German & Austrian Hutmachers

[ManofKent]

A lovely melone.

 

[jsoffs]

So I saw many mentions of Zapf earlier in this thread and I really love the look of their hats but I was told on another thread that Zapf is not a quality hat. Is this true? Im looking for a hat that can be worn around town and in outdoors situations. Id also love one that can stand the test of time. Is Zapf the Austrian company to go to?
Thanks in advance

 

[TheDane]

[...] but I was told on another thread that Zapf is not a quality hat. Is this true?

No not quite. You were told, that none of the responders knew the actual make. You were also told, that the quality of modern factory hats in general is pretty low - with a few exceptions. You were told nothing explicitly on the Zapf make

 

[mayserwegener]

I have / had a good number of Zapf hats. They are a low volume maker so not a large operation. They make Trachten style hats which many people on here have a problem with (not me). The Zapf hats I have are well made (not a match for the finest vintage but what is?) especially the Collection Habsburg models which are a bit City Dress meets Trachten (see below). I heard Zapf are moving away from leather sweatbands so make sure you ask about that if it's a concern.

This is from a few years ago. Zapf Hofmarschall from the Habsburg Collection. They are now listed as ZAPF EXQUISITE.

http://www.zapf.at/herren-habsburg_en.html

 

[mayserwegener]

I posted this in another thread back in 2012.

Ten Old Austrian and German Velours

J. Hückel's Söhne Superior Crystall Velour (probably 1930s)

Mayser Talpa (probably 1930s)

Brüder Böhm Velour (1930s maybe earlier)

J. Hückel´s Söhne Alpha Seal Velour (probably 1930s)

Erko Velours (1930s maybe earlier)

J. Hückel´s Söhne Zephyr Seal Velour (1930s)

P. & C. Habig Wien Velour (probably 1920s)

German or Austrian Velour (1920s maybe earlier)

German Back Bow Velour (probably pre 1920s)

J. Hückel's Söhne Sigma Foulard (1930s maybe earlier)

 

[Chepstow]

Splendid Collection Steve!
Hard to come by.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[ManofKent]

Amazing collection Steve

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks! Here are some more.

M.W.B. Stolzf. Luxury Velour, probably 1930s.

Echter Rockel Velour, probably 1940s.

C.G. Wilke Velour, probably 1930s or earlier.

German Velour, probably 1920s or older. No company mark.

TONAK Formely Hückel Zephyr Seal Velour, probably late 1940s.

Hückel Durit Velour, probably 1930s.

Breiter Munich Velour, probably 1930s.

J. Hückel´s Söhne Jota Seal Velour, probably 1930s.

J. Hückel´s Söhne Velour, probably 1930s.

 

[mayserwegener]

My J. Hückel´s Söhne Melone Collection!

J. Hückel'a Synove Vídeň, probably from around WWI.

J. Hückel´s Söhne Flexible, probably 1930s.

J. Hückel´s Söhne Elastic, probably 1930s.

 

[mayserwegener]

Continued.

J. Hückel´s Söhne Flexible, probably 1930s maybe earlier.

J. Hückel´s Söhne Flexible, probably 1930s maybe earlier.

J. Hückel´s Söhne Plume, probably 1930s.

 

[mayserwegener]

Continued.

J. Hückel´s Söhne Elastic, probably 1930s.

J. Hückel´s Söhne Plume, probably 1930s.

J. Hückel´s Söhne, probably 1910s.

 

[mayserwegener]

Continued.

J. Hückel´s Söhne Flexible, probably 1920s (new liner).

 

[splintercellsz]

beautiful velours, Steve!!!!!

 

[mayserwegener]

Justin, Thanks! I think they look great in a group.

 

[alanfgag]

Steve, your collection is among my favorite treasures on the Fedora Lounge. Great to see so much of it in a couple of pages. Stunning and unusual stuff.

 

[jsoffs]

No not quite. You were told, that none of the responders knew the actual make. You were also told, that the quality of modern factory hats in general is pretty low - with a few exceptions. You were told nothing explicitly on the Zapf make

I guess, that most fedora wearers and collectors would be quite surprised, if Zapf really make quality hats. If so, I don't think the news have reached any European or American hat afficionados.

Thats what you said... So yea, basically saying that you and other aficionados dont think much of them.

 

[TheDane]

Steve, your collection is among my favorite treasures on the Fedora Lounge. Great to see so much of it in a couple of pages. Stunning and unusual stuff.

:arated: :eusa_clap

 

[TheDane]

I guess, that most fedora wearers and collectors would be quite surprised, if Zapf really make quality hats. If so, I don't think the news have reached any European or American hat afficionados.

Thats what you said... So yea, basically saying that you and other aficionados dont think much of them.

No, that's not what I said - "basically" or not. The confusion may be due to the fact, that Danish is my first language. I tried to be acurate and wrote: "I guess, that most fedora wearers [...] If so, I don't think the news have reached [...]".

As you probably have noticed by now, we sometimes think we know about other peoples thoughts - and sometimes even their words - when we actually don't. Had I been sure about Zapf, I would have written something else. If you really can't spot all the reservations in the text you are quoting, my English must be a whole lot worse than I imagined [huh]

 

[mikespens]

Ole, your English is better than mine and I grew up in the USA.

Steve, I would pay admission to see your hat collection. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ManofKent]

Steve, I would pay admission to see your hat collection. Thanks for sharing.

+1