German & Austrian Hutmachers

[mayserwegener]

Hückel Weilheim "Extra", 58 cm possibly mid 1950s. The Black Smooth Finish Felt has a very Soft Hand and easily dry creases. The "Extra" goes back to J. Hückel´s Söhne and here is a similar earlier example.

https://germanaustrianhats.invision...tfabrik-weilheim/?do=findComment&comment=2940

Both the early "Extra" and later "Extra" were also worn Brim Up. I will take photos wearing this latest one Brim Up.

Open Crown

 

[mayserwegener]

A. Trahy PLZEN PILSEN "Weiner Spezialität", Wool, 58cm possibly later 1920s early 1930s. This Stiff Felt was sourced by A. Trahy PLZEN PILSEN (Bohemia) but I am not sure from what Austrian company (see below). This black Wool Felt has a very nice hand and is very dense.

I did some searching and I found another Wool Stiff Felt of mine with the same Paper Label format and matching "Farbe" (Color) and "Form." numbers. The Forms, Liners and Bow Designs are also similar.

The only difference is the above Paper Label has St. Veit (Sankt / Saint Veit) in the far left corner. Sankt Veit an der Glan Schafrasse is a small town in the South East corner of Austria and I couldn't find any Felt Hat production in the town. My guess is this is the source of the Wool used for the Felt. This Wool Stiff Felt was sold by a shop (Ludovikus Hagens Wwe) in a small town (Lustenau, Voralberg) in the upper North West corner of Austria.

https://germanaustrianhats.invision...veit-ludovikus-hagens-wwe-lustenau-voralberg/

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

A. Trahy PLZEN PILSEN "Weiner Spezialität", Wool, 58cm possibly later 1920s early 1930s. This Stiff Felt was sourced by A. Trahy PLZEN PILSEN (Bohemia) but I am not sure from what Austrian company (see below). This black Wool Felt has a very nice hand and is very dense.

I did some searching and I found another Wool Stiff Felt of mine with the same Paper Label format and matching "Farbe" (Color) and "Form." numbers. The Forms, Liners and Bow Designs are also similar.

The only difference is the above Paper Label has St. Veit (Sankt / Saint Veit) in the far left corner. Sankt Veit an der Glan Schafrasse is a small town in the South East corner of Austria and I couldn't find any Felt Hat production in the town. My guess is this is the source of the Wool used for the Felt. This Wool Stiff Felt was sold by a shop (Ludovikus Hagens Wwe) in a small town (Lustenau, Voralberg) in the upper North West corner of Austria.

https://germanaustrianhats.invision...veit-ludovikus-hagens-wwe-lustenau-voralberg/

Nice Melone, Steve: I especially love the liner - on both of the hats, which, as always, you have put into context in a marvellous way.

 

[steur]

A. Trahy PLZEN PILSEN "Weiner Spezialität", Wool, 58cm possibly later 1920s early 1930s. This Stiff Felt was sourced by A. Trahy PLZEN PILSEN (Bohemia) but I am not sure from what Austrian company (see below). This black Wool Felt has a very nice hand and is very dense.

I did some searching and I found another Wool Stiff Felt of mine with the same Paper Label format and matching "Farbe" (Color) and "Form." numbers. The Forms, Liners and Bow Designs are also similar.

The only difference is the above Paper Label has St. Veit (Sankt / Saint Veit) in the far left corner. Sankt Veit an der Glan Schafrasse is a small town in the South East corner of Austria and I couldn't find any Felt Hat production in the town. My guess is this is the source of the Wool used for the Felt. This Wool Stiff Felt was sold by a shop (Ludovikus Hagens Wwe) in a small town (Lustenau, Voralberg) in the upper North West corner of Austria.

https://germanaustrianhats.invision...veit-ludovikus-hagens-wwe-lustenau-voralberg/

Two lovely finds, Steve. I really like the design of the liner of the bowler.

 

[mayserwegener]

Nice Melone, Steve: I especially love the liner - on both of the hats, which, as always, you have put into context in a marvellous way.

Matt, Thank you! I was surprised I had a Melone from the same unknown Austrian source. There were some large producers in Vienna that only sourced (not branded) Wool and Fur Soft and Stiff Felt Hats and Wool and Fur Felt Stumps / Hoods.

