Hurley Hats - by Hirsch the Hatter

[Pancho65]

Hello,
This is my first post in the Fedora Lounge. There is some great knowledge Here. I'm hoping someone can tell me about these two hats. I just picked them up today. I have not been able to find any info about them on the web. If this link goes to the photobucket page, I'm only looking for info on the Hurley hats, not the Pendleton. Thanks in advance
<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s863.photobucket.com/user/afgettler/embed/slideshow/Hats"></iframe>

 

[Pancho65]

Hi everyone - I sent out emails to a few hat businesses I found on the web to see if anyone could give me any info. The below italicized text is what I received from someone on the east coast (I'm in Denver). These are great fedoras, and although larger sizes, they're too snug for me to wear. Also, the crowns are a little higher than I prefer. You'll probably see them on Ebay in the near future.

Hello!
What you have here are two very fine early to mid-1950's Fedoras. I'm not familiar with the Hurley name, but I can tell just from looking at the photo's that they are indeed very high quality. There is a possibility that they were made by a name brand for the store, like Dobbs or Cavanaugh judging by their styles and the store hid their name, as is typical of some department stores. I did a google search and found that its flagship location was in Camden NJ, and it closed down completely in 1956, making it the latest the hats were produced. With the condition they are in, and the fact that they are larger sizes, I'd value them at about $xx-$xxx from what I've seen on eBay/Etsy. If they fit you I say enjoy them! You won't find anything of that quality made today. Hope this info helps!

 

[Frunobulax]

Hi Pancho, I see you haven't gotten many bites on your question. There seems to be a dearth of information on Hirsch the Hatter.

This thread has a Hirsch hat in it, but I don't think it's the same...

The design, construction style, atc. say 50s to me. Those back bows were somewhat popular at that time. Given the size and condition, you should get a decent price on eBay. Not as much as a "name" brand, but if you sell it right, you'll get some bites.

What is the brim width?

 

[Brad Bowers]

Hi everyone - I sent out emails to a few hat businesses I found on the web to see if anyone could give me any info. The below italicized text is what I received from someone on the east coast (I'm in Denver). These are great fedoras, and although larger sizes, they're too snug for me to wear. Also, the crowns are a little higher than I prefer. You'll probably see them on Ebay in the near future.

Hello!
What you have here are two very fine early to mid-1950's Fedoras. I'm not familiar with the Hurley name, but I can tell just from looking at the photo's that they are indeed very high quality. There is a possibility that they were made by a name brand for the store, like Dobbs or Cavanaugh judging by their styles and the store hid their name, as is typical of some department stores. I did a google search and found that its flagship location was in Camden NJ, and it closed down completely in 1956, making it the latest the hats were produced. With the condition they are in, and the fact that they are larger sizes, I'd value them at about $xx-$xxx from what I've seen on eBay/Etsy. If they fit you I say enjoy them! You won't find anything of that quality made today. Hope this info helps!

The information may be erroneous, as the son of Hirsch the Hatter provides some more information here that suggests possible later dates than 1956. Metro Felts - Styled in the Metropolis !! The backbow style was more popular closer to the end of the decade. Besides, I never trust anyone that can't correctly spell Cavanagh.

I agree that they are probably manufactured as a house brand by one of the large companies. Factory labels underneath the sweatband might give us more information.

Brad
~The Hatted Professor

 

[Pancho65]

Hi Pancho, I see you haven't gotten many bites on your question. There seems to be a dearth of information on Hirsch the Hatter.

This thread has a Hirsch hat in it, but I don't think it's the same...

The design, construction style, atc. say 50s to me. Those back bows were somewhat popular at that time. Given the size and condition, you should get a decent price on eBay. Not as much as a "name" brand, but if you sell it right, you'll get some bites.

What is the brim width?

Thanks for the info and the advice. I'll post measurements an more specs in the near future.

 

[Pancho65]

The information may be erroneous, as the son of Hirsch the Hatter provides some more information here that suggests possible later dates than 1956. Metro Felts - Styled in the Metropolis !! The backbow style was more popular closer to the end of the decade. Besides, I never trust anyone that can't correctly spell Cavanagh.

I agree that they are probably manufactured as a house brand by one of the large companies. Factory labels underneath the sweatband might give us more information.

Brad
~The Hatted Professor

Hi Brad,
Thanks for the link to the info and the link to Hirsch's son. I'll probably send him a PM. On another note, I'm respectfully not going to knock a guy who took the time to send me his opinion on the items, regardless of his spelling.

I see you're from my hometown, Pueblo, CO. I was born and raised in Pueblo and I'm a 1984 Wildcat. Do you remember Vic Bains store on the northeast corner of Northern and Abriendo? I loved going in that store when I was kid. He had some great vintage clothing stock. My dad has a couple of nice hats from his store, which closed years ago.

Pancho

 

[Brad Bowers]

Hey Pancho,

Sorry, that was before my in Pueblo. I've only been here since 1999, with a three year exile in Utah thrown in there for good measure. I live in Bessemer, though, so I know the intersection! I grew up in Lakewood, west of Denver, and am a 1985 graduate of Green Mountain.

That was just a joke about Cavanagh spelling. It's one of my pet peeves as a keeper of the Cavanagh flame. It was good of him to provide you some research.

Brad
~The Hatted Professor

 

[Pancho65]

Nice to meet you. I went to Bessemer Elementary School. I'm from what is now considered the Eilers neighborhood. I appreciate the link to Hirsch the Hatter's son. I sent him a PM and I can't wait to hear from him.

Here's a link to an old Chieftain article about Vic Bains:
http://www.chiefads.com/import/vic-...cle_37e7d779-9582-5079-989c-1edf39cee458.html

 

[Brad Bowers]

Thanks for the link. That store would have been something to see, with all that old merchandise. I live a block north of Bessemer Elementary(now Bessemer Academy) on Routt.