Help with {date or identify} a hat please.....!

[brno17]

Ok. Thx for the xplantion. I understand now. So would I. Lol.

Ur wlcm bro ilu

 

[viclip]

Yes it does. It has a plastic wrapper above it... Should that be removed?

No don't remove the plastic liner protector from your Biltmore "Rideau".

You seem to be new to the "good hat" world, I'm sorry that this acquisition wasn't up to snuff. Spend some time reading the posts here & also researching on the Web. If you have any questions, the membership on this forum couldn't be any more gracious in extending a helping hand.

If you like Canadian-made (i.e. pre-2012) Biltmores, then look for a "Rosselini". These were the top-level model in normal production. They're still available in NOS condition from sources such as Hats Plus & Holland Hats (at least until fairly recently, I haven't verified current availability). Rosselinis come in various permutations & colours, in sizes at least up to 7-3/4. What size are you?

 

[brno17]

No don't remove the plastic liner protector from your Biltmore "Rideau".

You seem to be new to the "good hat" world, I'm sorry that this acquisition wasn't up to snuff. Spend some time reading the posts here & also researching on the Web. If you have any questions, the membership on this forum couldn't be any more gracious in extending a helping hand.

If you like Canadian-made (i.e. pre-2012) Biltmores, then look for a "Rosselini". These were the top-level model in normal production. They're still available in NOS condition from sources such as Hats Plus & Holland Hats (at least until fairly recently, I haven't verified current availability). Rosselinis come in various permutations & colours, in sizes at least up to 7-3/4. What size are you?

Clearly. Thanks I already like the place.

Has nothing to do with Canadian-made, just the style. I was actually looking for a hat like Bussetta's, but when I put that Borsalino hat on I went hunting for something just like it but cheaper.

I measure 22 1/8" around my head - firmly/tightly pressing down on the measuring tape.

Bussetta: http://godfather.wikia.com/wiki/Bussetta

 

[viclip]

Clearly. Thanks I already like the place.

Has nothing to do with Canadian-made, just the style. I was actually looking for a hat like Bussetta's, but when I put that Borsalino hat on I went hunting for something just like it but cheaper.

I measure 22 1/8" around my head - firmly/tightly pressing down on the measuring tape.

Bussetta: http://godfather.wikia.com/wiki/Bussetta

Here's a link to one of many hat sizing pages, this happens to be on the Hats Plus site:

https://www.hats-plus.com/t-hat-sizing.aspx

The tape measure should just be snugged up around your head. You're at least a 7-1/8 using US sizing.

Happy hunting!

 

[moontheloon]

@mayserwegener

 

[Frunobulax]

Yup. What moon said. Or post them in the German & Austrian Hutmacher thread and Steve (@mayserwegener) will see them and respond. I think you have a couple of "finds" there.

 

[moontheloon]

I think you have a couple of "finds" there.

no doubt

 

[mayserwegener]

Fantastic + Amazing finds!

The first Stiff Felt (Melone) was made by R&M Wegener Lauterbach / Blitzenrod, Germany, probably earlier 1930s maybe late 1920s. The felt looks really high quality so if you use a brush and some steam it should come back to life. Pre WWII Wegener Soft and Stiff Felts are rare finds. Amazingly Robert (RLK) has the same model Stiff Felt (probably similar time period).

http://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/4-rm-wegener-hutfabrik/page-2#entry387

If you want to see more about Wegener take a look here.

http://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/4-rm-wegener-hutfabrik/

Is there a paper label behind the sweatband? If it doesn't cause any problems a photo of the paper label would appreciated. Also more photos after it has been steamed + brushed.

I will follow up later on the other hats.

 

[mayserwegener]

The Silk Top Hat is also probably from the 1930s. Does the Top Hat have a paper label behind the sweatband? If there isn't any type of company mark it's going tough to figure out what company made it. It's not uncommon to see generic Slick Top Hats. The damage and small size will make it not very desirable.

The Valenoy is really fantastic. Does it look like there was crown tip patch? It's too bad the sweatband is damaged. Is it a smooth finish? If there is a paper label it would be interesting to see. Again it will look fantastic once you clean it up. It really has an interesting form. There have been some Chapeaux Vimenet found here on the FL but I don't have any information on Belgium Hat Companies so I would have to search around. I just did a search on the shop "Gebroeders Vermeulen Haarlem" and got some hits so probably can find out something on them.

The T & W Lees Stockport is also great. I think it could be the later 1930s into the early 1950s (English hats don't vary much). What kind of finish does it have? Like the other's it should look great after a steam + brushing. There is a good amount of information online on T & W Lees Stockport and also some here.

If they are under 58cm they will be a tough sell. The Wegener Stiff Felt is probably the most desirable but it's hard to see the damage from the photos.

 

[steur]

Let me chime in here for a bit as a fellow dutchman. Mayserwegener is the authority on the lounge on all things german and austrian of course (and most other hat-related things beside). I cannot add much more to what he said on the wegener hat.

The T&W Lees company made wonderful hats. The company had to close down in the 60's due to the decline of the hatting industry. In Penny McKnight's wonderful book "Stockport Hatting" (highly recommended) she states that Lees never had its own label, but made hats for Dunn, Tress and Selfridges. That is not correct of course because here's an example of a Lees hat under it's own label. I have had a couple of Lees hats (still have one of them) and they are superb craftmanship. If only I could post photo's I could show them (but I need more posts before I can do that).

