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Frunobulax

Frunobulax

Messages
19,134
Location
Funkytown, USA
deadlyhandsome said:
So where in the history does Hückel fit in? Was it only pre-war? After the war when the industry was socialized did the Hückel name disappear? I guess in the end all that matters is if I like the hats, but I like knowing and it helps build the anticipation while I wait for delivery. Thanks.
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Well, I'd suggest reading through the thread, "German & Austrian Hutmachers" while you're awaiting delivery. While you're there, follow a couple of Steve's links to his own pages of history. He's a wealth of knowledge on this subject.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.
 
deadlyhandsome

deadlyhandsome

Messages
18,941
Location
Central California
Frunobulax said:
Well, I'd suggest reading through the thread, "German & Austrian Hutmachers" while you're awaiting delivery. While you're there, follow a couple of Steve's links to his own pages of history. He's a wealth of knowledge on this subject.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.
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Thanks. I didn't thank to look there as Czechoslovakia isn't part of Germany or Austria. I'll give it a good read. I'm not up on my continental Hutmachers :). I do appreciate your help. Thanks again.
 
belfastboy

belfastboy

Messages
10,393
Location
vancouver, canada
Steve8 said:
Hi all, Newbie here. Name is Steve. Started buying and wearing Fedoras about a year ago. Have five right now, selling one. I am Sicilian. Father was an enforcer in the mob working in the Bonanno family I believe. Dad met Frank Sinatra etc. Anyway, does anyone know where I can get a Fedora from 1940’s that looks like the one in the Godfather movie that Virgil Sollozzo (Al Lettieri) wore when he was planning attacks and while he kidnapped the Consigliere (lawyer)? The Fedora with the sharp front pinch, wide brim, and extra wide black ribbon? Any info., style type would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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I suggest you consider having a custom hat made to your specifications. Any number of the custom hatters here on the Lounge can replicate hats that you describe. Mike at NW Hats and Art at VS have both made hats for me from pics I have sent them and the finished product was an exact match to the picture. It might save you time and angst in the long run.
 
Fivesense

Fivesense

One of the Regulars
Messages
210
Location
Idaho
deadlyhandsome said:
The Chatham is available in fur felt and in wool felt. Totally different animals :) and most would steer you towards fur felt. I have a Temple and it's pretty low quality fur felt (standard "Royal" grade). For the models you listed, I'd say that the Stratoliner in the Premier (Royal DeLuxe open crown) or the Stratoliner in the Excellent (open crown) is the way to go. The Excellent is not currently being made and it's a rare bird on the used market. I'm very satisfied with my Premier grade Stratoliners.

As a general rule, hats that come open crown are going to be softer and less "stiff" than hats that have their shapes predetermined and pressed in along with lots of stiffeners at the factory.
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Thank you DH. I've got a "Chatham Royal Deluxe" (according to Amazon) fur felt in Caribou arriving tomorrow. I'm very excited to see it and try it on. I don't live anywhere near a hat store but I'm sure the next time I'm around one, I'll take a look to compare to the Stratoliner and any others I can "get my head on."
 
deadlyhandsome

deadlyhandsome

Messages
18,941
Location
Central California
Fivesense said:
Thank you DH. I've got a "Chatham Royal Deluxe" (according to Amazon) fur felt in Caribou arriving tomorrow. I'm very excited to see it and try it on. I don't live anywhere near a hat store but I'm sure the next time I'm around one, I'll take a look to compare to the Stratoliner and any others I can "get my head on."
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I'm sure your Royal DeLuxe will be much nicer than my Royal. Caribou is a great versatile color. I hope you'll post photos when it arrives.
 
deadlyhandsome

deadlyhandsome

Messages
18,941
Location
Central California
Fivesense

Fivesense

One of the Regulars
Messages
210
Location
Idaho
deadlyhandsome said:
I'm sure your Royal DeLuxe will be much nicer than my Royal. Caribou is a great versatile color. I hope you'll post photos when it arrives.
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I will definitely post images when I receive the Chatham. The Caribou color seems quite popular and I'm excited to see it in person- the images on the internet show it anywhere from light grey to graphite in color. I hope it's a darker grey.
 
