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The Bowler or Derby Hat

Messages
15,071
Location
Buffalo, NY
Yes, fascinating find, Brad. I'm wondering what a Kersarge (sp? Kearsarge) looked like. Probably a namesake from the Civil War ship... I've climbed Mt. Kearsarge many times during our summer visits to the Sunapee region of NH.
 

adouglasmhor

Familiar Face
Messages
77
Location
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
I just remembered who still wear bowlers. Strathclyde Police Female Officers.
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Lefty

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,639
Location
O-HI-O
For the poem - Change "all the go" to "all the rage", and various names of hats to names for jeans, chinos, khakis, etc., toss in a few mannequins, and that's an Old Navy commercial.
 

fmw

One Too Many
Messages
1,017
Location
USA
I would say the police superintendant in Strathclyde has good taste.........in hats.
 

Joshbru3

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,409
Location
Chicago, IL
1920's The Magic Hat Derby

This weekend I finally brought this derby home from a local vintage clothing store. The felt is absolutely immaculate and the brim is really short. I really like the shorter brims with vintage bowlers. The sweatband is still very soft and and pliable. The Union sticker dates the hat to pre-1934 for sure. Heres some pics:

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Joshbru3

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,409
Location
Chicago, IL
wow! Great find, Josh!

Thanks, Bowlerman! I tried to find some information about "The Magic Hat" and the manufacture and came up with nothing. I will say that they really made a fine hat. Everything from the sweatband leather to the pouncing on the felt is high quality all the way.
 

Lefty

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,639
Location
O-HI-O
I checked "western hat manufacturing" and "western hat mfg". No worthwhile results from the second search, two relevant obits from the first.
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two
 

Joshbru3

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,409
Location
Chicago, IL
I checked "western hat manufacturing" and "western hat mfg". No worthwhile results from the second search, two relevant obits from the first.
one
two

Thanks for the research, Lefty! Both Obits are really interesting. One of them says that Charles H. Whiffen was also an officer in the Straw-Ellsworth Hat company. I know Ive seen that brand before, but I cant remember where.
 
Messages
17,466
Location
Maryland
I decided to make a group shot (similar to my Homburg one) of my Bowlers, Derbies and Melones. I sold 3 or 4 along the way but have one on the way.

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bowlerman

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,294
Location
South Dakota
AWESOME, Steve. So impressive. I can't match your collection, but I think I can contribute for variety... coming soon. ;)

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bowlerman

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,294
Location
South Dakota
I'll label by vertical column, starting at the top left.
column 1. Scala wool, Bailey wool, Bailey panama
2. Knudsen Bat Masterson wool custom, Clearwater custom, Tim Bender custom
3. Mallory 1934, Baron Hats dark moss custom, navy blue stingy by unkown maker
4. Texas Hatters custom brisa, Mallory Torino
5. Kaufman 20s-30s, Dobbs of unknown (to me) vintage, brown wool thing (no sweatband or liner)

the closest D'Orsay curl by modern hatter in my possession is the Baron, but it's still pretty far from correct. Call those modern curls "westernized," I guess. But it doesn't bother me all that much-- I still like and wear 'em.
 
Messages
17,466
Location
Maryland
Bowlerman, Damn nice collection! I really like the different colors and styles!

Here's to the Bowler, Derby, Melone, Bombetta and chapeau Mélon!
 

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