What Hat Are You Wearing Today ?

[Steve1857]

I read this is a reference to “West Berlin” during the Cold War, but that’s an assumption. I had an address in Berlin at one time, but it was so long ago that I can’t even remember if it had a direction incincluded.

Ja, nothing to do with east or west Berlin after WWII.

Steve's hat box is post, mine is pre, both addresses are in the West area of Berlin. Though Friedrich Strasse would have been in what we know as east Berlin post WWII.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Powder blue early Vitafelt Stratoliner. TAR Tuesday

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original pin courtesy @Short Balding Guy

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Another killer oldie, Joe. Is that a 2-5/8 inch brim or 2-3/4?

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Ja, nothing to do with east or west Berlin after WWII.

Steve's hat box is post, mine is pre, both addresses are in the West area of Berlin. Though Friedrich Strasse would have been in what we know as east Berlin post WWII.

You have a “W” on yours as well?

Part of Friedrichstrasse was in East, part in West. I believe Checkpoint Charlie was on Friedrichstrasse.

 

[Steve1857]

You have a “W” on yours as well?

Part of Friedrichstrasse was in East, part in West. I believe Checkpoint Charlie was on Friedrichstrasse.

Yes, but mine is pre WWII, so before the partition of Berlin.

 

[Blare]

Another killer oldie, Joe. Is that a 2-5/8 inch brim or 2-3/4?

Thanks Nathan. 2 5/8

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Ja, nothing to do with east or west Berlin after WWII.

Steve's hat box is post, mine is pre, both addresses are in the West area of Berlin. Though Friedrich Strasse would have been in what we know as east Berlin post WWII.

Here’s the proof of what you’re saying, an envelope addressed to Berlin from 1950 (the “S.W.” being “Sudwest”).

Other examples abound, thanks for clarifying Steve!

 

[Mighty44]

Nice choice, David.

Thanks, Joe—right back at you with that Vita Felt!

 

[VoodooSan]

Shudde Bros. OR 25–once again employing a thin ribbon as travel hat, this time to CA for spring break.
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Perfecto!!!

 

[Mighty44]

Perfecto!!!

Thanks, Mark!

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Nathan, if you had put that on for the first time and NOT been smitten, we'd be worried about your mental health!

Haha, thanks Voo!

 

[CRH]

Walking through a wind tunnel, wind so strong it flipped up the brim of my Akubra Cattleman. Hat stayed on though. Lol

 

[Dlaniger]

An evening soiree had me wearing a Stetson Avenue. A hat with all the features.

Cheers, Eric -

You are wearing that green, Eric! The hat is great, but those cap toe brogue spectators are off the charts. Bravo!

 

[Dlaniger]

Borchert Berlin W., date stamped August 6, 1952. I found this hat back in 2011 and I have always enjoyed wearing it. I am not sure who made this hat for Borchert. C.W. Borchert goes way back and they change locations after WWII.

Borchert Berlin W. carton that came with another hat from the same time period. I really like the Borchert Berlin W. logo.

I can see why you like wearing that one. It is just simply a great looking hat!

 

[mayserwegener]

I can see why you like wearing that one. It is just simply a great looking hat!

Reggie, Thank you! I agree!

 

[mayserwegener]

Wonderful colour, shape, look to the felt, brim binding, plus ribbon and bow treatment, Steve.

I'm the lucky owner of a pre World War II C.W. Borchert hat box from their original address at Friedrich Strasse. Sadly, it didn't come with a hat inside.

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Steve, Thanks! That is a great old C.W Borchert hat box!

Cool, they even have the “W” after Berlin (for “West”, I assume). I’m sure that was normal but I never thought about it as part of a formal address.

Great looking hat, your collection is fascinating!

Nathan, Thank you! Steve, replied regarding the addresses but here are some photos of a C. W. Borchert 157 Friedrichstrasse Berlin. W. Stiff Felt of mine.

 

[mayserwegener]

Breathtakingly stunning!

Mark, Thank you!

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Steve, Thanks! That is a great old C.W Borchert hat box!




Nathan, Thank you! Steve, replied regarding the addresses but here are some photos of a C. W. Borchert 157 Friedrichstrasse Berlin. W. Stiff Felt of mine.

Very cool!

It seems “Berlin W.” was a formal division of (what is now) Berlin-Mitte that was further divided into numbers. That’s why Steve’s hatbox says “Berlin W. 8”. I did not know this, and it is interesting to learn about.

Also interesting, it seems the Berlin Wall ran straight through Berlin W. 8 so that even though the original 157 Friedrichstrasse address for this hat maker was on the western side, the original post office for Berlin W. 8 was on the Soviet side (at least according to this webpage:

https://stamporama.com/discboard/disc_main.php?action=20&id=28984)

20th Century German history is so very complicated and your hat collection bears the marks of those complications - fascinating stuff, thanks for sharing!

 

[Pellie]

I am planning to wear my Hornskov today. I don't wear them that much, but i think i should do. They are great hats imho. I am not sure which one yet. The dark brown or the camel?

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Good morning. A walkabout in a Stetson. The other Stetson, Stephen L. Stetson.

I changed into a green hued Adam gilled fedora when I arrived home.

The temp on the deck has warmed to 36'f (2'c) and I changed into a Playboy Air Light for more coffee. This Air Light has a snowflake crown vent. The unreeded sweatband and extremely light felt make this hat very comfortable to wear about.

This Stetson Playboy has a bound edge treatment.

Cheers, Eric -

 

[Blare]

Thanks, Joe—right back at you with that Vita Felt!

Thanks David