French Hats and makers.

[Daniele Tanto]

I have a special place in my heart for French hats. I have many and from different eras having found splendid opportunities on the European market. Probably without the French hat of the nineteenth century we will not have hats as we know and love them.

Today I show you a Sools made by Mossant

Sools was a shop that branded the hats produced with its own name.

This is a Sools - Mossant Imperial size 58 or 5 1/2 on the French size scale or 7 1/4 on the American scale

The hat is in very malleable felt with some very refined construction details, see the finish of the brim



The color is "Plomb" (Lead) and the ribbon matches it as color

These are the measures of this elegance: brim are 5.5 cm, the open crown measures 12.5 cm. and the ribbon is 4cm
It is not my size. Lovers of European hats are warned

 

[Daniele Tanto]

In my search for French hats, I came across a very difficult brand to find because they often produced as subcontractors for large French brands. I have some examples of Ecuyer & Thomas with the original brand and others built for brands like Sools, Motsch and others.

This Ecuyer & Thomas wears what was their last "Chapeau Everest" brand when French hats were on the brink

Ecuyer & Thomas "Everest" size 58 or 5 1/2 in the French size scale or 7 1/4 in the American one

The hat is made of medium weight felt with good construction details

The color is "Faisan" (Pheasant) and the ribbon is the same color


These are the measures of the "Chapeu Everest": brim are 5 cm, the shaped crown measures 10.5 cm. and the ribbon is 4cm.

Another good example of European headwear for those who love it

 

[steur]

In my search for French hats, I came across a very difficult brand to find because they often produced as subcontractors for large French brands. I have some examples of Ecuyer & Thomas with the original brand and others built for brands like Sools, Motsch and others.

This Ecuyer & Thomas wears what was their last "Chapeau Everest" brand when French hats were on the brink

Ecuyer & Thomas "Everest" size 58 or 5 1/2 in the French size scale or 7 1/4 in the American one

The hat is made of medium weight felt with good construction details

The color is "Faisan" (Pheasant) and the ribbon is the same color


These are the measures of the "Chapeu Everest": brim are 5 cm, the shaped crown measures 10.5 cm. and the ribbon is 4cm.

Another good example of European headwear for those who love it

Nice finds, Daniele. For such a large country as France it's kind of surprising the French hats are so difficult to find. Well, the good ones anyway.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Nice finds, Daniele. For such a large country as France it's kind of surprising the French hats are so difficult to find. Well, the good ones anyway.

The question about the scarcity of French hats on the European market is very interesting and I have asked myself it several times. My opinion is this: until the first years after the Second World War, French hatters produced high quality hats, but then it seems to have been the first to lose strength and already in the sixties the quality evidently declined. Then I think it was a problem of commercial expansion in other European markets, perhaps the hats were overpriced and here someone was on sale at impossible prices, when a Borsalino or Barbisio cost two thirds. These are my impressions but they should be deepened

 

[steur]

The question about the scarcity of French hats on the European market is very interesting and I have asked myself it several times. My opinion is this: until the first years after the Second World War, French hatters produced high quality hats, but then it seems to have been the first to lose strength and already in the sixties the quality evidently declined. Then I think it was a problem of commercial expansion in other European markets, perhaps the hats were overpriced and here someone was on sale at impossible prices, when a Borsalino or Barbisio cost two thirds. These are my impressions but they should be deepened

That is certainly plausible based on what I see in the Netherlands is on offer on the vintage market: mostly German produced hats (Mayser and Wegener are dominant) English and Italian hats after that, more or less the same amount. American, French, Belgian and even Dutch hats are few and far between.

 

[Just Daniel]

That’s Dr Max’s size

I have a special place in my heart for French hats. I have many and from different eras having found splendid opportunities on the European market. Probably without the French hat of the nineteenth century we will not have hats as we know and love them.
View attachment 256951
Today I show you a Sools made by Mossant
View attachment 256952
Sools was a shop that branded the hats produced with its own name.
View attachment 256953
This is a Sools - Mossant Imperial size 58 or 5 1/2 on the French size scale or 7 1/4 on the American scale
View attachment 256954
The hat is in very malleable felt with some very refined construction details, see the finish of the brim
View attachment 256956
View attachment 256961
View attachment 256963
The color is "Plomb" (Lead) and the ribbon matches it as color
View attachment 256967
These are the measures of this elegance: brim are 5.5 cm, the open crown measures 12.5 cm. and the ribbon is 4cm
It is not my size. Lovers of European hats are warned

 

[belfastboy]

That’s Dr Max’s size

he has Ignacio....they are all his size!

 

[Garrett]

Deadstock Boater - this seller has a dozen other boaters (all early) in almost mint condition.

 

[steur]

Deadstock Boater - this seller has a dozen other boaters (all early) in almost mint condition.


View attachment 264463 View attachment 264464 View attachment 264465 View attachment 264466 View attachment 264467

Looks gorgeous, Garrett. How do you know it's French?

 

[Garrett]

Looks gorgeous, Garrett. How do you know it's French?

The back of the tags on these say "Paris"

 

[mayserwegener]

Garrett, Super find! The Brim Edge effect is fantastic. Also really like the Form and Ribbon width + Bow design. I have old German and Austrian hats with similar fine rope cords. Have you similar cords on American hats?

 

[Garrett]

I've seen a few chords on early American manufactured felts as well as boaters.


Here is another that seller has

 

[Garrett]

One of them has a cork crown tip

 

[alanfgag]

These are fantastic... thanks for sharing.

 

[alanfgag]

Detail of an early 20th century fancy western hat with silk rope and tassles.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

he has Ignacio....they are all his size!

Hahaha

 

[drmaxtejeda]

I have a special place in my heart for French hats. I have many and from different eras having found splendid opportunities on the European market. Probably without the French hat of the nineteenth century we will not have hats as we know and love them.
View attachment 256951
Today I show you a Sools made by Mossant
View attachment 256952
Sools was a shop that branded the hats produced with its own name.
View attachment 256953
This is a Sools - Mossant Imperial size 58 or 5 1/2 on the French size scale or 7 1/4 on the American scale
View attachment 256954
The hat is in very malleable felt with some very refined construction details, see the finish of the brim
View attachment 256956
View attachment 256961
View attachment 256963
The color is "Plomb" (Lead) and the ribbon matches it as color
View attachment 256967
These are the measures of this elegance: brim are 5.5 cm, the open crown measures 12.5 cm. and the ribbon is 4cm
It is not my size. Lovers of European hats are warned

Beatiful, Daniele!
For sale?

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Tirard

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Tirard View attachment 269718 View attachment 269719 View attachment 269720 View attachment 269720 View attachment 269721 View attachment 269722 View attachment 269723 View attachment 269724 View attachment 269725 View attachment 269726

Hmmm...7 5/8, and Christmas is coming up!

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Beatiful, Daniele!
For sale?

Yes. See your PM section for details