The Belgian one I cannot tell you much about. Although Belgium was a big supplier of fur for hats there's not much information on Belgian hatting industry. Apparently the industry was centered around Lokeren in Flanders. Belgian hats are usually bowler hats; soft felts are more rare. You can check this link for a dissertation on the industry around Lokeren (sorry fellow loungers but it's in Dutch) http://www.lokeren.be/fb9ccok248lsh0hlf246.aspx

As to the value. Well, all the hats are black and black hats don't really sell well, especially in smaller sizes, because they are quite common. I consider myself lucky to have a small headsize (I can wear a 56 or 57 size hat depending on the brand) and I can usually pick up hats for no more than € 20 a piece. On marktplaats.nl you can pick up Top Hats in much better shape for around € 20 or € 30 a piece. In the state that they are in I would certainly pay no more than that (but rather less), no matter what the provenance. Only exceptions are Borsalino's which can sell for a more decent price.

If you want to wear them they do need some work and that can set you back quite a bit.

 

[Frunobulax]

Okay, I have cleaned the hats:
Because we get a pretty photo heavy tread I will post the link to my photobucket sub-album.
Here you go: http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/lennartdj/library/Idenify hats/After cleaning

They look nice all cleaned up. And as far as the photos, we do like to have documentation on the FL, so post away.

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks for the information, you guys are the best!
I have,atm, no time for cleaning the hats, but I found some labels inside the hats!
Let me start with the top hat, no labels but a price and a size....size 55!! and 12,50 F (Gulden: Dutch currency).
So it was sold in The Netherlands. I can't find more only a corck insert under the sweatband.

The Leeds was a better find, I found a label:

The finish appearce to be more of a soft beaver feel, in combination with the weight I think it has to be beaver.
It feels also a bit stiff. Can't say more until I have cleaned the hat.

The Valenoy, there appearce that there was a crown tip patch.
I made a photo and I can definitely see some 'glue' of some sort:

I also found, behind the sweatband, some sort of code:

Last but certanly not least the Wegener, yes I found a label. But not only that I found also corck inserts!
I put the out of the hat and know I can wear the Bowler/Derby (it sits high on my head and it's also pretty thight but atleast I'm able to wear it).
The Wegener is also stiff, but I can shape it with my hands, so the 'stiffener' isn't working a whole lot.
Here it the label:

So far not too bad, right?
I think, if I keep them, I will pay arround 50 euro for the whole package.
Because I need to invest pretty hefty in repair costs.
Is that a fair offer?

Thanks for all the additional photos.

It's possible the Top Hat was made by N.V. Jan Spoorenberg. They were major producer of Silk Top Hats.

I searched some for Valenoy but couldn't find anything. As Steur mentioned Belgium was mostly known for fur (pelts and cut) for the fur hat industry. Chapeaux Vimenet was well known but Beligum is not my focus so I don't have any lists. Thanks for verifying that it had crown tip patch.

You are going to need to use a hat steamer (or something equivalent) on the Wegener to get out the dents and hopeful make it conform better to your head (apply steam around the hat band / ribbon). There doesn't appear to be any cracks so that is a good sign. It's a really high quality Stiff Felt.

Yes the T & W Lees is in very good condition. I think you might be able to come up with some idea of the dating from online searching. Unfortunately there isn't much information here on English Hat companies. Only Germany, Austria and Italy are well covered.

I think 50,00 Euro is fine for the lot but it's up to you.

 

[mayserwegener]

Wow! The Wegener "Elasticon" looks fantastic on you. This is an exceptional Stiff Felt and you wear it well. If you get a chance please post photos in the German / Austrian thread.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/german-austrian-hutmachers.32103/page-272

 

[steur]

The hats cleaned up nicely. I think € 50 is a good deal considering the condition of the hats. As mayserwegener said: it does look good on you: nice outfit too.

 

[EstherWeis]

Thank you!

Amazing on you!!!

What an outfit! Geweldig

 

[DonAronimo]

Salute.
Dear respected community, what a pleasing relief to know that there is a gatekeepers heaven to satorial wisdom vividly active and manifested through this virtual network of like minded gentlemen. I feel blessed.
By any chance, could you drop an opinion about the hat I inherited? Borsalino Alessandria. Superiore. What era might it date back to?
All my kindness to you and thank you.

 

[jlee562]

Look behind the sweatband/under the liner for any additional paper tags. Those are important to dating Borsalinos.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Salute.
Dear respected community, what a pleasing relief to know that there is a gatekeepers heaven to satorial wisdom vividly active and manifested through this virtual network of like minded gentlemen. I feel blessed.
By any chance, could you drop an opinion about the hat I inherited? Borsalino Alessandria. Superiore. What era might it date back to?
All my kindness to you and thank you.

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Do you have this hat listed on eBay right now? If so, the market is about to tell you what it’s worth.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[MetroFox]

Hi guys
I'm a new member, although I've been reading the posts from afar for a while now!
I've bought a Stetson hat from ebay (from someone in Seattle - I'm in the UK!), but am yet to receive it. Is there anyone out there who can shed any light on what hat it might be and when it was made? I guess this is difficult from just a photo, but there might be someone out there who just 'knows'?! Many thanks, Simon

 

[Just Daniel]

Looks like a new hat. I don’t track those at all, but maybe there is a label under the sweat?

Enjoy the hat!

Hi guys
I'm a new member, although I've been reading the posts from afar for a while now!
I've bought a Stetson hat from ebay (from someone in Seattle - I'm in the UK!), but am yet to receive it. Is there anyone out there who can shed any light on what hat it might be and when it was made? I guess this is difficult from just a photo, but there might be someone out there who just 'knows'?! Many thanks, Simon