German & Austrian Hutmachers

[Mean Eyed Matt]

Matt, Thanks! I found the Felix Weissbach Villa at Schönburgstrasse 59. There is a Bridal Shop and other rental units located in it now. The building to the far right side of the photo is the other villa. This photo is from an in active rental apartment advert.

https://mapio.net/expose/4470325/?gallery=1

Here is a photo of the villa from the article you quoted. The other villa can be seen at the far right side of the photo.

https://www.geocaching.com/geocache...sen?guid=35837820-6dba-406e-90da-19c1a77e4199

Robe de mariée is the bridal shop located in the villa.

Doesn't appear any of the main factory buildings are present. The other villa and standalone building are still present (but heavily modified).

Great, Steve! I knew, it must be there and the Netto Supermarket is, where the Factory was. The other factory I showed is somewhere else...

 

[Steve1857]

Great, Steve! I knew, it must be there and the Netto Supermarket is, where the Factory was. The other factory I showed is somewhere else...

Matt, thanks to you and Steve for posting some of these wonderful images of a hat factory from a bygone age.

Sad to see a Netto has now taken some of its place. Ah, well, that's progress, I guess.

 

[mayserwegener]

Great, Steve! I knew, it must be there and the Netto Supermarket is, where the Factory was. The other factory I showed is somewhere else...

Matt, Thanks. Possibly some of the factory was still there prior to the supermarket. There is no mention of the other villa in the article you found. Might have had some other purpose. I assume the building on the far end was for administration.

 

[mayserwegener]

Matt, thanks to you and Steve for posting some of these wonderful images of a hat factory from a bygone age.

Sad to see a Netto has now taken some of its place. Ah, well, that's progress, I guess.

They focus on the villas. Regarding hats / felt they don't care about production only fashion. Use to be the same (fashion only) on this forum which led to much misinformation. It's been my mission to battle against that.

 

[mayserwegener]

Lital Hutfabrik Wien, "Paris Grand Prix", Wool, 56 cm possibly late 1920s. I found this Stiff Felt for the Great Grand Daughters of the owner of Lital Hutfabrik Wien, Sigmund Lichtenthal. A very pleasing overall Form. The black Liner with Gold print is striking. The light gray Sweatband creates a interesting contrast. Very good condition with the original external size stamp. No paper label present.

There is more info on Lital Hutfabrik Wien on my website.

https://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/topic/261-lital-hute-vienna/#comment-3269

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

Lital Hutfabrik Wien, "Paris Grand Prix", Wool, 56 cm possibly late 1920s. I found this Stiff Felt for the Great Grand Daughters of the owner of Lital Hutfabrik Wien, Sigmund Lichtenthal. A very pleasing overall Form. The black Liner with Gold print is striking. The light gray Sweatband creates a interesting contrast. Very good condition with the original external size stamp. No paper label present.

There is more info on Lital Hutfabrik Wien on my website.

https://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/topic/261-lital-hute-vienna/#comment-3269

Brilliant, Steve, just brilliant: I love black liners and bright sweats - and this is a wonderful combination of both!
And as I could see from your homepage, there is also a fascinating story behind the hat and the whole brand: Great!

 

[mayserwegener]

Brilliant, Steve, just brilliant: I love black liners and bright sweats - and this is a wonderful combination of both!
And as I could see from your homepage, there is also a fascinating story behind the hat and the whole brand: Great!

Matt, Thank you!

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

Today: The opera hat - chapeau claque - Klappzylinder
from the possession of my grandfather with associated hat box.
In this hat he married my grandmother in 1951, however I assume
that this hat originally belonged to my great-grandfather,
as I believe it dates from the 1920s:

"Garantie-Klapphut" of the company "F.W.G.", as can be seen
from the initials in the logo on the lining and hat box.
I have so far no idea which company this is, but the collapsible hats
of this company can be found quite often on the net.
Maybe Steve or Steve know more...!?

As a supplement: While searching for my grandfather's wedding picture with top hat - unfortunately I have not found yet - another picture fell into my hands: Wedding picture of my great-grandparents from June 3, 1922 - on the right side of the picture exactly this Felix Weissbach, Glauchau opera hat, which not only gives me the proof that it was already in the possession of my great-grandfather like I thought, but also gives us a dating approach.

 

[steur]

As a supplement: While searching for my grandfather's wedding picture with top hat - unfortunately I have not found yet - another picture fell into my hands: Wedding picture of my great-grandparents from June 3, 1922 - on the right side of the picture exactly this Felix Weissbach, Glauchau opera hat, which not only gives me the proof that it was already in the possession of my great-grandfather like I thought, but also gives us a dating approach.

