German & Austrian Hutmachers

[rlk]

Hückel Standard Crystall Velour

Condition is amazing. No country on label.

 

[mayserwegener]

Robert, Thank you posting the additional photos. The paper label is similar (also no country) to my Superior Crystall Velour. Now we need find a couple more in larger sizes. Would be interesting know more about the master hat maker.

 

[danofarlington]

I am guessing that there was no American market for velour hats of this kind. I don't recall ever seeing one in an old American movie.

 

[mayserwegener]

You guessed wrong. Austrian Velours were popular in the USA. If you go back in this thread you will see the US newspaper ads from the early 1900 - 1930s.

 

[danofarlington]

You guessed wrong. Austrian Velours were popular in the USA. If you go back in this thread you will see the US newspaper ads from the early 1900 - 1930s.

I guess that fact escaped me then. My intuition about that style is that not seeing it in old movies, and not seeing any on E Bay (although maybe they're there), plus my observation that the only velour hats I generally see here in TFL are from you and rlk, presumably from German or other European E Bay, is that velour hats were mostly a European and not American style.

 

[azhiker]

I am moving to Frankfurt am Main, Germany soon. Hopefully I can add to this thread when I get there.

 

[rlk]

I guess that fact escaped me then. My intuition about that style is that not seeing it in old movies, and not seeing any on E Bay (although maybe they're there), plus my observation that the only velour hats I generally see here in TFL are from you and rlk, presumably from German or other European E Bay, is that velour hats were mostly a European and not American style.

Tons of them on US ebay--many in the Alpine style. Pre 30's velours were common everywhere including USA. Very popular trend late 30's and again late 50's into early 60's. Lots of velour Borsalinos in all styles from all periods(XX models and Peluche i.e.). American companies also made them in addition to rebranding Austrian bodies. Stetson Suede finish is a velour seen in 40's-50's and HCA lines made a similar felt. I have European style velours from Saks Fifth Ave, Marshall Fields, Lyttons and more. You probably aren't looking for them so they don't attract your attention. Less than 1/2 my velours are from overseas.

U.S. Politicians in Washington D.C.

 

[mayserwegener]

I guess that fact escaped me then. My intuition about that style is that not seeing it in old movies, and not seeing any on E Bay (although maybe they're there), plus my observation that the only velour hats I generally see here in TFL are from you and rlk, presumably from German or other European E Bay, is that velour hats were mostly a European and not American style.

Everything Robert said is spot on (great photos!). There are a good number of old (pre WII by USA, English, Italian, French, Austrian, German makers) city dress style Velours on this site. Three of my finest Austrian Velours were from USA sources. Old Austrian Velours like this JHS were sold and worn / prized in the USA.

USA newspaper ad from 11/06/1937 for Hückel velour hats.

 

[Dreispitz]

Everything Robert said is spot on (great photos!). There are a good number of old (pre WII by USA, English, Italian, French, Austrian, German makers) city dress style Velours on this site. Three of my finest Austrian Velours were from USA sources. Old Austrian Velours like this JHS were sold and worn / prized in the USA.

USA newspaper ad from 11/06/1937 for Hückel velour hats.

"... long-wearing" is kind of right. I guess, most of ours are pre WWII. [angel][angel][angel][angel][angel]

 

[mayserwegener]

So true! How about a photo of you wearing the Super Sport?

 

[mayserwegener]

I am moving to Frankfurt am Main, Germany soon. Hopefully I can add to this thread when I get there.

Great! Looking forward to your additions!

 

[mayserwegener]

Hückel Extra

Here are some more details. Made by Fritz Hückel Weilheim. Unfortunately it has some severe mothing. Otherwise it is in very good condition. Probably late 1950s.

 

[Joshbru3]

Here are some more details. Made by Fritz Hückel Weilheim. Unfortunately it has some severe mothing. Otherwise it is in very good condition. Probably late 1950s.

I'll tell ya Steve, Hückel's quality never ceases to amaze me. You've posted many pre-war, post-war, and during-war Hückel's and they always have such amazing attention to detail. I know that Stetson & Borsalino are two favorites around the lounge, but I must say that I would be willing to bet that Hückel's quality and craftsmanship was not only on par with those two companies but I'm sure in many ways surpassed them.

 

[rlk]

Here are some more details. Made by Fritz Hückel Weilheim. Unfortunately it has some severe mothing. Otherwise it is in very good condition. Probably late 1950s.

Another Hückel beauty in a nice warm color. Unusual to see the wider brim binding.

 

[mayserwegener]

P. & C. Habig Homburg + Hat Box

P. & C. Habig Homburg, black, size 58cm with original store box. This one is from 1957 and in very good condition. Original hat box from the store that sold it.

 

[rlk]

Beautiful "American Style" finish on the Homburg--looks just like the 1960 Zefir I have in Fedora style.

 

[mayserwegener]

Mayser Homburg

Mayser Homburg, brown, size 60cm. This one is really nice with beautiful liner. I am thinking mid 1950s maybe a bit older. Another one from Kramer of Frankfurt / Main.

 

[mayserwegener]

Hückel Seal Zephyr Velour

This beauty had it's brim hacked to about 1 3/4 inches. Now it's at 2 1/8 inches and looks really nice.

 

[mayserwegener]

I'll tell ya Steve, Hückel's quality never ceases to amaze me. You've posted many pre-war, post-war, and during-war Hückel's and they always have such amazing attention to detail. I know that Stetson & Borsalino are two favorites around the lounge, but I must say that I would be willing to bet that Hückel's quality and craftsmanship was not only on par with those two companies but I'm sure in many ways surpassed them.

In my opinion most of the German and Austrian makers were on the same level. I think in general their finishing were some of the finest. When it came to Velour finshes pre WWII (and into the 50s both TONAK & Fritz Hückel) JHS Velours can't be matched. For example the above Hückel Zephy Seal Velour was made by TONAK probably late 1950s. I would say overall it stands up to the finest of that time period. Same with whatever Fritz Hückel Weilheim, Mayser, Wegener, P. & C. Habig and others produced.

 

[rlk]

1911 Hat Manufacturers - Austria