Matt, Thank you! J. C. Förster & Sohn appears to pre date Max Förster Hutfabrik.. Max might have been a son. We will have to look into that.Hut-Fabrik J. C. Förster & Sohn - Altenburg
invoice 24.02.1880: "1 Dutzend Knabenhüte" (= a dozen boys' hats)
https://sachsen.digital/werkansicht...rid]=0&cHash=6d273ca184514979a4c26ee792b166f4
Should be connected to Max Förster Hutfabrik:
https://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/topic/279-max-förster-hutfabrik/
Thanks Steve, I thought of a son, too, but I found a newspaper advertisement for “Altenburger Hutfabrik vormals Max Förster“ from 1889 I think, but I forgot to save this one. Have to check again...
I wouldn't call it "nothing very special", Matt. Any Boater that has survived so long is special to me, especially one with a Bon Ton Ivy sweatband weave.German boater ("Kreissäge") of unknown brand
The label looks familiar to me, but I haven't been able
to make the connection to a manufacturer yet.
"Hemdenmatz" should be the seller/wholesaler
(It's a nickname for a small child wearing only a shirt;
but it's also funny because my nickname is Matze)
crown height at 9 cm, brim at 5 cm
The hat itself with the black hat band, the bow treatment
and also the weaving is nothing very special,
but rather the standard boater as it was common
in Central Europe in the 20s and 30s...
What makes it special, however, is the bon ton ivy sweatband
and the wind cord; the hat is also in (almost) unworn condition
and fits me like a glove (I had to search for a long time...)
Wonderful find, Matt.J. Hückel's Söhne "Chamois" in a wonderful dark blue
The pictures are too dark, but one fits in terms of color.
open crown at 14 cm, brim at 5 cm; maybe late 30s
Unfortunately it's small, but my wife chose the hat anyway
(Sorry, Panos, this is the second one, but your stack is not in danger)
I think this is the first pre-war Hückel chamoise we have -
at least I've only found wonderful hats here with this finish
that are from the 50s and well known.
But maybe Steve has something up his sleeve?
The hat was sold at L. R. Zeumer, a shop belonging to the
well-known and traditional family of furriers and hat makers:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/german-austrian-hutmachers.32103/post-1285010
https://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/topic/84-l-r-zeumer-hutfabrik-mannheim/
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pelzwaren_N._R._Zeumer,_Mannheim_1903.jpg
At the last link there is also a slightly more detailed version of the data
on the Zeumer family that Steve compiled/obtained from the Mannheim archive:
Company history:
According to a document, the Zeumers have been working as hat makers since 1639.
In 1786, at the age of 39, Johann Heinrich Zeumer became self-employed as a hatter
and furrier in Schleiz, Thuringia. He will be 73 years old.
1785 Birth of the son Johann Sebastian, who also learned his father's craft and
was already a master craftsman when he married in 1811.
1821 Birth of his son, Heinrich Gustav, who also took up the profession.
When he married in 1844, he had already passed his master's examination.
In 1857 their son Louis Richard Zeumer was born, who also learned the craft
of furriers and hat makers. After a time in London, he set up his own business
in Mannheim on December 1, 1886 (see advertisement).
In 1888 he moved to Breite Straße.
In 1885 he moved to the last location (1987) at Mannheim H 1, 6.
The renowned Zeumer bathing establishment also opened in 1885.
As part of a contract with the city of Mannheim, this was one of
Mannheim's five private pools until the city's Herschelbad was opened.
The two sons Richard and Arthur also learned the hat making and furrier trade.
In 1921 Richard Zeumer went to America, where, after a number of years of travel,
he ran a renowned fur business in Argentina until 1956.
In 1926, Louis Richard Zeumer took over the H 1, 6-7 business after his father
retired to his retirement home, a farm on Lake Constance, where he died at the age of 84.
