What kind of hat is this?

[Dickie]

I've never seen a hat like this before - has someone just sat on it or is it a particular style of hat? It looks a bit like a deformed Homburg!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160128649093#ebayphotohosting

 

[Baron Kurtz]

'Tis a homburg.

bk

 

[Orgetorix]

Yeah, it's just been smashed in. Should be easy to fix, though it might need to be reblocked by a hatter.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

might be a pretty recent smash job. It could just pop right out . . .

bk

 

[Not-Bogart13]

'Tis a homburg.

bk

Correction... 'Twas a homburg.
I've seen that done before, on purpose. I think some old-time actors and musician used to do that, but maybe somebody more familiar with vintage personalities would know better.
NB

 

[Orgetorix]

Correction... 'Twas a homburg.

I think as long as it still has the curled brim, it is still a homburg. Crown/bash styles on homburgs can vary somewhat.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I suspect it's just come into the hands of someone who knows nada about hats. Therefore slamming it into that weird crown treatment.

bk

 

[Twitch]

There also seems to be a thing with non-informed ebay hat sellers to punch out all the dents and photograph them appearing like Hoss' big dome western hat on Bonanza. Weird.:eusa_doh:

 

[scotrace]

And calling it a derby.

 

[warbird]

bird below

 

[BellyTank]

Enough with the bad jokes already-
Let's call it a Derby...

B
T

 

[Dickie]

Aye, it's a shame it's a bit smashed up - I haven't seen many Homburgs in that colour... plus I think it might be a little small for me. It almost looks as if the lining was designed for that odd shape, though that might just be cos it's been smashed into that shape... I did recently buy a lovely Stetson Homburg made in 1968 under licence in England... Do you know if these hats which are made under licence are of a generally lower quality or not? It seems to be excellent quality - really firm but soft felt if you get me... Anyhow, thanks for the analysis...

 

[Undertow]

Please excuse my ignorance, but could you guys explain briefly a "reblocking"? Why would one NEED to reblock a hat? What is involved?

 

[warbird]

A reblock is necessary when a hat becomes in such sad shape that it won't any longer hold a pleasant shape or it holds a bad shape that won't come out. Maybe it sat somewhere in a crushed state etc.. or maybe you simply want a hat to be a completely new shape and a thorough cleaning. To an extent you can shape your own hats, but when you can't you have it reblocked. A hatter does this by breaking the hat down to nothing but the fur felt, sweat removed, ribbon removed. After cleaning it is put on a block or form for shaping and sizing.

Many custom hatters do this, though I don't think Art does anymore. Jimmy Pierce has some examples on his site of hats he has reblocked.