Czech Republicans: Tonak, Huckel, no name

[mayserwegener]

Super find! That is an early TONAK made for the American market. Johann Hückel´s Söhne (JHS) main factory was nationalized as TONAK after WWII. JHS were known to make the finest Velour felt hats. This is made of luxury Velour Felt (from wild Hare) so not for a sofa. Can you please post a better photo of the paper label? Also the other side of the sweatband.

You can read about JHS here.

http://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/6-johann-hückel´s-söhne-hückel-hutfabrik-weilheim/

Here are some other early TONAKs.

http://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/124-tonak-formerly-hückel-plant-hückel/?hl=tonak

Also I would steam and brush it counter clock wise with the nap. If it's really dusty you might want to vacuum it first. It should really shine after a good steam and brush. The JHS Velours are finer but these early TONAKs are fantastic too.

 

[Tukwila]

Super find! That is an early TONAK made for the American market. Johann Hückel´s Söhne (JHS) main factory was nationalized as TONAK after WWI. JHS were known to make the finest Velour felt hats. This is made of luxury Velour Felt (from wild Hare) so not for a sofa. Can you please post a better photo of the paper label? Also the other side of the sweatband.

You can read about JHS here.

http://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/6-johann-hückel´s-söhne-hückel-hutfabrik-weilheim/

Here are some other early TONAKs.

http://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/124-tonak-formerly-hückel-plant-hückel/?hl=tonak

Also I would steam and brush it counter clock wise with the nap. If it's really dusty you might want to vacuum it first. It should really shine after a good steam and brush. The JHS Velours are finer but these early TONAKs are fantastic too.

Thank you, Steve! Brilliant information and insight. Here are more pics. Let me know if you want more or anything else. It looks like someone added tape inside the sweat to make it fit their head better, which makes it fit my head better, hahaha.

 

[mayserwegener]

Thank you posting the additional photos. Is there anything on the other side of the sweatband?

The left side of the paper label appears blank. The "Antl. Extra" is most likely "Antilope Extra". The other paper label with "89CSUEDE" "BLACK" was added by the importer. Looks like "$3?" but not sure. I think this might be a Chamois finish. I would have to see better photos. It' only has an American size and doesn't use the standard JHS external paper label size tag. It's a 7 5/8 61cm which I am not sure I have seen before from a TONAK or a JHS.

By the way I just realized I put WWI instead of WWII. The JHS main factory was nationalized as TONAK after WWII (not WWI). I made the change to the original post.

 

[Tukwila]

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks again for posting the photos.

I think it's probably early 1950s. There is no mention of Hückel like the American market TONAK Formerly Hückel / Plant Hückel hats but probably the same time period.

 

[Tukwila]

Thanks, Steve. The felt is also very maleable and easy to shape into whatever crease you want. It came open crown with no permanent creases at all.

 

[Tukwila]

This one really does shine, I just can't take a decent picture of it. I wore it out today and really love it. What a great lid on a dark, cloudy day. A big Czech lid with lots of acreage on the brim, this one lends it's self to oodles of crown tilt and asymmetrical brim crease.

 

[mayserwegener]

Looks great!

 

[steur]

This one really does shine, I just can't take a decent picture of it. I wore it out today and really love it. What a great lid on a dark, cloudy day. A big Czech lid with lots of acreage on the brim, this one lends it's self to oodles of crown tilt and asymmetrical brim crease.

Looks great!

+1
Superb looking hat!

 

[1mach1]

This one really does shine, I just can't take a decent picture of it. I wore it out today and really love it. What a great lid on a dark, cloudy day. A big Czech lid with lots of acreage on the brim, this one lends it's self to oodles of crown tilt and asymmetrical brim crease.

Thats a pretty hat man!

 

[Tukwila]

Looks great!

+1
Superb looking hat!

Thats a pretty hat man!

Thanks so much, guys! I'm really enjoying this one.

 

[Redfokker]

This one really does shine, I just can't take a decent picture of it. I wore it out today and really love it. What a great lid on a dark, cloudy day. A big Czech lid with lots of acreage on the brim, this one lends it's self to oodles of crown tilt and asymmetrical brim crease.

Sorry I missed this one the other day. Super looking finish. Nice contrasting ribbon. Very nice.

 

[steur]

Picked this one up last week. Tonak is not usually a brand I'm too keen on because of their wildly varying quality. This one is very nice though and I was especially caught by the nice proportions. Tonak Flex in brown. Bound brim at about 7cm and crown at 9,5cm at the pinch. No liner, but I'm working on that.

 

[RJR]

Picked this one up last week. Tonak is not usually a brand I'm too keen on because of their wildly varying quality. This one is very nice though and I was especially caught by the nice proportions. Tonak Flex in brown. Bound brim at about 7cm and crown at 9,5cm at the pinch. No liner, but I'm working on that.

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Nice find.

 

[steur]

Nice find.

Thank you, Bob.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Thank you, Bob.

I am developing an interest in vintage hats. Where do I look?

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[deadlyhandsome]

This one really does shine, I just can't take a decent picture of it. I wore it out today and really love it. What a great lid on a dark, cloudy day. A big Czech lid with lots of acreage on the brim, this one lends it's self to oodles of crown tilt and asymmetrical brim crease.

I don’t like black hats but I do like this one!


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[deadlyhandsome]

I am developing an interest in vintage hats. Where do I look?

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Antique shops, vintage clothes stores, here on the Lounge’s classifieds, and of course eBay. Patience is required. I hate patience.


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[1mach1]

I don't believe these are Czech, but I didnt know where to post this. Esther went to a vintage flea market today in Antwerp and sent me these liner shots. Sadly, no pics of the hats themselves. I'm just curious myself if @mayserwegener or @chepstew have any knowledge of these makers.

She said she found a newspaper stuffed in the second hat pictured that dated 1944. Apparently used as padding. Interesting.

Neither hat purchased.

 

[Redfokker]

I don't believe these are Czech, but I didnt know where to post this. Esther went to a vintage flea market today in Antwerp and sent me these liner shots. Sadly, no pics of the hats themselves. I'm just curious myself if @mayserwegener or @chepstew have any knowledge of these makers.

She said she found a newspaper stuffed in the second hat pictured that dated 1944. Apparently used as padding. Interesting.

Neither hat purchased.

I love the Brummel! Pity they are still on the other side of the pond and not in your hands. Not your size though...