The Bowler or Derby Hat

[Rmccamey]

That's a real beauty, Steve, and the orange liner really stands out! Don't you just love the perfect handwriting on the tag?

I've been doing some reading and found several pictures of lower class folks (like musicians! Ha) wearing something like yours; wider brims with front and rear pulled down in what we, today, might refer to as a western configuration.

Randy, Fantastic Mallory! Somehow I missed your posting.

I am not really sure. This Stiff Felt could go back to 1880s (see below). It's tiny (54cm)
but I picked it up because it was special (at least to me). I usually only buy hats in my size range or larger. I have come across some old Stiff Felts but they are usually tiny or in very poor condition.

Georg Miech Dresden

 

[mayserwegener]

That's a real beauty, Steve, and the orange liner really stands out! Don't you just love the perfect handwriting on the tag?

I've been doing some reading and found several pictures of lower class folks (like musicians! Ha) wearing something like yours; wider brims with front and rear pulled down in what we, today, might refer to as a western configuration.

View attachment 230480

Randy, By the way King Albert of Saxony (1873 - 1902) is on the crest. The hat company Georg Miech was located in Dresden, Saxony.

The stamp on the sweatband has "Getreidehandlung" which is a company that sells crops and cereals so probably the owners profession.

 

[Rmccamey]

Very regal, indeed!

Randy, By the way King Albert of Saxony (1873 - 1902) is on the crest. The hat company Georg Miech was located in Dresden, Saxony.

The stamp on the sweatband has "Getreidehandlung" which is a company that sells crops and cereals so probably the owners profession.

 

[TheGuitarFairy]

hi friends,
wat'd i get myself into?! i see band is un-reeded with broken stitches. would Strauss Clo & Shoe Co. of Hamilton OH.have been maker of this hat? and how old would this be?
uncharted territories for me!

 

[Rmccamey]

Looks to be in great shape. Let's see in on your head. We need more bowlers!

hi friends,
wat'd i get myself into?! i see band is un-reeded with broken stitches. would Strauss Clo & Shoe Co. of Hamilton OH.have been maker of this hat? and how old would this be?
uncharted territories for me!
View attachment 235913
View attachment 235914
View attachment 235915

 

[Kuro]

Here is the Stetson Derby Redfokker so graciously sold to me. Thank you for selling to me what became my favorite vintage hat to wear!

Compared to my other three Derbies, the brim is wide, which makes it more casual to wear, for me anyways.

It was sold in the west, perhaps that influenced the wide brim!

 

[Rmccamey]

Looks great!

Here is the Stetson Derby Redfokker so graciously sold to me. Thank you for selling to me what became my favorite vintage hat to wear!

Compared to my other three Derbies, the brim is wide, which makes it more casual to wear, for me anyways.

It was sold in the west, perhaps that influenced the wide brim!



View attachment 236144

 

[steur]

Here is the Stetson Derby Redfokker so graciously sold to me. Thank you for selling to me what became my favorite vintage hat to wear!

Compared to my other three Derbies, the brim is wide, which makes it more casual to wear, for me anyways.

It was sold in the west, perhaps that influenced the wide brim!



View attachment 236144

Looks great!

+1!

 

[Jed I. Knight]

Those of you that have watched my YouTube channel know that I’m a big fan of the Bowler/Derby. Here’s one a friend of mine recently gave me:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B321yEjhfer/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

[TheGuitarFairy]

welcome, jed .. i recently watched the/a utoob vid you made w/ art ... super enriching and i was especially transfixed watching art put the bash in your hat! coming from a guy just beginning to learn some skills, who's spent time over steam going wtf? that was gold! thanks for such a great contribution!

 

[Jed I. Knight]

welcome, jed .. i recently watched the/a utoob vid you made w/ art ... super enriching and i was especially transfixed watching art put the bash in your hat! coming from a guy just beginning to learn some skills, who's spent time over steam going wtf? that was gold! thanks for such a great contribution!

Yeah, that was one of my best episodes, for sure! And I agree, showing Art bash the hat was something that I had to include. He just did it so effortlessly... or at least made it look effortless.

I’m working on an episode covering my Hat Collection, which includes a half a dozen Art Fawcett’s (including some pretty rare styles he did... stay tuned for that!)

 

[steur]

Recent find and not an everyday one either.
Howlison&Co bowler in grey. Sold to me as a size 7 1/8, but fits me perfectly, so a size 7. Brim at 5cm and crown 12,5cm. Two vents on top and a vented liner. Came with the box as well (no pic of that, sorry), which contained a note to take care of the hat after use, so likely a theater hat. Quite lightweight at 118 grams and not very stiff for a bowler. The felt is very dense and thin with a great hand. Only downside: the sweatband is toast and needs to be replaced (I'm not counting the light scuffmark on the front of crown).

