THE MALLORY MILE

[Bill Hughes]

Another find from my estate auction extravaganza, this one is much closer to my size and will be staying with me. I've spent a good part of today going through 70 pages of The Mallory Mile and Mallory Madness threads and didn't come across anything quite like this one. The Mallory Director (?):
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Specs:

2-3/4" Brim
3/8" Bound edge (symmetric)
5-1/2" Crown (open)
1-5/8" Ribbon
3.9oz Weight
​

The liner is unlike any other shown in this thread in that it's for Marshall Fields, so no 1817/1823 Mallory crest to help provide an age clue. The liner is sewn attached, so probably original? There is evidence of celluloid flakes behind the sweat, though not sure if this was from a now gone liner tip protector or from a barrier between the sweat and the felt. The sweat itself is non-reeded. Also note the $15 price sticker, though again, not noted on the liner nor sweat as was typical. In yet another oddity, the ribbon still has basting stitches (zoom profile picture to see). A mystery wrapped in a riddle inside an enigma.

The Pliafelt is wonderfully thin and malleable, and this hat will take any form you want to give to it. In some ways it almost reminds me of Borsalino. At 3.9oz it's also on the lighter side, though considering how much moth damage there is I wouldn't be surprised if it was 4.0 originally. The moths had an absolute field day with this hat, though fortunately most of it somewhat inconspicuous.

I guess this hat is like a good woman, mysterious, beautifully flawed yet soft to the touch.

I think you have the best looking Mallory I’ve ever seen.

 

[hatsRme]

Another find from my estate auction extravaganza, this one is much closer to my size and will be staying with me. I've spent a good part of today going through 70 pages of The Mallory Mile and Mallory Madness threads and didn't come across anything quite like this one. The Mallory Director (?):
View attachment 188569 View attachment 188570 View attachment 188571 View attachment 188574 View attachment 188572 View attachment 188573
Specs:

2-3/4" Brim
3/8" Bound edge (symmetric)
5-1/2" Crown (open)
1-5/8" Ribbon
3.9oz Weight
​

The liner is unlike any other shown in this thread in that it's for Marshall Fields, so no 1817/1823 Mallory crest to help provide an age clue. The liner is sewn attached, so probably original? There is evidence of celluloid flakes behind the sweat, though not sure if this was from a now gone liner tip protector or from a barrier between the sweat and the felt. The sweat itself is non-reeded. Also note the $15 price sticker, though again, not noted on the liner nor sweat as was typical. In yet another oddity, the ribbon still has basting stitches (zoom profile picture to see). A mystery wrapped in a riddle inside an enigma.

The Pliafelt is wonderfully thin and malleable, and this hat will take any form you want to give to it. In some ways it almost reminds me of Borsalino. At 3.9oz it's also on the lighter side, though considering how much moth damage there is I wouldn't be surprised if it was 4.0 originally. The moths had an absolute field day with this hat, though fortunately most of it somewhat inconspicuous.

I guess this hat is like a good woman, mysterious, beautifully flawed yet soft to the touch.

Fantastic find!!! Congrats!!

 

[TheOldFashioned]

I think you have the best looking Mallory I’ve ever seen.

Fantastic find!!! Congrats!!

Thanks, guys. The captain sure had a good eye for style. Considering the rest of the felts in the lot ranged from 7-1/2 to 7-3/4 XLO I definitely got lucky with this one.

 

[Hagwood]

Finally got my first Mallory in the mail yesterday. I’m still looking for a pre-Stetson, but couldn’t pass this one up. Super condition with the exception of a few tiny moth bites. I’m not sure if this thing has ever been worn or even bashed.

Just have a simple dry bash for now till I have time to break out the steamer. Love the color and the style, and the ‘Pliafelt’ is very light. Reminds me of the Stratoliner felt.

 

[Hagwood]

 

[Tukwila]

Finally got my first Mallory in the mail yesterday. I’m still looking for a pre-Stetson, but couldn’t pass this one up. Super condition with the exception of a few tiny moth bites. I’m not sure if this thing has ever been worn or even bashed.

Just have a simple dry bash for now till I have time to break out the steamer. Love the color and the style, and the ‘Pliafelt’ is very light. Reminds me of the Stratoliner felt.

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My Mallory hats are post- Stetson purchase, and i was actually very impressed with the quality. You picked up a gorgeous Dallas!

 

[Frunobulax]

My Mallory hats are post- Stetson purchase, and i was actually very impressed with the quality. You picked up a gorgeous Dallas!

Of my several Mallorys, only one could possibly be pre-Stetson. However, they are all top quality hats. I tend to think that Stetson may have taken a bit of a hands-off approach to Mallory when they purchased them, so there was likely no deterioration in quality.

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[DE STIJL]

Hi guys , just bought my first Mallory ( unfortunately post Stetson ) - not sure which model it is , has that strange Mallory band with the bow at the back - I'll post pics tomorrow - but has anyone either come across or have pics of a " Marquee " probably from around 1957 ?

Pics now added - any help with I.D. or age would be appreciated - there aren't too many of these in Scotland !

 

[Hagwood]

Of my several Mallorys, only one could possibly be pre-Stetson. However, they are all top quality hats. I tend to think that Stetson may have taken a bit of a hands-off approach to Mallory when they purchased them, so there was likely no deterioration in quality.

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I think you must be right, this is definitely very good quality and a buttery soft felt !

For me, collecting vintage stuff is as much about the history as the quality, so maybe just a little nostalgic about getting an older Pre-Stetson one. Same way with trying to find a 40's or earlier Cavanagh.

