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The Bowler or Derby Hat

Mark Brody

New in Town
Messages
43
Location
Omaha, NE
Finally, pics of the real reason I got my bowler in the first place - my Halloween costume; a Pinkerton.

Q8cyoT.jpg

k6ZjSK.jpg

UgF7HV.jpg


And one more pic after I got ride of the moustache…

FWAFS2.jpg
 

Bill Hughes

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,162
Location
North Texas
I just picked up this gray Portis Derby today. Any information on dating it would be appreciated. It had foam behind the sweatband which turned to dust when I put it on. Luckily it cleaned out very easily. It was part of the "com-foamatic" headband. Originally sold for $10.00. The sweatband is very comfortable. The felt is supposed to be a beaver blend but the shell is not as hard as my other derby. It needs a good cleaning.

Open crown: 5 1/4"
Brim: 1 5/8" front and back, 1 3/8" sides
Ribbon: 1 1/8" black grosgrain

1E3B0DB9-8582-4B81-BB10-6C14D08124B9.jpeg 8BDE7370-E2DB-477E-8B36-B1A1692341EB.jpeg FFFEFF48-ADCF-4636-AAF5-E44C7D6FF347.jpeg 03C2DC0C-8FF4-4ED1-85E5-29AB7D339F3F.jpeg CCE6CA46-E8CC-4A23-B034-AFBE994929A3.jpeg 8F838E0A-559E-414F-967C-0B3E33A9617E.jpeg D769175B-11AF-4D8A-B053-BEB69AD7D9A2.jpeg 5CF4254D-1D92-4BB9-BE51-15CED21141E0.jpeg 7FE05084-B5ED-4B49-9811-FAE1835BB21B.jpeg 46EE9392-2515-4F5E-ACE1-264D8AEE3919.jpeg
 
Messages
11,635
I just picked up this gray Portis Derby today. Any information on dating it would be appreciated. It had foam behind the sweatband which turned to dust when I put it on. Luckily it cleaned out very easily. It was part of the "com-foamatic" headband. Originally sold for $10.00. The sweatband is very comfortable. The felt is supposed to be a beaver blend but the shell is not as hard as my other derby. It needs a good cleaning.

Open crown: 5 1/4"
Brim: 1 5/8" front and back, 1 3/8" sides
Ribbon: 1 1/8" black grosgrain

View attachment 376772 View attachment 376773 View attachment 376774 View attachment 376775 View attachment 376776 View attachment 376777 View attachment 376778 View attachment 376779 View attachment 376780 View attachment 376781
Very cool Bill. Nice to find a grey!
 

PanosChris

Practically Family
Messages
977
I just picked up this gray Portis Derby today. Any information on dating it would be appreciated. It had foam behind the sweatband which turned to dust when I put it on. Luckily it cleaned out very easily. It was part of the "com-foamatic" headband. Originally sold for $10.00. The sweatband is very comfortable. The felt is supposed to be a beaver blend but the shell is not as hard as my other derby. It needs a good cleaning.

Open crown: 5 1/4"
Brim: 1 5/8" front and back, 1 3/8" sides
Ribbon: 1 1/8" black grosgrain

View attachment 376772 View attachment 376773 View attachment 376774 View attachment 376775 View attachment 376776 View attachment 376777 View attachment 376778 View attachment 376779 View attachment 376780 View attachment 376781
Nice get Bill! From the style and details I would guess it's a later one (late 50s-60s?). I might well be wrong, just a thought.
 

Steve1857

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,816
Location
Denmark
I just picked up this gray Portis Derby today. Any information on dating it would be appreciated. It had foam behind the sweatband which turned to dust when I put it on. Luckily it cleaned out very easily. It was part of the "com-foamatic" headband. Originally sold for $10.00. The sweatband is very comfortable. The felt is supposed to be a beaver blend but the shell is not as hard as my other derby. It needs a good cleaning.

Open crown: 5 1/4"
Brim: 1 5/8" front and back, 1 3/8" sides
Ribbon: 1 1/8" black grosgrain

View attachment 376772 View attachment 376773 View attachment 376774 View attachment 376775 View attachment 376776 View attachment 376777 View attachment 376778 View attachment 376779 View attachment 376780 View attachment 376781

Nice catch Bill, and in grey, too!
 

Steve1857

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,816
Location
Denmark
I'm the happy owner of two early 1930s G.B. Borsalino fu Lazzaro Bowlers and now, at last, I'm the very happy owner of a Borsalino late 1930s to early 40s Bowler, too.

The establishment it was sold in, English House, was one of Copenhagen's most sought after gentleman's outfitters. They're slogan was, "The house that every gentleman knows"
Founded in 1910 and closed in 1955 at the location shown on the liner, it had its hey day in the 20s and 30s.

A "soft" Bowler, 154 grams, 5cm to the brim curl, 13.5cm crown height. Nice hand to the felt, and quality details on the ribbon and bow.
The only thing wrong with this Borsalino is it's not quite my size. The 6.5 punti, however, is misleading as 7 1/4 should be a 6 punto, so 59 in cm.

Despite it's size, I'm happy :)
  1. 20211123_164349.jpg
 

Rmccamey

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,818
Location
Central Texas
What else to say! You're looking great in that bowler, Steve.

I'm the happy owner of two early 1930s G.B. Borsalino fu Lazzaro Bowlers and now, at last, I'm the very happy owner of a Borsalino late 1930s to early 40s Bowler, too.

The establishment it was sold in, English House, was one of Copenhagen's most sought after gentleman's outfitters. They're slogan was, "The house that every gentleman knows"
Founded in 1910 and closed in 1955 at the location shown on the liner, it had its hey day in the 20s and 30s.

