German & Austrian Hutmachers

[yttclothing]

It is a 56 which is a shame I always get 55 56 57, I need 59 or 60 but alas less common it seems, I've had one before by the same maker which had a damaged ribbon that I sold on ebay, I remember it only because the velour was so soft. Hopefully when I get another shipment there will be some more interesting hats!

 

[mayserwegener]

Yes it's very hard to find 59 and especially 60cm Euro vintage hats. I seem to recall that other Koch-Velour. Was it a city dress hat or Trachten? Looking forward to your next shipment!

 

[mayserwegener]

M.W.B. Stolzf. Luxury Velour, Stone Gray, measures 58cm, 2 3/8 inch brim, 5 1/2 inch open crown, very good condition, probably 1930s. I have been looking for one of these shiny gray Velours in my size for a long time. The Velour is really fantastic on this one! I am not familiar with the company initials but I was able to find information on the Berlin store (Leineweber) it was made for.

Bernward Leineweber, Berlin C Alter Köllnischer Fischmarkt, 1900

The building (Derfflingerpalais) was destroyed in 1944 and demolished in 1959.

Das Derfflinger-Haus am Köllnischen Fischmarkt machte der Große Kurfürst seinern erfolgreichen Feldherren zum Geschenk. Das 1567 erbaute zweistöckige Haus baute Nering dem Generalfeldmarschall zu einem dreistöckigen Palais um, das vor der Jahrhundertwende das Bekleidungshaus Leineweber übernahm, Das Haus wurde 1944 zerstört und 1959 abgetragen.*

 

[mikespens]

Congrats Steve, it's a beaut.

 

[mayserwegener]

Mike, Thanks!

 

[Garrett]

Gorgeous :eusa_clap

 

[ManofKent]

Steve - that's stunning.

 

[Chepstow]

Steve, stunning Velour, a wonderful and special find, congrats my friend!

 

[mayserwegener]

Garrett, Richard, Manfred, Thanks!

 

[mayserwegener]

I am thinking MWB might be Max Wiese Herrenhüte G.m.b.H, Berlin - Steglitz. The letters match up and the location fits. The only problem is that the later MW hats have MBW on the paper label.

Manfred, Do you know what word(s) "Stolzf." might be?

 

[Chepstow]

Sorry Steve, no Idea! It's a shortcut, but what?

 

[mayserwegener]

It must be some word that starts with f combined with Stolz but not sure. I couldn't find anything with Stolzf...?

 

[Ghost Rider]

It must be some word that starts with f combined with Stolz but not sure.

It would be the other way round, i.e. starting with "Stolz". The only guesses I can make are "Stolzfabrik" or maybe "Stolzfilz".:eusa_doh:

 

[Chepstow]

That is a good point to search for, Ghost!

 

[Ghost Rider]

...although my initial search results didn't reveal anything...

 

[mayserwegener]

It would be the other way round, i.e. starting with "Stolz". The only guesses I can make are "Stolzfabrik" or maybe "Stolzfilz".:eusa_doh:

Yes that is what I meant. The second word begins with an "f". Your guess (Stolzfabrik) is a good one. I couldn't find anything with Stolzf... or Stolz F... that would make sense.

 

[Ghost Rider]

More searching on my behalf hasn't revealed anything yet, I'm afraid, although at least I now have an insight to all felt manufacturers in Germany and their history - there's more than I thought

 

[mayserwegener]

Highly possible it's some unique word they came up with. The hat / felt industry in Germany was substantial especially based on population numbers. I have never been able to find a German list (I have one from "The American Hatter" but it's far from complete) of pre WWII producers (for Austria I have a few lists). Please post whatever you find.

 

[Ghost Rider]

OK, I'll post some of the results tomorrow. Most of the current manufacturers are producing for industry, but at least one started out producing felt for hats,

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Would it be reasonable in German to use the word Stolz (pride/proud) to describe something like a velour felt? Stading tall, standing proud, etc. are used in colloquial English to describe a man's engorged [ahem]. It's conceivable therefore that felt with long hairs - standing on end, standing up/out - could be described this way, but only if such a descriptor is/was current in the German language.