Vintage Dobbs Melusine 7 3/8

[bond]

Exceptional example of a Mint Melusine by Dobbs size 7 3/8. Measures 8 x6 3/4. Guild finished edge brim is 2 1/4. Fur felt Color is "Black Cherry" with a 2" black grosgrain . (Very difficult to photograph) fur felt is amazing and presents like new. Inside is also exceptional. Shows no wear that I see. No odors no stains, no moth nips.
Very luxurious hand to the felt and an equally nice light weight.
Asking 235.Comes with black hat box

 

[Geldoc]

Truly a retro hat, Bond. Too bad the brim is larger, ha.

 

[Geldoc]

On reflection, the brim size does fit the hat overall.

 

[bond]

Bump 195. For this beauty. Great color that is rare in vintage hats and the condition of this one is superb.

 

[alanfgag]

Melusine?

 

[bond]

"To be or not to be that is the question". Ok,kidding aside, the finish on this hat is similar to a long hair but definitly not as long , its much shirter,also it is not a velour. It seems to be something different, maybe the mythical Mesuline that I have been hearing about?
At any rate its a very nice hat with a lovely fur felt and finish to it.

 

[bond]

Dbl post error. Was distracted by the loud hip hop bass pulsating out the car next to me

 

[TomS]

Gorgeous finish on the hat!

 

[bond]

Melusine finish info
http://www.hatcentre.co.uk/melusine-felt-black-p-69.html

 

[alanfgag]

This link from the UK would make sense as a descriptive reference to melusine top hats which are the only finish available in contemporary top hats and which all come from UK makers. Still not sure what causes you to connect this Dobbs hat with that material (I've never touched a melusine top hat myself) but it seems like a very nice hat regardless.

cheers!
Alan

 

[bond]

Alan thanks for your comments, but The link shows a fedora NOT a top hat with a Melusine finish.
Ok Alan please tell us what the hat is then if it is not the mystical Melusine ?

 

[TomS]

Looks like Melusine to me. I've owned a couple of them, and it looks like it.

 

[alanfgag]

Alan thanks for your comments, but The link shows a fedora NOT a top hat with a Melusine finish.
Ok Alan please tell us what the hat is then if it is not the mystical Melusine ?

I have no knowledge of a mystical melusine. I only know of it as a polished directional napped fur felt that is used on modern top hats by Christys and other UK manufacturers as a replacement for silk plush which is hard or perhaps impossible to source today. On a google search, it also comes up as a descriptive term applied to a handful of modern felt hats also being sold in the UK - perhaps for a similarity to the finish in UK manufactured top hats. Beyond this, I have never heard the term used.

Perhaps Tom can provide a better explanation, as he has owned a couple.

 

[bond]

That makes sense to me. I would call this one a directional napped fur felt.
I guess its also safe to say this Dobbs was made in the USA not the Uk ,and is not a modern variety as well.

 

[bond]

Looks like the melusine finish is alive here in the usa here is a Link to optimo Melusine finish hat for sale on the lounge a while ago.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?64305-FS-Optimo-Dark-Gray-Fedo