A "soft" Bowler, 154 grams, 5cm to the brim curl, 13.5cm crown height. Nice hand to the felt, and quality details on the ribbon and bow.
The only thing wrong with this Borsalino is it's not quite my size. The 6.5 punti, however, is misleading as 7 1/4 should be a 6 punto, so 59 in cm.

Despite it's size, I'm happy :)
  1. View attachment 381761
 
Messages
18,379
Location
Nederland
I'm the happy owner of two early 1930s G.B. Borsalino fu Lazzaro Bowlers and now, at last, I'm the very happy owner of a Borsalino late 1930s to early 40s Bowler, too.

The establishment it was sold in, English House, was one of Copenhagen's most sought after gentleman's outfitters. They're slogan was, "The house that every gentleman knows"
Founded in 1910 and closed in 1955 at the location shown on the liner, it had its hey day in the 20s and 30s.

A "soft" Bowler, 154 grams, 5cm to the brim curl, 13.5cm crown height. Nice hand to the felt, and quality details on the ribbon and bow.
The only thing wrong with this Borsalino is it's not quite my size. The 6.5 punti, however, is misleading as 7 1/4 should be a 6 punto, so 59 in cm.

Despite it's size, I'm happy :)
  1. View attachment 381761
Fantastic bowler and wonderful catch.
 

Snowman

Practically Family
Messages
675
I’m not sure what I have here, but any help you fellows could offer in identifying it would be appreciated. I’ve looked through this thread and can’t find any clues.

The sweatband is very soft leather and in good shape, but the stitching has failed in several spots. The reed is also exposed at the back. I’m sure a competent hatter could fix this. Both the brim and the crown are quite stiff.

9AB7AC0F-E08C-4583-B264-715DE3E8BCA8.jpeg
E54B4318-A341-4E0F-95D4-990DD5A97862.jpeg
14F28DCC-D65B-4038-AA81-1AE5958AC54E.jpeg
DED6D2E2-214E-4DE9-AE6D-9609C5145A39.jpeg
BDB49640-C683-4F56-B9AD-56AFC17E09EF.jpeg
E71BB20A-AAE2-4F3B-97C5-585187D4CCF6.jpeg
6EC0793E-9D90-48EA-9C04-F368C42D9485.jpeg
00D657E0-EE96-4620-8B68-E67B6B6C242B.jpeg
AC0637A2-23FB-44F5-8E03-9A8E13A82E91.jpeg
 
Last edited:

Rmccamey

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,818
Location
Central Texas
I know nothing about that maker/shop but it looks like a great old hat. If the sweat stitching is the only issue, seems like it would be worth recovering.

I’m not sure what I have here, but any help you fellows could offer in identifying it would be appreciated. I’ve looked through this thread and can’t find any clues.

The sweatband is very soft leather and in good shape, but the stitching has failed in several spots. The reed is also exposed at the back. I’m sure a competent hatter could fix this. Both the brim and the crown and quite stiff.

View attachment 385961 View attachment 385962 View attachment 385963 View attachment 385964 View attachment 385965 View attachment 385966 View attachment 385967 View attachment 385968 View attachment 385969
 
Messages
17,466
Location
Maryland
Wilhelm Pless Wien "Extra Qualität", 57 cm, possibly late 1920s early 1930s. This a really beautiful Stiff Felt and in near mint condition. This is my first Wilhelm Pless Wien so a rare find. The only other WPW is a Silk Top Hat found by Robert (RLK). It's possible the Felt is Beaver because it's very dense but could be a blend. The liner is really fantastic. The color (not sure what to call it plus color changes) and company mark are striking. The contrasting sweatband with gold embossed company mark are great too.

51747477110_d9eaa3e292_h.jpg


51747526715_5760918fe6_h.jpg


51745781102_3d125ec836_h.jpg


51747264354_8d05062ee7_h.jpg


51746623601_df582277fb_h.jpg


51745787030_a6d6e43efa_h.jpg


51744080852_56cef7be3d_h.jpg


51745789355_03a2799149_h.jpg


51744957043_8ed4a08327_h.jpg


I have another beautiful Stiff Felt from the same store Ludwig Skrivanek Graz.

https://germanaustrianhats.invision...z-hutfabrikation/?do=findComment&comment=2313
 

Rmccamey

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,818
Location
Central Texas
Oh boy! Too good to be true! Glad you keep finding the rare ones!

Wilhelm Pless Wien "Extra Qualität", 57 cm, possibly late 1920s early 1930s. This a really beautiful Stiff Felt and in near mint condition. This is my first Wilhelm Pless Wien so a rare find. The only other WPW is a Silk Top Hat found by Robert (RLK). It's possible the Felt is Beaver because it's very dense but could be a blend. The liner is really fantastic. The color (not sure what to call it plus color changes) and company mark are striking. The contrasting sweatband with gold embossed company mark are great too.

51747477110_d9eaa3e292_h.jpg


51747526715_5760918fe6_h.jpg


51745781102_3d125ec836_h.jpg


51747264354_8d05062ee7_h.jpg


51746623601_df582277fb_h.jpg


51745787030_a6d6e43efa_h.jpg


51744080852_56cef7be3d_h.jpg


51745789355_03a2799149_h.jpg


51744957043_8ed4a08327_h.jpg


I have another beautiful Stiff Felt from the same store Ludwig Skrivanek Graz.

https://germanaustrianhats.invision...z-hutfabrikation/?do=findComment&comment=2313
 

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