Vintage Fur Felt Hat Restoratation?

[RM Bantista]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

It has come to pass that two of my treasures have need of serious restoration by someone who is capable of preservation of the base hat, cleaning, restoring the sweat bands and grosgrain bands and bows. They need a lot of love and it would be a great amount of trouble to get them back to their best possible condition. There are few people who are nearby who would even know where to begin. Therefore, I seek a recommendation. They are old, well-worn, with pre-war origins. One is an Adams $6 long oval and the other was made in England and is a Homburg made for a long-gone Chicago Department Store. But they are original and were very fine grade items that did always elicit complements when worn and offers to buy them on the spot. So, I know that I would like to bring them back in so far as possible, with utmost care and all possible frugality, as I am a person of modest means, but great appreciation of fine traditional apparel.
Thank you for your guidance and suggestions,
rudy

 

[jlee562]

Try Optimo Hats in Chicago.

 

[gtdean48]

Optimo, like most, will renovate a hat, not restore. This means new & generic liner & sweatband with ribbons replaced with the closest color they have.
They will look at the state of your hat & tell you what they recommend. Restoration is different that renovation to me....

 

[RM Bantista]

Gentlemen,
Thank you both, do we have any better choices? I do understand that 'restoration' is much more difficult and apt to be somewhat controversial in some circumstances; However, it would be preferred over replacement of the original materials as that may be accomplished locally by hatters of national repute. I have had satisfactory result in the latter, and as well might very likely have a copy made from scratch should I wish. This is an area full of a multitude of individuals of diverse interests and skills, but this one has eluded me as a consumer. And I have asked. (The university might be able to provide some good home for such things were it my pleasure that others be immediately in charge of their keep.)
This is a more specialized type of concern. One may buy another hat, one may not always be able to buy a $6.00 Adams grey fedora that looks blue in fur felt with a silk bound edge and and original bands and linings. And that's only half the problem, as the other hat is just as fine and worthy of some amount of care and conservation.
One may trust that should this not be the last generation, another may take up the flag and carry on, after I enjoy and have enjoyed them. Some one else may do so later, and the items came to me for their keeping, I think.
Let me know.
Thank you for your advice, and regards to you and to our hosts,
rudy

 

[gtdean48]

If you can source a suitable replacement liner & sweat, I am sure you can find a shop to use them. Finding them will be your challenge & I am not aware of any hatter or shop claiming to have vintage replacement sweats & liners of various models & makers.

 

[Salty O'Rourke]

I think you might be able to track down a "donor hat" to salvage the liner/sweatband for the Adam. Post a WTB for the size, model and liner with pics, and perhaps the guys who scour the thrift shops can find a moth-eaten beater that you can cannibalize.

 

[RM Bantista]

Thank you, these are reasonable and thoughtful suggestions, which I appreciate. Also, very sound. It might even be possible.
Regards to you, Gentlemen,
rudy