johnnyphi
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I ran across a very interesting collection of vintage hat blocks at an antique store in Dallas. The collection includes 10 blocks of varying sizes, including a whopping 7 7/8.
I've never seen a collection like this, outside of a hatter's workshop, and I've never seen this type of hat block before. Based on the shape of the blocks and the crown height/shape, I'm guessing that these were used to make top hats, but I'm interested to get some expert opinions from the Lounge. I snapped several pictures with my Blackberry. (see below)
Each of the blocks includes several removable wood sections, and all of them appear to be complete. The sections are numbered, and they are held together by thick, black, homemade rubber bands. I found some carved markings on a couple of them, but I was in a store, so I couldn't examine them thoroughly. One block has the name Kilian carved in the side of the crown.
The antique dealer is asking $65 per block, or $500 for the whole collection. I don't have any connection with the dealer, and I'm not in the market for hat blocks, but I can provide the name of the store, if anyone is interested in seeing them in person.
Soooo.... What kind of hat blocks are these?
Entire Collection:
Side view:
Top view:
Bottom view:
Group shot:
I've never seen a collection like this, outside of a hatter's workshop, and I've never seen this type of hat block before. Based on the shape of the blocks and the crown height/shape, I'm guessing that these were used to make top hats, but I'm interested to get some expert opinions from the Lounge. I snapped several pictures with my Blackberry. (see below)
Each of the blocks includes several removable wood sections, and all of them appear to be complete. The sections are numbered, and they are held together by thick, black, homemade rubber bands. I found some carved markings on a couple of them, but I was in a store, so I couldn't examine them thoroughly. One block has the name Kilian carved in the side of the crown.
The antique dealer is asking $65 per block, or $500 for the whole collection. I don't have any connection with the dealer, and I'm not in the market for hat blocks, but I can provide the name of the store, if anyone is interested in seeing them in person.
Soooo.... What kind of hat blocks are these?
Entire Collection:
Side view:
Top view:
Bottom view:
Group shot:
