1890's-1900's early hat manufacture HAWES (Hawes Von Gal) HAT CO

[Joshbru3]

Very cool, Josh! (that location was in Niagara Falls, Ontario)

Thanks, Alan!! Oops, I didn't even realize that the factory was located in Ontario. I just assumed it was New York because at one time Hawes and E. J. Von Gal had factories in New York.

 

[Joshbru3]

Heres some more ads that I just found:

1904

1910

1911

1911

 

[Joshbru3]

I also just bought this on ebay. I can't wait to have it in my hands.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360408262572?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

[monbla256]

I also just bought this on ebay. I can't wait to have it in my hands.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360408262572?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Those are neat ! Is the bottom item an advertising ink blotter?

 

[Joshbru3]

Those are neat ! Is the bottom item an advertising ink blotter?

Thanks. All 3 pictures are from the same letter, the bottom two are just detailed shots of the letter.

 

[Joshbru3]

Here's a couple more ads that I found recently.....

1899

1902

1905

1913

 

[Chepstow]

Josh, great ads!

 

[besdor]

I doubt any soft hats exixst from this factory. They are gone so many years already. From what I was told , they were the largest har manufacturers ariubd the turn of the century.

 

[alanfgag]

I doubt any soft hats exixst from this factory. They are gone so many years already. From what I was told , they were the largest har manufacturers ariubd the turn of the century.

Well, there is at least one.

 

[delectans]

I doubt any soft hats exixst from this factory. They are gone so many years already. From what I was told , they were the largest har manufacturers ariubd the turn of the century.

Well, there is at least one.

Could not have scripted a better introduction! Go, Alan! :eusa_clapop2:

 

[randooch]

. . . exixst . . . har . . . ariubd . . .

I'd better learn the code. :eusa_doh:

 

[alanfgag]

Hawes Von Gal soft hat - 1900 - 1910

First off, deep appreciation to Josh for his extensive research on this company - and for his encouragement in my bidding on a very rare hat that would be as at home in his collection as in mine... lounge friendship doesn't get any better than that.

A time capsule hat, in extraordinary condition.

I have brushed it, but not used steam or any other treatment on the felt or sweatband. The ribbon/bow are very soft silk. I did not want to risk water spots or changing the texture of the fabric with heat. Stitching is tight. The sweatband leather remains flexible. The collector who sold it says he purchased it from the original owner's family. That it has been cared for to this extent over more than a century of tumult is amazing.

The felt is soft and supple with a wild, toothy fur quality. The silk ribbon is "soft as silk." Feeling it, you understand rayon as a substitute for silk and why silk is so highly valued for its texture and durability.

Creased as it might have been, as I will when I wear it.

 

[buler]

Great find! Excellent example of an early soft hat.
B

 

[alanfgag]

I love the typographical design of this hand lettered imprint.

I found little on John F. Fortune beyond this photo and this small NY Times article mentioning the namesake and his finish time in an 1894 cycling event.

The perforated sweat with ribbon is already vestigial... the bow is slightly different in color, tacked to the sweat at the top of the bows and behind the knot.

I imagine the foil imprints have oxidized from their original tone. The deep orange silk liner remains brilliant with an elaborate decorative seam at the crown.

 

[hatophile]

That's an asounding find Alan, and I'm sure it will look mahvelous on your head.:eusa_clap

 

[alanfgag]

One small disappointment... any manufacturing labels that remain in the hat are tucked high up on the crown behind the liner. I saw no evidence of them in a scan with my mirror. I will try to make friends with a dentist to score a more diminutive probe for a careful look behind the liner.

This one tiny store sticker behind the sweat confirms it is a $3 Haw hat... on sale for $2.95. Can anyone venture a guess to the words above?

Thanks for looking!

 

[alanfgag]

The location of Fortune's store today is an unfortunate vacant lot between some empty storefronts and a truck parts store.

 

[alanfgag]

Thank you Perry and Bill. The hat fits me well and with the right outfit, should fit the bill. It's not a hat to wear all the time, but it is definitely still wearable with care.

 

[Equality 7-2521]

Ah you got that one . It's a beauty, congratulations and may you wear it in good health.

 

[DJH]

Fantastic - what a find!!