The Bowler or Derby Hat

[Rmccamey]

John @moehawk notified me of this Penn Craft (thank you, John). The price was right but the seller's pictures were so-so and the hat was very dusty. With all the dust and shadows on the pictures, I was apprehensive about the crown having damage, but it was worth the gamble. The good news; the felt is silky smooth - classic Penn Craft - and crown and brim are perfect with no bumps, dents or scrapes. The bad news; the sweatband has light cracking and is flaking in spots. It will have to be replaced in time, but, for now, I think it will go a few more years. I don't want to stress the sweat to get more pics, but it does have the interior size tag/handwritten reorder tag...good for provenance.

 

[ruvort]

Crosspost from New Hats Thread:

 

[Steve1857]

Arrived today, ca. 1930s, made in Denmark Stevens and Son Bowler, sold at an establishment called Stenno in Norrköping, Sweden.

Sadly, I haven't been able to find anything about either establishments. Interesting that the Danish "hatmaker" has an English name.

It's in wonderful condition both inside and out.

It fits quite nicely, too.

 

[MisplacedHillbilly]

Mine came in as well, a nice Lincoln Bennett &Co. Seller had pushed out the dent, but I will try to steam out the remnant. Quality is apparent throughout, probably the nicest hat I've ever owned. There was remnants os something brown and crumbly behind the sweat,something I'm sure was used to improve fit for the previous owner. Curious little ribbon tape tag on the sweatband, makes me wonder if this hat spent time as a stage prop. The phrase "her majesty the queen " makes me think it was made after queen Elizabeth 2 became queen, otherwise it would have to be Victoria and I honestly don't think its THAT old. The wife is a bit dubious about it but she'll warm up to it, I hope!

 

[Steve1857]

Mine came in as well, a nice Lincoln Bennett &Co. Seller had pushed out the dent, but I will try to steam out the remnant. Quality is apparent throughout, probably the nicest hat I've ever owned. There was remnants os something brown and crumbly behind the sweat,something I'm sure was used to improve fit for the previous owner. Curious little ribbon tape tag on the sweatband, makes me wonder if this hat spent time as a stage prop. The phrase "her majesty the queen " makes me think it was made after queen Elizabeth 2 became queen, otherwise it would have to be Victoria and I honestly don't think its THAT old. The wife is a bit dubious about it but she'll warm up to it, I hope! View attachment 614870 View attachment 614869 View attachment 614864 View attachment 614865 View attachment 614866 View attachment 614867 View attachment 614868

A super find, sir.

1950s, post coronation of Elisabeth II in 1952.

 

[Rmccamey]

Two fine additions, gentlemen. Congratulations.

Arrived today, ca. 1930s, made in Denmark Stevens and Son Bowler, sold at an establishment called Stenno in Norrköping, Sweden.

Sadly, I haven't been able to find anything about either establishments. Interesting that the Danish "hatmaker" has an English name.

It's in wonderful condition both inside and out.

View attachment 614842

View attachment 614843 View attachment 614844

View attachment 614845 View attachment 614846

View attachment 614847

It fits quite nicely, too.

View attachment 614854

Mine came in as well, a nice Lincoln Bennett &Co. Seller had pushed out the dent, but I will try to steam out the remnant. Quality is apparent throughout, probably the nicest hat I've ever owned. There was remnants os something brown and crumbly behind the sweat,something I'm sure was used to improve fit for the previous owner. Curious little ribbon tape tag on the sweatband, makes me wonder if this hat spent time as a stage prop. The phrase "her majesty the queen " makes me think it was made after queen Elizabeth 2 became queen, otherwise it would have to be Victoria and I honestly don't think its THAT old. The wife is a bit dubious about it but she'll warm up to it, I hope! View attachment 614870 View attachment 614869 View attachment 614864 View attachment 614865 View attachment 614866 View attachment 614867 View attachment 614868

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

Arrived today, ca. 1930s, made in Denmark Stevens and Son Bowler, sold at an establishment called Stenno in Norrköping, Sweden.

Sadly, I haven't been able to find anything about either establishments. Interesting that the Danish "hatmaker" has an English name.

It's in wonderful condition both inside and out.

View attachment 614842

View attachment 614843 View attachment 614844

View attachment 614845 View attachment 614846

View attachment 614847

It fits quite nicely, too.

View attachment 614854

Great to see this one fitting you! Looks very sharp - as always

 

[TimmyV]

Here's one of my latest additions to my small collection of vintage hats. Mallory Derby.

 

[steur]

Here's one of my latest additions to my small collection of vintage hats. Mallory Derby. View attachment 615055 View attachment 615056 View attachment 615057

It's a beautiful hat, but it looks like an open crown homburg to me.

 

[TimmyV]

I think you are correct. It is a bit taller than my other 3 derby hats.

 

[Steve1857]

Great to see this one fitting you! Looks very sharp - as always

Thank you kindly, Matt.

 

[Steve1857]

I think you are correct. It is a bit taller than my other 3 derby hats.

I agree with Stefan, Timmy.

It's not just the crown height. The brim is very unlike a Bowler, too.

Still a nice find, though.

 

[TimmyV]

I do have 3 Derby hats. This gray Stetson is one of my favorites. I thought it was interesting that this hat was made in Canada...( according to the stamp on the sweatband )

 

[TimmyV]

Next is an older Stetson Derby...in black. Just a tad taller than the gray one, but still has " that look" in my eyes.

 

[TimmyV]

Last one is a brown Derby from Dorfman-Pacific. I really like the color although I don't think the hat has the correct look. For one, the curl on the brim appears wrong to me. That and the fact that the shape just isn't comfortable on my head.

 

[Steve1857]

Last one is a brown Derby from Dorfman-Pacific. I really like the color although I don't think the hat has the correct look. For one, the curl on the brim appears wrong to me. That and the fact that the shape just isn't comfortable on my head. View attachment 615791 View attachment 615792 View attachment 615793

Some nice looking Stetsons, Timmy. Stetson gave licences in various countries to make their hats including Canada. I think it was Biltmore who had it there.

I believe Dorphman Pacific took over Biltmore at some point.

The DP looks too soft to be a Derby/Bowler. It seems to me the crown and brim can be formed. Is that so?

Please take photos of all 3 hats in a better light, when you have the time.

 

[Rmccamey]

The Exposition Medal liner logo on your black Stetson means it is a very old hat. I'm glad it is with someone who appreciates it. Wear it in good health, my friend.

Here is one of the later (and more common) Exposition Medal liners.

Next is an older Stetson Derby...in black. Just a tad taller than the gray one, but still has " that look" in my eyes. View attachment 615788 View attachment 615789 View attachment 615790

 

[TimmyV]

Here are a few new pics of the brown Dorfman-Pacific Derby. This morning I gave it my best shot at reshaping the brim with a little steam . Looks better to my untrained eye already !

 

[TimmyV]

The DP looks too soft to be a Derby/Bowler. It seems to me the crown and brim can be formed. Is that so?

The brim was easily reshaped this morning with some steam. The crown is hard like my other Derby hats so I don't think it was meant to be reshaped. If you look at the sweatband in the first set of pics you can see that DP stamped the word BOWLER there.
I posted a few new pics this morning.

 

[Steve1857]

The brim was easily reshaped this morning with some steam. The crown is hard like my other Derby hats so I don't think it was meant to be reshaped. If you look at the sweatband in the first set of pics you can see that DP stamped the word BOWLER there.
I posted a few new pics this morning.

Thanks for putting me straight on that one, Timmy.

My bad. Apologies to you and the DP Bowler.

Love the colour by the way. I wish more brown Bowlers would pop up for sale.