French Hats and makers.

[Daniele Tanto]

Beautiful examples - I think I saw the listing for the Morreton, glad it has made its way to Italy. I have a black velrex myself - identical to yours, and the felt really is quite lovely. I also had a brown velrex, but it turned out too small and I have to move it on. I'm a great fan of this make!

Thanks Wayne for the compliments. Morreton is a hat maker of which I have several examples in my collection. Less known than others (Tirard, Flechet, Mossant) it has an unfriendly quality, that is, some hats are magnificent, others are little and quite low-alloy, however high-quality ones are magnificent examples of French hats

Daniele, Really fantastic Hombug! The Felt color and finish are beautiful. Also like how Ribbon color plays off the Felt.

Daniele, Super looking Velour! It's very dense with a fantastic Velour finish. I also really like the Form and the medium width ribbon and sharp bow design. Very happy to see this one!

Grazie Steve
The homburg Flechet has a splendid combination of colors...but I'm not sure until i had it in my hands.
The Morreton is a real surprise because, as you know well, it is not so common for French hats makers work with velour of this type. I have more examples of "flammand" finish but this is more rare.

 

[M Hatman]

A Mystery hat! The box says Mossant, but the liner shows an American Eagle and flag, and says "Derniere Crèation Paris". I had to buy it, for the mystery and the sweatband. View attachment 235970 View attachment 235971 View attachment 235972 View attachment 235973 View attachment 235974 View attachment 235975 View attachment 235976 View attachment 235977 View attachment 235978

YES!!!! A MUST buy for the museum!!!!!!!!
You COULD NOT DO LESS!!!!!
Wonderful!!!

 

[drmaxtejeda]

YES!!!! A MUST buy for the museum!!!!!!!!
You COULD NOT DO LESS!!!!!
Wonderful!!! View attachment 236050

Hahaha! It is beautiful, isn't it, Mark?

 

[M Hatman]

Hahaha! It is beautiful, isn't it, Mark?

So after this Covid thing what hours will your "World Hat History Museum" be open for viewing. And can we expect a satellite in Chicago (with a revolving "on loan" from the main museum display)?!?!?!?!?!

 

[steur]

So after this Covid thing what hours will your "World Hat History Museum" be open for viewing. And can we expect a satellite in Chicago (with a revolving "on loan" from the main museum display)?!?!?!?!?!

Most museums offer virtual tours through internet these days, so we expect nothing less from one of Mexico's main attractions!

 

[M Hatman]

Most museums offer virtual tours through internet these days, so we expect nothing less from one of Mexico's main attractions!

While I view the "virtual" museums as an interesting occasional diversion, it can in no way replace seeing something in person. You cannot "feel the felt" on a phone screen....

However, I am sure seeing the virtual hat museum will make me want to get in the car for a live visit!

 

[alanfgag]

I have very little information on this cork boater other than the reference (and patent notation) to this enterprise in Toulon. I have never seen another like it. The only markings behind the sweatband are "55" which I assume is a size in cm. It is very small.

 

[Tukwila]

I have very little information on this cork boater other than the reference (and patent notation) to this enterprise in Toulon. I have never seen another like it. The only markings behind the sweatband are "55" which I assume is a size in cm. It is very small.

A real corker!

 

[alanfgag]

I knew I forgot a photo, I’ll also add it to the appropriate thread. #6876
View attachment 242589

I decide to leave that one on the table - thanks for using. ;^)

I was also thinking to call it a "floater"...

 

[Frunobulax]

I decide to leave that one on the table - thanks for using. ;^)

I was also thinking to call it a "floater"...

A show "stopper?"

Either way, incredible. I assume it was carved out of one large piece of cork?

 

[mayserwegener]

I have very little information on this cork boater other than the reference (and patent notation) to this enterprise in Toulon. I have never seen another like it. The only markings behind the sweatband are "55" which I assume is a size in cm. It is very small.

Alan, Really fantastic!

 

[alanfgag]

A show "stopper?"

Either way, incredible. I assume it was carved out of one large piece of cork?

Definitely one way to float your boater. Actually, the crown is assembled from four pieces (I think) with a top piece and brim as separate pieces. I think you can see from the photos that the brim appears to be a lamination of two thinner sheets.

Alan, Really fantastic!

Thanks Steve... as so often the case, I wish it were a little larger. ;^)

 

[steur]

I have very little information on this cork boater other than the reference (and patent notation) to this enterprise in Toulon. I have never seen another like it. The only markings behind the sweatband are "55" which I assume is a size in cm. It is very small.

That is certainly different. I wonder how it was constructed to prevent the brittle cork from crumbling.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

I have very little information on this cork boater other than the reference (and patent notation) to this enterprise in Toulon. I have never seen another like it. The only markings behind the sweatband are "55" which I assume is a size in cm. It is very small.

Alan,
It is a rarity even if in the south of Italy some fifty years ago some hat or part of the cork hat was seen. Almost certainly the cork used here comes from Corsica or Sardinia which have been producing islands of this precious material for many years in the Mediterranean. Now the cork oak forests are almost completely abandoned. The hat seems to be built in Toulon with a well-indicated patent, therefore I believe the production was present for a few years in the French port of the Mediterranean. Where it was sold? Have you from USA or Europe?
No datas from the search of name of chapellerie in Toulon with that name

 

[Rmccamey]

Very unique!

I have very little information on this cork boater other than the reference (and patent notation) to this enterprise in Toulon. I have never seen another like it. The only markings behind the sweatband are "55" which I assume is a size in cm. It is very small.

 

[M Hatman]

Never seen a cork boater but I do have an US Army Artillery Officers Helmet from around 1879 made entirely of cork with wool cloth covering.....This was common for these helmets for many army's in this era....cork is fairly thick (about a 3/8").
Yes,
that boater is cool!!!! AND has the advantage of floating should it go overboard if you are on an actual boat!

 

[alanfgag]

Thank for your comments. The construction of the hat shows a bit more in the photos below. The cork is very supple - not crumbly at all, though a few chips have accumulated through the years.

The only mark that I can find behind the sweatband is this, which I assume is a size.

 

[Guardian Enzo]

New Flechet (my first) Baku (my first) picked up cheap off a buyer in France. A bit of a beater but amazingly light and cool.

 

[Tukwila]

Nice Baku!

 

[Guardian Enzo]

Like its new owner, it’s seen better days but tries not to act like it...