The Bowler or Derby Hat

[Mr. Garrulus]

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.

Yeah it's chalk on closer inspection but isn't that UK's Royal Coat of Arms? So it could be from UK originally...

 

[randooch]

Here's a curiosity I picked up on Etsy. Wormser apparently ran out of shellac at some point, so they put some quote marks around the word "bowler" and made some of these softies.

 

[bowlerman]

Randall, I love it! Very cool.

 

[randooch]

Thanks, Jeff! (Two more images above now. I'm still figuring out picture-posting from the iPad.)

 

[mayserwegener]

Randall, I love it! Very cool.

+1 Cool!

 

[EggHead]

+1 Cool!

+2

 

[Brad Bowers]

Here's a curiosity I picked up on Etsy. Wormser apparently ran out of shellac at some point, so they put some quote marks around the word "bowler" and made some of these softies.

In the 1959 Derby Revival, one style that gained some brief popularity was known as a Demi-Bowler, and it was really just a softer Derby that could be creased if desired. I bet that's what you've got there!




Brad

 

[randooch]

I was born in 1960, which might explain my affinity for this one. Thanks for the added information, Brad!

 

[Joshbru3]

VERY cool, Randall! I've never seen something like that before. I wonder what kind of creases can be done with a bowler blocked hat. I was always curious about what would happen if one were to take a bowler, soak it in denatured alcohol to remove enough shellac to make it a soft hat. I guess without trying the experiment, this is the next best thing. Congrats on this rare find! :eusa_clap

 

[Chepstow]

Randall, very very cool. Darn sharp hat. I love the shape!

 

[randooch]

Kind words and enthusiasm much appreciated, gentlemen. It takes and retains whatever dents I wish, and does so with ease. Nice dense felt.

I don't recall seeing any ads for this style here on the Lounge, but I'll do some digging.

 

[newturnofphrase]

Christian Chensvold's article on the bowler hat. It's a rather superficial history but it has some interesting points. And Brokers is an excellent gin!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christian-chensvold/bowler-hat_b_1903404.html

Thoughts?

 

[mayserwegener]

PH. Möckel Hutfabrik, Homburg vor der Höhe, Hoflieferant Sr. Maj. d. Kaisers u. Königs (Austria) und Sr. Maj. d. Königs v. England, measures about 59cm, 130 grams, probably pre WWI. In very good condition except for slight damage to the sweatband. Also rare stitched liner (only seen this once before) on a stiff felt hat. PH. Möckel Hutfabrik (1806) made the original Homburg style hat for King Edward the VII of England. I have only come across two old Möckels' (another Melone and Top Hat) and they were in very bad condition.

 

[Chepstow]

Steve, fantastic find and wonderful Möckel Melone. The allover form looks very good!

 

[Mrmicawber]

Hello all!

When you apply steam to your bowler to gently shape it to your head, do you do focus the steam along the ribbon, or along the under-edge where the brim meets the headband?

 

[randooch]

Keep the steam away from the leather sweatband at all costs.

 

[Mrmicawber]

Keep the steam away from the leather sweatband at all costs.

Hey thanks Randall! Okay - so basically along the ribbon then? Presumably it doesn't damage the silk ribbon?

 

[randooch]

Hey thanks Randall! Okay - so basically along the ribbon then? Presumably it doesn't damage the silk ribbon?

Right.

 

[bowlerman]

+1. I've ruined a few sweatbands experimenting that way.

Steve, wow. That is a beauty of a bowler if I ever saw one. What really gets me, other than the stitched sweatband and everything else, is the dramatic sharpness of the D'Orsay. Well done!

 

[Mrmicawber]

Thanks guys!

I'm looking at hat brushes, but it just occurred to me that I could use a lint roller, which I use on my suit and is infinitely superior to a brush. Is that what ya'll use as well? Or will a lint roller "pick up" the felt too much? My bowler is a vintage Lock, so it has a bit of a nap to it.