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A new addition to the collection. A hat I picked up yesterday and I'm quite happy with because I haven't got one of these yet. For lack of a real brand name: Prima Qualitäts Velourhut, dark blue (not black), size 57 (5 on the label), 6 cm brim and 10,5 cm crown at the
pinch, unlined. More a longhair finish than a velour if you ask me, but who's complaining? "Der Hut mit der Krone" on the label, but no idea who the maker was or about it's age. An older one, judging by the sweatband and bow. Late forties, early fifties maybe?
Stefan, Great find! I am not sure who made it. The paper label format doesn't ring a bell. I think your dating is ok. The description on the left is interesting.
Echter / Prima Velour requires Hare fur + hot wet brushing (originally manual, manual + auto, just auto) during felting. I don't think the nap is long enough to be considered Soleil which can be Echter / Real Velour same with Flamand if Hare + hot wet brushed during felting. Have you looked at this article (essential reading if you are interested in Velour or Specialty finishes)?
http://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/216-hair-velour-real-echter-velour-prime-prima-velour-fabrikation-von-damen-und-herren-filzhüten-der-deustchen-hutmacher-zeitung-1933/?hl=echter
From above article.
(The unclipped (unshorn) velour hair is called “Flamand”, in this case the hair is long, undulated, soft and glossy as it reflects a lot of light. When the tips are clipped off and the hair is ironed all around or from top to bottom one talks about “Soleil”. Most difficult is the production of upright “open” Velour because in this case a particular tightness (or density?) and sturdiness of the hair is necessary and it is significantly harder to produce the same amount of gloss as where an entire, smooth surface displays.)
This hat is a good example because it uses the description "Echter Velour - Soleil".
I am not sure if I have encountered another hat that makes this distinction.
http://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/281-echter-velour-soleil/
Usually the hat is marked Echter or Prima Velour or nothing. For example this S. J Fraenkel which I would say is Echter Velour - Soleil but no description.
http://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/12-s-j-fraenkel-wien/#entry1190
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