Pre 1940s dress hats

[Joshbru3]

very nice, Josh!

It sure looks like the X on the back bow is a protective basting stitch. Interesting that it often remains in place.

Thanks, Alan! I have often wondered about the "x" on bows. It never seems to be tight against the ribbon, nor does it even seem to be perfectly center. I have had a good amount of early hats with that "x" stitch and always just thought it was a design. Now that you mention it, I bet it is a basting stitch!

 

[splintercellsz]

Mell's Hat Shop

"Mell-O-Fit"

Dated: November 20, 1922

Green/Grey/Brown Heather Long hair finish.

 

[mayserwegener]

Justin, Great find! Nothing like the old ones!

 

[DJH]

Splintz, you are a magician when it comes to finding these old hats. Another great example!

 

[alanfgag]

+1... great scooping there, Justin.

 

[jlee562]

Nice score Justin! Such a shame that heathered felts don't appear much anymore.

 

[mayserwegener]

R.& M. Wegener, measures 58.5cm, crown 6 inches open, brim 2 1/2 inches, 1920s maybe older.

 

[alanfgag]

Fantastic!

 

[mayserwegener]

Alan, Thanks!

 

[fedoracentric]

I assume the holes in the sweatband were for a cinching string?

It is a great piece. How is the felt?

 

[tommyK]

Mayser each hat you show is my new favorite! I've got to tap into that German hat market

Splintercellsz that Mell is a dream hat! I hope to someday find one of those in my size as well

Joshbru that might just be the coolest liner ever in that Longley

 

[mayserwegener]

Tommy, Thanks! This seller actually had some really great smaller sized hats but they are no longer available. I will post photos of them later.

 

[splintercellsz]

Steve, that is perfect!!!

Thanks fellas!

 

[mayserwegener]

I assume the holes in the sweatband were for a cinching string?

It is a great piece. How is the felt?

Yes it must have a had a ribbon that went through the sweatband holes which is common. The bow looks original so it must have been modified.

The felt is really nice. The photos don't really show the color (it's a mix of colors) correctly. It's more of a medium weight and wears very soft.

 

[mayserwegener]

Steve, that is perfect!!!

Thanks fellas!

Thanks! Again great find / hat on your part! Like to see the old ones.

 

[Garrett]

Mallory Beaver Brush Finish

The American Hatter (vol. 38) February, 1909



and in person

 

[Mystic]

Fantastic Specimen, Garrett :eusa_clap

 

[mayserwegener]

Garrett, Another great find! Also interesting advertisement. This is the time period when Austrian Velours become popular in America.

 

[Garrett]

Thanks, guys. 1920's seems to be a more likely date range for this lid - The crest doesn't say E.A. Mallory & Sons, Inc. which is the header they were using during the time of the advertisement (think they switched to the Mallory Hat Co in 1919-1920). Also, the center crest emblem contains "Beaver Brush Finish" designation but it is unlikely that a beaver colour option from the 1909 ad would warrant its own sweatband punch (never seen a sweatband punch designation based on a colour option). So perhaps this is a later incarnation of that original "X Brush Finish" ad campaign.

 

[mayserwegener]

Garrett, I am not sure if Austrian Brush Finish and Beaver Brush Finish are related in this case. I do know that the term Brush was used interchangeably with Velour in Austria and Germany. The men that made hot wet brushed finishes were also known as Brushers.