Demon Hanover by Hoyt Hats.

[KarlCrow]

I ran across this thread a few years ago, when I first happened upon the FL. Since that time, "Demon Hanover" has been one of my regular eBay searches. I really, really wanted one. I had no idea why, except for it's apparent rarity. As you can see, the photos up thread are gone - I'd never even seen one. But I wanted one, I just knew it. Never saw one. Last week, one came up on eBay and hey, it was a nice wide-brimmed thin ribbon. Interesting colors, too.

Lo and behold, I won the darn thing at a decent price. I don't know, because of it's rarity and the fact I'd had it in my search for so long, I thought it would climb into the stratosphere. Anyway, the hat came in yesterday. It's absolutely stunning. Great, easily moldable felt in a gray/blue (mostly gray), with a pinkish thin ribbon and brim binding - and a silver/gray wind trolley.

View attachment 90215

Unreeded sweatband that does show some wear, but is still very pliable and has much life left in it. No store markings, just the "Demon Hanover" marker.

View attachment 90216

The liner is great. It was loose and out of the hat when I received it, but I steamed it into shape and re-inserted it.

View attachment 90217

Steamed it to open crown and, as you can see from the above shot - absolutely no ghost creases even after all these years. This is a great hat, I love the color combo.

View attachment 90218

The guts...

View attachment 90219 View attachment 90220

As with the above mentioned label, this has "9/51" on it. Sort of lends credence to it being a date, I guess, but you can never tell about these things.

View attachment 90221

I am hoping perhaps @alanfgag can weigh in on whether this one looks like the other one - hopefully he remembers.

Now I need a box...

View attachment 90222

Love it, and has the salmon / winestain grey thing going on too. Well played.

 

[alanfgag]

The loss of old photographs around these parts is really a shame. Great to see you add a new acquisition to this thread. Here is a link to some additional information and another hat photograph:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/news/4-18-15/rewind-hat-man-connecticut.html

 

[Frunobulax]

Thank you for that, Alan. More to add to the memory bank. So from the photos, other color options were on the table. But the hat's pretty much the same.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[moehawk]

I ran across this thread a few years ago, when I first happened upon the FL. Since that time, "Demon Hanover" has been one of my regular eBay searches. I really, really wanted one. I had no idea why, except for it's apparent rarity. As you can see, the photos up thread are gone - I'd never even seen one. But I wanted one, I just knew it. Never saw one. Last week, one came up on eBay and hey, it was a nice wide-brimmed thin ribbon. Interesting colors, too.

Lo and behold, I won the darn thing at a decent price. I don't know, because of it's rarity and the fact I'd had it in my search for so long, I thought it would climb into the stratosphere. Anyway, the hat came in yesterday. It's absolutely stunning. Great, easily moldable felt in a gray/blue (mostly gray), with a pinkish thin ribbon and brim binding - and a silver/gray wind trolley.

View attachment 90215

Unreeded sweatband that does show some wear, but is still very pliable and has much life left in it. No store markings, just the "Demon Hanover" marker.

View attachment 90216

The liner is great. It was loose and out of the hat when I received it, but I steamed it into shape and re-inserted it.

View attachment 90217

Steamed it to open crown and, as you can see from the above shot - absolutely no ghost creases even after all these years. This is a great hat, I love the color combo.

View attachment 90218

The guts...

View attachment 90219 View attachment 90220

As with the above mentioned label, this has "9/51" on it. Sort of lends credence to it being a date, I guess, but you can never tell about these things.

View attachment 90221

I am hoping perhaps @alanfgag can weigh in on whether this one looks like the other one - hopefully he remembers.

Now I need a box...

View attachment 90222

Devilishly awesome!

 

[Bob Roberts]

It's a great looking one. Glad you got it.

 

[Richard Morgan]

I ran across this thread a few years ago, when I first happened upon the FL. Since that time, "Demon Hanover" has been one of my regular eBay searches. I really, really wanted one. I had no idea why, except for it's apparent rarity. As you can see, the photos up thread are gone - I'd never even seen one. But I wanted one, I just knew it. Never saw one. Last week, one came up on eBay and hey, it was a nice wide-brimmed thin ribbon. Interesting colors, too.

Lo and behold, I won the darn thing at a decent price. I don't know, because of it's rarity and the fact I'd had it in my search for so long, I thought it would climb into the stratosphere. Anyway, the hat came in yesterday. It's absolutely stunning. Great, easily moldable felt in a gray/blue (mostly gray), with a pinkish thin ribbon and brim binding - and a silver/gray wind trolley.

View attachment 90215

Unreeded sweatband that does show some wear, but is still very pliable and has much life left in it. No store markings, just the "Demon Hanover" marker.

View attachment 90216

The liner is great. It was loose and out of the hat when I received it, but I steamed it into shape and re-inserted it.

View attachment 90217

Steamed it to open crown and, as you can see from the above shot - absolutely no ghost creases even after all these years. This is a great hat, I love the color combo.

