Dunlap Superior

[DanielJones]

Well I got me a fairly pretty one today. It's a brand that I have little knowledge of so if anyone here can enlighten me on the pedigree of this hat it would be most appreciated. It is a Dunlap Superior, Browning-King Co. They state that it is from the 20's or 30's, although I'm not totally sure about that claim.
The leather sweatband and the liner appear to be in pretty good shape. As does the body of the hat. It's hard to tell from just the photographs, but it may never have been worn. Plus, if it is from the 20's, this will be a gem. But I'm not holding my breath. For now, I look at it as a very nice hat that begs to be worn.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110115820729&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=001

So, if anybody has any information to share on this brand I would love to hear about it. Thanks for looking!

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Dinerman]

Yep- that's either '20s or early '30s. It looks brand new.
Great hat!

 

[besdor]

So you beat me to it Dan. I'm glad it went to a fellow lounger. The truth is I think the brim is a little bigger than listed if it's from the 1930's. Enjoy your new hat.




Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Dinerman]

I dunno, I have a '20s hat with a 2-1/4 inch brim, and a '30s hat with a 2-1/8 inch brim.

 

[DanielJones]

Sorry about that Steven. I just saw the hat and jumped on it. I didn't pay attention to who was bidding on it. I could only hope that it is from the 20's. Thank you for your kind words.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Wesne]

I saw that one, too small for me but I'm glad it's going to a good home. Looks like a wonderful hat.

 

[Bogie]

Congratulations Daniel!

You beat me by a dollar, but my mind is put at ease knowing that it went to a fellow lounger who will give it the good home it deserves.
Do post some pictures when it gets in your hands.

 

[DOUGLAS]

Great going DJ!! It is beautiful.

 

[AlanC]

Fantastic. I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

 

[DanielJones]

Thank you gentlemen. Too kind indeed.
I found a little bit of history on the Knox-Dunlap hatters rivalry.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,927954-1,00.html

Hope you find it interesting.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[DanielJones]

Would love to know more...

Other than that article, does anybody have any information about the Dunlap Hat Co. or the Browning-King Co.? What was the quality and such, when were they at their apex? Did they get absorbed and lost their names or did they go the way of the dodo? I would love to know more of the history of the companies that made these hats. Was this a 20's or 30's hat, or was this something they made in the 40's, if they happen to be around then?[huh]

Thank you in advance for any knowledge you can impart on this hat pilgrim.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Highlights from the article:


"The average hat size is 7 1/8."

There are mountains of vintage fedoras in this size!



"The largest hat ever made was a special order from a Ringling Brothers Giant, who weighed 480 pounds and took an 8 7/8."

Which makes us realize all the more how very lucky Big Kahuna was to find this: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=18230



"Figures on hat sales show that many a thrifty U.S. citizen must wear old hats through new seasons, as U. S. hat consumption is only half a hat per capita per annum."

And this was in early 1929, practically at the height of the stock market boom! Heck, we buy fedoras more often than that.

.

 

[dnjan]

Highlights from the article:

"Figures on hat sales show that many a thrifty U.S. citizen must wear old hats through new seasons, as U. S. hat consumption is only half a hat per capita per annum."

And this was in early 1929, practically at the height of the stock market boom! Heck, we buy fedoras more often than that.

.

So that means that as a 50-year-old, I should have owned 25 hats just to be average! Think my wife will accept that statistical interpretation???

 

[RBH]

FANTASTIC!

You did well!

 

[Dinerman]

Well- I've got a derby from Browining King. I think it was a very high end department store. I could be wrong, though.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Beautiful hat, Dan! I'm quite envious!

If that's a Cavanagh Edge, as it looks to be, then the hat dates no earlier than 1930. Knox also used the name "Custom Edge," beginning in 1931, and since Knox owned Dunlap at that point, it looks as if they may have shared the name.

Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see more photos!

Brad

 

[RedPop4]

I watched that hat. It's lovely.
I'm on the lookout for hats that color.

 

[Jerekson]

Nothing gets my blood pumping like an open-crowned hat.

Nice catch, my friend.

 

[nulty]

So that means that as a 50-year-old, I should have owned 25 hats just to be average! Think my wife will accept that statistical interpretation???

She'll have to now won't she , after all it's a statistical reality.....

There'e no avoiding it....

 

[DanielJones]

Thank you folks! Well, I got word that it shipped today so it should be on my doorstep by Monday. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Cheers!

Dan