The Bowler or Derby Hat

[Lefty]

On-line references refer to them both as bowlers.

We are an online source - and probably one of the more reliable ones as to hats.

 

[Edward]

If I recall correctly, Suchet's Poirot always wore a homberg; Churchill I'm sure wore both hombergs and bowlers, so that's probably where the confusion comes from. At a certain angle, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

Question re the Derby terminology: is that simply another name for a bowler? I assuemd so for a long time, but then saw a number of hatters with separate listings for bowlers and derbys....

I have to admit, I've never been a big fan.... I suppose because I have grown up with seeing them only as 'comedy' hats, worn by characateur Englishmen and cartoons. Stylistically, I much prefer a homberg. There are folks round these parts who can make it work, though, and I think if I stumbled over one cheaply enough I'd have it in the wardrobe for the right costume occasion.

 

[Lefty]

bowler=derby=coke=billycoke=billycock

 

[Stetsonian]

1902 Stetson Derby

Well it's finally happened.......a thread that made me get off my butt and dig my Stetson derby out of storage. I’ve been meaning to dig this little treasure out and share it with all of you for some time. It’s one of the few hats I have that I can date to a specific time frame thanks to its original box. And as you’ll see the box is as much of a treasure as the hat. The hat was shipped to Feineman Bros. of Rochester, New Hampshire directly from the Stetson factory. The box is a very heavy corrugated cardboard with a wax coating to protect it from water damage. On the upper right hand corner of the lid is the shipping label to Feineman Bros, which in its printed form says Rochester, New York. New York was then lined through and the correct state abbreviation of NH was then penciled in. In the center of the box lid is the style info label. The style #472508 matches the style label inside the hat. It states the depth of the hat as 5 ¼ and the brim as 2 1/8. It also states ‘self conf’, ‘Feineman Bros.’, ‘Style- Phila S14’, ‘Col. Blk B & E’ and NY. Lastly is the label in the lower left hand corner of the lid which says “Fragile-Do Not Crush” and has the postage of one 10 cent and one 2 cent stamps along with a postmark where the ‘02’ for 1902 is about the only legible part. That my friends make this wonderful derby 106 going on 107 years old! The great thing is that the hat looks like brand new, never worn! And it’s a size 7 ½ to boot! I got it around the end of 2001 off of OFAS and paid $78.00, which at the time I thought was a little steep until it arrived in that wonderful old box. The seller had included a picture of the box in the sale but didn’t elaborate on it much and it wasn’t until I had it in my hands that I realized what a treasure it was. Thanks for letting me share!

Jay

P.S. The best way to view the pictures is to go full screen and click on 'sideshow'

 

[Lefty]

Stunning! :eusa_clap

 

[Dinerman]

That's great how the box has four different logos on it.

 

[just_me]

That derby is beautiful. This may be a stupid question. But would you ever wear it (or have you worn it) or is it just a collectible hat?

 

[Lefty]

I discovered today that the Akron library system has free access to the New York Times archives through ProQuest. Searching for "stetson" and "clear nutria", the earliest result I got was December 24, 1903. It's a full page ad for the John Wanamaker store that includes a section devoted to the $6 Stetson Clear Nutria Derby. From the language of the 3 paragraphs, it sounds like $5 was the former top of the line price, but that this new version of the hat is somehow worth an extra 20%.

 

[Stetsonian]

Hi Just_Me,

No, I don't really wear this one. While I do have the size & girth to pull off looking like Oliver Hardy or your friendly turn of the 20th century neighborhood butcher wearing it, I don't find much of a call for doing so! lol lol lol

Welcome to the lounge by the way!

Jay

 

[AlanC]

That is an amazing hat and box combo, Stetsonian.

 

[Stetsonian]

That is an amazing hat and box combo, Stetsonian.

Thanks Alan!

 

[Micawber]

Good job I never grow weary of posting this Holkham Hall (which is not that far from where I live) link.

I have several bowlers, mostly black but also grey and brown including some vintage. None have feathers ...in fact I do not think I can recall seeing any so adorned apart from the odd Morris dance side.

 

[carter]

Stetsonian, Thanks for sharing your 1902 Stetson derby with us. It is amazing!

Micawber, Thanks for the Holkham Hall link. It's nice to know more of the history of how a type of headgear came to be.
The photo of the keepers is a nice bonus. I cannot post it here as it is a stamp. Perhaps you can? Will you post some photos of your bowlers here as well?

 

[Crane's]

Nice nice nice old Stetson you got there! I doubt mine dates anywhere close to yours. I'll have to take some pics of it and see if anyone can guesstimate how old it is.

 

[GWD]

Great Bowler Stetsonian! Thanks for sharing! That also gives us a clue as to the age of this Stetson Logo.

 

[Levallois]

But are you crazy enough to wear your bowler in public?

 

[GWD]

But are you crazy enough to wear your bowler in public?

I don't think the question is "Crazy Enough" but "Confident Enough".

 

[Levallois]

Ok, maybe drunk enough?

 

[Crane's]

I wear mine out all the time. It just fits with my lifestyle.

 

[Delthayre]

Fedora-Homburg-Bowler

I would demur at wearing a bowler publicly only because I think that they are a poor accompaniment for my large, round face. The only style that I would be reluctant to wear in public without some special reason is a top hat as I think that I would be hectored incessantly by curious gawkers.