In 1927, the Heisel hat shop, located next to H 1, 7, was taken over and connected
to the previous business premises with a major renovation. At the beginning of the 1930s
it was the largest hat and cap shop in southern Germany. Even after the Second World War,
40 waitresses often sold 2,000 or more men's hats on Christmas Saturdays and Sundays,
not counting the caps.
On September 6, 1943, the company building was completely destroyed in a bomb attack.
The relocated machines were soon relocated to a new location, Mannheim S 1, 3,
and fell victim to another bomb attack that same night. After purchasing new machines,
initially installed in S 1 5, then in Mannheim S 1, 2, production of Wehrmacht canine vests
was resumed. The business continued even after the main business was rebuilt,
although it was not satisfactorily profitable due to its unfavorable location.
It was not until 1948, three years after the end of the war, that Arthur Zeumer's son,
Richard, returned from captivity. He had a sister. He studied agriculture before
joining the company. He took over the newly opened branch in Bad Kreuznach,
the former Heinrich Erkenroth store.
In 1949 the first phase of the old, bombed-out house was restored.
In 1966, the completely rebuilt Kreuznach branch was converted into its own company,
and in 1980 it was enlarged as part of another renovation.
In 1966, the former company Janzer + Block in Weinheim/Bergstraße was also taken over.
In 1987, the 7th generation, wholesale and foreign trade merchant Thomas Zeumer,
son of Ingeborg and Werner Zeumer, celebrated the company's 200th anniversary.
The main company had now undergone some major renovations. Henning Zeumer,
son of Richard Zeumer, was supposed to take over the business in Bad Kreuznach.
Richard Zeumer was also chairman of the Bad Kreuznach retail association at the time;
Werner Zeumer Senior master of the Southwest Furriers' Guild and long-standing
board member of the Central Association of the German Furriers' Trade as well as
one of the vice presidents of the Rhine-Neckar Chamber of Industry and Commerce,
as well as a commercial judge and employee in the economic development committee
of the city of Mannheim.
Source (google translation):
M. S.: Zweihundert Jahre Zeumer. In: Die Pelzwirtschaft Nr. 1, 14. Februar 1987,
C. B. Verlag Carl Boldt, Berlin, S. 48 (Bild). --- Pelz-International Januar 1987,
Rhenania Fachverlag Hamburg, S. 26-27, 34 (Ohne Autorenangabe: 200 Jahre Zeumer)
(Firmengeschichte) / Collection G. & C. Franke
I'll second Steve's comment and add great research and glad my stack remains safeJ. Hückel's Söhne "Chamois" in a wonderful dark blue
The pictures are too dark, but one fits in terms of color.
open crown at 14 cm, brim at 5 cm; maybe late 30s
Unfortunately it's small, but my wife chose the hat anyway
(Sorry, Panos, this is the second one, but your stack is not in danger)
I think this is the first pre-war Hückel chamoise we have -
at least I've only found wonderful hats here with this finish
that are from the 50s and well known.
But maybe Steve has something up his sleeve?
The hat was sold at L. R. Zeumer, a shop belonging to the
well-known and traditional family of furriers and hat makers:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/german-austrian-hutmachers.32103/post-1285010
https://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/topic/84-l-r-zeumer-hutfabrik-mannheim/
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pelzwaren_N._R._Zeumer,_Mannheim_1903.jpg
At the last link there is also a slightly more detailed version of the data
on the Zeumer family that Steve compiled/obtained from the Mannheim archive:
Company history:
According to a document, the Zeumers have been working as hat makers since 1639.
In 1786, at the age of 39, Johann Heinrich Zeumer became self-employed as a hatter
and furrier in Schleiz, Thuringia. He will be 73 years old.
1785 Birth of the son Johann Sebastian, who also learned his father's craft and
was already a master craftsman when he married in 1811.
1821 Birth of his son, Heinrich Gustav, who also took up the profession.
When he married in 1844, he had already passed his master's examination.
