Swiss Hat Companies

[steur]

Botta. 5 ¾” open crown and 2 ¾” raw edge brim. The felt is surprisingly nice.

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Very cool find, Brent. Might be just a coincidence, but Barbisio used those size labels as well. Could it have been made by them? B S standing for Barbisio Sagliano, or is it just Botta Suisse?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Very cool find, Brent. Might be just a coincidence, but Barbisio used those size labels as well. Could it have been made by them? B S standing for Barbisio Sagliano, or is it just Botta Suisse?

Thanks, Stefan. I’m here weren’t and labels hiding behind the sweatband to provide any clues. Maybe Steve @mayserwegener knows more than we do?

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks, Stefan. I’m here weren’t and labels hiding behind the sweatband to provide any clues. Maybe Steve @mayserwegener knows more than we do?

Brent, This is the only information I have for now on Botta S.A. from the Kelly's Directory, Europe 1963. They were located in Salorino, Ticino (near lake Como) circa 1963.

 

[mayserwegener]

Here is an interesting find from a FL poster from back in 2015. I helped him with this back in 2015 so I will add it here (it's on the German and Austrian thread).

Eichenberger & Cie. (on the above list)

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/german-austrian-hutmachers.32103/post-1888076

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Brent, This is the only information I have for now on Botta S.A. from the Kelly's Directory, Europe 1963. They were located in Salorino, Ticino (near lake Como) circa 1963.

Thanks, Steve. They must not have made a lot of hats if our sample size is so small.

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks, Steve. They must not have made a lot of hats if our sample size is so small.

Brent, The Botta brand lasted later than 1963 but I have no idea about their production capabilities. Have to see if anything can be found. Botta hats probably come up more on Swiss auction sites.

 

[mayserwegener]

Here is some more info on Botta S.A.

Directory of Swiss Manufacturers and Producers - Page 724, 1945/46 (Only Snippet available)

Botta ( Società Anonima Grazioso ) , Hat factory , Salorino ( Ticino )

 

[TheOldFashioned]

Didn't know this thread existed until Brent reactivated it earlier this summer. Now I know where to put this mambo back bow Augsburger:

Crown	3-3/4"
Brim	2-3/8" with 1/4" overwelt (triple stitched)
Ribbon	1-1/2"
Weight	100g

No tags under the sweatband. I purchased this hat from a woman whose father worked at the Augsburger factory.

 

[Pellie]

My Botta........ @mayserwegener ;-)

 

[mayserwegener]

Marcel, Thank you for posting your Botta here. Sorry I missed your mention in "Post New Hats Here". I will be on the look out for more info on Botta than what is posted here. Need more Swiss Hats!

 

[Pellie]

Marcel, Thank you for posting your Botta here. Sorry I missed your mention in "Post New Hats Here". I will be on the look out for more info on Botta than what is posted here. Need more Swiss Hats!

Agree! It's a beautiful hat.

 

[mayserwegener]

Agree! It's a beautiful hat.

Marcel, The felt color and finish are super. Same with the components and the overall workmanship. The location of Botta. Salorino Ticino, Switzerland, was not far from Intra / Ghiffa, Italy so there could possibly be a connection.

 

[mayserwegener]

Hochstrasser & Cie. Wädenswil Zürich "Extra", 58 cm. There is no mention of Hochstrasser & Cie. Wädenswil Zürich but it's very similar to John @moehawk 's early find. Not sure how to date this one. This Stiff Felt was made for the famous Zürich Department Store "Grand Magasins Jelmoli S. A. Zürich" that unfortunately recently went out of business. The Form, Fur Felt + Finish, Components and Construction are very high quality. The Liner and Sweatband are standouts. Also in excellent condition.

Zurich department store Jelmoli opens for last time

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/workplace-switzerland/jelmolis-last-day-on-zurichs-bahnhofstrasse-dawns/88941540

Current

1930s

1890s

 

[Steve1857]

Hochstrasser & Cie. Wädenswil Zürich "Extra", 58 cm. There is no mention of Hochstrasser & Cie. Wädenswil Zürich but it's very similar to John @moehawk 's early find. Not sure how to date this one. This Stiff Felt was made for the famous Zürich Department Store "Grand Magasins Jelmoli S. A. Zürich" that unfortunately recently went out of business. The Form, Fur Felt + Finish, Components and Construction are very high quality. The Liner and Sweatband are standouts. Also in excellent condition.

Zurich department store Jelmoli opens for last time

http://[URL]https://www.swissinfo.c...-day-on-zurichs-bahnhofstrasse-dawns/88941540

[/URL]

Current

1930s

1890s

Super find, Steve. By the art deco liner logo design, I'd date it around the 1920s / early 30s.

 

[mayserwegener]

Super find, Steve. By the art deco liner logo design, I'd date it around the 1920s / early 30s.

Steve, Thanks again!

 

[hatsRme]

Hochstrasser & Cie. Wädenswil Zürich "Extra", 58 cm. There is no mention of Hochstrasser & Cie. Wädenswil Zürich but it's very similar to John @moehawk 's early find. Not sure how to date this one. This Stiff Felt was made for the famous Zürich Department Store "Grand Magasins Jelmoli S. A. Zürich" that unfortunately recently went out of business. The Form, Fur Felt + Finish, Components and Construction are very high quality. The Liner and Sweatband are standouts. Also in excellent condition.

Zurich department store Jelmoli opens for last time

http://[URL]https://www.swissinfo.c...-day-on-zurichs-bahnhofstrasse-dawns/88941540

[/URL]

Current

1930s

1890s

As usual, SUPER post Steve, thank you! Here’s a Hochstrasser cousin up our way with some super skills in other shrinking markets. This man is remarkable! https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...-military-fie-d-telephone.83365/#post-1991530

 

[mayserwegener]

As usual, SUPER post Steve, thank you! Here’s a Hochstrasser cousin up our way with some super skills in other shrinking markets. This man is remarkable! https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...-military-fie-d-telephone.83365/#post-1991530

Charlie, Thank you! That is a great back story! I was a Amateur radio and Shortwave radio (Heathkit) guy back in my teen years.

 

[hatsRme]

Charlie, Thank you! That is a great back story! I was an Amateur radio and Shortwave radio (Heathkit) guy back in my teen years.

I was only a ham wannabe, but a committed Dx-er using US military surplus receivers. At the time I was interested in the area, Morse code knowledge (proficiency?) was required to be licensed. CB was much easier to start up, then I found other interests.
Do you know Morse code?

 

[Rmccamey]

I still dabble. Ten Tec gear, mostly, but even they are out of business. I may try a kit amplifier one of these days.

Charlie, Thank you! That is a great back story! I was a Amateur radio and Shortwave radio (Heathkit) guy back in my teen years.

Radio Shack


Hallicrafters station

 

[mayserwegener]

I was only a ham wannabe, but a committed Dx-er using US military surplus receivers. At the time I was interested in the area, Morse code knowledge (proficiency?) was required to be licensed. CB was much easier to start up, then I found other interests.
Do you know Morse code?

I did at one time but I only got to Novice level. I was into Shortwave too.