German & Austrian Hutmachers

[mayserwegener]

As the others have said: fabulous find, Steve. And my size too . Just when you think you've seen all of them a new one pops up. That's what keeps it interesting.

Stefan, Thanks! As I mentioned it measures just over 57 cm. It was strected some based on the broken paper label and cut sweatband seam.

 

[mayserwegener]

I'll second the others, Fantastic+

Panos, Thanks!

 

[mayserwegener]

Superb!

Daniele, Thank you!

 

[marting81]

 

[marting81]

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[Mean Eyed Matt]

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Really wonderful old Wilke woolie, Martin: Congrats!

 

[mayserwegener]

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Martin, Thank you! Super find!

 

[marting81]

@mayserwegener for your archive
Residents' Register of the City of Guben, Year 1936

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

@mayserwegener for your archive
Residents' Register of the City of Guben, Year 1936

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That's really impressive! Especially since Guben is a small town and only had a little over 40,000 inhabitants at the time, right?

 

[marting81]

That's really impressive! Especially since Guben is a small town and only had a little over 40,000 inhabitants at the time, right?

 

[mayserwegener]

@mayserwegener for your archive
Residents' Register of the City of Guben, Year 1936

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Martin,

Thank you! Guben was the center of the German Hat industry.

 

[marting81]

"One of the first companies to start production again was the C. G. Wilke hat factory (VHG I) on May 26, 1945, and by December 31, 1945, it had produced 116,700 women's hats and 85,966 men's hats, among others. The steam engine in the Lehmann's Witwe cloth factory started up on May 30, 1945, and began to supply the city with electricity. By August 4, 1945, 206,000 kilowatts had been generated."

 

[steur]

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Super find! Great shape to it.

 

[mayserwegener]

I am going to post this here too. I came across this great short film of Tonak, Fur Cutting Processing, Fur Felt Production and Soft Felt Hat Production. Most of it appears to be early Tonak possibly late 1940s early 1950s but some of the content is pre Tonak. Some of it is the Janyška & Cie. Hat Factory and not the JHS Main Factory. The film was posted on YouTube nine years ago but for some reason I never came across it. I don't believe it has ever been posted here.

Výroba klobouků Tonak / Tonak hat production

 

[steur]

I am going to post this here too. I came across this great short film of Tonak, Fur Cutting Processing, Fur Felt Production and Soft Felt Hat Production. There is also some Wool Felt production shown (not sure where that is from). Most of it appears to be early Tonak possibly late 1940s early 1950s but some of the content is pre Tonak. Some of it is the Janyška & Cie. Hat Factory and not the JHS Main Factory. The film was posted on YouTube nine years ago but for some reason I never came across it. I don't believe it has ever been posted here.

Výroba klobouků Tonak / Tonak hat production

Fabulous bit of history there. Never saw this one before. Thanks for posting it here, Steve.

 

[mayserwegener]

Fabulous bit of history there. Never saw this one before. Thanks for posting it here, Steve.

Stefan, Thank you! I found it by accident. I will check to see if the source films are available.

 

[steur]

Edelweiss fedora in green velour. Size 56 (but feels smaller) with the raw edge brim at 5,5cm and the crown at 10,5cm at the center dent. As expected it's Swiss made, but I'll admit I did also expect some more precision from the Swiss. The felt is wonderful (colour aside), but the finishing is mediocre at best. The sweatband is toast, the ribbonwork a bit sloppy and the liner is sagging. It can all be remedied, but still...
Looks like it's from 1961.

 

[steur]

Rehfus fedora in green. Size 56 with the underwelt brim at 6cm and the crom at 10,5cm at the center dent. Attractive shape to this one and an interesting ribbon treatment. Some damage to the brim edge and the reed, but very wearable (if you like green). Don't know about the age, but I have not seen a Rhefus label like this one before.

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

Congrats, Stefan: 2 really nice and interesting brown hats you added.

The “Edelweiss Hat” seems familiar to me as a brand, but I can’t quite place it: What makes you think it’s Swiss in origin? I always connect these types of labels in my head (I think we know a few similar ones, but I have to look for them first), but I've never been able to really connect a manufacturer...

 

[steur]

Congrats, Stefan: 2 really nice and interesting brown hats you added.

The “Edelweiss Hat” seems familiar to me as a brand, but I can’t quite place it: What makes you think it’s Swiss in origin? I always connect these types of labels in my head (I think we know a few similar ones, but I have to look for them first), but I've never been able to really connect a manufacturer...

Thanks, Matt. It's a bit of guess really. The edelweiss being associated with Switzerland and all. And I vaguely recall seeing one before that was attributed to Switzerland. Maybe Steve can help us out here.