French Hats and makers.

[steur]

Mossant Castor Hudson fedora in a grey colour called Ardoise (slate). Size 56 with the bound brim at 6cm and the crown at a fairly low 9,5cm at the center dent. The beaver felt is excellent and has a nice hand. Still deceiding if I want to wear this one brim up or down. Leaning towards brim up. Weighs 105 grams.

 

[shopkin]

Brim down.

 

[steur]

Collins&Fairbanks Co extra quality fedora in grey. Size 57 or 58 (not quite sure) with the bound brim a smidge under 7cm and the crown at an impressive 11,5cm at the center dent. There is a small label with a 5 on inside of the sweatband, but you can just about see the 1/8 on the lower right side of the label, so indeed either a 57 or a 58.
It really wanted the camber style it is in right now. The label tells us what we expected of this hat. It was actually made by Mossant and the colour is called Gris Lugano. There is a label with the JB logo stuck over the Mossant label though. JB being Jean Bourrel, a French manufacturer in its own right, and it is likely that in this case they were the wholeseller to Collins and Fairbanks. The hat has great styling and felt and weighs 106 grams. But is is too big for me (dang!).

 

[PanosChris]

Collins&Fairbanks Co extra quality fedora in grey. Size 57 or 58 (not quite sure) with the bound brim a smidge under 7cm and the crown at an impressive 11,5cm at the center dent. There is a small label with a 5 on inside of the sweatband, but you can just about see the 1/8 on the lower right side of the label, so indeed either a 57 or a 58.
It really wanted the camber style it is in right now. The label tells us what we expected of this hat. It was actually made by Mossant and the colour is called Gris Lugano. There is a label with the JB logo stuck over the Mossant label though. JB being Jean Bourrel, a French manufacturer in its own right, and it is likely that in this case they were the wholeseller to Collins and Fairbanks. The hat has great styling and felt and weighs 106 grams. But is is too big for me (dang!).

Simply Gorgeous! Pity about the size though, but you can't have it all I guess. Love it

 

[steur]

Simply Gorgeous! Pity about the size though, but you can't have it all I guess. Love it

Thanks, Panos. But I want it all and now I can't have it???

 

[steur]

Delion Fleuron F fedora in a blue colour I think is called Fulton. Size 59 according to the size label, but it fits more like a 57 to be honest. But it is another one that doesn't fit me. Generous raw edge brim at 7cm and a smidge and the crown at 10,5cm at the center dent. Quite sturdy felt and it shows in the weight, which is 142 grams. The hand is lovely though.
Bonus feature is that it is dated: february 1st 1955.
First the outside.

 

[steur]

And the inside next.

 

[Steve1857]

Wonderful colour and classic 50s look, Stefan. Nice find.

 

[steur]

Wonderful colour and classic 50s look, Stefan. Nice find.

Thank you, Steve.

 

[steur]

Berteil velours in a rich brown colour. Size 59 (by the measurements) with the raw edge brim at 5,7cm and the crown at 10,5cm at the center dent. Gorgeous felt on this one. This hat was well loved and worn, which shows on the liner especially. Sweatband looks worn but is fine. PM me if you're interested in this one, because it isn't my size.

 

[MikeinRome]

Collins&Fairbanks Co extra quality fedora in grey. Size 57 or 58 (not quite sure) with the bound brim a smidge under 7cm and the crown at an impressive 11,5cm at the center dent. There is a small label with a 5 on inside of the sweatband, but you can just about see the 1/8 on the lower right side of the label, so indeed either a 57 or a 58.
It really wanted the camber style it is in right now. The label tells us what we expected of this hat. It was actually made by Mossant and the colour is called Gris Lugano. There is a label with the JB logo stuck over the Mossant label though. JB being Jean Bourrel, a French manufacturer in its own right, and it is likely that in this case they were the wholeseller to Collins and Fairbanks. The hat has great styling and felt and weighs 106 grams. But is is too big for me (dang!).

Stefan was kind enough to sell this hat to me. Feels like a French Whippet to me. 2 1/2 inch brim and 6 inch open crown.

 

[steur]

GL homburg hat in Aubergine. Size 56 with the bound brim at 6cm and the crown at 10,5cm at the center dent. The crown patch suggests it's branded LG instead of GL, but it stands for Galleries Lafayette, the department store that is still in business today. Somehow I think this hat could have been made by Mossant. I bought it for the colour, which is one I've never seen before on a homburg (or a fedora for that matter).

 

[steur]

I actually have one of these in blue, but these are such great hats I had to pick this one up as well.
Morreton Velrex velour feodra in black. Size 56 with the raw edge brim at 6,5cm and the crown at 10,5cm at the center dent. Wonderful shape and great hand to the felt of this velour felt. Fairly lightweight for a velour at 114 grams.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

GL homburg hat in Aubergine. Size 56 with the bound brim at 6cm and the crown at 10,5cm at the center dent. The crown patch suggests it's branded LG instead of GL, but it stands for Galleries Lafayette, the department store that is still in business today. Somehow I think this hat could have been made by Mossant. I bought it for the colour, which is one I've never seen before on a homburg (or a fedora for that matter).

