wow!
Is that the original ribbon?
(You know you're going to explain it anyway. )
wow!
Beautiful hats all around, Robert. However, the Knox interests me the most. Would you say that this hat dates from the late 20's? (HCA startup 1932) What interests me the most, is about the Knox "Superfine" line. I know that this hat is pretty old, but Ive owned two knox "Superfine" hats from the 50's and the logo is fairly similar. My question is, was the Knox "Superfine" line a line that was dedicated to hats that looked different from ordinary hats at the time? For example, my first Knox Superfine was a chocolate brown felt with a bright orange ribbon and wide honey colored brim binding. That color combo and look was a bit "loud" by comparison to MOST hats made in the 50's. My second Knox Superfine is a dual colored felt. The brim is brown and the crown is grey with a purplish domino pattern ribbon. That hat was also a bit loud for the time. It seems that your Superfine, though it was an early example, seems a bit "different" from most hats made at the time. So do you think that the Superfine line was a line dedicated to "different" more "interesting" hats?
A price point
So I would assume that Ive seen more radical looking hats in Knox's Superfine line because there were at a higher price point. Therefore, more radical options=high price point? Or just a coincidence?
Special finishes, ribbon work, maybe better lining and sweatband or general fur quality? Where quality and marketing intersect is always a tough call.
I meant "radical" as in trim work, ribbon, liner, etc. I would assume that "Superfine" meant better felt quality or at least a better felt finish than the "Extra Quality" or "Premier." I'm sure marketing had a good amount to do with it though. Thanks for the information, Robert. I not trying to be a pest. Just trying to find an explanation to the amount of "Superfine" varieties that Ive seen. But maybe there is no explanation. [huh]
Just won an old Biltmore Imperial Homburg from the Bay. It was described as having three small holes on the crown. Turns out there are many more, and the underside of the brim is simply riddled with them (Don't worry-- I paid a whopping $11.99).
It needs a severe stretching, and I'm working with trying to sand down some of the moth bites, etc. In other words, it's a project hat for me to fiddle with. I'll post pics when I can.
But
it's a beautiful color that I can't put my finger on: mostly a grey, with undertones of green and brown. Biltmore Imperial doesn't appear to make a color like it nowadays, at least that I can find on the internet.
Can anyone recommend a hatter that stocks a color like this, and that makes a good homburg? I haven't seen any color like it on Art Fawcett's website, or Optimo, or Penman (not that I can afford them at the moment anyway).
I just received a Tesi sisol straw hat in natural. It is more of an ivory color not a bleached white. Pictures do not do it justice. It has a leather sweatband and has a course weave. A very elegant fedora.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g437/job_jr/hats302.jpg?t=1299934614