That is a super find Victoria. It's a bowler hat, or derby as they are also called and as it says on the sweat band. I believe it's from the 1920s. It certainly looks so to me.
Victoria, Thank you posting it here. I have a lot of information on BB at my website.
Victoria, Thank you for the paper label photo. My guess is 1930s maybe a bit earlier and made in the BB Vienna factory. It's made of Wool and a very nice Melone / Bowler. Did you check out my website for BB info? If possible can you take front, bow side and inside photos (see my website)? If possible I would like to post it on my website. Thanks!
Very interesting stuff about BB on your website, Steve. Some great photos of hats, newspaper articles and various other ephemera, too.
Steve, Thank you! Yes some great stuff!
Nice find, Steve. The quality of the felt stands out in the photos.Aurel Huber "Antilope", 59cm possibly mid 1950s. I have been looking for an older Aurel Huber for a long while. They were originally a famous Straw Hat Factory in Lindenberg, Germany (see Mayser Milz & Cie, Ottmar Reich, ect). I think they started Felt Hat + Felt production prior to WWII but really increased production post WWII. Many ex J. Hückel´s Söhne (Czechoslovakia) ended up working for Aurel Huber post WWII. I am not sure why it's so difficult to find older Aurel Huber hats but this one is fantastic. The Antilope finish is great and the felt easily dry creases. I am not sure if the vents are original but they lineup properly so highly possible.
Open Crown
Steve, Thanks! Yes it's a very nice hat. It's possible they were a source of some of the mystery brand hats although the paper label format doesn't ring any bells. I have some info on my site but need to add more.
There are some production numbers on the label, which are hard to decipher without BBs ledgers. The number 6 in the right hand corner is the hat size. Derby is of course the type of hat. The letters Schwz will be for the colour, schwartz.
Steve, Good information. It's highly possible it's from the 1920s.
You could try Episode in Paris. It's sometimes hit and mess, but you might get lucky. It's worth a look in anyway. The address is Rue Tiquetonne 12-16, 75002.
Great, I will give it a try.
I will look into Hut Breiter when I get to Munich. Danke Sehr.
AND it's UV rated....at least I think it is....the information is all in German! Really nice fully embroidered tip label! Just like the old days......Lovely hat, Steve. Very nice colour and the finish the German makers did so well. I admit I don't care much for the vents on this hat though. Nice find.Aurel Huber "Antilope", 59cm possibly mid 1950s. I have been looking for an older Aurel Huber for a long while. They were originally a famous Straw Hat Factory in Lindenberg, Germany (see Mayser Milz & Cie, Ottmar Reich, ect). I think they started Felt Hat productionprior to WWII but increased hat production + added felt production post WWII. Many ex J. Hückel´s Söhne (Czechoslovakia) ended up working for Aurel Huber post WWII. I am not sure why it's so difficult to find older Aurel Huber hats but this one is fantastic. The Antilope finish is great and the felt easily dry creases. I am not sure if the vents are original but they lineup properly so highly possible.
Open Crown
Good looking hat, Mark. I like the vented sweatband on it.Not vintage, but in fact new, I like it a lot!
M
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Yes, I should have mentioned it. Really soft supple leather, almost like a latigo leather rather than roan. Pretty nice overall!