Mustang Mike's Hats

Mustang Mike's Hats

A-List Customer
Messages
399
Location
Southern California
Richard Morgan said:
Mike, you can buy Gun Clubs in much better condition that this every day on ebay for $50. All of the ones I've seen are from the 70s or later so I doubt it has any vintage value. I've seen several with the black liner and they were 80s or 90s hats or later.
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Thanks Richard.Exactly what info I was looking for! l'll pass the word on to my friend. She got it for free so, no real loss to her.
 
Frunobulax

Frunobulax

Messages
19,134
Location
Funkytown, USA
deadlyhandsome said:
Thanks. I didn't thank to look there as Czechoslovakia isn't part of Germany or Austria. I'll give it a good read. I'm not up on my continental Hutmachers :). I do appreciate your help. Thanks again.
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NO, they're not, but they kind of intertwine, what with TONAK being created out of the consolidation of several of the more independent hatters. Steve, Daniel, Manfred (@Chepstow) are all good sources for European hat info.
 
Cane Rod Maker

Cane Rod Maker

Vendor
Messages
1,128
Location
Foothills of the Pocono Mountains, PA.
Matt, some of the Stetson hats, you won't find a name sake, stamped, on the sweatband.
Like one I have, it is the splitting image, of a Wanderer. But the leather only had Royal Deluxe, and the store name. And to Era's and dating, Jimmy the lid, had a qood thread here, worth a look. Those liners or sweat crest stamping with a crest shield which has stars, in the left side of the shield are pre-1950, and if it has a side seam liner, likely makes it prior to 1946. Somewhere there after, liner seam, went to the rear.

But again, not all were designated, with a "set" name. The if ands and why, I don't know the reason to. But if you pull up old vintage Saturday Evening Post Ads, you may actually discover a picture of it.
 
Fivesense

Fivesense

One of the Regulars
Messages
210
Location
Idaho
deadlyhandsome said:
I'm sure your Royal DeLuxe will be much nicer than my Royal. Caribou is a great versatile color. I hope you'll post photos when it arrives.
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Here is my beautiful Chatham Royal Deluxe- it just arrived today! I'm quite pleased with how handsome the hat is. I don't have any other Fedoras to which I can compare it, but the felt feels very nice- it's appropriately stiff, but soft and flexible. It snaps nicely. It's safe to say this is probably a "gateway" Fedora for me!
 

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deadlyhandsome

deadlyhandsome

Messages
18,941
Location
Central California
Fivesense said:
Here is my beautiful Chatham Royal Deluxe- it just arrived today! I'm quite pleased with how handsome the hat is. I don't have any other Fedoras to which I can compare it, but the felt feels very nice- it's appropriately stiff, but soft and flexible. It snaps nicely. It's safe to say this is probably a "gateway" Fedora for me!
Click to expand...

Looks great on you. Be warned, hanging around here long and you'll be taking out a second mortgage to finance your hat collection. Hope you have an understanding wife. :)
 
Fivesense

Fivesense

One of the Regulars
Messages
210
Location
Idaho
deadlyhandsome said:
Looks great on you. Be warned, hanging around here long and you'll be taking out a second mortgage to finance your hat collection. Hope you have an understanding wife. :)
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Thanks!

I already sense the signs of addiction setting in...

I thought I could control it with my cowboy hats and Irish caps. Now I've opened a whole lot bigger Pandora hat box!
 
barrowjh

barrowjh

One Too Many
Messages
1,398
Location
Maryville Tennessee
I believe Fruno and Cane Rod are most likely correct. I have an Open Road with the same (or very similar) sweatband. Stetson went to rectangular size tags in 1960, so we can be fairly confident this hat was made before 1960.
 
carouselvic

carouselvic

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,921
Location
Kansas
barrowjh said:
I believe Fruno and Cane Rod are most likely correct. I have an Open Road with the same (or very similar) sweatband. Stetson went to rectangular size tags in 1960, so we can be fairly confident this hat was made before 1960.
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Can you provide a dated example to prove that 1960 date?
 
Fivesense

Fivesense

One of the Regulars
Messages
210
Location
Idaho
General question- as with my other wool or felt hats, after general perspiration and wear, they will get a little tighter from time to time (easily fixed with a hat jack). Can I assume fur felt Fedoras will also? I ask because I'm going to get a haircut next week and I can tell the hat will be a little looser, but it fits just perfectly now. I may add in a bit of foam in the hat band as needed.
 
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