Homburg Nation

[Alive'n'Amplified]

I'm the third 'Lounger to own it. I bought it from Purplesage, who originally bought it from miamibruno.

 

[alanfgag]

Most hats carrying the Collins & Fairbanks mark on ebay seem to be top hats like this one. I'm not sure if they produced hats or retailed products under their brand name. Perhaps a label behind the sweat could give clues to the manufacturer?

 

[Brad Bowers]

Since they were a retailer, I'm willing to bet this is just a house brand made for them by someone else, and my suspicion is that's Hat Corporation of America. The size tag and the trefoil knot are consistent with HCA. It should be on par with Dobbs or Knox of the same period, in terms of quality. Investigation of tags is called for!

Brad

 

[bowlerman]

An'A, that's verrrry sharp.

 

[Chepstow]

AnA, great find and sharp Homburg!

 

[Miamibruno]

I've come across a few Collins and Fairbanks and have always been impressed with their hats. And that hat is a beauty. It looks like she's found a good home. Congrats.

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

Investigation of tags is called for!

Brad

Tag pics will be posted soon!

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

 

[Brad Bowers]

Okay, it may or may not be Hat Corporation of America. The size tag in your earlier photos, along with the trefoil knot, are the same as used for Hat Corporation of America, as is the tag in the last photo, the one that says SKY. The long factory label resembles the notched 1950s HCA labels, though the printing is different, as well as the size, judging by the greater number of perforations. HCA finally allowed the union back in 1946, but I have not seen an HCA hat with a union label until the mid-1960s. I'm not sure what to make of it. I've got some ideas, but they're pure speculation, so no use muddying the waters further.

Thanks for posting those.

Brad

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

All the more reason why I love the uniqueness of a hat like this. :thumb:

 

[bowlerman]

My nice tall 30s crown Belamey homburg was simply not getting any wear, so I changed the crease in hopes of it getting more head time; it's such a nice hat. The center crease wasn't working for me, and a very high front crease worked pretty well, but I thought I'd go "high gambler" and so far I think I can dig it. We'll see how often it shows up...

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

I kinda like that, Jeff. Brown ribbon on brown or black on brown?

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

I never thought I could pull off a homburg, but now I have 3. I love them!

 

[bowlerman]

Me too. My homburg appetite can be insatiable at times. This one is dark brown ribbon on what I'd call a "tobacco brown" felt, and has that neat binding where the underside shows more ribbon than the top, and the top has the extra stitching where the edge of the underside is sewn.

 

[splintercellsz]

Very nice, Jeff! Uniqueness has no bounds!

 

[Purplesage]

Off White Stetson Royal Delux Homburg 7 1/4

I just relisted this on EBay and it's in the classifieds here if anyone is interested. The sweatband has a few cracks and there is a moth bite on the bottom of the brim but it's in overall nice condition.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141042011135?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

 

[ManofKent]

Jeff - great looking Homburg - I like the recreasing.

 

[hatophile]

PS if that were a 7 I'd go for it.

 

[Monte]

There's something very genuine and authentic about this hat, and that's why I like it so much. It's not your typical big-name brand. :thumb:

A'n'A, I like the way that hat looks. You pull off the look nicely. I haven't worn my black one yet and I suspect it's because it's black. That gray is great and looks good with the blue.
Jeff, Nice look on that tall crown.

 

[Monte]

Some old shots of the Williams and Co. (a rare shot on my melon)