Wisconsin Historical Society collection visit

[buler]

Thanks to Leslie Bellais, Curator of Costume & Textiles, at the Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison,Wi for letting me visit today and see some of their collection of mens hats. I think you'll find some of them interesting and one might even be controversial....

Here is a link to research Leslie did on the collection's oldest top hat.

BeaverTopHat


Some pictures follow of the hats I looked at today. I'm sure I'll return to go thru more of their collection.

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[buler]

Borsalino

Borsalino

 

[buler]

Dobbs Cross Country

Dobbs Cross Country

 

[buler]

Guerdan/Stetson

Guerdan/Stetson

While I didn't see any Stetson markings on this hat it was listed on their database under Stetson and ads for Guerdan online show they were a hat store in the late 1800's, early 1900's that advertised selling Stetson hats. There may have been a Stetson tag behind the sweat, but I was not looking behind any of the sweats on these hats.

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[buler]

Keith

Keith (Major)

 

[buler]

Paragon

Paragon (Leisure Lite)

 

[buler]

Portis

Portis

 

[buler]

Radiconcini Figlio

Radiconcini Figlio

 

[buler]

Royal Stetson

Royal Stetson

 

[buler]

Templeform/Stylepark

Templeform/Stylepark

 

[buler]

Dunlap/Stetson

Last but not least the hat I'm still scratching my head on (insert rimshot). A very nice old Dunlap with Stetson Nutria/Fray markings on the sweatband. Also a scalloped red/white size tag. I'll leave it up to you guys to speculate on this one.

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Dunlap/Stetson

 

[Lefty]

So when is Leslie coming by your place to see what a real hat collection looks like?


Thanks for taking the time to put all that together. The Dunlap/Stetson sure is a puzzler (unless you're just messing with us, as the leather looks a bit different between photos).

 

[buler]

So when is Leslie coming by your place to see what a real hat collection looks like?


Thanks for taking the time to put all that together. The Dunlap/Stetson sure is a puzzler (unless you're just messing with us, as the leather looks a bit different between photos).

My collection is always open for viewing. But no one stops by...[huh] .

Nope, not messing with you. The leather might look a little different due to lighting but compare the stitching and you'll see its the same hat.

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[handlebar bart]

The Keith is a sharp lid aswell. So Buler, you were granted special hands on access to the collection? Thanks for sharing the experience with us.

 

[buler]

The Keith is a sharp lid aswell. So Buler, you were granted special hands on access to the collection? Thanks for sharing the experience with us.

I did get hands on access. Seems this is available to anyone if you inquire thru the curator. Everyone might want to check with museums local to them for similiar visits.

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[jimmy the lid]

Thanks for sharing all of this, buler! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

You know, one my first reactions upon seeing these hats is to appreciate the astounding collection of lids represented by the members of this very Forum. In many ways, I think that, right here at home, we have a world-class treasure trove of vintage lids.

buler -- did some of the dating on those hats seem off to you?

Sounds like a great visit.

Cheers,
JtL

 

[RBH]

Thanks!

 

[buler]

Thanks for sharing all of this, buler! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

You know, one my first reactions upon seeing these hats is to appreciate the astounding collection of lids represented by the members of this very Forum. In many ways, I think that, right here at home, we have a world-class treasure trove of vintage lids.

buler -- did some of the dating on those hats seem off to you?

Sounds like a great visit.

Cheers,
JtL

Some of the numbers/dates you see in the pics are when the hat was donated. But they also would put down a date of the hats vintage if the owner/donator said how old they thought they were. They readily admit to not being experts in this area. Also they do no cleaning/restoring of the hats. They are seen "as donated".

Yes, I think we have quite a living museum here at the lounge!

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[handlebar bart]

Jimmy makes a great point. How does the depth of your own collection compare to the museums, Buler?

 

[rlk]

Dunlap & Co.

Was a store in Chicago's Palmer House Hotel. Ads indicate they sold a full line of hat manufacturers. !890-1910 range mainly