German & Austrian Hutmachers

[ManofKent]

Nice find - post some pics after a clean up too.

 

[Chepstow]

Nice find - post some pics after a clean up too.

+1

 

[esteban68]

Will do, it's rather soft and a bit floppy especially the brim, I wonder if it was made as a 'crushable'?...I've tried steaming it but it still doesn't hold it's shape well though on the head its pretty much ok.

 

[mayserwegener]

Sounds like it needs a re-block / flange. I would have it done open crown. Not a crushable.

 

[esteban68]

thanks for advice on this guys, I've steamed a couple of hats before successfuly using the kettle method but I won't work with this one...any ideas about who could reblock/shape the hat in the UK preferably close -ish to me?

 

[Chepstow]

Esteban, normally everybody who deals with hats. What is with Lock & Co ?
Or you can use a steam iron that has more water pressure, that goes better for steaming!

 

[mayserwegener]

Elegant Homburg, measures 59cm. I believe it's from a East German source and is pre WWII. The liner is soiled but overall condition is good. No paper label.

 

[Chepstow]

Steve, looks great the old one! Good Job done. The steam brought him to a new live. Love that deep Brown Color.
I look forward to a noggin shot!

 

[mayserwegener]

Manfred, Thanks for the assist! I think it will look better in the natural light.

 

[yttclothing]

The Best from todays delivery!

My fav is the Homburg, no branding on it but the liner says Letzte Neuheit, stitched liner so im guessing 50's. Sweatband looks like that used by the East German Hat factories

 

[mayserwegener]

Looks like a nice haul! Any brand names in there? Are they all small sizes? Hopefully you can take some detailed photos.

 

[yttclothing]

Quite a nice haul, a couple of brand names in the whole haul a Lembert traditional hat, a few Mayser, I'll post up some of the nicer ones. I'm plagues with the smaller sizes currently ! Nothing for my head size, Im starting to see 53 & 54 on a regular basis which is most frustrating. Hopefully before Christmas I will get a 100KG shipment then I'm hoping for some larger sizes!

Anyway here is the first

Not uncommon but still a nice hat with a nice feel to it similar to the Antelope Felt used by LH

 

[mayserwegener]

I am especially interested in the light gray one in the first photo and all four in the second photo. Thanks!

 

[yttclothing]

This is the light grey a very small size 54 and some dark marks and moth bites

 

[mayserwegener]

J. Hückel´s Söhne Flexible Melone, measured 57cm, pre WWII. Not mine but from a Czech source. Fantastic offset bow and black liner!

 

[yttclothing]

Love that black liner looks fantastic against the leather a really classy look!

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks! I wish it was mine. I think it could be from around WWI.

The VEB Vereinigte Hutwerke Guben is really nice! You are receiving a lot of early DDR hats!

 

[ManofKent]

Lovely Topas & that melone is gorgeous

 

[ManofKent]

Wegener Homburg

The new Wegener Homburg from Tails & The Unexpected was waiting for me at the Post Office on Saturday (excellent service - was posted 1st class the same afternoon I ordered it). Finally took some photos:













The mug shots show slight residual side dents - it looked okay with them, but I prefer it without, hopefully a little moisture will fully get them out. I don't own a any vintage hats to give a quality comparison, but compared with my Christy's 'Jones' Fedora, the felt is slightly thicker and slightly softer, and the sweatband is much better leather. The liner's glued, the ribbon work is only okay, but I'm very happy for under £80, and I wouldn't say it was over priced at it's original price (£159). It fit's a good half size larger than Christy's (who I always suspected come up slightly small), but I only needed a little padding under the rear of the sweatband.

 

[mayserwegener]

Thank you for the detailed report! I think you got a great deal. The bow work actually looks better than most modern production hats. Does it have the "Ein Natuprodukt Handgefertigt in Deutschland" at the front of the sweatband? It was machine blocked so it will take some effort to get rid of the side dents.