As a follow up to the posting above, here's the Vezzanio again. This time with a new ribbon. Vast improvement I'd say.
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Thanks, Steve. Saved me quite a bit of time too this wayThe new ribbon has really jazzed the Vezzanio up, Stefan. Congrats
Very nice looking heather, Daniele. I think I've only seen those side seams/bars on a French made hat (a Mossant I think). Interesting hat.First episode of the orphanage of Italian hats.
I took it from Stefan who gave me the precise idea about this latest rescue of Italian hats destined for a worse fate, arrived since today in a very good shape, they are New/Old stock
We start the presentation with two hats that look like they were made by the same manufacturer
No label under the sweatband helps us understand, only the liners speak a little.
"Extra Fine" size is 57 centimeters
The shape is that of the Italian hats of the 30s and 40s, the components are those of the period, but the fact that both are preformed makes me doubtful.
This one has a soft heather felt with a ribbon made of woven felt, already seen before
The workmanship is accurate even if the materials are quite average.
These are the measures. the brims measure 6.5cm and the crown, which has stitching on each side, is 10.5cm at its lowest point.
I have included in the description all the photographs of the details to show the style of the graphics and lettering that is that of before the Second World War
Here is the first mystery of the "lot of orphans"
The hat, for those interested is on sale. Write me
I think I remember @Short Balding Guy has a hat with a similar seam.Very nice looking heather, Daniele. I think I've only seen those side seams/bars on a French made hat (a Mossant I think). Interesting hat.
Can't recall his hat, but this was the Mossant (I saved the auction pics).I think I remember @Short Balding Guy has a hat with a similar seam.
Steve, some of the hats we will see shortly have a wool content in the felt that feels good to the touch. These two are different, the brown one is a heather felt, light and soft, the stitching on the sides seems to be made to support the crown. It is a hat that has good quality. Black has a felt that is always light but heavily sprinkled with shellac and has a rigid consistency, both have hand-made finishes, the components seem used to their full potential. Perhaps they are hats made immediately after the war, when in Italy there was a shortage of raw materials and everyone managed to give their best with what little was available. However, it is difficult to date them and above all I have no reference points because they are "unbranded" suitable for an audience of both farmers and landowners and the very small bourgeoisie of small-sized towns. The hats were bought, the reason is unknown in the towns south of Mantua: Pegognaga, Suzzara above all.Daniele, Great start! Both hats are very interesting. I really enjoy seeing old hats such as these two. I agree that they are difficult to date. I ran into similar problems with my NOS Czech finds back in 2015 and 2016. What are the felt types (Wool?)?
Oh very cool with the vent hole pattern.Can't recall his hat, but this was the Mossant (I saved the auction pics). View attachment 361338 View attachment 361339 View attachment 361340 View attachment 361341
Daniele, Thanks for the detailed information. I think the immediate post war period makes sense. I look forward to seeing the remainder of the find.Steve, some of the hats we will see shortly have a wool content in the felt that feels good to the touch. These two are different, the brown one is a heather felt, light and soft, the stitching on the sides seems to be made to support the crown. It is a hat that has good quality. Black has a felt that is always light but heavily sprinkled with shellac and has a rigid consistency, both have hand-made finishes, the components seem used to their full potential. Perhaps they are hats made immediately after the war, when in Italy there was a shortage of raw materials and everyone managed to give their best with what little was available. However, it is difficult to date them and above all I have no reference points because they are "unbranded" suitable for an audience of both farmers and landowners and the very small bourgeoisie of small-sized towns. The hats were bought, the reason is unknown in the towns south of Mantua: Pegognaga, Suzzara above all.
Soon we will also have well-known brands, but still there will be "second choices" in the Italian production of hats.
This is the most interesting part in this find
Another winner, Daniele. Always fun to see all these hats and brands we've never heard of, but delivered quality hats nonetheless.Fourth episode of the Italian hat orphanage.
Here we have one of the "mysteries" of this find.
The hat has a beautiful felt, "silky" like some French Thibets from the 1930s that I recently found
The indications on who could have produced it are scarce, if not the lining bears clearly visible two "Deers".
