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Messages
17,247
Location
Maryland
Not a Homburg, Wayne? Can the brim flip down to be a Fedora? Looks more Homburg than Fedora. Either way, it is a beautiful hat, and your elegant style captures its ellegence so very well.

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It's a Soft Felt Brim Up hat with a over welt + some type of brim curl + flange which was common in the time period (1920s, earlier). Homburg Hat is an American term that was used to describe the style (changed crown form over time) hat Edward VII brought back from Bad Homburg, Germany. Fedora is also an American term and in the time period (1920s, earlier) there wasn't much difference between a Homburg and a Fedora. There are some threads here that cover this in more detail. I like to use Hat Production terms like Soft Fur / Wool Felt Hat with Snap Brim and Soft Fur / Wool Felt with Curled Brim (just translate words).
 
Messages
17,247
Location
Maryland
It does. My small amount of research indicates they imported and sold Huckel, but also Borsalino. Some elements, like the aft positioned bow, bring my Borsa Torino to mind.
I concluded that this one probably came from their in house hatters, but am happy to be educated if I got it wrong.
54339cd703c133318143453b7cffea8d.jpg


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Selco were (still are -> Selentino) heavily involved with Tonak (which was post WWII). All Czech hat companies were nationalized as Tonak after WWII (JHS main factory in Novy Jicin became Tonak factory 1). Tonak had the Hückel trademark outside of Germany and eventually partnered with Selco in the US (this was probably due to the Orthodox Jewish market). I think you are probably correct about this hat. It has a American Union stamp so made here for Selco but the (primitive) Selco logo is definitely Hückel / Tonak like. :)
 

Rmccamey

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,666
Location
Central Texas
A new Sunbody fedora, 4 1/2 teardrop crown and a 2 3/8 brim. I was searching through an antique store looking for a hidden gem when I came across a brand new Sunbody sitting on the shelf in my size. Of several Sunbody hats I've owned, this is the first one I've found that actually fit. All the rest have been a half size to small or too large. This one is a little heavy and a little hot but it should work fine for daily wear when a vintage straw just won't do and when a felt is just too hot.


Sunbody.jpg
 

Steve1857

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,400
Location
Denmark
A new Sunbody fedora, 4 1/2 teardrop crown and a 2 3/8 brim. I was searching through an antique store looking for a hidden gem when I came across a brand new Sunbody sitting on the shelf in my size. Of several Sunbody hats I've owned, this is the first one I've found that actually fit. All the rest have been a half size to small or too large. This one is a little heavy and a little hot but it should work fine for daily wear when a vintage straw just won't do and when a felt is just too hot.


View attachment 177731
Nice find, Randy. It does indeed look like it fits you well. Suits you, too.

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Steve1857

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,400
Location
Denmark
This one came today, a John B. Stetson Imperial made under license in England. So made by Failsworth and technically not a Stetson, but those Manchester hat makers certainly new there stuff.
A few bits of moth damage, but not so obvious. I liked the colour and ribbon combo on this one.
Originally sold at Petitgas in Copenhagen. Probably late 50s.
Added bonus, it fits very nicely.
b668770f7e020c491529c8045310332d.jpg
b7f22b7869b30603bbe94bb6f9605198.jpg
79e0d9989328afeaddc9d3738a039d6e.jpg
3921138a6736a6085d13cc3b4eca4906.jpg
582d6e302d4482001363669f7753d5f4.jpg
1762fd88961bdd6ff0c28fb0ee0d88f8.jpg


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Steve1857

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,400
Location
Denmark
This one came today, a John B. Stetson Imperial made under license in England. So made by Failsworth and technically not a Stetson, but those Manchester hat makers certainly new there stuff.
A few bits of moth damage, but not so obvious. I liked the colour and ribbon combo on this one.
Originally sold at Petitgas in Copenhagen. Probably late 50s.
Added bonus, it fits very nicely.
b668770f7e020c491529c8045310332d.jpg
b7f22b7869b30603bbe94bb6f9605198.jpg
79e0d9989328afeaddc9d3738a039d6e.jpg
3921138a6736a6085d13cc3b4eca4906.jpg
582d6e302d4482001363669f7753d5f4.jpg
1762fd88961bdd6ff0c28fb0ee0d88f8.jpg


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Here's some photos of it on. The colour in these pics is more true to the actual colour.
73b9481ca78e7d70861b68aac9dbab9d.jpg
3c7e731ce3defddc38759220d3e39567.jpg
71e459b22da2447b35de31bb35cf6ea6.jpg


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Steinbockhase

Practically Family
Messages
514
Location
Munich, Bavaria, Germany
This one came today, a John B. Stetson Imperial made under license in England. So made by Failsworth and technically not a Stetson, but those Manchester hat makers certainly new there stuff.
A few bits of moth damage, but not so obvious. I liked the colour and ribbon combo on this one.
Originally sold at Petitgas in Copenhagen. Probably late 50s.
Added bonus, it fits very nicely.
b668770f7e020c491529c8045310332d.jpg
b7f22b7869b30603bbe94bb6f9605198.jpg
79e0d9989328afeaddc9d3738a039d6e.jpg
3921138a6736a6085d13cc3b4eca4906.jpg
582d6e302d4482001363669f7753d5f4.jpg
1762fd88961bdd6ff0c28fb0ee0d88f8.jpg


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Very nice.

Interesting;
this is the 2nd or 3rd English Stetson "Imperial" I've seen, but not sure I've ever seen an English "Excellent".
On the other hand, I own several German Stetson "Excellent", but don't recall ever seeing a German "Imperial".
Just like there seem to be no German Stetson "Royal Deluxe" or "Sovereign".
Is this just my personal impression or can somebody confirm this observation?
 
