The Bowler or Derby Hat

[BobHufford]

Thanks, Bob.

You are welcome Randy! Bowlers seem to keep showing up here as well, but so far only one has fit.

 

[Steve1857]

Woo-hoo, four bowlers in two weeks!!! A Stetson, Penn-Craft, Crosby, and now a Dobbs courtesy of Bob @BobHufford (2023 Enabler of the Year nominee).

I'm not often brand loyal, but every vintage Dobbs I've handled is solid, well built, good looking and easy to wear. I could easily be a Dobbs man! This one is no different. Dimensions are on the small side with a 1 5/8 D'Orsay brim and a 4 1/2 crown. Overall, a very nice hat. Thanks, Bob.

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Nice get, Randy.

Can't go wrong with a Dobbs.

 

[Rmccamey]

Thank you, gents.

You are welcome Randy! Bowlers seem to keep showing up here as well, but so far only one has fit.

Nice get, Randy.

Can't go wrong with a Dobbs.

 

[BobHufford]

From the "you can wear them with anything" school of thought. 1949 in Portland, Oregon.

 

[Who?]

Predecessor to the hard hat?

 

[Rmccamey]

From the "you can wear them with anything" school of thought. 1949 in Portland, Oregon.

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Woo-hoo, I like it!

 

[Blare]

From the "you can wear them with anything" school of thought. 1949 in Portland, Oregon.

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Predecessor to the hard hat?

Some of them are almost that hard.

 

[Rmccamey]

A Knox Excellent bowler from Altman & Co. Typical bowler dimensions with a smooth crown and a smooth hand. The hat has been worked sometime in the past as evidenced by the tape holding the liner. The liner is in good shape but has some dirt or glue around the edges, so I'll send it for some cleaning. Overall, a very nice hat. The back story on this one is that it was listed on the Bay. I made a low offer and it was accepted. I guess that will teach me!

 

[Steve1857]

Predecessor to the hard hat?

That's originally why they were developed:

https://www.lockhatters.com/blogs/n...stinctive dome of t,with a low, rounded crown.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

From the "you can wear them with anything" school of thought. 1949 in Portland, Oregon.

That's originally why they were developed:

Bowlers for the “odd job”.

 

[Rmccamey]

The second in my recent bowler trifecta, a Stetson Standard Quality. The felt has a very fine finish, like most of my Stetson bowlers, and the sweat leather is, I'll say, nearly new. In fact, this hat is about as close to New Old Stock as I've seen in a very long time. The lettering is all very crisp and there are no signs of wear or staining. This one sports a red size tag and orange reorder tag. Overall, a great hat. There is only one, little problem...

 

[Rmccamey]

...little, indeed! At 6 3/4 on my 7 1/8 head, I now know how those of you with larger heads feel when you slide a 1/8 hat on your own head!!! But, you see, there is a method to my madness. I'll call it a proud grandpa moment. A few weeks ago, my 8-year old grandson told his mom, my daughter, "I want a hat like papa's". I was wearing a bowler at the time. How can a grandpa refuse a request like that!

 

[Steve1857]

...little, indeed! At 6 3/4 on my 7 1/8 head, I now know how those of you with larger heads feel when you slide a 1/8 hat on your own head!!! But, you see, there is a method to my madness. I'll call it a proud grandpa moment. A few weeks ago, my 8-year old grandson told his mom, my daughter, "I want a hat like papa's". I was wearing a bowler at the time. How can a grandpa refuse a request like that!

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That's a great Bowler to start your grandson's collection, Randy!

 

[Rmccamey]

Thanks Steve. He has been into ball caps for a while, so this is a good opportunity to get him into hats.

That's a great Bowler to start your grandson's collection, Randy!

 

[Rmccamey]

The third of my recent trifecta is a Stetson Excellent quality "The Avenue" featherweight bowler sporting a red pleated liner and, yes @deadlyhandsome @steur , a keyhole size tag. This one is stamped with the Pan Pacific Exposition medal on the liner and Lot 6421 and 185 bow on the inside of the sweat. Another interesting aspect is there is also what appears to be a Made in France stamp on the inside of the sweat.

The fit, finish and build quality on this bowler is, indeed, excellent! Thank you again @BobHufford

 

[Blare]

The third of my recent trifecta is a Stetson Excellent quality "The Avenue" featherweight bowler sporting a red pleated liner and, yes @deadlyhandsome @steur , a keyhole size tag. This one is stamped with the Pan Pacific Exposition medal on the liner and Lot 6421 and 185 bow on the inside of the sweat. Another interesting aspect is there is also what appears to be a Made in France stamp on the inside of the sweat.

The fit, finish and build quality on this bowler is, indeed, excellent! Thank you again @BobHufford

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Well HELLO. Im seeing red

 

[mayserwegener]

The third of my recent trifecta is a Stetson Excellent quality "The Avenue" featherweight bowler sporting a red pleated liner and, yes @deadlyhandsome @steur , a keyhole size tag. This one is stamped with the Pan Pacific Exposition medal on the liner and Lot 6421 and 185 bow on the inside of the sweat. Another interesting aspect is there is also what appears to be a Made in France stamp on the inside of the sweat.

The fit, finish and build quality on this bowler is, indeed, excellent! Thank you again @BobHufford

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Randy, All around fantastic! I look forward to seeing it in action. Also your other recent great finds.

 

[steur]

The third of my recent trifecta is a Stetson Excellent quality "The Avenue" featherweight bowler sporting a red pleated liner and, yes @deadlyhandsome @steur , a keyhole size tag. This one is stamped with the Pan Pacific Exposition medal on the liner and Lot 6421 and 185 bow on the inside of the sweat. Another interesting aspect is there is also what appears to be a Made in France stamp on the inside of the sweat.

The fit, finish and build quality on this bowler is, indeed, excellent! Thank you again @BobHufford

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I knew it! Some truly excellent quality bowlers find their way to your doorstep, Randy. Word is spreading among them it seems it's the place to be.

 

[steur]

Nowhere near as crisp as Randy's recent additions, but very interesting in their own right. From the lottery hat dollar bin here are two for the staggering price of €5.
Paris Mondain bowler hat with the brim at 5cm and the crown at 12cm. Size 53 or 54 by the looks of it. Very neat and lightweight little bowlerfrom Chalon sur Saone, France. What is special about this one is that the d'Orsay curl is completely flattened and sewn down with a double stitch.
Couldn't find anything on the retailer, but this is a very early one. Felt feels almost flocked on the shell.

 

[steur]

Not strictly a bowler, but I wouldn't know what else to call it. It was part of the two hat deal and it was the one that caught my eye. In style it resembles as Cambridge bowler, but to keep it French let's call it a Melon Sorbonne (which isn't a thing, but has a nice ring to it).
Mouroux & Cauzeret chapeau melon. Size 55 with the brim at 5cm and the crown at 13cm. Corded and with a clasped bow set halfway between a side bow and a backbow. Two gromets on either side and a cord of unknown function. I think this a very early style and the hat certainly shows its age with the felt won down to the shellac on most of the brim and either mothing or wear has done a number on the front of the crown as well. Can't wear it but I still like it.