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Willoughby Hats...of Paris?

se couvrir

One of the Regulars
Messages
143
Location
Hardy country UK
Nice hat Rick! Never heard of Willoughby hats here in England. The print on the liner logo is very similar to those used by Bates Hatters and Lock & Sons, so I wonder if Willoughby was an offshoot of some kind (for a different market or quality) of one of those makers - unless the design of the logo was just a generic variation?
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Chris
 
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Rick Blaine

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,958
Location
Saskatoon, SK CANADA
Well the roll of the dice was rewarded in this instance.
This is one of the three finest fur felts I own. Unbelievably thin yet dense, floppy but will hold a crease, 2 3/4" brim and a generous 6"+ open crown. French 7 3/8, so a roomy 60. I have found out very little of the company, Willoughby, below is a mention in a 1909 AMERICAN HATTER.

american hatter 1909.jpg
Willough hats1909.jpg

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At the brims edge it comes in at about (?) 1/8" - 3/16" thick.
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Miamibruno

One Too Many
Messages
1,018
Location
Milton, MA
I've had several Willoughby hats, and though I know nothing of the company, the hats were without question, EXCEPTIONAL. The felts were as you describe and very well made. Both of the ones I had, had backbows, but if I ever find another - as you did - I would buy it without hesitation. Congratulations on a fine find.
 

Rick Blaine

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,958
Location
Saskatoon, SK CANADA
Nice hat Rick! Never heard of Willoughby hats here in England. The print on the liner logo is very similar to those used by Bates Hatters and Lock & Sons, so I wonder if Willoughby was an offshoot of some kind (for a different market or quality) of one of those makers - unless the design of the logo was just a generic variation? View attachment 39432 View attachment 39433
Chris

I am guessing such a distinctive logo on a number of "Anglais" hats may have, perhaps, been a bit of graphic, visual shorthand denoting hats with a UK design/origin.
Or I may be right off... just speculation.
 

Rick Blaine

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,958
Location
Saskatoon, SK CANADA
Willoughby Pt. Deux



So another Willoughby came up, same BIN, same seller.... and so on. So I bit.

This one is, regrettably, not labeled Canadian Beaver like the last, but it too was a 60 and so very similar, must have belonged to the same owner.
It is absolutely the finest felt I have yet encountered. Old world craftsmanship, in spades! Just as nice or nicer than Borsos from (what I would guess to be) the same era, those being the Simon Zlateff Borsos.
But check this out ------->
Not only that funky, hella small edge stitch, but the felt itself is almost as light as a butterfly's wing. That is a key on edge shown for comparison. The weight came in at an amazing 85 grams, three ounces, liner, leather sweatband ... all in. I was blown away!

Now it does rather flap like a flag in the wind, truthfully... so windy days are out. But I was tickled to get a second of these spectacular felts. I have since noticed a couple of others but (now it seems I am sensitized to the name), alas, have learned nothing further about the company or hat-maker.

Happy 2016 to all!
 

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