 

[Kuro]

Recent find and not an everyday one either.
Howlison&Co bowler in grey. Sold to me as a size 7 1/8, but fits me perfectly, so a size 7. Brim at 5cm and crown 12,5cm. Two vents on top and a vented liner. Came with the box as well (no pic of that, sorry), which contained a note to take care of the hat after use, so likely a theater hat. Quite lightweight at 118 grams and not very stiff for a bowler. The felt is very dense and thin with a great hand. Only downside: the sweatband is toast and needs to be replaced (I'm not counting the light scuffmark on the front of crown).

That is a seriously tight curl.

 

[steur]

That is a seriously tight curl.

It is. Glorious, isn't it? They don't make them like that anymore.

 

[Rmccamey]

What an excellent find for your personal museum! Seems like most old one's I have found run small as well. Looks great!

Recent find and not an everyday one either.
Howlison&Co bowler in grey. Sold to me as a size 7 1/8, but fits me perfectly, so a size 7. Brim at 5cm and crown 12,5cm. Two vents on top and a vented liner. Came with the box as well (no pic of that, sorry), which contained a note to take care of the hat after use, so likely a theater hat. Quite lightweight at 118 grams and not very stiff for a bowler. The felt is very dense and thin with a great hand. Only downside: the sweatband is toast and needs to be replaced (I'm not counting the light scuffmark on the front of crown).

 

[steur]

What an excellent find for your personal museum! Seems like most old one's I have found run small as well. Looks great!

Thanks, Randy. I did buy this one with you in mind to be honest. But at the size or fit it turned outto be, it isn't going to work for you. I've sent it to my hatter to sort it out and this feels like a very wearable bowler. Knowing my hatter it will quite some time before I'll get a chance to wear it though.

 

[Edward]

Recent find and not an everyday one either.
Howlison&Co bowler in grey. Sold to me as a size 7 1/8, but fits me perfectly, so a size 7. Brim at 5cm and crown 12,5cm. Two vents on top and a vented liner. Came with the box as well (no pic of that, sorry), which contained a note to take care of the hat after use, so likely a theater hat. Quite lightweight at 118 grams and not very stiff for a bowler. The felt is very dense and thin with a great hand. Only downside: the sweatband is toast and needs to be replaced (I'm not counting the light scuffmark on the front of crown).

Nice. I have a similar hat (except black, can't recall the maker - it's stored in my office, currently, and I'm on lockdown at home still). This sounds very similar in terms of the vents and being light but well stifened to its shape - definitely a Summer Bowler for the City Banker still expected to wear one with black lounge to the office on a hot Summer day.

In terms of the sizing, I note the company label lists them as "London, Paris, New York" - and the clincher, "Mase in England". The sizing's not off, it's just labelled to an English size. For whatever reason, English / UK hat sizes are always 1/8" down from the US equivalent. I wear a 7 UK (57 Int.), and always a 7 1/8" in US sizing.

 

[Rmccamey]

Thanks Stefan. I'll be interested to see you wearing the finished product.

Thanks, Randy. I did buy this one with you in mind to be honest. But at the size or fit it turned outto be, it isn't going to work for you. I've sent it to my hatter to sort it out and this feels like a very wearable bowler. Knowing my hatter it will quite some time before I'll get a chance to wear it though.

 

[steur]

Nice. I have a similar hat (except black, can't recall the maker - it's stored in my office, currently, and I'm on lockdown at home still). This sounds very similar in terms of the vents and being light but well stifened to its shape - definitely a Summer Bowler for the City Banker still expected to wear one with black lounge to the office on a hot Summer day.

In terms of the sizing, I note the company label lists them as "London, Paris, New York" - and the clincher, "Mase in England". The sizing's not off, it's just labelled to an English size. For whatever reason, English / UK hat sizes are always 1/8" down from the US equivalent. I wear a 7 UK (57 Int.), and always a 7 1/8" in US sizing.

Thanks, Edward. I agree that it seems to be a bowler for seasonal wear. I can't actually see the size on the label, because it's obscured by other parts. It will be Englsih sizing for sure, but the occasional English hat can be somewhat "off" in its size.
London, New York and Paris seem to be the equivalent of the holy trinity to stick on a hat liner (as if someone would check!)

Thanks Stefan. I'll be interested to see you wearing the finished product.

Thanks, Randy. Eventually something will show up in your size.

 

[mayserwegener]

Recent find and not an everyday one either.
Howlison&Co bowler in grey. Sold to me as a size 7 1/8, but fits me perfectly, so a size 7. Brim at 5cm and crown 12,5cm. Two vents on top and a vented liner. Came with the box as well (no pic of that, sorry), which contained a note to take care of the hat after use, so likely a theater hat. Quite lightweight at 118 grams and not very stiff for a bowler. The felt is very dense and thin with a great hand. Only downside: the sweatband is toast and needs to be replaced (I'm not counting the light scuffmark on the front of crown).

Stefan, Happy to see this one! It's rare to see a non Black old Stiff Felt. I really like the color and form!