habigman

J. Hückel´s Söhne "Jota" "Seal Velour" made for the French Market, possibly late 1920s to mid 1930s.  Stefan of the FL was beyond gracious in making this really fantastic Velour available to me.  He brokered a deal with the French seller and packaged + sent the hat to me.  I owe him a boat load of gratitude. 

Open Crown

I heard the following from General Administration of the Market Community of Sillian.

"Mr. Kiniger's workshop, as well as the entire property, can still be found 11 years ago when you visited him!

Nothing has been changed. As far as I know, nothing has been sold yet.

The house and workshop now belong to his son Gottfried!"

Rockel "Wildleder", 58 cm possibly later 1960s.  Great looking Chamois finish Grey Felt that has a very soft hand.  Also a really sharp looking slightly offset Light Gray Bow and Brim Binding.  

Open Crown

Natural Light

J. Heinr. Ita, "Extra" "Federlicht" , 56 cm, 90 grams, possibly mid 1930s.  Fantastic light weight Blue Felt with a smooth finish that easily dry creases.  The blue Sweatband and  "ITA" mark are impressive.  

Open Crown

Fritz Reuter Hoflieferant Düsseldorf, 57 cm possibly 1920s.  From what I could find Fritz Reuter was a retailer so most likely sourced.  It's in excellent condition and came with a Fritz Reuter Düsseldorf case. 

From what I could find Fritz Reuter Hoflieferant Düsseldorf, was a retailer so most likely sourced their hats.

DHZ October 1, 1919

DHZ October 1, 1919

Max  Förster "Marke  Förster", "C.", Wool, 57 cm, 144 grams possibly 1930s.  Max Förster Altenburg (Thüringen) was a major hat factory up to WWII.  (Altenburg was a hat making center.)   I only have one other Max Förster and it's a Wool Soft Felt so happy to have found this Stiff Felt.  The seller of this Stiff Felt is located in Altenburg. 

Unfortunately I was told by Sillian Bürgerservice that Mr. Kiniger passed away in 2019.  I am checking to see what happened to his workshop so I will update when I receive information.

Alois Pichler Wien "Flexa", 55 cm, possibly late 1930s or a bit later.  This could be a Fur - Wool mix.  The Felt is very pliable and easily dry creases.  Great overall look.

Open Crown

Alois Pichler Wien, 55 cm, possibly late 1930s or a bit later.  This is Wool or Wool / Fur mix.  The Felt is very pliable and easily dry creases .

Open Crown

On 10/21/2022 at 4:33 PM, Rachel Frost Hatter said:

Does anyone have a furfelt hat made by Gottfried Kiniger that they'd be willing to sell? Im doing a major global study of hatmakers that make their own felt by hand in the traditional way and would very much like  an example of his work as part of my research. 

I have a hat made by him and his wife (see above) but I don't believe he made the felt for this hat.  I should have purchased one of the hats made from his felt.  Recently I tried to find out if he is still living but I didn't hear anything back from Sillian.  Do you know his latest status?

20 hours ago, faber said:

Beautiful hat! Very distinguished. 

Thank you!  Good to see you made it over from the FL.  Please post photos of your Dad's hat when you have time.

Franz Gober München "Kasasi" , FP 5, possibly early 1920s.  Based on the paper label information and small quality check stamp I believe this hat was made by JHS.  This Hat belongs to Panos on FL. 

Echter Bronnold "Sekunda", size 56 Point, probably 1950s.

Rockel "Flamand", NOS Condition, possibly early to mid 1950s.  The Felt color and finish are fantastic.  Same with the Form and mid width Band.  This Soft Felt belongs to Panos on the FL. 

Velour-Hutfabrik Carl Blum, Blum "Extra Velour" "Original Wiener Velour", 56 cm, Date Stamped 9/1930.  This fantastic Velour belongs to Stefan on the FL.  Stefan's notes.

"Raw edge brim at 6cm and the crown at 11cm at the center dent. Thick and heavy velour with a great hand to it and shapes with ease. An oddity is that the nap of the velour on the crown is brushed clockwise. Made for the Italian market as the label is in part in Italian."

Alois Pichler Wien, measures 58 cm, 143 grams possibly early 1930s.  I think it's Fur Felt but might have a small Wool content.  I couldn't find a paper label and nothing points to a specific hat company. I am not aware of A.P.W. having a production facility so probably sourced.  There is a wide fabric Band behind the main Band that I assume was a later add on that is permanently applied.  I am not sure what it is for so  I am checking with the seller to see if they have any information.  The black Liner with gold A.P.W. mark really stands out.  

Alois Pichler Wien waxed Paper Bag "Pichler Hüte Sind Weltbekannt / Pichler Hats Are World Famous" that this Stiff Felt was wrapped so probably original.  

P. & C. Habig Wien Berlin "Special - Qualität Reine Handarbeit / Special Qualität"  , 60 cm, 133 grams, possibly 1920s.  This one is really fantastic and in near mint condition.  It came with a P. & C. Habig Wien Paper Hat Holder. The seller said both belonged to his grandfather so it probably came with the Stiff Felt.   

P. & C. Habig Wien Paper Hat Holder that came with the Stiff Felt, possibly 1920s 

5 hours ago, Dorette said:

I wanted to attach the file, but it exceeds the 18KB size even as a PDF. Perhaps I can email it to you?

Dorette,  Yes, please email it to me.  I sent you a PM.

Emil Mandel Dresden "Propaganda" possibly 1920s.  Really fantastic Violet color Wool Felt.  Not sure of the Hat Company that made it.  The paper label is similar to Förster Hutfabrik Altenburg.  This hat belongs to Wayne of the FL.

Emil Mandel Dresden was a Wholesaler that sourced Hats. 

C. G. Wilke possibly early 1930s.  The paper label is missing but I think it might be a "Bürstel Electra".  Really fantastic Rust color Velour.  The Velour Felt is very pliable with a good amount of gloss.  I made a trade with Panos back in April and I forgot to take photos of this hat.  Panos was kind enough to send me some photos a couple days ago so I decided to post it here and on my website.

2 hours ago, Dorette said:

I haven't posted in quite some time, but wanted to share my recent progress on the the history of my great-grandfather's hatmaking busiess, LITAL (Vienna). I have written a chapter about his apprenticeships in Budapest and Vienna (1892-1899) and would welcome feedback from readers. I could post the chapter here or email it. Not sure what the proper protocal is. I would be very interested in learnng where/how apprentices lived during their training as I have not found any information on this subject.

Dorette,  Good to hear back from you.  Please post the chapter here.  I look forward to reading it and providing feedback.