PORTIS PATH

[besdor]

I WAS ON EBAY A WHILE AGO , AND I SAW A HAT FROM A COMPANY CALLED PORTIS HATS . I'VE NEVER HEARD OF IT. IT LOOKED GOOD ,BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE .
ANY INFO OUT THERE ABOUT THE COMPANY ?

 

[fedoralover]

I don't know their history but I've seen numerous Portis hats, both on ebay and in person. They are a decent vintage hat, I wouldn't hesitate to pick one up if it were my style, size and price.

fedoralover

 

[MattC]

Fedoralover is right

They haven't been made for at least 50 years I think. But they were good hats. If the size were right and I liked the style, I'd go for it.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Anyone have any more info on the Portis Hat Company? Monsieur Powers?

I just picked one up (in an amazing departure from normality: NOT from eBay!!!!). Pretty filthy.

bk

 

[besdor]

Portis was another of many hats factories that existed during the 1930's to the 1960's . I believe they were from the midwest . They did a lot of advertising in magazines such as Esquire and Colliers .The quality was decent . They went by the name "Portis Brothers "


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I've seen some of their advertisements in Apparel Arts from the early 30s. I was really wondering when they stopped making hats. The one i have looks like it's from the 40s/early 50s

bk

 

[jamespowers]

I WAS ON EBAY A WHILE AGO , AND I SAW A HAT FROM A COMPANY CALLED PORTIS HATS . I'VE NEVER HEARD OF IT. IT LOOKED GOOD ,BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE .
ANY INFO OUT THERE ABOUT THE COMPANY ?

Buy it. Buy it. Buy it. Portis made great hats and if you get one in your size you are a lucky man. If it is reasonably priced---BUY IT.

Regards,

J

 

[havershaw]

I have always heard Portis hats were some of the best.
I think maybe AndyKev was really into them?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I must say ... i've only ever seen ONE Portis hat on eBay. And it seemed to be an early 60s number. I search all the time for them. The early advertisements were great.

bk

 

[MattC]

I've got one from the 40s or early 50s

I think they began to get a little lower on the totem pole. I think of what became the Norwalk hatters--the hats actually made down on the sound, Cavanagh, Knox and Dobbd--as the best, and the Danbury hatters--up in the valley, Lee, Mallory--as good basic hats, but not with felt as good as the other 3. My late Portis seems to put it in the Danbury group. Much earlier, the Danbury hats--Mallory esp--were as good as they got. I think.

 

[ii-5-i]

IF YOU FIND A DECENT ONE, BUY IT!

It's been a while since I posted a comment on one of the best sites on the web.

I bought a Portis "Stratoliner" clone off ebay last year. It is a tan color hat with a 2 7/8" brim. I'm no hat maven by any standard but this hat stands up to any vintage Borsolino (1948), Open Road Stetson (1959), Knox (50's) or Dobbs (50's) in my closet. I would have no hesistation recommending a Portis to any of my friends.

The little research I did turned up the fact that the company was founded by 3 or 4 Portis brothers in the 1920s. They were based in Chicago and then moved manufacturing across the lake to western Michigan. I think they were in business until the early 50s.

My hat was originally purchased from a store called "Buttrey's" in Missoula, Montana so their distribution must have been decent.


I wish I could post a photo of it now but the logistics this evening prevent me from doing so.

 

[feltfan]

Portis eagle

I had what must have been a 50s stingy Portis a while back.
Nice felt, but not my style. I no longer have the hat, but for
some reason I do still have the metal eagle pin that came
with it.

If some Portis wearer on the Lounge would like a Portis
eagle pin for his hat band, PM me with your address and
I'll pop it in the mail. First come, first served, of course.

 

[DOUGLAS]

It the spirit of Marc's Lee Lounge here is the Portis Path for all those who enjoy a less traveled route.
The Breeze

A Classic Portis

I got to get me more of these.

 

[nulty]

Nice Douglas. Not an easy hat to come upon. I had one once but condition was pretty bad so it went away..

I'm a fan of the ribbon width on the grey colored hat in the first pic...

I like it...:eusa_clap

 

[DanielJones]

Man, those are a couple of nice lids! I can't wait for mine to show up now.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[DanielJones]

I didn't have to wait long.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Baron Kurtz]

You asked for it. The 1930s pink!

But one of the best things about portis was their boxes. Along with "Adam", i think they made the most interesting of the 30s hatboxes.

bk

 

[DOUGLAS]

You are right BK.Portis had some terrific art work.

So, DJ, how do you like your portis?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Thanks for that image, DOUGLAS. Another one for the archive.

bk

 

[Razzman]

Here my two most recent Portis acquisitions. This first one is dark brown, I liked the ribbon treatment. 1" bronw ribbon, with a matching bound brim.
2 5/8" brim.

This second one is tough to describe the color. It's not gray and it's not a very light brown???? It has a 2 5/8 brim.

I'm very pleased with them. Now if I could only find a light gray one!