German & Austrian Hutmachers

[M_Jones]

One of my favorite hats: seal velour Huckel probably from the early 50s (<--Just a guess).

 

[mayserwegener]

Amazing! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap I would say 1930s maybe older!

By the way what is the shop name? Looks like an export.

Thanks for the importer photo. Couldn't find anything on them.

 

[mayserwegener]

Anton Peschel Velour

I picked up this beautiful very rare pre 1940s Anton Peschel Velour from M_Jones ->Thanks! , size 58cm. This is the one that was hacked up but the felt survived. He had it nicely restored by Optimo. The slick - shiny velour finish is very similar to pre 40s Hückel velours (same town). The Peschel liner label still lists Neutitschein but made in CzechoSolvakia so probably just post WWI. Imported by the "The Star Clo. Co. Macon, GA". I found some info on "The Star Clo. Co. Macon, GA". The company was owned by David Wachtel Sr. who immigrated from Austria / Bohemia in 1867. His son David Wachtel Jr. born in Macon 1895 was also involved in the business and took over sometime after his father's death in 1920s (not listed in 1930 census). I have no idea how long the business lasted after 1930.

 

[Mario]

Wow, Steve- just another pristine beauty. Congrats! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Those Peschels are really something special.

 

[mayserwegener]

Yes it has a beautiful velour finish. Neutitschein - Nový Jičín had to be the epicenter of pre 1940s velour.

 

[Lloyd]

Another amazing Velour!
If you ever find one of those in 60cm I'd be willing to pay top dollar

 

[mayserwegener]

Brüder Böhm Velour

A very rare pre 1940s Brüder Böhm Velour that I picked up from M_Jones. This one has all original parts and was made for the French market. It has a high crown and no liner (logo patch missing). The velour finish is more natural and doesn't have the slick seal fur like look but still very nice.

 

[mayserwegener]

Fritz Hückel Hutmacher Zephyr Seal Velour

Fritz Hückel Hutmacher Zephyr Seal Velour probably mid to late 50s and out of Weilheim, Bavaria. This doesn't match the amazing velour finishes as pre 1940 Hückels but the overall quality is super high (unfortunately some moth damage).

 

[mayserwegener]

KuK Hof Hutfabrikten Halban & Damask Wien Hat Display Stand

Unique KuK Hof Hutfabrikten Halban & Damask Wien hat display stand (brass with copper finish) probably just before WWI. I used a similar vintage Hückel Melone for the photo. It needs to be restored but not sure who could do it today.

What is interesting is the company that made the stand TH Hausermann & Co. is still in business today making specialized printed circut boards.

http://www.haeusermann.co.at/1,about/10,History/16,A-future-based-on-Experience

I was able to find some Hungarian newpaper ads from the 1920s that mention KuK Hof Hutfabrikten Halban & Damask Wien but nothing else.

I was able to find a local company that will attempt to restore it. I will post updated photos when the restoration is completed.

 

[150719541]

DEAR STEVE

What a beautiful hats ¡¡¡ Up date, I belive there aren´t in trade some like thats.:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[M_Jones]

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Steve, you certainly take better pictures than I can! The hats look great and once again I am glad that they made it to a person who will appreciate them.

Enjoy them!

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks again! I found some info the company that imported the A. Peschel. I also had a local seamstress fix the bow on the Böhm. She did a nice job replicating the original stitch work across the top of the ribbon.

 

[besdor]

I am amazed that there were so many Huckel hats imported into this country so early on. I know who the importer was for Tonak years ago but I didnt think that many stores bought them since there were so many hat factories producing here in the USA.
There might be a lot of interesting hats out there still hidden to be found!


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[mayserwegener]

The US velour finishes couldn't match the Austrian ones ( J. Hückel and Sons, Peschel, Brüder Böhm) so the Austrian velours were in demand. The pre 1940 velour finishes that came out of J. Hückel and Sons ( Neutitschein today Nový Jičín, Czech Republic) are finest I have encountered. I don't believe these finishes were continued at that level much past the late 1940s early 1950s by TONAK (J. Hückel and Sons & Peschel nationalized). The post WWII Hückels made in Germany (see black Zephyr Seal Velour above) are really nice but not at the level of the 1930s or older ones.

 

[besdor]

velour hats

I think part of the reason that the US companies such as Lynbrook couldnt match up with the quality of the imports is due to the fact that they could not use Mercury in the finishing or production of the fur bodies. The Huckel hats had Mercury in them.

Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[coble]

i will be posting my new german fur felt hat, i bought two eiddelweis pins for the side and buying a feather from the german shop on sat. So i will post a photo sat afternoon. Its a dark grey, its a beautiful hat, i've wanted one for a year, and when i was in the german shop the first one i tried on fit my head. So i had money from my birthday and bought it with the two pins. Will post soon, but i love these hats that have been posted, they are wonderful i hope mine meets up with your guys quality.

 

[mayserwegener]

I think part of the reason that the US companies such as Lynbrook couldnt match up with the quality of the imports is due to the fact that they could not use Mercury in the finishing or production of the fur bodies. The Huckel hats had Mercury in them.

Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

J. Hückel and Sons was producing better velour from the beginning (1800s). The processes were very time consuming / involved (one month) and they were they were the innovators. The Austrian velour from Neutitschein in general was the best. You see it mentioned in early 1900 US newpaper ads / articles.

 

[mayserwegener]

Mayser Homburg

Gray Mayser Homburg, size 59cm. Probably late 1950s early 60s.

 

[mayserwegener]

Hückel Promo Pocket Mirror

Another Hückel Promo Pocket Mirror, 1930s or older.

 

[mayserwegener]

Mayser Ashtray

This very unique Mayser ashtray turned out to be high quality. The piece was created by Marga Trauthoft - Mayser. She must have married into the Mayser family. Not sure if she was a designer or the time period although it has an old vintage feel.