OK...so what is your oldest hat?

[mayserwegener]

G. M. Hutfabrik Melone

This one is probably my oldest. Late 1800s from Saxony.

 

[mayserwegener]

The box.

 

[hatophile]

Both box and hat are very cool, Steve.

 

[mercuryfelt76]

I think mine is my collapsable top hat or opera hat from about 1900 and It still works perfectly.

 

[monbla256]

Some AMAZING older hats shown!! I don't have anything as old as these but do have and still wear my fathers Rittenhouse he bought in 1948/49 over in Ft. Worth:

 

[mayserwegener]

Both box and hat are very cool, Steve.

Thanks! It's tiny but a museum piece. It also has a stitched liner which is not common for a Melone (Bowler, Derby).

 

[hatophile]

Thanks! It's tiny but a museum piece. It also has a stitched liner which is not common for a Melone (Bowler, Derby).

The severly upturned brim is interesting. You don't see that much on bowlers of more recent vintage. Was that more common in the earlier 1800's?

 

[mayserwegener]

C. W. N.

This is probably my oldest soft felt hat from a Thüringen source. Early 1900s maybe older Fedora style?

 

[mayserwegener]

The severly upturned brim is interesting. You don't see that much on bowlers of more recent vintage. Was that more common in the earlier 1800's?

I think it was a fairly common style in the late 1800s into the early 1900s. I am not sure if there are any other examples on the FL. At least I haven't seen any. The workmanship on this one is probably the finest I have encountered. It's also in great condition.

 

[hatophile]

I think it was a fairly common style in the late 1800s into the early 1900s. I am not sure if there are any other examples on the FL. At least I haven't seen any. The workmanship on this one is probably the finest I have encountered. It's also in great condition.

Looks great. I also love the bright green liner on that old fedora!

 

[Art Fawcett]

Outstanding hats Gentlemen!!! Thanks for bumping this thread Josh!!

 

[Joshbru3]

Nice ones Hats and Josh!

Thanks, Hatophile!

 

[Joshbru3]

This one is probably my oldest. Late 1800s from Saxony.

The box.

I LOVE the flange on that brim, Steve. Its really fantastic. Ive never seen a derby that looked quite like that one. That box is just spectacular as well. It has that old world writing and look.:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap

 

[Joshbru3]

Outstanding hats Gentlemen!!! Thanks for bumping this thread Josh!!

Thank you very much, Art! No Problem! I couldn't understand why it took 7 years for this thread to be bumped. Its an awesome thread and I really hope that there will be a lot of contributors. I know there are quite a few people on the lounge that have some very old toppers, bowlers, and soft hats.

 

[Edward]

I have an opera hat, silk, of German origin, a long-hair felt (French, if memory serves), and a Homberg (beaver, I believe), all black, all 1930s. Can't date them any more accurately than that just atm, but those would be my oldest hats. The hat I have owned the longest is a wool felt trilby, bought new by me in Debenhams, Belfast, 1992.

 

[rlk]

Longley Low & Alexander

This one is probably my oldest. Late 1800s from Saxony.

Not my oldest but in the early range, this Chicago-made Longley is quite similar in block and flanging.

 

[hatophile]

So, rlk, you're oldest is....?

 

[Edward]

Interesting to see those eyelets on that - first time I've ever seen them on a bowler. Puts me in mind of a pith helmet....

 

[Joshbru3]

Not my oldest but in the early range, this Chicago-made Longley is quite similar in block and flanging.

Excellent, Robert!!! :eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap
I've yet to obtain a Longley hat. Ive seen a couple of them and they really look neat. I mostly want one because of the Late 1800's-Early 1900's Chicago connection. Every Longley that Ive seen always seems to be of very high quality. That high Late 1890's derby flange style always seems to be coupled with a rounder crown profile verses the more squared profile that is often seen on hats from the teen's and 20's.

 

[mayserwegener]

Robert, Your Longely does have similar block and flange. Do you still have the old one from Hamburg? That one is really interesting.