In 1857 their son Louis Richard Zeumer was born, who also learned the craft
of furriers and hat makers. After a time in London, he set up his own business
in Mannheim on December 1, 1886 (see advertisement).
In 1888 he moved to Breite Straße.
In 1885 he moved to the last location (1987) at Mannheim H 1, 6.
The renowned Zeumer bathing establishment also opened in 1885.
As part of a contract with the city of Mannheim, this was one of
Mannheim's five private pools until the city's Herschelbad was opened.
The two sons Richard and Arthur also learned the hat making and furrier trade.
In 1921 Richard Zeumer went to America, where, after a number of years of travel,
he ran a renowned fur business in Argentina until 1956.
In 1926, Louis Richard Zeumer took over the H 1, 6-7 business after his father
retired to his retirement home, a farm on Lake Constance, where he died at the age of 84.
In 1927, the Heisel hat shop, located next to H 1, 7, was taken over and connected
to the previous business premises with a major renovation. At the beginning of the 1930s
it was the largest hat and cap shop in southern Germany. Even after the Second World War,
40 waitresses often sold 2,000 or more men's hats on Christmas Saturdays and Sundays,
not counting the caps.
On September 6, 1943, the company building was completely destroyed in a bomb attack.
The relocated machines were soon relocated to a new location, Mannheim S 1, 3,
and fell victim to another bomb attack that same night. After purchasing new machines,
initially installed in S 1 5, then in Mannheim S 1, 2, production of Wehrmacht canine vests
was resumed. The business continued even after the main business was rebuilt,
although it was not satisfactorily profitable due to its unfavorable location.
It was not until 1948, three years after the end of the war, that Arthur Zeumer's son,
Richard, returned from captivity. He had a sister. He studied agriculture before
joining the company. He took over the newly opened branch in Bad Kreuznach,
the former Heinrich Erkenroth store.
In 1949 the first phase of the old, bombed-out house was restored.
In 1966, the completely rebuilt Kreuznach branch was converted into its own company,
and in 1980 it was enlarged as part of another renovation.
In 1966, the former company Janzer + Block in Weinheim/Bergstraße was also taken over.
In 1987, the 7th generation, wholesale and foreign trade merchant Thomas Zeumer,
son of Ingeborg and Werner Zeumer, celebrated the company's 200th anniversary.
The main company had now undergone some major renovations. Henning Zeumer,
son of Richard Zeumer, was supposed to take over the business in Bad Kreuznach.
Richard Zeumer was also chairman of the Bad Kreuznach retail association at the time;
Werner Zeumer Senior master of the Southwest Furriers' Guild and long-standing
board member of the Central Association of the German Furriers' Trade as well as
one of the vice presidents of the Rhine-Neckar Chamber of Industry and Commerce,
as well as a commercial judge and employee in the economic development committee
of the city of Mannheim.
Source (google translation):
M. S.: Zweihundert Jahre Zeumer. In: Die Pelzwirtschaft Nr. 1, 14. Februar 1987,
C. B. Verlag Carl Boldt, Berlin, S. 48 (Bild). --- Pelz-International Januar 1987,
Rhenania Fachverlag Hamburg, S. 26-27, 34 (Ohne Autorenangabe: 200 Jahre Zeumer)
(Firmengeschichte) / Collection G. & C. Franke
Gorgeous find, Matt. Interesting history as well.J. Hückel's Söhne "Chamois" in a wonderful dark blue
The pictures are too dark, but one fits in terms of color.
open crown at 14 cm, brim at 5 cm; maybe late 30s
Unfortunately it's small, but my wife chose the hat anyway
(Sorry, Panos, this is the second one, but your stack is not in danger)
I think this is the first pre-war Hückel chamoise we have -
at least I've only found wonderful hats here with this finish
that are from the 50s and well known.
But maybe Steve has something up his sleeve?
The hat was sold at L. R. Zeumer, a shop belonging to the
well-known and traditional family of furriers and hat makers:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/german-austrian-hutmachers.32103/post-1285010
https://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/topic/84-l-r-zeumer-hutfabrik-mannheim/
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pelzwaren_N._R._Zeumer,_Mannheim_1903.jpg
At the last link there is also a slightly more detailed version of the data
on the Zeumer family that Steve compiled/obtained from the Mannheim archive:
Company history:
According to a document, the Zeumers have been working as hat makers since 1639.
In 1786, at the age of 39, Johann Heinrich Zeumer became self-employed as a hatter
and furrier in Schleiz, Thuringia. He will be 73 years old.
1785 Birth of the son Johann Sebastian, who also learned his father's craft and
was already a master craftsman when he married in 1811.
1821 Birth of his son, Heinrich Gustav, who also took up the profession.
When he married in 1844, he had already passed his master's examination.
In 1857 their son Louis Richard Zeumer was born, who also learned the craft
of furriers and hat makers. After a time in London, he set up his own business
in Mannheim on December 1, 1886 (see advertisement).
In 1888 he moved to Breite Straße.
In 1885 he moved to the last location (1987) at Mannheim H 1, 6.
The renowned Zeumer bathing establishment also opened in 1885.
As part of a contract with the city of Mannheim, this was one of
Mannheim's five private pools until the city's Herschelbad was opened.
The two sons Richard and Arthur also learned the hat making and furrier trade.
In 1921 Richard Zeumer went to America, where, after a number of years of travel,
he ran a renowned fur business in Argentina until 1956.
In 1926, Louis Richard Zeumer took over the H 1, 6-7 business after his father
retired to his retirement home, a farm on Lake Constance, where he died at the age of 84.
In 1927, the Heisel hat shop, located next to H 1, 7, was taken over and connected
to the previous business premises with a major renovation. At the beginning of the 1930s
it was the largest hat and cap shop in southern Germany. Even after the Second World War,
40 waitresses often sold 2,000 or more men's hats on Christmas Saturdays and Sundays,
not counting the caps.
On September 6, 1943, the company building was completely destroyed in a bomb attack.
The relocated machines were soon relocated to a new location, Mannheim S 1, 3,
and fell victim to another bomb attack that same night. After purchasing new machines,
initially installed in S 1 5, then in Mannheim S 1, 2, production of Wehrmacht canine vests
was resumed. The business continued even after the main business was rebuilt,
although it was not satisfactorily profitable due to its unfavorable location.
It was not until 1948, three years after the end of the war, that Arthur Zeumer's son,
Richard, returned from captivity. He had a sister. He studied agriculture before
joining the company. He took over the newly opened branch in Bad Kreuznach,
the former Heinrich Erkenroth store.
In 1949 the first phase of the old, bombed-out house was restored.
In 1966, the completely rebuilt Kreuznach branch was converted into its own company,
and in 1980 it was enlarged as part of another renovation.
In 1966, the former company Janzer + Block in Weinheim/Bergstraße was also taken over.
In 1987, the 7th generation, wholesale and foreign trade merchant Thomas Zeumer,
son of Ingeborg and Werner Zeumer, celebrated the company's 200th anniversary.
The main company had now undergone some major renovations. Henning Zeumer,
son of Richard Zeumer, was supposed to take over the business in Bad Kreuznach.
Richard Zeumer was also chairman of the Bad Kreuznach retail association at the time;
Werner Zeumer Senior master of the Southwest Furriers' Guild and long-standing
board member of the Central Association of the German Furriers' Trade as well as
one of the vice presidents of the Rhine-Neckar Chamber of Industry and Commerce,
as well as a commercial judge and employee in the economic development committee
of the city of Mannheim.
