German & Austrian Hutmachers

[bowlerman]

The postage stamp bowler/melone and the one with the zipper on top... I drool now.

 

[mayserwegener]

The stamp Bowler belonged to a club out of Amsterdam. I have no idea about the one with a zipper. Supposedly they have some old hats with fans in them so I will see if can get some photos.

 

[mayserwegener]

The TONAK (originally Johann Hückel´s Söhne) factory and surounding villas. They wouldn't allow me to take photos inside the factory. Felting and hat making are done at the same site. They produce ~ 40,000 felt hoods a month. They are only at ~ 30% of capacity. I was told they were bought by a firm out of the Netherlands.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26044488@N04/sets/72157626380182461/

Hückel family grave site with memorials.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26044488@N04/sets/72157626504629948/

A. Peschel & Brüder Böhm factory sites.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26044488@N04/sets/72157626379978905/

 

[mayserwegener]

Johann Hückel´s Söhne factory early 1900s maybe earlier.

 

[mayserwegener]

Continued.

 

[rlk]

Fantastic photos and documents Steve! That Homburg is perfect.

 

[zetwal]

great stuff ...

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks! I wish I could have taken better photos in the museum.

 

[DRB]

Very interesting Steve. What a HUGE operation! I enjoyed it. Thanks!

 

[mayserwegener]

It is pretty much the same size today although not working even close to full capacity (they said about 30%). My guess is most of the present day machinary is post 1930s. They still use the wooden hat racks in the second to last photo.

The original main building is still there. You can see it in the employee photo above and here is what it looks like today.

Here is a photo of the factory in 1868.

 

[mayserwegener]

 

[mayserwegener]

 

[mayserwegener]

Meeting the Debynator!

I meet up with Dreispitz (Dieter) at his house that he shares with his girl friend in Hallertauer Hopland.

Here is Dieter modeling some of his hats for me.

I am wearing his Hückel Super Sport Velour.

Time to visit a fantastic biergarten for lunch!

 

[mayserwegener]

Continued

We then headed to K. & R. Lembert Hutfabrik (established 1861) in Augsburg. Mr. Christian Lembert gave us a tour of the factory which is much as it was 80 years ago. They have all the machines to mass produce hats but only have about 10 employees today. They also have a large number of antique wooden blocks and flanges. Also machinery for Velour finishes. Unfortunately I wasn't allowed to take pictures in the factory. Today they only make lower end traditional style hats for whole sale order. They also make more specialized women's hats to order. I bought a Dreispitz in honor of the Derbynator!

At the factory store.

With Mr. Christian Lembert holding the Dreispitz.

I inquired about this vintage Lembert hut holder and Mr. Lembert kindly offered it to me.

 

[Mario]

Steve, that's some great stuff. Look like you've had a fun time.

BTW: I'd love to pick some of those flanges and blocks from the photos...that's massive!

 

[mayserwegener]

Continued

We finished off a super day by touring the grounds of the magnificiant *****enburg Palace.

 

[mayserwegener]

Steve, that's some great stuff. Look like you've had a fun time.

BTW: I'd love to pick some of those flanges and blocks from the photos...that's massive!

I am pretty sure TONAK still has them all. I am not sure how they are keeping a massive factory like that going. My feeling is that it would never have survived if it was in the West. Also Lembert has all their old blocks and flanges but on a much smaller scale.

 

[mayserwegener]

H. Haymann

JHS sole agent for the U.K. British Colonies and far East. Very early 1900s.

Interesting to note the use of nutria along with rabbit and hare.

 

[buler]

Steve, awesome pics. Looks like you had a great time. Thanks for taking the time to post them all!

B

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks! I actually have a lot more but I will take a rest.