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Homburg Nation

dschonn

Familiar Face
Messages
76
Location
Nashville
Garrett said:
While not technically a Homburg, this Mossant originally had a pencil curl brim and is a "Lord's Hat" which is in the Homburg family.

Could these terms be defined, please? What is a Lord's Hat? Why isn't this particular specimen considered a Homburg? Is it because of the narrower brim binding and looser curl? What, in fact, defines a Homburg? What is included in the Homburg family?

I have a fairly good idea what a Homburg is, but I doubt any definition I would come up with would be correct in all specifics, so I thought I'd ask.
 

Bird's One View

One of the Regulars
Messages
120
Location
Los Angeles
A homburg always has a center dent (which distinguishes it from a bowler) and a pencil-curled (and bound) brim (which distinguishes it from a fedora or trilby).

A lord's hat is a homburg with an unbound brim.

Someone asked about sources for new homburgs. I have a Biltmore and would recommend it. I got mine from Hats Plus in Chicago, and had it reblocked at Baron's in Burbank. (The reblock was for fit -- I need a long oval, and I didn't think the homburg would conform on its own as quickly as a fedora does -- or possibly ever -- because of the stiffness of the curled brim.)
 

dschonn

Familiar Face
Messages
76
Location
Nashville
Ah. Thank you for the info. That's pretty much what I thought. I have thought of another question, though...

May a Homburg have a narrow ribbon or a front pinch, or would either of those turn it into a different member of the Homburg family?
 

Garrett

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,780
It may have a front pinch indeed but that would lean more towards the Lord's hat than the traditional Homburg. Its up to you how to proceed with bashing.
 

citRon

A-List Customer
Messages
424
Location
Louisville Ky
Garrett...WOW!!!

Most impressive cache! Do I assume correctly that the Homburg is a bit more 'formal' than a Fedora, per say?
 

wldthistle

New in Town
Messages
25
Location
Washington, DC
citRon said:
Most impressive cache! Do I assume correctly that the Homburg is a bit more 'formal' than a Fedora, per say?

Yep, that's why Flitcraft and I are looking to get homburgs to go with our tuxedos. The next step up would be the top hat, which I think should really be reserved for full dress (white tie).
 

Goose.

Practically Family
Messages
898
Location
A Town Without Pity
Yep on the Homburg being more formal. Source; here and Wikipedia
Didn't Harrison Ford wear one in "Sabrina" as well?

The more I read and see, the more I'm thinking of getting one.
I was glad to find this forum but am thinking that it may end up being an dollar dwindling relationship ;)
 

Not-Bogart13

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,501
Location
NE Pennsylvania
Goose, you are clearly a bright individual, but it will not save you! Your soul (and your bank account) are now forfeit! Mwahahahaha!

This new thread is most fortuitous. I just became a Homburgadore this very day. :D Pics to come.
 

Michaelshane

One Too Many
Messages
1,928
Location
Land of Enchantment
I never thought I'd have one but I own two of them,Knox superfines.I bid on them not knowing they were homburgs.I'm glad I did I love them.They are two different shades of a color I would call mouse.The colors don't look right in this picture they are a little darker,greyish-brownish....

P1030782.jpg
[/IMG]
 

barrowjh

One Too Many
Messages
1,398
Location
Maryville Tennessee
d'ja say sumpn 'bout 'bergs?

012509001.jpg

This is my fave Homberg; a really old Cunningham. Jimmy Pierce did a great job of replacing the sweat and reshaping the curl on one side. The felt is really nice. This one is also a bit odd in that it is the only one I have bumped into that does not have any edge binding. I also wanted to show off my rebuild of the box 'innards' and use of cut-up pants hangar to duplicate the effect of the curled cardboard for the hat brim to rest on. A bag of lavender shown also.
012509002.jpg

closer look at that Cunningham.

Here is a trio of Stetson (black, right), Adam (black, middle), and a grey Willard. I use the Adam as a beater during winter yard work.
012509004.jpg

another angle on those 3.

012509008.jpg

Here is a different grouping with a medium brown Borsalino and the Cunningham; note that the Willard has a tiny brim edge bead binding, and note the shorter crown on the Borsalino - ruins the hat in my opinion.
012509009.jpg

Another look at that last grouping.

012509006.jpg

and a look at all 5 'bergs together. I like the Homberg to be curled sharp front to back, which really pulls the sides up high, the desired effect. I find that I have to refresh that curl about once a year - the hats tend to flatten out front to back as they sit in the box. You might notice that the Cunningham is looking a bit flatter than the rest; I need to refresh it. The 'bergs have to compete against my best fur felt fedoras and as a result are only worn 2 or 3 times a year (each) at most.
 

Dinerman

Super Moderator
Bartender
Messages
10,562
Location
Bozeman, MT
late '40s early '50s Lee- look at the stamp inside.
It had fore and aft pinches, but I forgot to pop the back ones in for this picture.
IMG_0937.jpg

IMG_0939.jpg

IMG_0940.jpg


Early 1900s crossover homburg. The brim has an overwelt, but does not snap down.
IMG_1026.jpg

IMG_4465.jpg


early '30's Mallory. Incredibly high crown with a deep crease. Front pinches are not my doing. The brim is flanged with the front and back down. A very unusual hat.
IMG_0602-1.jpg


IMG_0618.jpg

IMG_5542.jpg
 

Not-Bogart13

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,501
Location
NE Pennsylvania
As some of you know, I've been looking for a homburg to wear for an event coming up in the future. Now I have one. The more I look at it, the more I like it. I think I need to get more!!!! lol

Alright, the details;
I picked it up during the Philly gathering yesterday, and found it thanks to Dumbjaw's quick eye. The liner says "Lagomarsimo (I think) Nutria." I assume that means it's a Nutria felt. It feels different from any other felt I've handled.

It's nice and soft, and I have side dents in it. Black-on-black.

Now, the pictures. Please excuse the casual attire, and ignore the look on my face. I was being blasted by very cold wind.
Homburg02.jpg

Homburg03.jpg

A little B&W to show the dents slightly better.
HomburgBW.jpg
 

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