Toppers Unite

[mayserwegener]

This is incredible Steve! Thanks! Where did you find it? Google hasn’t been much help for me.
edit— oh, the American Hatter!

Jeff, Select Google Books and search various combinations of B.L. Ames 35 West Madison Street Chicago. You can also set a date range.

 

[steur]

Hello topper people! I found this little beauty yesterday and am trying to dig around for information about the company and nail down a date range. The construction and dimensions suggest Victorian to me, maybe up until 1920, but I’d like to narrow that range down.

the liner cites B.L. Ames, but I can’t find a thing about that company. However the address is of the Chicago Tribune building(s) where it existed between 1868 and 1902, not sure if that was the address from 1902 to 1925, when tribune tower opened in a different location.

anyone have other insights or resources I could check out?

View attachment 311658 View attachment 311659 View attachment 311660 View attachment 311661 View attachment 311662 View attachment 311663 View attachment 311664 View attachment 311665 View attachment 311666

Very cool topper, Jeff. Great find.

 

[Koechinggendoet]

Hello guys and fellow toppers,i have a question,does anyone have an experience or ever looked on carl sick toppers?i got one in size 58 but sadly no leather box,it was a double flap cardboard box but from my eyes no crown tear and sweatband is good,except for merino underbrim that had a moth bites,thankyou!

 

[Steve1857]

Carl Sick was a hat shop in Bremen, Germany. Your topper would have been made by a hat maker for Sick. The shop sold quality hats, so your top hat is more than likely a fine example.

If you're happy with it, then all is well.

While a leather hat box is a desirable luxury to be preferred, there is nothing necessarily wrong with a double flap cardboard box. Puts the date around the 1950s, I'd say.

Posting photos of the hat and box inside and out would help.

Hello guys and fellow toppers,i have a question,does anyone have an experience or ever looked on carl sick toppers?i got one in size 58 but sadly no leather box,it was a double flap cardboard box but from my eyes no crown tear and sweatband is good,except for merino underbrim that had a moth bites,thankyou!

 

[Koechinggendoet]

Here was some photos of it

 

[Steve1857]

Apart from the damage on the underside of the brim, it looks like a fine top hat.

 

[Koechinggendoet]

Was the brim curl correct?was it the d'orsay curl?

 

[Steve1857]

Yes, I'd say so from your photo.

I wouldn't worry too much about "correct", though. It definitely looks like you've picked up a fine top hat, as is to be expected from the shop it was originally sold in.

Is it well made? Is it in good condition? Does it fit well? Do you like it? These are just as important as "correct" in my opinion.

Was the brim curl correct?was it the d'orsay curl?

 

[PanosChris]

My friend @Steve1857 asked for it, so here it is.

Christys' London Top Hat, size 7. I found that one locally, last year.

Was imported for the Hans H. Holms hattefabrikk which started on 1858. Christiania became Oslo in 1925 so it should be before that. I am thinking 1910s.

I don't dare to flip the sweatband. Came with stamped paper box

Head pics on another post

 

[Steve1857]

Thank you for sharing, Panos. That is a beauty of a top hat! Your time frame is about right, I'd say.

Looking forward to seeing head shots.

My friend @Steve1857 asked for it, so here it is.

Christys' London Top Hat, size 7. I found that one locally, last year. View attachment 318313 View attachment 318314 View attachment 318315
Was imported for the Hans H. Holms hattefabrikk which started on 1858. Christiania became Oslo in 1925 so it should be before that. I am thinking 1910s.
View attachment 318316 View attachment 318317 View attachment 318318 View attachment 318319
I don't dare to flip the sweatband. Came with stamped paper box View attachment 318320 View attachment 318321
Head pics on another post

 

[Koechinggendoet]

Great hat and found,Panos! Its real beauty of the hat especially with the thin grosgrain band.

 

[Rmccamey]

SWEET, Panos

...and I don't even own a topper!

My friend @Steve1857 asked for it, so here it is.

Christys' London Top Hat, size 7. I found that one locally, last year. View attachment 318313 View attachment 318314 View attachment 318315
Was imported for the Hans H. Holms hattefabrikk which started on 1858. Christiania became Oslo in 1925 so it should be before that. I am thinking 1910s.
View attachment 318316 View attachment 318317 View attachment 318318 View attachment 318319
I don't dare to flip the sweatband. Came with stamped paper box View attachment 318320 View attachment 318321
Head pics on another post

 

[Koechinggendoet]

...and I don't even own a topper![/QUOTE]
Better get it quick!time is running out now for good quality toppers,hoping my first topper to be arriving at the end of the month

 

[Steve1857]

Quality Top Hats are still out there waiting to be discovered. Patience is the key.

Looking forward to seeing your new arrival @Koechinggendoet

 

[Koechinggendoet]

Yep,patience is always the keys,maybe ebay,antiques store and much more,my only available source for toppers is ebay,antique store in my country only sell food ware and other


Looking forward to seeing your new arrival @Koechinggendoet[/QUOTE]Hoping it to be arrived at the ends of the month

 

[Steve1857]

Two "new" Top Hats in one week. How lucky can one be

The first, a topper from Norway. According to the liner label it's Norwegian made, but I'm not sure. Anyway, it's well made and has a silky smooth feel. I'd date this one to ca. early 1950s.

Nice colour cardboard box, too.

 

[Steve1857]

Second Top Hat, English of origin: moleskin.

Sadly, no label on the somewhat distressed leather case. Looks like it was put too close to the fire.

Nice clasp, but lock shot, and lid no longer attached. The photos have the lid the wrong way round btw, my bad.

Very early 1900 hundreds I'd say; possibly very late 1800s.

 

[PanosChris]

Second Top Hat, English of origin: moleskin.

Sadly, no label on the somewhat distressed leather case. Looks like it was put too close to the fire.

Nice clasp, but lock shot, and lid no longer attached. The photos have the lid the wrong way round btw, my bad.

Very early 1900 hundreds I'd say; possibly very late 1800s. View attachment 320416 View attachment 320417 View attachment 320418 View attachment 320419 View attachment 320420 View attachment 320424 View attachment 320432 View attachment 320433

Fantastic! Pity about the case but the hat looks in good condition

 

[steur]

My friend @Steve1857 asked for it, so here it is.

Christys' London Top Hat, size 7. I found that one locally, last year. View attachment 318313 View attachment 318314 View attachment 318315
Was imported for the Hans H. Holms hattefabrikk which started on 1858. Christiania became Oslo in 1925 so it should be before that. I am thinking 1910s.
View attachment 318316 View attachment 318317 View attachment 318318 View attachment 318319
I don't dare to flip the sweatband. Came with stamped paper box View attachment 318320 View attachment 318321
Head pics on another post

How did I miss this one? Super hat and in great condition.

 

[steur]

Second Top Hat, English of origin: moleskin.

Sadly, no label on the somewhat distressed leather case. Looks like it was put too close to the fire.

Nice clasp, but lock shot, and lid no longer attached. The photos have the lid the wrong way round btw, my bad.

Very early 1900 hundreds I'd say; possibly very late 1800s. View attachment 320416 View attachment 320417 View attachment 320418 View attachment 320419 View attachment 320420 View attachment 320424 View attachment 320432 View attachment 320433

Two fantastic new toppers, Steve. The leather case has plenty of character (and quite the story behind it too probably). Cool!