The Bowler or Derby Hat

[Steve1857]

I've been waiting for some sunshine in order to take some photos of this wonderful Moores' Bowler I picked up from Stefan a month or so back. Alas, I think the sun has deserted us in Denmark for the time being. Therefore, these indoor photos.

It was more than likely made as a riding hat and dates from around the 40s to 50s.


As can be seen in the photo where I'm wearing the brown overcoat, the brim was quite flat. I took some steam to it and curved it a bit to give it a more classic Bowler brim look.

Moores was of course one of the Manchester hat makers despite the London logo on the liner. Apparently, London had more appeal than a Northern town. Not sure that's the case today though

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Love the look of the bowler for the holidays! Cheers.

Thanks Randy. This is a modern Dobbs shown with a ebonized Victorian cane, but have a Merry Victorian Christmas season!

If one were to ever turn up I would be interested in a vintage gray or brown Derby in 7-5/8.

 

[steur]

I've been waiting for some sunshine in order to take some photos of this wonderful Moores' Bowler I picked up from Stefan a month or so back. Alas, I think the sun has deserted us in Denmark for the time being. Therefore, these indoor photos.

It was more than likely made as a riding hat and dates from around the 40s to 50s.

View attachment 286897 View attachment 286898 View attachment 286899 View attachment 286900
As can be seen in the photo where I'm wearing the brown overcoat, the brim was quite flat. I took some steam to it and curved it a bit to give it a more classic Bowler brim look.

Moores was of course one of the Manchester hat makers despite the London logo on the liner. Apparently, London had more appeal than a Northern town. Not sure that's the case today though View attachment 286895

Good to see it in action, Steve. Even if it isn't in the sunshine. I'm sure the sun will return, will it?

 

[Rmccamey]

What is that color, Steve? Looks light tan, SB, maybe some green on the ribbon? Very interesting indeed!

I've been waiting for some sunshine in order to take some photos of this wonderful Moores' Bowler I picked up from Stefan a month or so back. Alas, I think the sun has deserted us in Denmark for the time being. Therefore, these indoor photos.

It was more than likely made as a riding hat and dates from around the 40s to 50s.

View attachment 286897 View attachment 286898 View attachment 286899 View attachment 286900
As can be seen in the photo where I'm wearing the brown overcoat, the brim was quite flat. I took some steam to it and curved it a bit to give it a more classic Bowler brim look.

Moores was of course one of the Manchester hat makers despite the London logo on the liner. Apparently, London had more appeal than a Northern town. Not sure that's the case today though View attachment 286895

 

[Steve1857]

Thanks, Randy.

It's a very unique colour indeed and one hard to describe. Tan or light tan doesn't do it justice. One of the many reasons I wanted it and Stefan was kind enough to bag it with me in mind in an online auction in Holland. Stefan @steur certainly knows my tastes

The ribbon is, what I'd call, a light emerald green which accentuates some of the green tone of the felt.

As you can imagine, I couldn't be happier with it.

What is that color, Steve? Looks light tan, SB, maybe some green on the ribbon? Very interesting indeed!

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Another afternoon spent under the Keith Bros.

 

[Bamaboots]

Another afternoon spent under the Keith Bros.

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Great pics, HJ. The contrast with the black jacket and the beard shows just how black that Keith Bros. is. Looks great. Pretty sure you’re not responsible for the background decorations.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Great pics, HJ. The contrast with the black jacket and the beard shows just how black that Keith Bros. is. Looks great. Pretty sure you’re not responsible for the background decorations.

Thanks BB! I'm enjoying wearing it this season.

As long as I don't have to dust, I don't care what she puts on the wall. She would never dust the quail or the Large Mouth Bass I have mounted either.

 

[Bill Hughes]

First time wearing this Scott & Co Derby.

 

[Rmccamey]

Keep that Scott bowler in your rotation, Bill, it looks great.

First time wearing this Scott & Co Derby.

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[Hurricane Jack]

Happy Christmas Eve to all you Derby doers! It's almost time for Happy Hour. Have a Merry Victorian Christmas tomorrow!

 

[Rmccamey]

Derby day, indeed!

Happy Christmas Eve to all you Derby doers! It's almost time for Happy Hour. Have a Merry Victorian Christmas tomorrow!

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[Hurricane Jack]

Derby day, indeed!

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Now that you are retired you need to let that stache grow into a handlebar for a more Victorian look with the Derby.

 

[Rmccamey]

Not quite retired but it's not too far in the future,.

Now that you are retired you need to let that stache grow into a handlebar for a more Victorian look with the Derby.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Not quite retired but it's not too far in the future,.

My apology. I was only referencing what I thought I remembered from a previous post that you were retiring at semesters end.

I have posted before that we have many local historical groups that have sprung from one another, with lots of osmosis from group to group. One of my favorite groups is a Victorian couples group that takes it upon themselves to show up dressed to the Victorian hilt at every appropriate era function held by another of the groups. Besides their dress never have I seen more magnificent coiffed fascial hair than among this group. I'm sure they get plenty of questions from people who don't know their interests, in their everyday lives. I have plenty of 35mm slides taken thru the yrs that I need to digitize & post.

 

[mayserwegener]

Here is an updated album of J. Hückel´s Söhne Stiff Felts Stiff Felts from my collection.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHHAJbV

 

[steur]

Not an every day brand so worth taking a shot at. Penn-Craft bowler in a size 57 or 58. Size tag says 1/8 but given the inside measurements I believe it was the tag was made for the European market, so likely an English size 7 1/8. Brim at a good 5cm and the crown about 12cm high. Aside from some foxing on the liner in excellent condition.

More in part II.

 

[steur]

Part II

Penn-Craft was introduced as a brand in the Netherlands in 1934. It's price point was slightly below Stetson and Borsalino, but it certainly wasn't promoted as a cheap hat.
The sweatband explicitly states "imported from America", so not made under license. This one still has the tags. The retailer Jos Leloup-Otermans from Helmond existed from 1929 until 1947. I think this is a pre-war bowler because of that and the fact that the liner logo is exactly the same as the logo on the introduction advert.

An advert for the brand from the store dating from 1934.

An advert in English introducing the brand in 1934 from a Dutch newspaper.

An ad from 1937 praising the deep-creased crown and stylish brim.

 

[TheOldFashioned]

Part II

Penn-Craft was introduced as a brand in the Netherlands in 1934. It's price point was slightly below Stetson and Borsalino, but it certainly wasn't promoted as a cheap hat.
The sweatband explicitly states "imported from America", so not made under license. This one still has the tags. The retailer Jos Leloup-Otermans from Helmond existed from 1929 until 1947. I think this is a pre-war bowler because of that and the fact that the liner logo is exactly the same as the logo on the introduction advert.

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An advert for the brand from the store dating from 1934.
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An advert in English introducing the brand in 1934 from a Dutch newspaper.
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An ad from 1937 praising the deep-creased crown and stylish brim.
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Nice find, Stefan! I believe the NRA label places this in the 1933-1935 timeframe.

 

[steur]

Nice find, Stefan! I believe the NRA label places this in the 1933-1935 timeframe.

Thanks, Jonathan. I was actually looking for information on that but couldn't find anything right away. It does fit with the rest of the information.