Hatbox Homage

[Ephraim Tutt]

They are often ignored and derided, sometimes treated as mere packaging and discarded, but the humble hatbox has a long history and is often a piece of social history, and a work of art in its own right.

Got a hatbox or two dozen? Then this is the place to show 'em off. Rare ones and common ones, colourful ones and plain ones - post 'em here and let's see what they tell us about the times they were created, the hats they once carried and the people who took them home from the hatshop.

Yes hat lovers, it's time we honoured the humble hatbox.

Let me make a start:

I recently bought this ancient - and according to Brad Bowers, quite rare - Dobbs top hat box. It contains an antique derby (of unknown origin) rather than its original occupant, but the raised lettering and thick card construction shows that this new (as Dobbs then was) hatmaker was out to make a statement.

At the other end of the spectrum is my newest hatbox - the current Akubra issue.

Righto. Your turn!

 

[billyspew]

I'm in.
60's British Stetson Box, almost suede in feel (with the bowler)

I'll have to dig the others out and photograph, have a few Adam ones (obviously)

I find it interesting that some companies (Adam & Stetson) used lots of different designs, while others (Knox) seemed to stay pretty static, would be good to know if there were actually small differences throughout the years.

 

[buler]

Stetson 100 Case

This was the non-leather version of the Stetson 100 case. With red interior.

B

 

[buler]

Stetson Beaver 100 suitcase

Here is the Beaver 100 leather suitcase with white interior.

B

 

[buler]

Stetson 100 leather suitcase

Here is the Stetson 100 leather case with red interior with plastic inserts for hat.

B

 

[Ephraim Tutt]

I find it interesting that some companies (Adam & Stetson) used lots of different designs, while others (Knox) seemed to stay pretty static, would be good to know if there were actually small differences throughout the years.

You're right Billy. I have 3 different Stetson boxes and have seen lots more. Yet Dobbs and Knox maintained their famous octagonal boxes for ages. I wonder what the reason was for that.

 

[Ephraim Tutt]

Buler those are three magnificent boxes. Fantastic!
I remember drooling over those when you posted them in the other thread.

What do Rolls Royce boxes like that tell us about the company and its confidence in itself - and about the buyer?

 

[Ephraim Tutt]

Capper & Capper Chicago

Churchill box - 1960's.
It 'aint pretty - but it is dignified. Some boxes were produced by the manufacturer, others by the retailer. This is one of the latter - with a Churchill sticker.

 

[Ephraim Tutt]

A couple of common Stetsons

This is probably the most common Stetson box and was used by them in the later 50s and 60s. It was bound by a cotton strap that tied in a bow.

I'm not sure when they started using this rather drab grey hatbox below. Its made of very thin card and is vastly inferior to the above box. I have a hunch it is also late 50s into the 60s. This little number was strapless!

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Here's a fancy one. The hat sitting on it (the one which came in it when I made the purchase) is not the 'Privateer' but I was lucky enough to get that actual model later to complete the set.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Perhaps my favorite Stetson hat box of all time...

 

[Ephraim Tutt]

Shudde Bros

From the artful to the functional. This mail order box from Shudde Bros Texas containing my Open Road is postmarked June 9, 1961 - a very good year! It cost 0.58c to post.

I gotta tell ya this box is like the hat - solid as a rock.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Here's one that was sold at the Stetson company store in Philadelphia in December 1948:

 

[Ephraim Tutt]

Here's a fancy one. The hat sitting on it (the one which came in it when I made the purchase) is not the 'Privateer' but I was lucky enough to get that actual model later to complete the set.

I gotta say Gene, I do love those old boxes almost as much as the lids they contained. Look at the artwork on that beauty!

 

[jimmy the lid]

I love the scene on this box. Another one of my favorite Stetson hat boxes. This design was also used on a small Stetson gift box...

 

[Ephraim Tutt]

Perhaps my favorite Stetson hat box of all time...

And speaking of artwork....hells bells Jimmy! Who said a bloke's hatbox can't be pretty!!

 

[jimmy the lid]

A version of this box was also used as a smaller Stetson gift box...

 

[buler]

Courtney

With the Courtney hat that came with it. But the hat doesn't look chocolate color to me....

B

 

[buler]

Crofut & Knapp

Knapp-felt

B

 

[Ephraim Tutt]

A version of this box was also used as a smaller Stetson gift box...

Art deco influence there Jimmy. 20's/30's??