Gage Bros. Velvet Cap - date?

[Tricia Bailey]

I found this hat at an antique mall this weekend. I believe it's older than the 50s-60s hats I usually find, but would love some help on dating.

The label says "Gage Bros., New York Chicago Paris." From my research I know that Gage Bros. were a prominent millinery company as far back as the late 1800s.

The hat does not have the interior grosgrain sweatband common to hats from the 40s and up.

The style isn't one I've seen before - it's like a velvet cap, unstructured, that comes down over the ears. It doesn't seem structured enough to be a cloche, though?

Thoughts?

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Hi,

It would help to see photo of a side view of the hat, taken on the styro head from the side. And also a close up of the part with the bow.

It is either a hat from the 'Teens era or 1920's, and appears to have been altered in some way. I say this because there are stitches along the bottom edge of the lining that are not done by a professional milliner. The lining is antique but I cannot say if it is original to the hat unless I get a better view of the hat, and some close ups.

Are you sure the little bow goes in the front? What is the inside circumference of the hat (the size)?

It looks like a cloche style.

 

[Tricia Bailey]

Thank you! There's a side view in my post, but not a close up of the bow. I'm not sure if I have the placement right, no. I'll take some closeups of the bow and the lining and measure the circumference when I get home.

The satin ribbon around the bottom of the hat is loose in one place - I wonder if those stitches were done to reattach it at some point and it's come loose again.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Hi,

I was wondering about that bottom edge and how it was finished. It looks quite odd for a 1920s hat. Yes, a close up of that ribbon edge would be very helpful. Any close ups of the outer hat would help.

That little bow looks more modern, like something on a 1950s or 1960s hat.

 

[Tricia Bailey]

I forgot I do have some photos of the ribbon edge:

 

[Tricia Bailey]

Update on this: the velvet bow does indeed go in the back. Here's what it looks like on a more realistic head:

 

[Pinkcoke]

Modelled it does look like 50s-60s style to me. As Barbara suggested it might have been made from an older hat or salvaged materials.

 

[Joji Furukawa]

Maybe there was originally a brim that was removed?

 

[pastperfect2]

You may be onto something there. That crown seaming could be 1920s. A removed brim and a new edge finish with bow from the 1950s might explain the inconsistencies.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

The additional photos help to determine what you have there. A late 'Teens to early 1920's era hat crown which has been modified by adding the grosgrain ribbon along the bottom edge, and the bow added as well. It may have once had a brim, either a rolled brim or perhaps a wide brim. The lining is probably original. The grosgrain ribbon has been added/altered, as no professional milliner of that time would have used that for finishing a hat's edge in that way.

It is a nice find, even with the alterations.

 

[Tricia Bailey]

Thank you so much!