Source (google translation):
M. S.: Zweihundert Jahre Zeumer. In: Die Pelzwirtschaft Nr. 1, 14. Februar 1987,
C. B. Verlag Carl Boldt, Berlin, S. 48 (Bild). --- Pelz-International Januar 1987,
Rhenania Fachverlag Hamburg, S. 26-27, 34 (Ohne Autorenangabe: 200 Jahre Zeumer)
(Firmengeschichte) / Collection G. & C. Franke
Here is the aforementioned advertisement in the "Hannoverscher Courier" of March 6, 1889:
"Altenburger Hutfabrik vorm. [vormals = formerly!!!] Max Förster"
This is an advertisement inviting all shareholders
"to the second ordinary general meeting to be held on Thursday, March 28,
at 3 o'clock in the afternoon at the Hotel Wettiner Hof in Altenburg".
I always thought that "Max Förster" was the name of the hat factory until World War II -
at least it was known by that name until then (and beyond)...
But now it could be that Max was one of the sons of J. C. Förster,
who took over his father's company after 1880 and before 1889
and first renamed it "Max Förster".
A little later, he turned it into a public limited company,
which was then given the official name "Altenburger Hutfabrik"
and the addition "vormals Max Förster" to identify the original sole owner
(his and his father's "good name" were already known).
But that's nothing certain at the moment - pure speculation...
Matt, Super find! I will have to see if I can find a similar paper label. It's in great condition and you wear it well.German boater ("Kreissäge") of unknown brand
The label looks familiar to me, but I haven't been able
to make the connection to a manufacturer yet.
"Hemdenmatz" should be the seller/wholesaler
(It's a nickname for a small child wearing only a shirt;
but it's also funny because my nickname is Matze)
crown height at 9 cm, brim at 5 cm
The hat itself with the black hat band, the bow treatment
and also the weaving is nothing very special,
but rather the standard boater as it was common
in Central Europe in the 20s and 30s...
What makes it special, however, is the bon ton ivy sweatband
and the wind cord; the hat is also in (almost) unworn condition
and fits me like a glove (I had to search for a long time...)
Matt, A really Fantastic find! I like everything about and it's super condition. It has the JHS Soft Felts Post WWI Type 2 paper label.J. Hückel's Söhne "Chamois" in a wonderful dark blue
The pictures are too dark, but one fits in terms of color.
open crown at 14 cm, brim at 5 cm; maybe late 30s
Unfortunately it's small, but my wife chose the hat anyway
(Sorry, Panos, this is the second one, but your stack is not in danger)
I think this is the first pre-war Hückel chamoise we have -
at least I've only found wonderful hats here with this finish
that are from the 50s and well known.
But maybe Steve has something up his sleeve?
The hat was sold at L. R. Zeumer, a shop belonging to the
well-known and traditional family of furriers and hat makers:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/german-austrian-hutmachers.32103/post-1285010
https://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/topic/84-l-r-zeumer-hutfabrik-mannheim/
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pelzwaren_N._R._Zeumer,_Mannheim_1903.jpg
At the last link there is also a slightly more detailed version of the data
on the Zeumer family that Steve compiled/obtained from the Mannheim archive:
Company history:
According to a document, the Zeumers have been working as hat makers since 1639.
In 1786, at the age of 39, Johann Heinrich Zeumer became self-employed as a hatter
and furrier in Schleiz, Thuringia. He will be 73 years old.
1785 Birth of the son Johann Sebastian, who also learned his father's craft and
was already a master craftsman when he married in 1811.
1821 Birth of his son, Heinrich Gustav, who also took up the profession.
When he married in 1844, he had already passed his master's examination.
In 1857 their son Louis Richard Zeumer was born, who also learned the craft
of furriers and hat makers. After a time in London, he set up his own business
in Mannheim on December 1, 1886 (see advertisement).
In 1888 he moved to Breite Straße.
In 1885 he moved to the last location (1987) at Mannheim H 1, 6.
The renowned Zeumer bathing establishment also opened in 1885.
As part of a contract with the city of Mannheim, this was one of
Mannheim's five private pools until the city's Herschelbad was opened.
The two sons Richard and Arthur also learned the hat making and furrier trade.