Beautiful and rare color for a "Diplomatique". Gorgeous hat, branded with another rare French seller

I actually have one of these in blue, but these are such great hats I had to pick this one up as well.
Morreton Velrex velour feodra in black. Size 56 with the raw edge brim at 6,5cm and the crown at 10,5cm at the center dent. Wonderful shape and great hand to the felt of this velour felt. Fairly lightweight for a velour at 114 grams.

This time I'm not complaining about the size being too small because I have something similar that fits on my head. Clearly I envy the one in blue
Morreton can be a hardship, but also a delight as in this case

 

[steur]

Beautiful and rare color for a "Diplomatique". Gorgeous hat, branded with another rare French seller

This time I'm not complaining about the size being too small because I have something similar that fits on my head. Clearly I envy the one in blue
Morreton can be a hardship, but also a delight as in this case

Thank you, Daniele. Exactly right with your asessment.

 

[PanosChris]

I actually have one of these in blue, but these are such great hats I had to pick this one up as well.
Morreton Velrex velour feodra in black. Size 56 with the raw edge brim at 6,5cm and the crown at 10,5cm at the center dent. Wonderful shape and great hand to the felt of this velour felt. Fairly lightweight for a velour at 114 grams.

GL homburg hat in Aubergine. Size 56 with the bound brim at 6cm and the crown at 10,5cm at the center dent. The crown patch suggests it's branded LG instead of GL, but it stands for Galleries Lafayette, the department store that is still in business today. Somehow I think this hat could have been made by Mossant. I bought it for the colour, which is one I've never seen before on a homburg (or a fedora for that matter).

Wow, take it easy with those French ladies in small sizes, Stefan

 

[steur]

Wow, take it easy with those French ladies in small sizes, Stefan

Thanks, Panos. These will be pampered, like the others, so no need to worry.

 

[batankyu]

Hello, here is a black fedora with velvet finish, "Select Velour" by Fléchet. I purchased it for 7 euro at a garage sale in Gavray, Normandie, France on Thu 8 Aug 2024. Any clue about a date range?

Top view:

Front view:

Rear view:

Left side view:

Right side view:

Bottom view:

Inner lining view with inscription ''CHAPELLERIE MODERNE F. PENOT 31 bis Rue de Montreuil VINCENNES"

Sweatband front view with inscription of model "Select":

Sweatband left side view with inscription "chapeau fléchet made in France" and "ÉTABLISSEMENTS FLÉCHET FRÈRES FONDÉS EN 1852":

Sweatband right side view with owner initials "MJ" and inscription "CHAPELLERIE MODERNE F. PENOT 31 bis Rue de Montreuil VINCENNES":

Sweatband general rear view:

Sweatband rear view with owner initials "MJ" and missing bow knot:

tag behind sweat band with inscription "Bflechet, Rce: 9272, Qte: Select Velour":

On my head...

 

[steur]

Hello, here is a black fedora with velvet finish, "Select Velour" by Fléchet. I purchased it for 7 euro at a garage sale in Gavray, Normandie, France on Thu 8 Aug 2024. Any clue about a date range?

Top view:

Front view:

Rear view:

Left side view:

Right side view:

Bottom view:

Inner lining view with inscription ''CHAPELLERIE MODERNE F. PENOT 31 bis Rue de Montreuil VINCENNES"

Sweatband front view with inscription of model "Select":

Sweatband left side view with inscription "chapeau fléchet made in France" and "ÉTABLISSEMENTS FLÉCHET FRÈRES FONDÉS EN 1852":

Sweatband right side view with owner initials "MJ" and inscription "CHAPELLERIE MODERNE F. PENOT 31 bis Rue de Montreuil VINCENNES":

Sweatband general rear view:

Sweatband rear view with owner initials "MJ" and missing bow knot:

tag behind sweat band with inscription "Bflechet, Rce: 9272, Qte: Select Velour":

On my head...

That is a great find. Liner and sweatband imprint suggest it's pre-WWII. I'd say thirties.

 

[batankyu]

Hello, on Sat 20 Jul 2024, I purchased this velvet fedora for 6 euro at a garage sale in Annoville, Normandie, France. After many searches on the web, I still cannot figure what this inscription "BF première marque" stands for in the inner lining. Does anyone know? Could it be that this inner lining is not the original one that came with hat? As usual, any hint on a date range is welcome.

Top view, pinched.

Front view, pinched.

Rear view, pinched.

Left side view, pinched.

Right side view, pinched.

Bottom view.

Inner lining,, with inscription "BF PREMIÈRE MARQUE" (?).

Sweatband, right side, with inscription "GAUQUELIN 107, Rue Torteron SAINT-LÔ".

Sweatband, left side, with owner's initials "GR".

Sweat band, rear with bow knot.

Tag behind sweatband, with inscription "3", "Ref 2548" "g90", "Qte GUIB" (?).

Top view, not pinched.

Front view, not pinched.

Rear view, not pinched.

Left side view, not pinched.

Right side view, not pinched.

On new owner.