How nice is that, Matt!? Excellent find to confirm its provenance.

 

[steur]

This came in a few days ago.
Peschel Biber in a natural colour. Size 56 with the overwelt brim at 6cm and the crown at 10cm at the center dent. Chamois finish and a really nice ribbon treatment. It's a felt ribbon bound with a grosgrain ribbon on either side (probably runs around the felt ribbon on the inside). The felt is great as always with Peschel. Only a small tear in the sweatband keeps it from perfection. Fairly lightweight at 99 grams.

 

[Steve1857]

This came in a few days ago.
Peschel Biber in a natural colour. Size 56 with the overwelt brim at 6cm and the crown at 10cm at the center dent. Chamois finish and a really nice ribbon treatment. It's a felt ribbon bound with a grosgrain ribbon on either side (probably runs around the felt ribbon on the inside). The felt is great as always with Peschel. Only a small tear in the sweatband keeps it from perfection. Fairly lightweight at 99 grams.

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Love that ribbon and bow treatment, Stefan.

Definitely one to copy for the boutique hatmakers of today.

 

[steur]

Love that ribbon and bow treatment, Stefan.

Definitely one to copy for the boutique hatmakers of today.

It gets the attention for sure; it caught mine! Shouldn't be that difficult, but it's the first time I see this.

 

[Steve1857]

It gets the attention for sure; it caught mine! Shouldn't be that difficult, but it's the first time I see this.

Me too.

Just goes to show the artistic inventiveness of the folks at Peschel.

 

[mayserwegener]

This came in a few days ago.
Peschel Biber in a natural colour. Size 56 with the overwelt brim at 6cm and the crown at 10cm at the center dent. Chamois finish and a really nice ribbon treatment. It's a felt ribbon bound with a grosgrain ribbon on either side (probably runs around the felt ribbon on the inside). The felt is great as always with Peschel. Only a small tear in the sweatband keeps it from perfection. Fairly lightweight at 99 grams.

View attachment 482640 View attachment 482641 View attachment 482642 View attachment 482643 View attachment 482644 View attachment 482645 View attachment 482646 View attachment 482647 View attachment 482648 View attachment 482649

Stefan, Super find! As Steve mentioned very unique band and bow design.

 

[steur]

Stefan, Super find! As Steve mentioned very unique band and bow design.

Thank you, Steve. Always fun to see one that can still surprise us.

 

[mayserwegener]

As a supplement: While searching for my grandfather's wedding picture with top hat - unfortunately I have not found yet - another picture fell into my hands: Wedding picture of my great-grandparents from June 3, 1922 - on the right side of the picture exactly this Felix Weissbach, Glauchau opera hat, which not only gives me the proof that it was already in the possession of my great-grandfather like I thought, but also gives us a dating approach.

Matt, Fantastic photo! Congrats on finding it. The date fits some of the adverts too.

 

[mayserwegener]

Rehfus & Cie. Kehl - Rhein "Paradox", FP 5, possibly late 1930s. I really like the form of this Stiff Felt and it's in great condition. Dense black Felt with a very nice smooth finish. According to the the seller this Stiff Felt belonged to a traveling classical musician that was born in 1882 and it was stored away in his travel trunk.

 

[Steve1857]

Rehfus & Cie. Kehl - Rhein "Paradox", FP 5, possibly late 1930s. I really like the form of this Stiff Felt and it's in great condition. Dense black Felt with a very nice smooth finish. According to the the seller this Stiff Felt belonged to a traveling classical musician that was born in 1882 and it was stored away in his travel trunk.

Yet another great Bowler find, Steve.

Any idea of the name or instrument played by its previous owner?

 

[mayserwegener]

Yet another great Bowler find, Steve.

Any idea of the name or instrument played by its previous owner?

Steve, The seller said he played violin and clarinet. The Stiff Felt belonged to the seller's husband's grandfather. This is his travel trunk.

 

[steur]

Rehfus & Cie. Kehl - Rhein "Paradox", FP 5, possibly late 1930s. I really like the form of this Stiff Felt and it's in great condition. Dense black Felt with a very nice smooth finish. According to the the seller this Stiff Felt belonged to a traveling classical musician that was born in 1882 and it was stored away in his travel trunk.

It was stored pretty well! Super hat in great condition. Wonderful find, Steve.