The Disney Diner

[ejbhats]

Thanks for your input AL. I did read a bit more about them.
I will be anxious to compare my Disney Ranger, that should arrive today. Will post some pics as soon as I get it presentable.

 

[rlk]

Disney made a number of different felt qualities and limited styles and weights. Borsalino perhaps had more different felt variations of formula , finish, weight and color than any manufacturer(a few major European competitors had vast ranges as well--Hückel,Mossant for example). This makes a general comparison impossible, but there are some particular hats that may be of the same general type.

 

[alanfgag]

Mr. Disney Forty

Similar to but not quite the equal of my Knox 40s... very firm dense felt.

I think a wind trolley was lopped off at some point.

 

[delectans]

Beautiful Disney Forty, Alan, and it looks great on you! Interesting comparison to your Knox Forties. Knox Forties are exquisite hats with superb felt and finish, and it does not surprise me that you feel that your Disney Forty, likely made by Lee, is not quite their equal. I have not seen any Lee produced hats with self-felted edges, though.

Does your hat have the union label? It would confirm Lee manufacture.

 

[alanfgag]

Interesting, Al... I haven't looked under the sweatband yet. Just getting my bags unpacked, but I will give the hat a closer look and report back.

cheers,
Alan

 

[Joshbru3]

Heres some vintage ad pictures pulled from ebay. My apologies if any of these are duplicates.

1947 Disney Hats

1947 Mr Disney hat

1953 DISNEY Capello mens Hat of Presidents

1953 Disney MENS HATS LUZERNE

1953 DISNEY Windsor mens Hat of Presidents

1956 Mr. Disney Hats Christmas

 

[Lefty]

The quad box is great. Thanks for posting all of these.

 

[Joshbru3]

The quad box is great. Thanks for posting all of these.

No problem, Lefty! I am so behind, I have so many ads that I have found on google on ebay that I havent seen posted on the lounge. Im going to try and post them soon.

 

[HatsEnough]

My first Mr. Disney.

It's a black "Windsor Fifteen" with a back bow.

I am a tad disappointed. The seller had really bad photos so I wasn't 100% sure of what I was getting. The seller also said it was a 2-1/2 inch brim. However, it is a 2-1/4 incher in reality. I don't buy anything under 2-3/8. If I'd have known what size this brim really was I'd not have bought it.

However, it doesn't look too awful, I suppose. I think I'll keep her.

Just once I'd like to luck into a back bow with a larger brim.

I need to stop coming here. You guys make me want to buy more hats! LOL

 

[ejbhats]

My first Mr. Disney.

It's a black "Windsor Fifteen" with a back bow.

I am a tad disappointed. The seller had really bad photos so I wasn't 100% sure of what I was getting. The seller also said it was a 2-1/2 inch brim. However, it is a 2-1/4 incher in reality. I don't buy anything under 2-3/8. If I'd have known what size this brim really was I'd not have bought it.

However, it doesn't look too awful, I suppose. I think I'll keep her.


Just once I'd like to luck into a back bow with a larger brim.

I need to stop coming here. You guys make me want to buy more hats! LOL

Hats; if you ever start to feel that hat is too short on brim and too long on ugly... I'd be delighted to get rid of that nasty thing for you! Just mail it to me and everything will be fine!

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Back bows are a fifty's thing so a stingy brim would be what I would expect.

 

[Joshbru3]

Back bows are a fifty's thing so a stingy brim would be what I would expect.

Back bows came back into style in the 50's. Just as there was a resurgence in derbies and boaters in the late 50's. (Brad would know more about that than I would) Back bows were actually an early 20th century style that kind of faded away into the early/mid 30's I believe. I think 2 1/4 looks good on that hat. According to many people around the lounge, anything less than a 2 3/8 inch brim is kind of stingy, but obviously that's just a opinion. I personally love the 2 1/8 - 2 1/4 brims, but ONLY when they are matched with 5 3/4 - 6 inch open crowns. I love the 20's and early 30's styling, however for someone who loves the 40's-early 50's styling, the hat would probably have to have a 2 1/2 inch brim or larger. Just my .02

 

[Aureliano]

Silverbelly Disney.
I've been fascinated with Optimo's silverbelly since I first saw a swatch they sent me. Then Al showed us his and I really wanted it. Then I handled it at the trunk show and was ready to buy it. I didn't and I'm glad I made that decision as the financial investment would have left me in bad shape (The hat is worth every penny though). You'll see why.
I came across this amazing Disney Twenty that is virtually identical to Graham's. Even the ribbon (hard to photograph) a very nice anthracite (a bit of gray, a tad of green) color is similar between both.

First let's take a look at Al's Optimo (thank you for allowing me to post this, my friend!)

Now the Disney with the silverbelly swatch I received from Graham on the brim:

I'd like some help dating this one which, btw, was a size 7 and I had to undo everything: bow out, leather out then block the hat body to my size; then stretch the leather and then sew everything anew!

Another interesting detail is the way they spelled this word: Capello in Italian means hair. I wonder if they meant to put in there Cappello, which means hat [huh]

I'm thrilled to own this hat that looks so much like the Optimo I so much wanted. My classic/usual shots:

 

[jimmy the lid]

Very nice snag, Ale! :eusa_clap

 

[Aureliano]

Very nice snag, Ale! :eusa_clap

Thanks, Jimmy. Any clue about its age?

 

[Aureliano]

Bump.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Thanks, Jimmy. Any clue about its age?

I haven't studied Disney lids enough to offer an opinion on that one. The logo on the liner looks like a gold outline repro of an earlier full-color version (possibly from the 40's?). Also looks like your lid has a plastic liner protector, true? And, your lid was around when the DuPont Water Repellent treatment was going on. I would guess 50's on this -- but it is only a guess.

 

[alanfgag]

A good guess I think... And a lovely hat!

 

[Aureliano]

Thanks, Jimmy. It does have the plastic liner protector. Your assessment sounds right.

 

[delectans]

What a beautiful lid! Seldom encountered color for Disney, which looks to be a close match to Graham's Silverbelly. Love the contrasting ribbon and thin, subtle binding.

Interesting and amusing typo. Judging by sweatband, liner, and tag I would say '50s.

Congratulations, Ale! :thumb: