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OK...so what is your oldest hat?

Monte

Practically Family
Messages
602
Location
North Dakota
I have a number of hats from the 1930s and a Stetson derby that might drift back to the twenties. Looking at the liner imprint, I'm going out on a limb guessing that this boater might be earlier than 1920. Only reference I can find to the maker is an 1890 want ad from the San Francisco Morning Call.

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I just saw a hat just like this boater and it seemed so old compared to mine that I'm starting to think mine isn't quite as old as I thought.
Any thoughts on the age of my Portis??
How I found it with ribbon over the top of the original ribbon.
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Original ribbon.
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Inside logo.
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Sweat.
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Neat weave around sweat to brim.
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fedoracentric

Banned
Messages
1,362
Location
Streamwood, IL
My oldest is a top hat that I have no idea why I bought. I paid less than $50 for it, but I can't wear it anywhere and even if I could it is a tad too delicate to take much messing with. It isn't falling apart or anything, in fact it is in great, solid shape, but it is just too old to use much.

Still, it is about as old as hats get that aren't in some museum somewhere!

Maker: Laville Petit & Crespin, Paris
Model: Stove Pipe Top Hat sold by Cook And Aldrich, Boston
Color: Black, Silk
Ribbon: 3/8, Black
Crown: 6-1/4 Tall
Size: 7-1/4
Sweatband: Leather, 2-1/2 Inches
Brim Size: 2-1/4 front and back and 2 on sides, Flat, Black Bound Brim
Date of Manufacture: 1860s

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g.durand

One Too Many
Messages
1,896
Location
Down on the Bayou
fedoracentric--I think you bought the top hat because at the time, you succumbed to the urge we have all had, which is you just had to have it!. It does look to be in great shape.

TJones--that's a beautiful hat.
 

fedoracentric

Banned
Messages
1,362
Location
Streamwood, IL
You are 100% right that I just "had to have it."

Since I bought it I've noticed that few hats of that style and era are in anything near as good a shape as the one I bought, too. So, I feel pretty good about that, anyway.
 

tommyK

One Too Many
Messages
1,789
Location
Berwick, PA
I've succumbed to this as well. I bought this Derby
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Not my oldest hat, it's just that it was in like new condition and 7 1/2 long oval, I couldn't help myself. Maybe I'll do a Charlie Chaplin costume for Halloween, otherwise I'll not wear it much.
 

Catherine B

New in Town
Messages
6
Hello. I am totally new to this site, but have an interest. I have owned a hat for 30 years that belonged to my grandfather. He was born in 1890 and lived to be 101. I believe the hat is roughly 100 years old, but wondered if anyone could tell me more. It is in great shape and I have worn it from time to time. It has been in a hat box for as long as I can remember. It is a Brent - anybody ever heard of it?
 
Messages
11,412
Location
Alabama
Hello. I am totally new to this site, but have an interest. I have owned a hat for 30 years that belonged to my grandfather. He was born in 1890 and lived to be 101. I believe the hat is roughly 100 years old, but wondered if anyone could tell me more. It is in great shape and I have worn it from time to time. It has been in a hat box for as long as I can remember. It is a Brent - anybody ever heard of it?

Sound interesting. Pics would help. Here is a thread on Brent hats. Perhaps it will help.
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/brent-hats.11513/
 

Catherine B

New in Town
Messages
6
Hello. I am totally new to this site, but have an interest. I have owned a hat for 30 years that belonged to my grandfather. He was born in 1890 and lived to be 101. I believe the hat is roughly 100 years old, but wondered if anyone could tell me more. It is in great shape and I have worn it from time to time. It has been in a hat box for as long as I can remember. It is a Brent - anybody ever heard of it?
Sound interesting. Pics would help. Here is a thread on Brent hats. Perhaps it will help.
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/brent-hats.11513/
I am loading some.
 

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Catherine B

New in Town
Messages
6
Sound interesting. Pics would help. Here is a thread on Brent hats. Perhaps it will help.
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/brent-hats.11513/
Thanks for the input. Sadly, the thread is very old and has little info. I know that this hat came from Montgomery Wards. I have seen some pages on here with similar catalog numbers and thought I might be getting close to knowing about what year he might have bought it. I love this hat!
 
Messages
19,467
Location
Funkytown, USA
Thanks for the input. Sadly, the thread is very old and has little info. I know that this hat came from Montgomery Wards. I have seen some pages on here with similar catalog numbers and thought I might be getting close to knowing about what year he might have bought it. I love this hat!
A few more photos would help. Any size tags or sweatband imprints? The more photos, the more information we have to attempt an age assessment.

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk
 

Catherine B

New in Town
Messages
6
A few more photos would help. Any size tags or sweatband imprints? The more photos, the more information we have to attempt an age assessment.

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk
Still working on it. I may be going too fast. It keeps telling me my files are too large, but then posts one anyway.
 
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