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The Bowler or Derby Hat

DaveProc

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,119
Location
Rhode Island
Young's 1910
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Messages
17,514
Location
Maryland
P. & C. Habig Wien "Grand Prix Paris", 57 cm, 110 grams, late 1890s - 1900. The Felt is very thin and light weight with a great smooth finish. The black liner with gold embossing is striking. The textured sweatband is also very light weight with the "Patent Ventilator" holes. There was a newspaper (from September 4, 1903) spacer behind the rear of the sweatband. I am thinking this was able made for the Paris 1900 World Exposition or was made the year after P. & C. Habig Wien winning the "Grand Prix" at the Paris 1900 World Exposition. I took some photos wearing it so the curved form will be more apparent. This is one of my best Stiff Felt finds.

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Patent Ventilator

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Paper Label with Handwritten Entries, Stitched in Liner

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Newspaper Spacer, Berliner Börsen-Zeitung, Friday, the 4th. September 1903. (The seller told me that the Melone belonged to a Banker in Greiz, Germany so that explains the use of the Berliner Börsen-Zeitung Financial Newspaper as a spacer.)

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P. & C. Habig Wien - Berlin Catalog, possibly mid 1890s to early 1900s.

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Similar Stiff Felt Forms, Also P. & C. Habig Wien Crest with "Patent Ventilator"

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Natural Light (Very Similar Hat to No. 16 above)

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glider

A-List Customer
Messages
389
I very seldom see a bowler for sale on the bay. Never see one in an antique shop. I feel like I should have at least one but I'm to tight to pay a couple hundred for a fur felt Stetson bowler so where do you guys find these bowlers ? My local hat shop, Levine, usually has a few but they are either cheap looking stiff wool or damn expensive. Besides , it's fun finding nice old hats in great shape for a good price.
 

Steve1857

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,857
Location
Denmark
I've been lucky enough to find mine at antique fairs, flea markets, Facebook Marketplace, and here via friends on the FL. I've seen quite a few on eBay, too.

I very seldom see a bowler for sale on the bay. Never see one in an antique shop. I feel like I should have at least one but I'm to tight to pay a couple hundred for a fur felt Stetson bowler so where do you guys find these bowlers ? My local hat shop, Levine, usually has a few but they are either cheap looking stiff wool or damn expensive. Besides , it's fun finding nice old hats in great shape for a good price.
 
I very seldom see a bowler for sale on the bay. Never see one in an antique shop. I feel like I should have at least one but I'm to tight to pay a couple hundred for a fur felt Stetson bowler so where do you guys find these bowlers ? My local hat shop, Levine, usually has a few but they are either cheap looking stiff wool or damn expensive. Besides , it's fun finding nice old hats in great shape for a good price.

What size are you looking for?
 
Messages
17,514
Location
Maryland
That is superb & I really like the curved shape. Very sharp & timeless!
Jack, Thank you! I believe this is the only Stiff Felt I have with a purposeful curve front to back (similar to the ones in posted catalog). You can get a curve if the Stiff Felt is stretched too much front to back but the curve will not be uniform and the front and rear Brims will not be flat.
 
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