View attachment 90218

The guts...

View attachment 90219 View attachment 90220

As with the above mentioned label, this has "9/51" on it. Sort of lends credence to it being a date, I guess, but you can never tell about these things.

View attachment 90221

I am hoping perhaps @alanfgag can weigh in on whether this one looks like the other one - hopefully he remembers.

Now I need a box...

View attachment 90222

I think I was your only competition and I was just in it because I thought it was a novelty. Never saw this thread before now.
Glad you got it. I know you'll wear it well.

 

[Frunobulax]

I think I was your only competition and I was just in it because I thought it was a novelty. Never saw this thread before now.
Glad you got it. I know you'll wear it well.

Thank you, Richard. I assure you it will have a place at the top of my collection.

Devilishly awesome!

It's a great looking one. Glad you got it.

Thank you, gentlemen.

 

[40Cal]

I ran across this thread a few years ago, when I first happened upon the FL. Since that time, "Demon Hanover" has been one of my regular eBay searches. I really, really wanted one. I had no idea why, except for it's apparent rarity. As you can see, the photos up thread are gone - I'd never even seen one. But I wanted one, I just knew it. Never saw one. Last week, one came up on eBay and hey, it was a nice wide-brimmed thin ribbon. Interesting colors, too.

Lo and behold, I won the darn thing at a decent price. I don't know, because of it's rarity and the fact I'd had it in my search for so long, I thought it would climb into the stratosphere. Anyway, the hat came in yesterday. It's absolutely stunning. Great, easily moldable felt in a gray/blue (mostly gray), with a pinkish thin ribbon and brim binding - and a silver/gray wind trolley.

View attachment 90215

Unreeded sweatband that does show some wear, but is still very pliable and has much life left in it. No store markings, just the "Demon Hanover" marker.

View attachment 90216

The liner is great. It was loose and out of the hat when I received it, but I steamed it into shape and re-inserted it.

View attachment 90217

Steamed it to open crown and, as you can see from the above shot - absolutely no ghost creases even after all these years. This is a great hat, I love the color combo.

View attachment 90218

The guts...

View attachment 90219 View attachment 90220

As with the above mentioned label, this has "9/51" on it. Sort of lends credence to it being a date, I guess, but you can never tell about these things.

View attachment 90221

I am hoping perhaps @alanfgag can weigh in on whether this one looks like the other one - hopefully he remembers.

Now I need a box...

View attachment 90222

Beautiful hat, Jim! One of the coolest tip logos I've seen. Congrats on the excellent buy!

 

[Redfokker]

I ran across this thread a few years ago, when I first happened upon the FL. Since that time, "Demon Hanover" has been one of my regular eBay searches. I really, really wanted one. I had no idea why, except for it's apparent rarity. As you can see, the photos up thread are gone - I'd never even seen one. But I wanted one, I just knew it. Never saw one. Last week, one came up on eBay and hey, it was a nice wide-brimmed thin ribbon. Interesting colors, too.

Lo and behold, I won the darn thing at a decent price. I don't know, because of it's rarity and the fact I'd had it in my search for so long, I thought it would climb into the stratosphere. Anyway, the hat came in yesterday. It's absolutely stunning. Great, easily moldable felt in a gray/blue (mostly gray), with a pinkish thin ribbon and brim binding - and a silver/gray wind trolley.

View attachment 90215

Unreeded sweatband that does show some wear, but is still very pliable and has much life left in it. No store markings, just the "Demon Hanover" marker.

View attachment 90216

The liner is great. It was loose and out of the hat when I received it, but I steamed it into shape and re-inserted it.

View attachment 90217

Steamed it to open crown and, as you can see from the above shot - absolutely no ghost creases even after all these years. This is a great hat, I love the color combo.

View attachment 90218

The guts...

View attachment 90219 View attachment 90220

As with the above mentioned label, this has "9/51" on it. Sort of lends credence to it being a date, I guess, but you can never tell about these things.

View attachment 90221

I am hoping perhaps @alanfgag can weigh in on whether this one looks like the other one - hopefully he remembers.

Now I need a box...

View attachment 90222

Wow and congratulations on your holy grail find. It is indeed a unique one. Have you done any research on the maker? I love the liner logo. Yay Jim!

 

[KarlCrow]

I keep reading this thread's title as 'Demon Hangover...

 

[Frunobulax]

I keep reading this thread's title as 'Demon Hangover...

Been there.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[moontheloon]

I ran across this thread a few years ago, when I first happened upon the FL. Since that time, "Demon Hanover" has been one of my regular eBay searches. I really, really wanted one. I had no idea why, except for it's apparent rarity. As you can see, the photos up thread are gone - I'd never even seen one. But I wanted one, I just knew it. Never saw one. Last week, one came up on eBay and hey, it was a nice wide-brimmed thin ribbon. Interesting colors, too.