Last edited:

Steve1857

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,400
Location
Denmark
Very nice.

Interesting;
this is the 2nd or 3rd English Stetson "Imperial" I've seen, but not sure I've ever seen an English "Excellent".
On the other hand, I own several German Stetson "Excellent", but don't recall ever seeing a German "Imperial".
Just like there seem to be no German Stetson "Royal Deluxe" or "Sovereign".
Is this just my personal impression or can somebody confirm this observation?
Interesting observation, Georg. My surmise would be that the two licensee companies, Failsworth and Mayser, had their own Stetson label. So Imperial for England, Excellent for Germany.
Just a guess. Hope those in the know can help clarify.

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Messages
17,247
Location
Maryland
Interesting observation, Georg. My surmise would be that the two licensee companies, Failsworth and Mayser, had their own Stetson label. So Imperial for England, Excellent for Germany.
Just a guess. Hope those in the know can help clarify.

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I don't have any information like this regarding Mayser Stetson licensed hats. My guess is they just picked the trademarks they thought would sell best in the market. They were at the highest price point.
 

Steve1857

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,400
Location
Denmark
I don't have any information like this regarding Mayser Stetson licensed hats. My guess is they just picked the trademarks they thought would sell best in the market. They were at the highest price point.
I'm sure you're right, Steve. Plus, it would probably be confusing and maybe lower the esteem of the trademark if there were Imperials and/or Excellents made in both England and Germany. I suspect Stetson also had a say in who got what license for those brands.

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Hat and Rehat

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,442
Location
Denver
Selco were (still are -> Selentino) heavily involved with Tonak (which was post WWII). All Czech hat companies were nationalized as Tonak after WWII (JHS main factory in Novy Jicin became Tonak factory 1). Tonak had the Hückel trademark outside of Germany and eventually partnered with Selco in the US (this was probably due to the Orthodox Jewish market). I think you are probably correct about this hat. It has a American Union stamp so made here for Selco but the (primitive) Selco logo is definitely Hückel / Tonak like. :)
Thanks. I had the outline of that information, but you put some flesh on the bones.
Tonak history predates the Soviet era, then? Is Selco a Czechoslovakian family name? Or did they partner with Tonak (which sounds Czech) importing hats for the US market?

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Hat and Rehat

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,442
Location
Denver
This one came today, a John B. Stetson Imperial made under license in England. So made by Failsworth and technically not a Stetson, but those Manchester hat makers certainly new there stuff.
A few bits of moth damage, but not so obvious. I liked the colour and ribbon combo on this one.
Originally sold at Petitgas in Copenhagen. Probably late 50s.
Added bonus, it fits very nicely.
b668770f7e020c491529c8045310332d.jpg
b7f22b7869b30603bbe94bb6f9605198.jpg
79e0d9989328afeaddc9d3738a039d6e.jpg
3921138a6736a6085d13cc3b4eca4906.jpg
582d6e302d4482001363669f7753d5f4.jpg
1762fd88961bdd6ff0c28fb0ee0d88f8.jpg


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Very nice, Steve. The fact you seem to have turned the sweat with aplomb speaks volumes. Now .... why aren't you wearing it?

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Hat and Rehat

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,442
Location
Denver
Champ featherweight waiting for me today when I arrived home.
I am 7 1/8, but many Champ hats seem to run large in 7, and fit me.
Not quite so with this one, which is a wee bit too snug.
Looking at the buckled sweat, it seems this felt has been shrinking. I think I can make it fit without stripping and reblocking it.
And look at the ribbon!
261e538b324d726394ac2600d0e4d03c.jpg
c0247a7d9ea5b79d62bc9fe4e0b90882.jpg
206d66148e4f0829409bfb3e5453dd3c.jpg
3153bb93e04191a7764952c81a922b6e.jpg
3b782270c5b8a3d497d65d7f21dff518.jpg


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Hat and Rehat

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,442
Location
Denver
Champ featherweight waiting for me today when I arrived home.
I am 7 1/8, but many Champ hats seem to run large in 7, and fit me.
Not quite so with this one, which is a wee bit too snug.
Looking at the buckled sweat, it seems this felt has been shrinking. I think I can make it fit without stripping and reblocking it.
And look at the ribbon!
261e538b324d726394ac2600d0e4d03c.jpg
c0247a7d9ea5b79d62bc9fe4e0b90882.jpg
206d66148e4f0829409bfb3e5453dd3c.jpg
3153bb93e04191a7764952c81a922b6e.jpg
3b782270c5b8a3d497d65d7f21dff518.jpg


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This was an orphan too. I couldn't belive I placed the opening bid at 11 seconds before the auction closed.

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Messages
17,901
Location
Nederland
This one came today, a John B. Stetson Imperial made under license in England. So made by Failsworth and technically not a Stetson, but those Manchester hat makers certainly new there stuff.
A few bits of moth damage, but not so obvious. I liked the colour and ribbon combo on this one.
Originally sold at Petitgas in Copenhagen. Probably late 50s.
Added bonus, it fits very nicely.
b668770f7e020c491529c8045310332d.jpg
b7f22b7869b30603bbe94bb6f9605198.jpg
79e0d9989328afeaddc9d3738a039d6e.jpg
3921138a6736a6085d13cc3b4eca4906.jpg
582d6e302d4482001363669f7753d5f4.jpg
1762fd88961bdd6ff0c28fb0ee0d88f8.jpg


Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Tapatalk
That's a super find, Steve. Love the colours and shape of it. Don't see fedora style Stetsons made by Failsworth all that often, certainly in this style.
 

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