We can therefore infer that this is an unbranded and unlabeled "Cappellificio Cervo" product
The hat has been preformed like yesterday's and, personal opinion, is younger than his cronies with the same shape.
I summarize a hat dating back to the 1950s, these are the measurements: the raw brim is 6 cm and the crown at its lowest point is 9.5 cm and the ribbon is 2 cm high.
Finished with good quality, it has its strong point in the black and silky felt
This visible "mistery" hat is one of the examples of the trade war waged by the major Italian producers to take away space for small manufacturers, but the story is long and complex to tell.
Let's enjoy this beauty
This hat is stunning! I love the details on the inside as well!Fourth episode of the Italian hat orphanage.
Here we have one of the "mysteries" of this find.
The hat has a beautiful felt, "silky" like some French Thibets from the 1930s that I recently found
The indications on who could have produced it are scarce, if not the lining bears clearly visible two "Deers".
We can therefore infer that this is an unbranded and unlabeled "Cappellificio Cervo" product
The hat has been preformed like yesterday's and, personal opinion, is younger than his cronies with the same shape.
I summarize a hat dating back to the 1950s, these are the measurements: the raw brim is 6 cm and the crown at its lowest point is 9.5 cm and the ribbon is 2 cm high.
Finished with good quality, it has its strong point in the black and silky felt
This visible "mistery" hat is one of the examples of the trade war waged by the major Italian producers to take away space for small manufacturers, but the story is long and complex to tell.
Let's enjoy this beauty
The components of Italian hats were often of good quality, but the plus was the processing of the felt and above all in the finishes. This was 90% produced by the Cappellificio Cervo near Biella, north west Italy which still exists, but stopped after the recent acquisition by the Zegna group. Best wishes for your hatter businessThis hat is stunning! I love the details on the inside as well!
Daniele, Super! I really like the Form and of course the Black Felt. I can feel the silky finish via the photos. Great detective work regarding Cervo.Fourth episode of the Italian hat orphanage.
Here we have one of the "mysteries" of this find.
The hat has a beautiful felt, "silky" like some French Thibets from the 1930s that I recently found
The indications on who could have produced it are scarce, if not the lining bears clearly visible two "Deers".
We can therefore infer that this is an unbranded and unlabeled "Cappellificio Cervo" product
The hat has been preformed like yesterday's and, personal opinion, is younger than his cronies with the same shape.
I summarize a hat dating back to the 1950s, these are the measurements: the raw brim is 6 cm and the crown at its lowest point is 9.5 cm and the ribbon is 2 cm high.
Finished with good quality, it has its strong point in the black and silky felt
This visible "mistery" hat is one of the examples of the trade war waged by the major Italian producers to take away space for small manufacturers, but the story is long and complex to tell.
Let's enjoy this beauty
Daniele, Super again! Do you think it could be another War time or just post WWII? I have Soft Felt Hats from Germany and Austria / Czech with super short brims from that time period. They are some of my favorite Hats.Fifth chapter of the orphanage of Italian hats.
The surprises begin with a hat that has all the requisites for being old, except the brims which are incredibly short.
"Extra - Tirso" size 58 centimeters in a plum colored felt and made of wool and fur with a touch that I often found in Italian and French hats from before World War II.
Let's talk about the brims that I doubt could be that short in the 30's and 40's, I've seen at minimum 5cm in hats where they were always up.
It is extremely malleble and has a fine backbow and internal finish.
It has a brand "Qualità Prima Extra" I never see
The name of the maker or the type of hat is "Tirso" a small river in Sardinia or the sacred Thyrsus was a ritual stick attributed to the Greek god Dionysus and his followers, satyrs and maenads. Of various wood, but thicker than dogwood.
From the lettering and brand stamping it seems really an old hat
These are the measures: the brims are 4 cm., the ribbon, with backbow is 4.5 cm and the minimum height of the crown is 11 cm.
I tried to imagine the hat with a couple of cm. plus in the brims and it would have been different, if they were cut to make it palatable, the job was done carefully
This is one of the mysteries of this find and the pity is that it would also fit on my head...