Lo and behold, I won the darn thing at a decent price. I don't know, because of it's rarity and the fact I'd had it in my search for so long, I thought it would climb into the stratosphere. Anyway, the hat came in yesterday. It's absolutely stunning. Great, easily moldable felt in a gray/blue (mostly gray), with a pinkish thin ribbon and brim binding - and a silver/gray wind trolley.

View attachment 90215

Unreeded sweatband that does show some wear, but is still very pliable and has much life left in it. No store markings, just the "Demon Hanover" marker.

View attachment 90216

The liner is great. It was loose and out of the hat when I received it, but I steamed it into shape and re-inserted it.

View attachment 90217

Steamed it to open crown and, as you can see from the above shot - absolutely no ghost creases even after all these years. This is a great hat, I love the color combo.

View attachment 90218

The guts...

View attachment 90219 View attachment 90220

As with the above mentioned label, this has "9/51" on it. Sort of lends credence to it being a date, I guess, but you can never tell about these things.

View attachment 90221

I am hoping perhaps @alanfgag can weigh in on whether this one looks like the other one - hopefully he remembers.

Now I need a box...

View attachment 90222

Gorgeous hat Jim ...just wonderful

I’ll add that box to my box search list for you for sure

You never know


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Frunobulax]

Gorgeous hat Jim ...just wonderful

I’ll add that box to my box search list for you for sure

You never know


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I appreciate that. Ironically, one sold a few weeks ago on Everything but the House. I missed it at the time, but don't know if I'd sprung fir it anyway as I had no idea the hat would come up for sale.

It's a nice hat. The felt is on par with my Dalton OR clone.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[RJR]

I appreciate that. Ironically, one sold a few weeks ago on Everything but the House. I missed it at the time, but don't know if I'd sprung fir it anyway as I had no idea the hat would come up for sale.

It's a nice hat. The felt is on par with my Dalton OR clone.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

that is a great catch.

 

[Frunobulax]

that is a great catch.

Thanks, Bob!


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Frunobulax]

Lightning strikes twice. This one came up with a very low price and I nabbed it. It's a size small at 7 1/8, but a little gentle stretching made it mine with no harm done to the hat. Cleaned it in naphtha (turned the darn stuff black), stretched it a bit, reblocked it, and now I have two!

There is a weak spot in the felt from it's previous handling, but I think it will survive.

 

[Redfokker]

Lightning strikes twice. This one came up with a very low price and I nabbed it. It's a size small at 7 1/8, but a little gentle stretching made it mine with no harm done to the hat. Cleaned it in naphtha (turned the darn stuff black), stretched it a bit, reblocked it, and now I have two!

View attachment 138779 View attachment 138780
There is a weak spot in the felt from it's previous handling, but I think it will survive.

View attachment 138781 View attachment 138782 View attachment 138783 View attachment 138784 View attachment 138785 View attachment 138786 View attachment 138787

Having one of these is rare enough, but two is spectacular Jim. I so enjoyed researching this famous horse and owner. That liner image is priceless. Congratulations Jim.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Lightning strikes twice. This one came up with a very low price and I nabbed it. It's a size small at 7 1/8, but a little gentle stretching made it mine with no harm done to the hat. Cleaned it in naphtha (turned the darn stuff black), stretched it a bit, reblocked it, and now I have two!

View attachment 138779 View attachment 138780
There is a weak spot in the felt from it's previous handling, but I think it will survive.

View attachment 138781 View attachment 138782 View attachment 138783 View attachment 138784 View attachment 138785 View attachment 138786 View attachment 138787

Good job Jim:
You know i’m a big fan of that hat. It’s such a great horse racing story, kind of a Cinderella horse story that ends up with a super super hat.
I’m glad you got it nudged up a bit instead of letting it go.
I could be wrong but it seems to me i read where Hoyt made one of these hats for each of his employees in celebration of winning the Hambletonian, the greatest of all harness races. Maybe it was a special run and not a commercial production. Idk but an interesting perspective.
B

 

[Frunobulax]

Having one of these is rare enough, but two is spectacular Jim. I so enjoyed researching this famous horse and owner. That liner image is priceless. Congratulations Jim.

Thanks, Mike. Never thought I'd have two, either.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Frunobulax]

Good job Jim:
You know i’m a big fan of that hat. It’s such a great horse racing story, kind of a Cinderella horse story that ends up with a super super hat.
I’m glad you got it nudged up a bit instead of letting it go.
I could be wrong but it seems to me i read where Hoyt made one of these hats for each of his employees in celebration of winning the Hambletonian, the greatest of all harness races. Maybe it was a special run and not a commercial production. Idk but an interesting perspective.
B

I struggled for a few days before stretching it. Unreeded sweats can be tricky. I was very close to diverting it your way.

I think you're right about the employees, but I think the production run was for a few years. I subscribe to the theory that the reorder tag has a date. This one would be March, 1953. My previous one is marked September, 1951.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.