 

[Frunobulax]

Hi guys , just bought my first Mallory ( unfortunately post Stetson ) - not sure which model it is , has that strange Mallory band with the bow at the back - I'll post pics tomorrow - but has anyone either come across or have pics of a " Marquee " probably from around 1957 ?

Just because it's post-Stetson doesn't mean it's unfortunate.

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

 

[Frunobulax]

I think you must be right, this is definitely very good quality and a buttery soft felt !

For me, collecting vintage stuff is as much about the history as the quality, so maybe just a little nostalgic about getting an older Pre-Stetson one. Same way with trying to find a 40's or earlier Cavanagh.

They're out there. But a bit harder to find, depending on your size.

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[Hagwood]

Just because it's post-Stetson doesn't mean it's unfortunate.

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+1 ! The Dallas I just got is post Stetson and is a fantastic hat !!!

 

[Hagwood]

I don't know if this is the place to post these photos, but I thought Mallory fans may like to see them. An elderly friend of my wife worked as a fur cutter as a young woman, in Danbury. She was kind enough to loan me some of her books. These are pictures of the Mallory factory.

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Man, this is some great history and great stories from your Wife's friend. I actually found this book on ebay and ordered one ! There's more on there if anyone is interested:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/We-crown-them-all-An-illustrated-history-of-Danbury/302735262221epid=4969385&hash=item467c6d820d:g:4r4AAOSwj-Ba9V9Y

 

[Hagwood]

View attachment 189856 View attachment 189857 Hi guys , just bought my first Mallory ( unfortunately post Stetson ) - not sure which model it is , has that strange Mallory band with the bow at the back - I'll post pics tomorrow - but has anyone either come across or have pics of a " Marquee " probably from around 1957 ?

Pics now added - any help with I.D. or age would be appreciated - there aren't too many of these in Scotland !

Nice Pork Pie there. I'm guessing 50's era from the research I have done, but I'll let the better experts chime in.....

 

[M Hatman]

Here is a mid-50's "Premier Quality" Mallory Ten "Pliafelt". That felt is some of the thinnest finest felt I have ever handled.......Stetson must have let them "work their own" for a while......
Now, the hat is a sort of moss green/taupe color......quite reflected in the ribbon work with the green binding color vs the light brown crown ribbon and wind cord.
Interesting is the silk and mesh lining, which when combined with the sweat perforations and extra lightweight felt indicate this a summer felt. Note also the generous sweat guard behind the sweat all around. The diamond shaping pressed into the silk around the tip logo is also interesting. This hat has a lot going on.....
All in all a nice find......
M

 

[steur]

Here is a mid-50's Mallory Ten "Pliafelt". That felt is some of the thinnest finest felt I have ever handled.......Stetson must have let them "work their own" for a while......
Now, the hat is a sort of moss green/taupe color......quite reflected in the ribbon work with the green binding color vs the light brown crown ribbon and wind cord.
Interesting is the silk and mesh lining, which when combined with the sweat perforations and extra lightweight felt indicate this a summer felt. Note also the generous sweat guard behind the sweat all around. The diamond shaping pressed into the silk around the tip logo is also interesting. This hat has a lot going on.....
All in all a nice find......
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Very nice, Mark. Like you say: there's a lot going on with this hat.

 

[steur]

View attachment 189856 View attachment 189857 Hi guys , just bought my first Mallory ( unfortunately post Stetson ) - not sure which model it is , has that strange Mallory band with the bow at the back - I'll post pics tomorrow - but has anyone either come across or have pics of a " Marquee " probably from around 1957 ?

Pics now added - any help with I.D. or age would be appreciated - there aren't too many of these in Scotland !

Nice looking Mallory backbow. Can't help you with the age of that one I'm afraid. Welcome to the lounge!

 

[Hagwood]

Here is a mid-50's Mallory Ten "Pliafelt". That felt is some of the thinnest finest felt I have ever handled.......Stetson must have let them "work their own" for a while......
Now, the hat is a sort of moss green/taupe color......quite reflected in the ribbon work with the green binding color vs the light brown crown ribbon and wind cord.
Interesting is the silk and mesh lining, which when combined with the sweat perforations and extra lightweight felt indicate this a summer felt. Note also the generous sweat guard behind the sweat all around. The diamond shaping pressed into the silk around the tip logo is also interesting. This hat has a lot going on.....
All in all a nice find......
M View attachment 189926 View attachment 189927 View attachment 189928 View attachment 189929 View attachment 189930 View attachment 189931

Wow, you aren’t kidding about it having a lot going on. Very unique and cool hat ! Love the felt and ribbon color combination.

I agree about that Pliafelt, very nice indeed. It’s thin and fine like the vintage Stratoliner, but softer.

 

[M Hatman]

I agree about that Pliafelt, very nice indeed. It’s thin and fine like the vintage Stratoliner, but softer.

Yes indeed! It is SO soft, and So thin, it changes shape each time it is touched!
NOT a hat you want, if you like to keep a certain shape or crease in your hats...
M

 

[Steve1857]

View attachment 189856 View attachment 189857 Hi guys , just bought my first Mallory ( unfortunately post Stetson ) - not sure which model it is , has that strange Mallory band with the bow at the back - I'll post pics tomorrow - but has anyone either come across or have pics of a " Marquee " probably from around 1957 ?

Pics now added - any help with I.D. or age would be appreciated - there aren't too many of these in Scotland !

Welcome to the Lounge, De Stijl. Nothing unfortunate about that Mallory or strange about that great ribbon with a back bow. Pork pie hats and back bows were a classic iconic1950s look. However, yours looks like it could be a short brimmed Fedora that works just as well as a Pork Pie. So, quite possibly later than the 50s, but nevertheless, one cool lid.

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