PORTIS HATS

[besdor]

I WAS ON EBAY A WHILE AGO , AND I SAW A HAT FROM A COMPANY CALLED PORTIS HATS . I'VE NEVER HEARD OF IT. IT LOOKED GOOD ,BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE .
ANY INFO OUT THERE ABOUT THE COMPANY ?

 

[fedoralover]

I don't know their history but I've seen numerous Portis hats, both on ebay and in person. They are a decent vintage hat, I wouldn't hesitate to pick one up if it were my style, size and price.

fedoralover

 

[MattC]

Fedoralover is right

They haven't been made for at least 50 years I think. But they were good hats. If the size were right and I liked the style, I'd go for it.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Anyone have any more info on the Portis Hat Company? Monsieur Powers?

I just picked one up (in an amazing departure from normality: NOT from eBay!!!!). Pretty filthy.

bk

 

[besdor]

Portis was another of many hats factories that existed during the 1930's to the 1960's . I believe they were from the midwest . They did a lot of advertising in magazines such as Esquire and Colliers .The quality was decent . They went by the name "Portis Brothers "


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I've seen some of their advertisements in Apparel Arts from the early 30s. I was really wondering when they stopped making hats. The one i have looks like it's from the 40s/early 50s

bk

 

[jamespowers]

I WAS ON EBAY A WHILE AGO , AND I SAW A HAT FROM A COMPANY CALLED PORTIS HATS . I'VE NEVER HEARD OF IT. IT LOOKED GOOD ,BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE .
ANY INFO OUT THERE ABOUT THE COMPANY ?

Buy it. Buy it. Buy it. Portis made great hats and if you get one in your size you are a lucky man. If it is reasonably priced---BUY IT.

Regards,

J

 

[havershaw]

I have always heard Portis hats were some of the best.
I think maybe AndyKev was really into them?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I must say ... i've only ever seen ONE Portis hat on eBay. And it seemed to be an early 60s number. I search all the time for them. The early advertisements were great.

bk

 

[MattC]

I've got one from the 40s or early 50s

I think they began to get a little lower on the totem pole. I think of what became the Norwalk hatters--the hats actually made down on the sound, Cavanagh, Knox and Dobbd--as the best, and the Danbury hatters--up in the valley, Lee, Mallory--as good basic hats, but not with felt as good as the other 3. My late Portis seems to put it in the Danbury group. Much earlier, the Danbury hats--Mallory esp--were as good as they got. I think.

 

[ii-5-i]

IF YOU FIND A DECENT ONE, BUY IT!

It's been a while since I posted a comment on one of the best sites on the web.

I bought a Portis "Stratoliner" clone off ebay last year. It is a tan color hat with a 2 7/8" brim. I'm no hat maven by any standard but this hat stands up to any vintage Borsolino (1948), Open Road Stetson (1959), Knox (50's) or Dobbs (50's) in my closet. I would have no hesistation recommending a Portis to any of my friends.

The little research I did turned up the fact that the company was founded by 3 or 4 Portis brothers in the 1920s. They were based in Chicago and then moved manufacturing across the lake to western Michigan. I think they were in business until the early 50s.

My hat was originally purchased from a store called "Buttrey's" in Missoula, Montana so their distribution must have been decent.


I wish I could post a photo of it now but the logistics this evening prevent me from doing so.

 

[feltfan]

Portis eagle

I had what must have been a 50s stingy Portis a while back.
Nice felt, but not my style. I no longer have the hat, but for
some reason I do still have the metal eagle pin that came
with it.

If some Portis wearer on the Lounge would like a Portis
eagle pin for his hat band, PM me with your address and
I'll pop it in the mail. First come, first served, of course.

 

[Frank chops]

I worked in in a upscale men's store in the 40's when I was a high school student. Dobbs 20 and Mallory hats were are top lines and we carried Portis hats that were a less expensive option. The Mallory was made from Belgium hare fur that never loss their shape. Although more popular, Dobbs wasn't on the same par as th Mallory. We also , sold homburgs, sailor straws and hand made Panamas. The price ranged from 10.00 to 25.00.

 

[buler]

I worked in in a upscale men's store in the 40's when I was a high school student. Dobbs 20 and Mallory hats were are top lines and we carried Portis hats that were a less expensive option. The Mallory was made from Belgium hare fur that never loss their shape. Although more popular, Dobbs wasn't on the same par as th Mallory. We also , sold homburgs, sailor straws and hand made Panamas. The price ranged from 10.00 to 25.00.

Welcome, Frank. You should start a new thread... "I sold hats in the 40's" and tell us more about it!

B

 

[hatsRme]

Hello there, Frank, and thanks so much for sharing your memories. Stop by often, Please!!

Buler's (of course) right on!

 

[RJR]

Hello there, Frank, and thanks so much for sharing your memories. Stop by often, Please!!

Buker's (of course) right on!

+1

 

[Bob Roberts]

Welcome, Frank. You should start a new thread... "I sold hats in the 40's" and tell us more about it!

B

Yes. Plz do Frank. I'd like very much to hear more abt retailing fedoras in the '40s.

 

[Frunobulax]

Yes. Plz do Frank. I'd like very much to hear more abt retailing fedoras in the '40s.

Ditto.

 

[Frank chops]

To add to my first comment about selling hats in the 40's I mentioned that our line of
Mallory, Dobbs and Portis price range was 10.00 to 25.00 which back then in some cases was a weeks wage. With the top line you had your choice of a free feather for you hat band, otherwise it cost a quarter. But in most cases, I would throw one in on the house. All hats came un-blocked individually boxed. And as each hat was removed from the box, you would brush it with a price of serge cloth to inhance the nap. The customer also had a choice of a plain, bound, welt or reversed welt brim edge.

 

[moontheloon]

To add to my first comment about selling hats in the 40's I mentioned that our line of
Mallory, Dobbs and Portis price range was 10.00 to 25.00 which back then in some cases was a weeks wage. With the top line you had your choice of a free feather for you hat band, otherwise it cost a quarter. But in most cases, I would throw one in on the house. All hats came un-blocked individually boxed. And as each hat was removed from the box, you would brush it with a price of serge cloth to inhance the nap. The customer also had a choice of a plain, bound, welt or reversed welt brim edge.

please post more

I want to just pull up a chair and listen to you talk about this subject all day

please chime in with any memories that pop into your head ... or better yet make a thread

do you have any pictures from when you worked in the store?

I want to hear about how many hats you guys would sell per day ... what was the purchasers process like compared to today ... did you have regular customers you knew by name .... things like that

please tell