN NOT allowed would even DARE to sell any. I think we already have the upper-hand of being able to see a pictures of this collection thanks to mayserwegener.