Czech Republicans: Tonak, Huckel, no name

[Liddleman]

I'd consider again whether parting with that one, really suits you.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Steve @mayserwegener this is the hat I sent you a PM about. Looks nice to me.
Is this a size 60? Am I reading the tag right?

Thanks

 

[mayserwegener]

Brent, Yes it's 60cm. The FP size is without the sweatband.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Brent, Yes it's 60cm. The FP size is without the sweatband.

Thank you, Steve. Please forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by “without the sweatband?”

 

[mayserwegener]

Thank you, Steve. Please forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by “without the sweatband?”

Brent, It would be the size without the sweatband installed (or block size). You can see Paper Label is FP 6 1/2 but Round Size Label has FP 6, CM 59, ES 7 1/4, AS 7 3/8.

The problem is when there is only the FP size listed on the Paper Label and no Size Label (usually this is exterior). Also not sure if older Paper Label style like this one apply.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Brent, It would be the size without the sweatband installed (or block size). You can see Paper Label is FP 6 1/2 but Round Size Label has FP 6, CM 59, ES 7 1/4, AS 7 3/8.

The problem is when there is only the FP size listed on the Paper Label and no Size Label (usually this is exterior). Also not sure if older Paper Label style like this one apply.

Just what I needed to know, Steve. I can’t thank you enough!

 

[steur]

Not mine; I didn't bring it along because it wasn't my size and not interesting enough to buy it anyway.
Tonak Durit in black. Bound brim at about 5,5cm I'd say and crown 10-11 cm at the center dent. Nice hand to the felt. If I'm reading it right should be 1965.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hückel Chasidko Super. No labels behind the sweatband. The long hair felt is very firm.

I found quite a few references to this hat made for the religious market:

“The main type of hat at Boro Park Hatters is the “Chasidko Super,” a hat style that has been around for over a hundred years.Within the individual Hasidic courts, particular members of the wear certain types of hats associated with what they do.
There are many different styles of hats, which exist, in the Hasidic community. The ones that the Bobover wear are the “Chasidiko Super.” Shlomo said that “Super” meant the quality, while the “Chasidko” meant the particular style. There are two main “heights” to the hats. There is the “low type” worn by other Hasidic courts such as Satmar and the “high type,” worn by Bobov. Bell can explain this in her traditionalism section of “Characteristics of Ritual-like Activities.”’


Seller’s photos:

After steam, brushing, and some brim shaping:

To my eye, it makes an interesting take on a gambler’s hat.

 

[DaveProc]

Hückel Chasidko Super. No labels behind the sweatband. The long hair felt is very firm.

I found quite a few references to this hat made for the religious market:

“The main type of hat at Boro Park Hatters is the “Chasidko Super,” a hat style that has been around for over a hundred years.Within the individual Hasidic courts, particular members of the wear certain types of hats associated with what they do.
There are many different styles of hats, which exist, in the Hasidic community. The ones that the Bobover wear are the “Chasidiko Super.” Shlomo said that “Super” meant the quality, while the “Chasidko” meant the particular style. There are two main “heights” to the hats. There is the “low type” worn by other Hasidic courts such as Satmar and the “high type,” worn by Bobov. Bell can explain this in her traditionalism section of “Characteristics of Ritual-like Activities.”’


Seller’s photos:

View attachment 285306 View attachment 285307

After steam, brushing, and some brim shaping:

View attachment 285308
View attachment 285309 View attachment 285310 View attachment 285311 View attachment 285312 View attachment 285313 View attachment 285314

To my eye, it makes an interesting take on a gambler’s hat.

I really like what you have done with brim Brent!!

 

[mayserwegener]

Hückel Chasidko Super. No labels behind the sweatband. The long hair felt is very firm.

I found quite a few references to this hat made for the religious market:

“The main type of hat at Boro Park Hatters is the “Chasidko Super,” a hat style that has been around for over a hundred years.Within the individual Hasidic courts, particular members of the wear certain types of hats associated with what they do.
There are many different styles of hats, which exist, in the Hasidic community. The ones that the Bobover wear are the “Chasidiko Super.” Shlomo said that “Super” meant the quality, while the “Chasidko” meant the particular style. There are two main “heights” to the hats. There is the “low type” worn by other Hasidic courts such as Satmar and the “high type,” worn by Bobov. Bell can explain this in her traditionalism section of “Characteristics of Ritual-like Activities.”’


