B
Cinthia, is that you???? 
cool looking hat...anxious to see what the experts have to say ~
cool looking hat...anxious to see what the experts have to say ~
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bycin
Guest
It's ME!! lol
((((((Cin!!!))))))
B
bycin
Guest
Let's you and I wait for the experts to appear. lol
Rue_de_la_Paix
VFG Member
Hi,
That's a nice one. It looks to be a fraternal organization hat, as you suspected. The gold gilt stamped letters look like they might match the hand written initials. Probably made of a silk plush over a hard base. I do not know which organization it represents, but the shape is fairly standard. It does not look to be Masonic, it is a bit different than the ones I have seen. Most have white plumes, and your black plume may indicate something as well. Dating can be difficult (for me, not my specialty) as the hats themselves changed little from the late Victorian to the mid 20th century. A 1920s date could be right. As I said its a nice one.
It could be a theatrical piece too, but those were usually the same hats, purchased from a hatter who specialized in fraternal and military hats. A theatrical milliner would find it easier to purchase and adapt the styles than to make these, and it looks so well made.
You might do an online search for fraternal organization head wear and see what matches.
That's a nice one. It looks to be a fraternal organization hat, as you suspected. The gold gilt stamped letters look like they might match the hand written initials. Probably made of a silk plush over a hard base. I do not know which organization it represents, but the shape is fairly standard. It does not look to be Masonic, it is a bit different than the ones I have seen. Most have white plumes, and your black plume may indicate something as well. Dating can be difficult (for me, not my specialty) as the hats themselves changed little from the late Victorian to the mid 20th century. A 1920s date could be right. As I said its a nice one.
It could be a theatrical piece too, but those were usually the same hats, purchased from a hatter who specialized in fraternal and military hats. A theatrical milliner would find it easier to purchase and adapt the styles than to make these, and it looks so well made.
You might do an online search for fraternal organization head wear and see what matches.
B
bycin
Guest
Thanks so much, Barbara! Fraternal organization hat... not masonic but maybe... I'll research them. Someone mentioned the templar something group.
Silk plush... like that kind of material used for top hats when they weren't beaver?
Someone had mentioned processional hat... how does that ring with you? Would they, if so, be marked differently as in a stamp?
Silk plush... like that kind of material used for top hats when they weren't beaver?
Someone had mentioned processional hat... how does that ring with you? Would they, if so, be marked differently as in a stamp?
Rue_de_la_Paix
VFG Member
Hi,
Knights Templar is a possibility, the shape and ends are right. But so many organizations have similar hats, more research is needed. The color of the plume (black) has a significance. As for it being a processional hat, that (to me) only means it was used for formal dress parades and special occasions such by each specific organization.
Yes, silk plush as in the material used for top hats (and Edwardian women's hats also).
Knights Templar is a possibility, the shape and ends are right. But so many organizations have similar hats, more research is needed. The color of the plume (black) has a significance. As for it being a processional hat, that (to me) only means it was used for formal dress parades and special occasions such by each specific organization.
Yes, silk plush as in the material used for top hats (and Edwardian women's hats also).
B
bycin
Guest
Hi Barbara: Thanks so much for helping me think on this one WITH someone. I think it could be the Knights Templar hat but am not sure what the black feather's significance. Found a photo of the group and some had white plume, some black. Thanks also for the info about silk plush; I had assumed it was beaver but that silk plush makes more sense, I think.