Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

German & Austrian Hutmachers

Messages
17,477
Location
Maryland
The stamp Bowler belonged to a club out of Amsterdam. I have no idea about the one with a zipper. Supposedly they have some old hats with fans in them so I will see if can get some photos.
 
Last edited:
Messages
17,477
Location
Maryland
The TONAK (originally Johann Hückel´s Söhne) factory and surounding villas. They wouldn't allow me to take photos inside the factory. Felting and hat making are done at the same site. They produce ~ 40,000 felt hoods a month. They are only at ~ 30% of capacity. I was told they were bought by a firm out of the Netherlands.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26044488@N04/sets/72157626380182461/

Hückel family grave site with memorials.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26044488@N04/sets/72157626504629948/

A. Peschel & Brüder Böhm factory sites.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26044488@N04/sets/72157626379978905/
 
Messages
17,477
Location
Maryland
Johann Hückel´s Söhne factory early 1900s maybe earlier.

5622319871_ef371e2e87_b.jpg


5622914720_4699b4e478_b.jpg


5622916854_e400538a1d_b.jpg


5622905058_ef25078763_b.jpg


5622920166_418104d704_b.jpg


5622908768_2eec048da3_b.jpg


5622322153_6e6698f39b_b.jpg


5622912334_a00ba4d954_b.jpg


5622906216_b104d8edf9_b.jpg
 
Last edited:
Messages
17,477
Location
Maryland
It is pretty much the same size today although not working even close to full capacity (they said about 30%). My guess is most of the present day machinary is post 1930s. They still use the wooden hat racks in the second to last photo.

The original main building is still there. You can see it in the employee photo above and here is what it looks like today.

5622071829_4c57fb53ee_b.jpg


Here is a photo of the factory in 1868.

5622533711_b79318ab96_b.jpg
 
Last edited:
Messages
17,477
Location
Maryland
Meeting the Debynator!

I meet up with Dreispitz (Dieter) at his house that he shares with his girl friend in Hallertauer Hopland.

Here is Dieter modeling some of his hats for me.

5624213356_f7e82d623e_z.jpg


5624213116_c2e615c735_z.jpg


5624212768_7dcceb89ca_z.jpg


5624212038_577f081e76_z.jpg


I am wearing his Hückel Super Sport Velour.

5624212372_6ba01121fe_z.jpg


Time to visit a fantastic biergarten for lunch!

5623626389_518f9e237b_z.jpg


5623628249_08ac0ddc1f_z.jpg


5624215928_5950160e9f_z.jpg
 
Messages
17,477
Location
Maryland
Continued

We then headed to K. & R. Lembert Hutfabrik (established 1861) in Augsburg. Mr. Christian Lembert gave us a tour of the factory which is much as it was 80 years ago. They have all the machines to mass produce hats but only have about 10 employees today. They also have a large number of antique wooden blocks and flanges. Also machinery for Velour finishes. Unfortunately I wasn't allowed to take pictures in the factory. Today they only make lower end traditional style hats for whole sale order. They also make more specialized women's hats to order. I bought a Dreispitz in honor of the Derbynator!

At the factory store.

5624220398_b1a422ae9d_z.jpg


With Mr. Christian Lembert holding the Dreispitz.

5624217482_e6abcd7d85_z.jpg


5623630143_bbe499d42f_z.jpg


I inquired about this vintage Lembert hut holder and Mr. Lembert kindly offered it to me.

5621999786_138b6160e7_z.jpg


5621412753_132b87eea9_z.jpg
 
Messages
17,477
Location
Maryland
Steve, that's some great stuff. Look like you've had a fun time.

BTW: I'd love to pick some of those flanges and blocks from the photos...that's massive!

I am pretty sure TONAK still has them all. I am not sure how they are keeping a massive factory like that going. My feeling is that it would never have survived if it was in the West. Also Lembert has all their old blocks and flanges but on a much smaller scale.
 
Messages
17,477
Location
Maryland
H. Haymann

JHS sole agent for the U.K. British Colonies and far East. Very early 1900s.

5623746241_d864e274e8_b.jpg


5624333388_c1716538a5_b.jpg


Interesting to note the use of nutria along with rabbit and hare.

5623746493_4d45f7aea5_b.jpg
 
Last edited:

Forum statistics

Threads
109,101
Messages
3,074,122
Members
54,091
Latest member
toptvsspala
Top