The Bowler or Derby Hat

[mayserwegener]

Wow, that bowler is loaded with unique features. Nice catch, Steve.

Randy, Thanks! I agree!

 

[Rmccamey]

Brad, I appreciate your deep dive into the bowler hat. I've always enjoyed the distinctive style and I always get compliments when I wear them. Now I need to go dig out my C&K and give it a spin!

 

[The Hatted Professor]

Thanks, Randy! Looking good with that C&K!

 

[M Hatman]

P. & C. Habig Wien Berlin "Spezial - Biber", 60 cm, possibly mid 1930s. Made of "Echt Biber" Real Beaver Felt with a fine Smooth Finish. Medium width black Band with interesting Offset Bow. Off white Sweatband with a unique black and burnt orange Liner design.

WOW!!!!!

 

[mayserwegener]

WOW!!!!!
View attachment 761189

Mark, Thank you!

 

[BobHufford]

The Miller Derby.

In 1878 Edward Miller opened his hat store in New York City.

1894:

At one point “The Miller” hat was being manufactured by Stetson.

1894, 1897, 1898 and 1900:

This ended in 1908:

Manufacturing moved to Schoble.

The last ads I found that mentioned Miller were from 1918 (there was one — from the same store — from 1928 that still included Miller in the list of brands they carried, but that may have been due to never changing the printer block they used for newsprint ads).

This Miller derby hat is from near the end of the run. The Pease Brothers store in Omaha was taken over by Black the Hatter in 1917.

Edward Miller’s brand was not affiliated with the Miller-Allaire Company or Miller Brothers of Denver.

 

[jeffgarf]

The Miller Derby.

View attachment 763884

In 1878 Edward Miller opened his hat store in New York City.

View attachment 763887

View attachment 763891

1894:

View attachment 763901

At one point “The Miller” hat was being manufactured by Stetson.

1894, 1897, 1898 and 1900:

View attachment 763882

View attachment 763895

This ended in 1908:

View attachment 763885

Manufacturing moved to Schoble.

View attachment 763896

The last ads I found that mentioned Miller were from 1918 (there was one — from the same store — from 1928 that still included Miller in the list of brands they carried, but that may have been due to never changing the printer block they used for newsprint ads).

This Miller derby hat is from near the end of the run. The Pease Brothers store in Omaha was taken over by Black the Hatter in 1917.

View attachment 763897

Edward Miller’s brand was not affiliated with the Miller-Allaire Company or Miller Brothers of Denver.

Great stuff!

 

[BobHufford]

Great stuff!

Thanks Jeff!

 

[Rmccamey]

A real beauty with a great history.

The Miller Derby.

View attachment 763884

In 1878 Edward Miller opened his hat store in New York City.

View attachment 763887

View attachment 763957

1894:

View attachment 763901

At one point “The Miller” hat was being manufactured by Stetson.

1894, 1897, 1898 and 1900:

View attachment 763882

View attachment 763895

This ended in 1908:

View attachment 763885

Manufacturing moved to Schoble.

View attachment 763896

View attachment 763956

The last ads I found that mentioned Miller were from 1918 (there was one — from the same store — from 1928 that still included Miller in the list of brands they carried, but that may have been due to never changing the printer block they used for newsprint ads).

This Miller derby hat is from near the end of the run. The Pease Brothers store in Omaha was taken over by Black the Hatter in 1917.

View attachment 763897

Edward Miller’s brand was not affiliated with the Miller-Allaire Company or Miller Brothers of Denver.

 

[BobHufford]

A real beauty with a great history.

Thanks Randy!

 

[steur]

The Miller Derby.

View attachment 763884

In 1878 Edward Miller opened his hat store in New York City.

View attachment 763887

View attachment 763957

1894:

View attachment 763901

At one point “The Miller” hat was being manufactured by Stetson.

1894, 1897, 1898 and 1900:

View attachment 763882

View attachment 763895

This ended in 1908:

View attachment 763885

Manufacturing moved to Schoble.

View attachment 763896

View attachment 763956

The last ads I found that mentioned Miller were from 1918 (there was one — from the same store — from 1928 that still included Miller in the list of brands they carried, but that may have been due to never changing the printer block they used for newsprint ads).

This Miller derby hat is from near the end of the run. The Pease Brothers store in Omaha was taken over by Black the Hatter in 1917.

View attachment 763897

Edward Miller’s brand was not affiliated with the Miller-Allaire Company or Miller Brothers of Denver.

Cool hat and great history lesson. Good research, Bob.

 

[BobHufford]

Cool hat and great history lesson. Good research, Bob.

Thanks Stefan!