 

[mayserwegener]

Two lovely finds, Steve. I really like the design of the liner of the bowler.

Stefan, Thanks! I like the liner designs too. I wish the latest find's crest was in better condition. The exterior is in great condition. Both appear to have same high quality Wool Felt.

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

Thrift store find: Mayser "Spezial" in black - for the famous seller "Ernst" Köln:
+/- 1960; open crown 14,0 cm, as creased 12,0 cm, bound brim 6,0 cm

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

VHG Vereinigte Hutwerke Guben Homburg "Flott & Elegant" in black (thanks to Panos),
+/+ 1955, open crown 15,0 cm, as creased 13,0 cm, curled brim 5-5,5 cm, nearly unworn,
similar homburgs in grey and blue (and there are others more):
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/homburg-nation.35848/page-170#post-2812871

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

"JEDDO" Modell "Henrich" wool felt - another new "brand" from one of the factories in Guben,
because again the well-known labels and again the city wall with 3 towers in the coat of arms,
+/- 1925/30, open crown 16,0 cm, as creased 13,0 cm, unbound brim 6,5 cm
This ist the first pretty cool hat my wife ownes and wears with pride.

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

"Record" wool felt Melone - certainly also from Guben - same factory as the soft felt before?
for "Magazin zum Pfau" Leipzig, +/- 1935, crown 14,0 cm, curled bound brim 4,5-5,0 cm
I really dig that sweat logo - and the all-round excellent components & workmanship
Thanks to Panos!

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

Last for today - whitch was the biggest mystery for me till today:
"DIANE - Melsungen" in black "Feinste Luxus-Qualität" - fantastic short hair velour
+/- 1935/40, open crown 14,5 cm, as creased 12,0 cm, brim 4,5 cm
In addition to the great felt, the best thing is the unusual, multi-part lining,
which, among other things, initially made me think of a post-war hat,
but now I am convinced that it is a sports model from the late 1930s.
The manufacturer was the mystery:
although we are familiar with similar labels, I had not yet found anything
that allowed me to draw a satisfactory conclusion about the manufacturer.
Then I remembered a velour with fancy lining and STECO popped into my head:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/german-austrian-hutmachers.32103/post-2651651
The two paper labels are the same and the small coat of arms on the sweat also matches
the STECO coat of arms. So it is now certain that the Melsungen comes from Luckenwalde!
https://germanaustrianhats.invision...-steinberg-herrmann-co-hutfabrik-luckenwalde/

 

[PanosChris]

VHG Vereinigte Hutwerke Guben Homburg "Flott & Elegant" in black (thanks to Panos),
+/+ 1955, open crown 15,0 cm, as creased 13,0 cm, curled brim 5-5,5 cm, nearly unworn,
similar homburgs in grey and blue (and there are others more):
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/homburg-nation.35848/page-170#post-2812871

Very much enjoyed this fantastic parade of German craftsmanship, Matt! Great additions

The tradition with VHG continues, out of 3 hats intented for me, all ended up being 2-3 sizes too large...how awkward is that?

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

The tradition with VHG continues, out of 3 hats intented for me, all ended up being 2-3 sizes too large...how awkward is that?

That is indeed strange, but it keeps the hunt exciting and we'll find one for you too!

 

[mayserwegener]

"JEDDO" Modell "Henrich" wool felt - another new "brand" from one of the factories in Guben,
because again the well-known labels and again the city wall with 3 towers in the coat of arms,
+/- 1925/30, open crown 16,0 cm, as creased 13,0 cm, unbound brim 6,5 cm
This ist the first pretty cool hat my wife ownes and wears with pride.

Matt, Fantastic! The form is fantastic. I can see why your wife really likes it.

We are really building a collection of these Stiff and Soft Felt Hats. I will need to update the list I started back 2022.

Thank you for posting your backlog of Soft and Stiff Felt Hats.

 

[mayserwegener]

"Record" wool felt Melone - certainly also from Guben - same factory as the soft felt before?
for "Magazin zum Pfau" Leipzig, +/- 1935, crown 14,0 cm, curled bound brim 4,5-5,0 cm
I really dig that sweat logo - and the all-round excellent components & workmanship
Thanks to Panos!

