The Bowler or Derby Hat

[Steve1857]

That is a super find, Stefan. Congrats.

I've only just seen your post now. The FL's notification system is nowhere near as good as Tapatalk's was.

Part II

Penn-Craft was introduced as a brand in the Netherlands in 1934. It's price point was slightly below Stetson and Borsalino, but it certainly wasn't promoted as a cheap hat.
The sweatband explicitly states "imported from America", so not made under license. This one still has the tags. The retailer Jos Leloup-Otermans from Helmond existed from 1929 until 1947. I think this is a pre-war bowler because of that and the fact that the liner logo is exactly the same as the logo on the introduction advert.

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An advert for the brand from the store dating from 1934.
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An advert in English introducing the brand in 1934 from a Dutch newspaper.
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An ad from 1937 praising the deep-creased crown and stylish brim.
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[Rmccamey]

Those colored liners are to die for!!!

Was Meyser ever big into bowlers? I assume they had a run some time during their history, I just can't recall seeing many Meyser bowlers posted here on TFL.

Northwest Hat Co.

Here is an updated album of J. Hückel´s Söhne Stiff Felts Stiff Felts from my collection.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHHAJbV

 

[steur]

That is a super find, Stefan. Congrats.

I've only just seen your post now. The FL's notification system is nowhere near as good as Tapatalk's was.

Thanks, Steve. It was a lucky find and I've already found a good home for it.

 

[steur]

Those colored liners are to die for!!!

Was Meyser ever big into bowlers? I assume they had a run some time during their history, I just can't recall seeing many Meyser bowlers posted here on TFL.

Northwest Hat Co.
View attachment 301367

I don't think they were a large part of their production. They did make them for sure, but it was not their specialty.

 

[mayserwegener]

I don't think they were a large part of their production. They did make them for sure, but it was not their specialty.

Mayser Stiff Felts were Fur Felt so a higher price point. I would say they had a strong presence in Germany in that class.

 

[mayserwegener]

Those colored liners are to die for!!!

Was Meyser ever big into bowlers? I assume they had a run some time during their history, I just can't recall seeing many Meyser bowlers posted here on TFL.

Northwest Hat Co.
View attachment 301367

Randy, I will put together a photo album of Mayser Stiff Felts that I have. I come across mostly smaller sizes so difficult to find larger sizes. Mayser only made Fur Felt Stiff Felts so they had a strong presence in Germany in that higher class. Wool Stiff Felts dominated the German market.

 

[Rmccamey]

Thank you very much, I would appreciate seeing a few samples.

Randy, I will put together a photo album of Mayser Stiff Felts that I have. I come across mostly smaller sizes so difficult to find larger sizes. Mayser only made Fur Felt Stiff Felts so they had a strong presence in Germany that higher class. Wool Stiff Felts dominated the German market.

 

[mayserwegener]

Those colored liners are to die for!!!

Was Meyser ever big into bowlers? I assume they had a run some time during their history, I just can't recall seeing many Meyser bowlers posted here on TFL.

Northwest Hat Co.
View attachment 301367

Randy, I put together an album of Mayser Ulm Stiff Felts. I have encountered others but they were small sizes + mediocre auction photos.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmTKjrXS

 

[Rmccamey]

Most excellent. The texture of the sweatbands and the pleated liners certainly suggests the Meyser bowlers were a high quality line. Thanks for sharing the photos. I'll keep looking for one to add to my collection.

Randy, I put together an album of Mayser Ulm Stiff Felts. I have encountered others but they were small sizes + mediocre auction photos.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmTKjrXS

 

[mayserwegener]

Most excellent. The texture of the sweatbands and the pleated liners certainly suggests the Meyser bowlers were a high quality line. Thanks for sharing the photos. I'll keep looking for one to add to my collection.

Randy, Thank you! If I come across some more I will document them. Here is another one that has some issues plus poor auction photos. It has an offset bow which I think could be easily smoothed out. Also a severely stained liner plus a tiny size.

 

[steur]

Thibet bowler in black. No labels inside the hat, but a size 56 with the brim at 5cm. Made for Baronnier of Nancy, France. Thibet is a brand name made by Ecuyer&Thomas. The details of this hat are wonderful, like the super tight d'Orsay curl. The felt is woolfelt however, so not as smooth a finish one would like.

Here's a pic of the shop it was sold from. Couldn't find any more history of the shop right away.

 

[Rmccamey]

Very nice sweatband, Stefan., and a classic look. Perhaps that will make up some for the rough finish!

Thibet bowler in black. No labels inside the hat, but a size 56 with the brim at 5cm. Made for Baronnier of Nancy, France. Thibet is a brand name made by Ecuyer&Thomas. The details of this hat are wonderful, like the super tight d'Orsay curl. The felt is woolfelt however, so not as smooth a finish one would like.

Here's a pic of the shop it was sold from. Couldn't find any more history of the shop right away.

 

[steur]

Very nice sweatband, Stefan., and a classic look. Perhaps that will make up some for the rough finish!

Thanks, Randy. I'm getting more and more attached to these bowlers!

 

[Rmccamey]

Like cookies, you can't have just one!

Thanks, Randy. I'm getting more and more attached to these bowlers!

 

[Dotneck]

Got my first bowler...Stetson Excellent Quality. Not sure how old it is but the store mentioned on the lining (Nebraska Clothing Co) has been closed since the 70s. I think this hat is much older than that. It even has its own felt "brush" to clean the hat. I don't know much about these so if anybody has any information it would be appreciated...

 

[mayserwegener]

Got my first bowler...Stetson Excellent Quality. Not sure how old it is but the store mentioned on the lining (Nebraska Clothing Co) has been closed since the 70s. I think this hat is much older than that. It even has its own felt "brush" to clean the hat. I don't know much about these so if anybody has any information it would be appreciated...

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Super find! Congrats!

 

[Rmccamey]

Excellent new bowler. Love the red pleated liner. Someone can jump in but the dual globe logo should give you a good date range.

Got my first bowler...Stetson Excellent Quality. Not sure how old it is but the store mentioned on the lining (Nebraska Clothing Co) has been closed since the 70s. I think this hat is much older than that. It even has its own felt "brush" to clean the hat. I don't know much about these so if anybody has any information it would be appreciated...

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[Dotneck]

Excellent new bowler. Love the red pleated liner. Someone can jump in but the dual globe logo should give you a good date range.

I just read on another site that logo coupled with “The Avenue” points to a 1920s vintage!

 

[Rmccamey]

My guess was early 30s but 20s makes sense with the info you found. Looks great.

I just read on another site that logo coupled with “The Avenue” points to a 1920s vintage!

 

[steur]

Got my first bowler...Stetson Excellent Quality. Not sure how old it is but the store mentioned on the lining (Nebraska Clothing Co) has been closed since the 70s. I think this hat is much older than that. It even has its own felt "brush" to clean the hat. I don't know much about these so if anybody has any information it would be appreciated...

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Wonderful find. That liner is to die for.