Information about Empire brand top hats?

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by abrandow

I bought a silk hat in near perfect condition (Lock ca. 1920) at an antiques shop here in Vienna for €70. Although it didn't fit (my head shape is a long-oval) it was simply too beautiful to leave behind. I was in London a few months later and took it along to Lock's where they cleaned and reshaped it for me. Now it fits perfectly and they told me that to replace it (from their stock of 'refurbished' hats) would cost between £1,500 - £1,800. So the lesson is to stay on the lookout at antiques shops and markets!

What a fantastic find. I'm jealous.

- B

 

[LabelKing]

It should be noted that the dearth of this particular silk is due to the fact that the looms that were used were apparently thrown into a river for some recondite reason.

I've seen some very beautiful silk top hats in their original leather carrying-cases on eBay.

 

[Sator]

I agree that it is a wonderful silk topper.

I too own a couple of vintage to antique silk top hats myself. Sadly, nothing I own is a family heirloom piece like this one. What a wonderful thing to wear on your wedding day.

As for makers, I find it impossible to track down the history behind these old makers.

 

[John Ellis]

Originally Posted by abrandow

I bought a silk hat in near perfect condition (Lock ca. 1920) at an antiques shop here in Vienna for €70. Although it didn't fit (my head shape is a long-oval) it was simply too beautiful to leave behind. I was in London a few months later and took it along to Lock's where they cleaned and reshaped it for me. Now it fits perfectly and they told me that to replace it (from their stock of 'refurbished' hats) would cost between £1,500 - £1,800. So the lesson is to stay on the lookout at antiques shops and markets!

Couldn't agree more. I know Lock's charge about 2 grand for one of their refurbished numbers. I've actually purchased a few in antique shops including one that fits me.

 

[John Ellis]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

It should be noted that the dearth of this particular silk is due to the fact that the looms that were used were apparently thrown into a river for some recondite reason.

I've seen some very beautiful silk top hats in their original leather carrying-cases on eBay.

Interesting I haven't. I'll have to keep my eye open but I suspect there are plenty of professional watchers for this sort of stuff.

 

[abrandow]

Royal Ascot: gentlemen prefer toppers

Ascot, the annual outing for the top hat, is upon us again. To mark the occasion, Robert Colvile dons his tails and goes in search of one of the last bespoke hatters in Britain

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/ma...7/fttop117.xml

 

[Sator]

Originally Posted by abrandow

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/ma...7/fttop117.xml

Thank you for sharing that article. It made for delightful reading.