Matt, Super! The "Record" sweatband stamp is impressive. I will have to check and see if any of "Magazin zum Pfau" Stiff Felts that have the famous paper label type. I can't remember off the top of my head. I also need to check into the "Record" and "JEDDO" trademarks.

Update:

My "Magazin zum Pfau" Wool Stiff Felt has the same paper label type.

https://germanaustrianhats.invision...-magazin-zum-pfau/?do=findComment&comment=994

 

[mayserwegener]

Last for today - whitch was the biggest mystery for me till today:
"DIANE - Melsungen" in black "Feinste Luxus-Qualität" - fantastic short hair velour
+/- 1935/40, open crown 14,5 cm, as creased 12,0 cm, brim 4,5 cm
In addition to the great felt, the best thing is the unusual, multi-part lining,
which, among other things, initially made me think of a post-war hat,
but now I am convinced that it is a sports model from the late 1930s.
The manufacturer was the mystery:
although we are familiar with similar labels, I had not yet found anything
that allowed me to draw a satisfactory conclusion about the manufacturer.
Then I remembered a velour with fancy lining and STECO popped into my head:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/german-austrian-hutmachers.32103/post-2651651
The two paper labels are the same and the small coat of arms on the sweat also matches
the STECO coat of arms. So it is now certain that the Melsungen comes from Luckenwalde!
https://germanaustrianhats.invision...-steinberg-herrmann-co-hutfabrik-luckenwalde/

Matt, Great find! Is good to have another STECO Velour. They are hard to find.

I noticed that STECO also used the 3 Tower Coat of Arms (see your Velour and the one below) but they were located in Luckenwalde. Could be related to Brandenburg.

https://germanaustrianhats.invision...brik-luckenwalde/?do=findComment&comment=2393

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

Matt, Fantastic! The form is fantastic. I can see why your wife really likes it.

We are really building a collection of these Stiff and Soft Felt Hats. I will need to update the list I started back 2022.

Thank you for posting your backlog of Soft and Stiff Felt Hats.

Matt, Super! The "Record" sweatband stamp is impressive. I will have to check and see if any of "Magazin zum Pfau" Stiff Felts that have the famous paper label type. I can't remember off the top of my head. I also need to check into the "Record" and "JEDDO" trademarks.

Update:

My "Magazin zum Pfau" Wool Stiff Felt has the same paper label type.

https://germanaustrianhats.invision...-magazin-zum-pfau/?do=findComment&comment=994

Matt, Great find! Is good to have another STECO Velour. They are hard to find.

I noticed that STECO also used the 3 Tower Coat of Arms (see your Velour and the one below) but they were located in Luckenwalde. Could be related to Brandenburg.

https://germanaustrianhats.invision...brik-luckenwalde/?do=findComment&comment=2393

Thank you, Steve - both for liking the hats and for the additional information. Even if we will never solve the big puzzle, the small successes make you want to keep on puzzling...

 

[mayserwegener]

VHG Vereinigte Hutwerke Guben Homburg "Flott & Elegant" in black (thanks to Panos),
+/+ 1955, open crown 15,0 cm, as creased 13,0 cm, curled brim 5-5,5 cm, nearly unworn,
similar homburgs in grey and blue (and there are others more):
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/homburg-nation.35848/page-170#post-2812871

Matt, This is really fantastic early VHG Vereinigte Hutwerke Guben! Really great classic form and the bow design is super!

 

[mayserwegener]

Thank you, Steve - both for liking the hats and for the additional information. Even if we will never solve the big puzzle, the small successes make you want to keep on puzzling...

Matt, Hopefully a future hat will provide an answer to the mystery. All I know is we have found a lot of these hats. By the way I forgot to mention "Lome" as in German Empire Togoland (1884 - 1914) on the STECO paper label.

 

[mayserwegener]

Thrift store find: Mayser "Spezial" in black - for the famous seller "Ernst" Köln:
+/- 1960; open crown 14,0 cm, as creased 12,0 cm, bound brim 6,0 cm

Matt, Another super find!