 

[mayserwegener]

Rehfus & Cie. Kehl - Rhein "AERIFOR", FP 6, 120 grams, possibly early 1930s. The black Fur Felt is very dense with a fine Smooth Finish and is light in weight. It has a nice Form and the workmanship is of very high quality. The light weight Liner is stitched in which is less common. The overall condition is excellent. Rehfus & Cie. Kehl - Rhein became known in Germany and abroad for their Stiff Felt Hats. "AERIFOR" is from the English word "Aeriform" which means "having the form or nature of air" which is applicable to this Stiff Felt.

I believe the Liner Protector is made of Celluloid and has become brittle. It has also developed an amber tinge. A small piece of the Celluloid is missing in the lower left corner. The "AERIFOR" logo is a fantastic design.

Druckfrei / Pressure Free

Stitched In Liner

 

[Rmccamey]

Another excellent part of bowler history, Steve.

Rehfus & Cie. Kehl - Rhein "AERIFOR", FP 6, 120 grams, possibly early 1930s. The black Fur Felt is very dense with a fine Smooth Finish and is light in weight. It has a nice Form and the workmanship is of very high quality. The light weight Liner is stitched in which is less common. The overall condition is excellent. Rehfus & Cie. Kehl - Rhein became known in Germany and abroad for their Stiff Felt Hats. "AERIFOR" is from the English word "Aeriform" which means "having the form or nature of air" which is applicable to this Stiff Felt.

I believe the Liner Protector is made of Celluloid and has become brittle. It has also developed an amber tinge. A small piece of the Celluloid is missing in the lower left corner. The "AERIFOR" logo is a fantastic design.

Druckfrei / Pressure Free

Stitched In Liner

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

Rehfus & Cie. Kehl - Rhein "AERIFOR", FP 6, 120 grams, possibly early 1930s. The black Fur Felt is very dense with a fine Smooth Finish and is light in weight. It has a nice Form and the workmanship is of very high quality. The light weight Liner is stitched in which is less common. The overall condition is excellent. Rehfus & Cie. Kehl - Rhein became known in Germany and abroad for their Stiff Felt Hats. "AERIFOR" is from the English word "Aeriform" which means "having the form or nature of air" which is applicable to this Stiff Felt.

I believe the Liner Protector is made of Celluloid and has become brittle. It has also developed an amber tinge. A small piece of the Celluloid is missing in the lower left corner. The "AERIFOR" logo is a fantastic design.

Druckfrei / Pressure Free

Stitched In Liner

Congrats on this very nice Melone, Steve. This early version of a lining protection is very interesting: Stefan and I once discussed how we know that such synthetic foils (I don't mean real plastic) were only used in hats early after the war, even though the foil fabrics themselves are quite old. Therefore, very intriguing stiff felt!

 

[mayserwegener]

Another excellent part of bowler history, Steve.

Randy, Thank you! We have to keep it going!

 

[mayserwegener]

Congrats on this very nice Melone, Steve. This early version of a lining protection is very interesting: Stefan and I once discussed how we know that such synthetic foils (I don't mean real plastic) were only used in hats early after the war, even though the foil fabrics themselves are quite old. Therefore, very intriguing stiff felt!

Matt, Thanks! It would be interesting to see what the protector was like when it was new. My guess is it was clear and not brittle but because it's a Stiff Felt it didn't need to be so flexible. I am assuming it's Celluloid because of the discoloration and it becoming brittle. I forgot to mention that the Felt is somewhat flexible in the Brim area.

 

[steur]

Rehfus & Cie. Kehl - Rhein "AERIFOR", FP 6, 120 grams, possibly early 1930s. The black Fur Felt is very dense with a fine Smooth Finish and is light in weight. It has a nice Form and the workmanship is of very high quality. The light weight Liner is stitched in which is less common. The overall condition is excellent. Rehfus & Cie. Kehl - Rhein became known in Germany and abroad for their Stiff Felt Hats. "AERIFOR" is from the English word "Aeriform" which means "having the form or nature of air" which is applicable to this Stiff Felt.

I believe the Liner Protector is made of Celluloid and has become brittle. It has also developed an amber tinge. A small piece of the Celluloid is missing in the lower left corner. The "AERIFOR" logo is a fantastic design.

Druckfrei / Pressure Free

Stitched In Liner

Fantastic find, Steve. Seems to be in great shape.

 

[mayserwegener]

Fantastic find, Steve. Seems to be in great shape.

Stefan. Thank you! Yes, it's in great shape. I will hopefully take it for a spin later today.

 

[M Hatman]

A recent find (picked up three derbys!!!!, only one my size).
Shoble, 5 1/2" crown, 2" brim. Hat (felt, silk, leather) in really good condition, however the liner is HEAVILY Foxed. Still pleased with it.