The Bowler or Derby Hat

[newturnofphrase]

Here are a few photos of a Lock bowler that arrived yesterday. From the 1980s, I believe. It included a perfectly preserved Lock co advertising pamphlet that looks either late 80s or early 90s. I'll ask Lock if they can date it. Stapled to the pamphlet is a business card belonging to the employee that originally sold it. Will post pictures later, after i've gone back to the old place to get it.

 

[rlk]

Arc-Light Derby

 

[buler]

Wow, that Arc Light is very cool. Logo has a Tesla feel to it.

B

 

[alanfgag]

Wow, that Arc Light is very cool. Logo has a Tesla feel to it. B

Fantastic... 1901 coincides with the Pan American Exposition in our fair city... electricity was a major theme.

 

[mayserwegener]

Very cool Derby! By the way Tesla's AC generators (funded by Westinghouse) at Niagara Falls powered the Pan American Exposition.

 

[davidraphael]

Here's a little bowler/melone I just picked up in a thrift store for 1 euro. It doesn't fit, but it was in such great condition with a nice logo inside.
I've no idea of the age but I'm guessing 30s, based on the logo design. I could be wrong.

 

[newturnofphrase]

RLK, great derby, I especially like the Tesla connection.
Davidraphael, it's a beautiful Melone. Too bad it doesn't fit

 

[mayserwegener]

Davidraphael, Again great find! It looks like the size might be 6 Point (6 on the paper label) which would be 7 3/8. What does it measure at?

 

[davidraphael]

Looks like a 6, but I think it must be a 5, and even then it must be a very small 5. I'm guessing more like 4-4.5. I'm a 58 and it sits on top of my head like a tiny, weird black mushroom.

 

[overlord4215]

Would you consider the liner to be Art-Deco ?

 

[jferro]

AlanC, Churchill wore a high, flat top bowler called a "Cambridge" bowler.

 

[jferro]

^Churchill's looks like a homburg to me. I think I see a center dent. Are you sure Poirot isn't also wearing a homburg?

Churchill wore a high, flat top bowler called a "Cambridge" bowler.

 

[davidraphael]

overlord4215, yes, probably. The hat is probably 30s, but, to me, the logo feels a little bit more 1920s.

 

[splintercellsz]

No idea on the year this photo was taken.

 

[Mr. Garrulus]

Eventually a bowler was added to my wardrobe, when I bought it it had a whole page from an old Swedish newspaper from June 1939 inside the sweatband. Nothing too interesting news though.

 

[mayserwegener]

Very Nice! Is it a Swedish maker? Would it be possible post some photos of the sweat and inside crown?

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

Fabulous hat, Robert!! I can't believe that derby was $24 in 1901!!

 

[Brad Bowers]

Fabulous hat, Robert!! I can't believe that derby was $24 in 1901!!

That's the wholesale price per dozen, as the average price of a Derby at that time was between $3 and $4. With markup, this hat would sell in that price range.

Brad

 

[Mr. Garrulus]

Very Nice! Is it a Swedish maker? Would it be possible post some photos of the sweat and inside crown?

Well why of course! Here you go . Doesn't seem to be any Swedish hat maker and googling didn't help me either. I don't know what that green stuff is, hopefully not moth... I noticed it first now thanks to the flash.

 

[mayserwegener]

Thank you for posting the additional photos! The "S.F." on the paper label could be the maker but no country of orgin. The green and white marks look like a chalk.