Seller’s photos:

View attachment 285306 View attachment 285307

After steam, brushing, and some brim shaping:

View attachment 285308
View attachment 285309 View attachment 285310 View attachment 285311 View attachment 285312 View attachment 285313 View attachment 285314

To my eye, it makes an interesting take on a gambler’s hat.

Brent, This is still one of Tonak's major markets.

 

[steur]

Here's an interesting one (I think). Saw this hat on an auction site (note that the pic was less than half this size; I've upscaled it here). The description was "Hat from London. One size."

Wrote to the seller if she could take a look under the sweatband to see what size it actually was. No reply. Made an offer. No reply. Even though it was certainly a velour hat I decided to skip it. Fast forward a few months and while I was browsing the site again I remembered this hat and searched for it. Sure enough it was still there. The price was not an obstacle and I had been lucky with the gamble hats lately, so I decided to go for it.
A few days later a huge box shows up with a hat inside, no other packing material, not even a plastic bag. O well, the hat was ok it seemed. Out came this one.
Tonak Jota velour in a size 57 or 58 (label says 5-58), but fits me remarkably well. Great caramel colour with the raw edge brim at 6,5 cm and the crown at 10,5cm at the center dent. The velour felt had some flat spots from storage, but some steaming and brushing took care of that. Wonderful hand to the felt and very soft.
Not from London and not one size, but boy am I glad I decided to take the gamble.
The label unfortunately doesn't state the date of manufacture (under "Tyden") as they usually do. I've only seen Jota quality hats from Hückel, so likely this was made shortly after the war just after Hückel was nationalised and made into Tonak and they still used the old Hückel quality names. Only flaw is that the liner is missing. The sweatband is worthy of note as it is 5,5cm wide! One of the widest I've seen.

 

[PanosChris]

Here's an interesting one (I think). Saw this hat on an auction site (note that the pic was less than half this size; I've upscaled it here). The description was "Hat from London. One size."

Wrote to the seller if she could take a look under the sweatband to see what size it actually was. No reply. Made an offer. No reply. Even though it was certainly a velour hat I decided to skip it. Fast forward a few months and while I was browsing the site again I remembered this hat and searched for it. Sure enough it was still there. The price was not an obstacle and I had been lucky with the gamble hats lately, so I decided to go for it.
A few days later a huge box shows up with a hat inside, no other packing material, not even a plastic bag. O well, the hat was ok it seemed. Out came this one.
Tonak Jota velour in a size 57 or 58 (label says 5-58), but fits me remarkably well. Great caramel colour with the raw edge brim at 6,5 cm and the crown at 10,5cm at the center dent. The velour felt had some flat spots from storage, but some steaming and brushing took care of that. Wonderful hand to the felt and very soft.
Not from London and not one size, but boy am I glad I decided to take the gamble.
The label unfortunately doesn't state the date of manufacture (under "Tyden") as they usually do. I've only seen Jota quality hats from Hückel, so likely this was made shortly after the war just after Hückel was nationalised and made into Tonak and they still used the old Hückel quality names. Only flaw is that the liner is missing. The sweatband is worthy of note as it is 5,5cm wide! One of the widest I've seen.

That's a winner, congrats!

 

[steur]

That's a winner, congrats!

It is! Thanks, Panos.

 

[mayserwegener]

Here's an interesting one (I think). Saw this hat on an auction site (note that the pic was less than half this size; I've upscaled it here). The description was "Hat from London. One size."

Wrote to the seller if she could take a look under the sweatband to see what size it actually was. No reply. Made an offer. No reply. Even though it was certainly a velour hat I decided to skip it. Fast forward a few months and while I was browsing the site again I remembered this hat and searched for it. Sure enough it was still there. The price was not an obstacle and I had been lucky with the gamble hats lately, so I decided to go for it.
A few days later a huge box shows up with a hat inside, no other packing material, not even a plastic bag. O well, the hat was ok it seemed. Out came this one.
Tonak Jota velour in a size 57 or 58 (label says 5-58), but fits me remarkably well. Great caramel colour with the raw edge brim at 6,5 cm and the crown at 10,5cm at the center dent. The velour felt had some flat spots from storage, but some steaming and brushing took care of that. Wonderful hand to the felt and very soft.
Not from London and not one size, but boy am I glad I decided to take the gamble.
The label unfortunately doesn't state the date of manufacture (under "Tyden") as they usually do. I've only seen Jota quality hats from Hückel, so likely this was made shortly after the war just after Hückel was nationalised and made into Tonak and they still used the old Hückel quality names. Only flaw is that the liner is missing. The sweatband is worthy of note as it is 5,5cm wide! One of the widest I've seen.