In 1921 Richard Zeumer went to America, where, after a number of years of travel,
he ran a renowned fur business in Argentina until 1956.
In 1926, Louis Richard Zeumer took over the H 1, 6-7 business after his father
retired to his retirement home, a farm on Lake Constance, where he died at the age of 84.
In 1927, the Heisel hat shop, located next to H 1, 7, was taken over and connected
to the previous business premises with a major renovation. At the beginning of the 1930s
it was the largest hat and cap shop in southern Germany. Even after the Second World War,
40 waitresses often sold 2,000 or more men's hats on Christmas Saturdays and Sundays,
not counting the caps.
On September 6, 1943, the company building was completely destroyed in a bomb attack.
The relocated machines were soon relocated to a new location, Mannheim S 1, 3,
and fell victim to another bomb attack that same night. After purchasing new machines,
initially installed in S 1 5, then in Mannheim S 1, 2, production of Wehrmacht canine vests
was resumed. The business continued even after the main business was rebuilt,
although it was not satisfactorily profitable due to its unfavorable location.
It was not until 1948, three years after the end of the war, that Arthur Zeumer's son,
Richard, returned from captivity. He had a sister. He studied agriculture before
joining the company. He took over the newly opened branch in Bad Kreuznach,
the former Heinrich Erkenroth store.
In 1949 the first phase of the old, bombed-out house was restored.
In 1966, the completely rebuilt Kreuznach branch was converted into its own company,
and in 1980 it was enlarged as part of another renovation.
In 1966, the former company Janzer + Block in Weinheim/Bergstraße was also taken over.
In 1987, the 7th generation, wholesale and foreign trade merchant Thomas Zeumer,
son of Ingeborg and Werner Zeumer, celebrated the company's 200th anniversary.
The main company had now undergone some major renovations. Henning Zeumer,
son of Richard Zeumer, was supposed to take over the business in Bad Kreuznach.
Richard Zeumer was also chairman of the Bad Kreuznach retail association at the time;
Werner Zeumer Senior master of the Southwest Furriers' Guild and long-standing
board member of the Central Association of the German Furriers' Trade as well as
one of the vice presidents of the Rhine-Neckar Chamber of Industry and Commerce,
as well as a commercial judge and employee in the economic development committee
of the city of Mannheim.
Source (google translation):
M. S.: Zweihundert Jahre Zeumer. In: Die Pelzwirtschaft Nr. 1, 14. Februar 1987,
C. B. Verlag Carl Boldt, Berlin, S. 48 (Bild). --- Pelz-International Januar 1987,
Rhenania Fachverlag Hamburg, S. 26-27, 34 (Ohne Autorenangabe: 200 Jahre Zeumer)
(Firmengeschichte) / Collection G. & C. Franke
John, Great find! The Velour looks fantastic. It could be early 1950s maybe a bit later. At this time Lembert produced their on Velour felt not just finished.
Thanks Steve!
Thanks, Steve, for the great research as always!Matt, I am sorry I took some time to reply. I found some interesting formation about "Max Förster Haar und Wollfilz Hutfabrik" and J.C. Förster & Sohn Hutfabrik mentioned in " Handbuch der Leistungsfähigkeit der gesammten Industrie Deutschlands, Oesterreichs Elsass-Lothringens und der Schweiz Volume 2 By Christoph Sandler · 1874"
Altenburg
Capital and residential town, 5 m south of Leipzig with 20,000 inhabitants
Max Förster, Hair and Wool Felt Hat Factory.
Founder in 1867 and owner Max Förster. He delivers 20 dozen hats daily and employs 10 workers
J. C. Förster & Son, Hat Factory.
Founded by Joh. Conr. Förster and owned by Gustav Förster since 1862. He employs 40 people.
Excellent find, John. Don't see Lembert hats often. Why did it have to be green though...?
Matt, I will also see what else I can find. It would be interesting to see how far back J. C. Förster & Söhne went.
