The Bowler or Derby Hat

[M Hatman]

Anyone have more information on my latest acquisition??? I am unsure of date and even if Lelewer made their own hats. This one has a price of $5 under the sweat.
Cheers,
M

Anybody have any information on my Lelewer?? I cannot find a thing.......and its been crickets here....l.....
M

 

[Luis]

How well do bowlers/derbies do in the rain? will they crack after too many times being soaked? wet, dry, wet, dry.. crack. of course I wouldn't put one next to heater to dry, but normal drying? Will mine get soft and floppy after? I always see em in the movies being rained on.. just wondering.

 

[Redfokker]

How well do bowlers/derbies do in the rain? will they crack after too many times being soaked? wet, dry, wet, dry.. crack. of course I wouldn't put one next to heater to dry, but normal drying? Will mine get soft and floppy after? I always see em in the movies being rained on.. just wondering.

I'm an Oregonian, we usually poo-poo the use of umbrellas in our wet climate. But when wearing any hat with vintage, I usually try to keep it dry to start with under the protection of one. Not an answer, just a confession.

 

[alanfgag]

Anybody have any information on my Lelewer?? I cannot find a thing.......and its been crickets here....l.....
M

not a derby...

 

[Redfokker]

not a derby...

There are some more clues to the Lelewer brand in the logo with an address and Chicago. It was a real treat to see this Yeddo float past my eyes again!

 

[Luis]

I'm an Oregonian, we usually poo-poo the use of umbrellas in our wet climate. But when wearing any hat with vintage, I usually try to keep it dry to start with under the protection of one. Not an answer, just a confession.

I have a confession myself, I always use Art's dress weight in the rain with no umbrella. The weight of this dress weight holds its shape very well after a good soaking. I will try to keep the vintage ones out of the rain as you say Redfokker, it's not worth damaging them. They are only so many of them left.

 

[M Hatman]

There are some more clues to the Lelewer brand in the logo with an address and Chicago. It was a real treat to see this Yeddo float past my eyes again!

This is great to see another one!!! I am still trying to see if they actually produced these themselves or these were made by another company who then used their label...they actually have fobs out there from the early 20th century featuring their derbys....
M

 

[alanfgag]

This is great to see another one!!! I am still trying to see if they actually produced these themselves or these were made by another company who then used their label... M

There is material out there on the company... here is a short article in the Chicago Tribune from 1956. I think it is unlikely that they manufactured either the yeddo straw boater or the derby.

 

[Frunobulax]

There is material out there on the company... here is a short article in the Chicago Tribune from 1956. I think it is unlikely that they manufactured either the yeddo straw boater or the derby.

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Cool. Love this stuff.

 

[Redfokker]

I looked in an early 1926 Chicago business directory. This company did not show up. Looked for the addresses, no luck. I'm sure these buildings were there, just no listing I could find. Still on the search though...

 

[alanfgag]

Search D. Lelewer and son... there are many listings and much information, including an autobiography of the founder David Lelewer and an account by his great granddaughter Nancy.

 

[M Hatman]

Just scored this 7 5/8 on the bay.......appears to have the original box too!!! I am thinking early 40's for this but am unsure.......any opinions are appreciated......
Thanks,
M
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Got this at work this morning.....It IS the original box. Lid is a gold..with the split color logo. Front round cream paper label is EMBOSSED with the Stetson logo and "Royal Stetson". Written on the paper label in pencil is "Hub's Derby Hat". Sides of box has the crowns and "Royal Stetson". Derby in awesome condition. Will explore further and take Lot's of pictures!!!!!!
This is a cool set!!!
Cheers,
M

 

[M Hatman]

Pictures of the box can be found in "hat box homage"......
Cheers,
M

 

[Luis]

Just picked up these two..
Stetson and Knapp-Felt.
Could anyone try and dates these please?
The Stetson seems to be almost like new, the felt and everything except the band, leads me to believe it is a lot newer.
Hard to pull back the sweats as they are already cracking. If you need more pics please let me know, these were off the bay.
Thanks!

 

[ofcoursemyhorse]

I'd say 30's on both. The sweats on those older Stetsons are remarkably well suited to stand the test of time.

 

[Redfokker]

I'd say 30's on both. The sweats on those older Stetsons are remarkably well suited to stand the test of time.

+1

 

[fabiovenhorst]

Sorry - no idea.

I've always been shy of wearing bowler hats despite their unique and interesting curved appearance.

Unfortunately the social invective of Cartier Bresson and other surrealist artists put me off ever wearing one. I feel like I'd become a victim of social bullying by Instagrammers.

Growing up with these images in mind, anyone got any tips on how to man up and wear a bowler hat welcome

Just wear it and be happy!

 

[fabiovenhorst]

H.B. "Prima Weser Hut", 59cm, 172 grams, probably 1920s (hard to date could be earlier or later). Believe it or not this Wool Stiff Felt has a mirror inset into the liner logo! The liner logo has the initials H.B. and the paper label has the initials H.B.B. so could be Heinrich Balke Bremen who was a hat whole seller. Weser is a river that flows into Bremen so this makes sense. "Weser Hut" is trademarked so will see if I can find anything.

Mirror inset into Liner Logo!

Close up of the Logo with Mirror.

Wow! It's very interesting... congratulations!

 

[Redfokker]

Just wear it and be happy!
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Fabio, you always look so classy. You are the definition of Dapper!

 

[mayserwegener]

Wow! It's very interesting... congratulations!

Thank you! Yes I have to say it's unique!