That is a super find, Stefan. Congrats.
I've only just seen your post now. The FL's notification system is nowhere near as good as Tapatalk's was.
I've only just seen your post now. The FL's notification system is nowhere near as good as Tapatalk's was.
Part II
Penn-Craft was introduced as a brand in the Netherlands in 1934. It's price point was slightly below Stetson and Borsalino, but it certainly wasn't promoted as a cheap hat.
The sweatband explicitly states "imported from America", so not made under license. This one still has the tags. The retailer Jos Leloup-Otermans from Helmond existed from 1929 until 1947. I think this is a pre-war bowler because of that and the fact that the liner logo is exactly the same as the logo on the introduction advert.
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An advert for the brand from the store dating from 1934.
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An advert in English introducing the brand in 1934 from a Dutch newspaper.
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An ad from 1937 praising the deep-creased crown and stylish brim.
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