Stefan, Great find! This is an early Tonak. Congrats!

 

[steur]

Stefan, Great find! This is an early Tonak. Congrats!

Thank you, Steve. Very glad to have found it.

 

[Rmccamey]

I believe that confirms you as a pro hat chaser, Stefan!

Here's an interesting one (I think). Saw this hat on an auction site (note that the pic was less than half this size; I've upscaled it here). The description was "Hat from London. One size."

Wrote to the seller if she could take a look under the sweatband to see what size it actually was. No reply. Made an offer. No reply. Even though it was certainly a velour hat I decided to skip it. Fast forward a few months and while I was browsing the site again I remembered this hat and searched for it. Sure enough it was still there. The price was not an obstacle and I had been lucky with the gamble hats lately, so I decided to go for it.
A few days later a huge box shows up with a hat inside, no other packing material, not even a plastic bag. O well, the hat was ok it seemed. Out came this one.
Tonak Jota velour in a size 57 or 58 (label says 5-58), but fits me remarkably well. Great caramel colour with the raw edge brim at 6,5 cm and the crown at 10,5cm at the center dent. The velour felt had some flat spots from storage, but some steaming and brushing took care of that. Wonderful hand to the felt and very soft.
Not from London and not one size, but boy am I glad I decided to take the gamble.
The label unfortunately doesn't state the date of manufacture (under "Tyden") as they usually do. I've only seen Jota quality hats from Hückel, so likely this was made shortly after the war just after Hückel was nationalised and made into Tonak and they still used the old Hückel quality names. Only flaw is that the liner is missing. The sweatband is worthy of note as it is 5,5cm wide! One of the widest I've seen.

 

[steur]

I believe that confirms you as a pro hat chaser, Stefan!

Thanks, Randy. If a pro means making money doing it, I'm doing it wrong!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Thanks, Randy. If a pro means making money doing it, I'm doing it wrong!

Now that’s funny.

 

[mayserwegener]

Thank you, Steve. Very glad to have found it.

Stefan, By the way Závod 101 was Tonak (JHS) Factory Nový Jičín, Czechoslovakia. I have two very early TONAK Formerly Hückel / Plant Hückel Hats made for the United States market. I never looked closely at the paper labels but they are actually modified JHS labels with Czecho Slovakia instead of Czechoslovakia.. Robert (RLK) had a couple too but he took photos of the labels (see below).

Tonak Formerly Hückel "Chamios" (Tonak (JHS) Factory Nový Jičín, Czechoslovakia but marked "Made In Czecho Slovakia") This one is very early.

My Tonak Formerly Hückel and Plant Hückel Hats have similar paper labels (but no photos).

TONAK Formerly Hückel "Zephyr Seal Velour"

https://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/topic/124-tonak-formerly-hückel-plant-hückel/

TONAK Plant Hückel "Lutra"

https://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/topic/124-tonak-formerly-hückel-plant-hückel/?do=findComment&comment=740

TONAK Plant Hückel "Alpha" "Seal Velour", This one is an export to Finland but probably from about same period as yours. Probably just a bit later than the above Tonak Formerly Hückel "Chamios".

 

[steur]

Stefan, By the way Závod 101 was Tonak (JHS) Factory Nový Jičín, Czechoslovakia. I have two very early TONAK Formerly Hückel / Plant Hückel Hats made for the United States market. I never looked closely at the paper labels but they are actually modified JHS labels with Czecho Slovakia instead of Czechoslovakia.. Robert (RLK) had a couple too but he took photos of the labels (see below).

Tonak Formerly Hückel "Chamios" (Tonak (JHS) Factory Nový Jičín, Czechoslovakia but marked "Made In Czecho Slovakia") This one is very early.

My Tonak Formerly Hückel and Plant Hückel Hats have similar paper labels (but no photos).

TONAK Formerly Hückel "Zephyr Seal Velour"

https://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/topic/124-tonak-formerly-hückel-plant-hückel/

TONAK Plant Hückel "Lutra"

https://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/topic/124-tonak-formerly-hückel-plant-hückel/?do=findComment&comment=740

TONAK Plant Hückel "Alpha" "Seal Velour", This one is an export to Finland but probably from about same period as yours. Probably just a bit later than the above Tonak Formerly Hückel "Chamios".

Thanks for posting this great extra information, Steve. Hadn't seen that from the transition period from Hückel to Tonak.