Steve, thanks for the extra info. O.H.S. would be Otto H. Schick then. I wonder if they changed the initials on the labels every time another family member took over as head of the business.
Manfred, thanks. What I mean is that when I'm out buying hats it's more the looking for the hats and browsing through them that I enjoy even more than actually finding and buying any (because I have so many already). I can imagine other collectors have the same feeling.
Stefan, I will see if I can find more details about Hut Schick. It's possible they had some type of production. I am not sure if my pre 1940 Stiff Felt has a paper label but I will check.
Stefan, So the brim is the same width all the way around? I have no idea why someone would do this. I tend to think it was done post production. Maybe for the owner by a local hat maker with the proper tools.
Yes, it's the same width. I think you're right that it was done post production. It does look odd though. I have been steaming it a bit more and working the brim a little and that did improve it and it looks more symmetrical now.
niceRockel (Alsfeld), 58cm, Open Crown 5 inches, Brim 2 3/4 inches, probably late 1950s. The hat was machine formed but I was easily able to change the crease. The charcoal colored felt has an interesting finish which is coarser clipped finish so not a Velour. Also has a very nice thin ribbon bow design that is still basted. The only Rockel identifier is on the crown patch and there is only the store name on the sweatband. The paper label has the older Rockel format and look but without the company identifier (R. & Co. A.).
Basting stitches still on bow and thin ribbon.
Splendid looking hat, Steve. Interesting finish too. I always have a bit of a weak spot for these different finished hats.Rockel (Alsfeld), 58cm, Open Crown 5 inches, Brim 2 3/4 inches, probably late 1950s. The hat was machine formed but I was easily able to change the crease. The charcoal colored felt has an interesting finish which is coarser clipped finish so not a Velour. Also has a very nice thin ribbon bow design that is still basted. The only Rockel identifier is on the crown patch and there is only the store name on the sweatband. The paper label has the older Rockel format and look but without the company identifier (R. & Co. A.).
Basting stitches still on bow and thin ribbon.
Stefan, Thanks! I am thinking since Rockel was a Velour producer it is somewhere between a Flamand and a Velour. I am wearing it today so I will take photos in natural light.
Absolutely stunning Steve.Rockel in natural light.
You can see it picked up some tree debris.
You did score a winner there, Steve. I agree with Karl that it shows some blue tones there as well. Could be the light in the picture of course, but this has happened to me on more than one occasion that I picked up a German or Austrian made hat thinking it was dark blue when in fact it was black. Whatever the colour though: great hat.Rockel in natural light.
You can see it picked up some tree debris.
Harv, Thanks!
Stefan, Definitely a problem with the photo color. It's not a solid black but more charcoal. The indoor photos are more accurate color wise.
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