Need Help Dating Two Hats - '30's - '40's

[Linn]

Need Help Dating Two Hats - \'30\'s - \'40\'s

Aloha,

I purchased these two hats this week. They both have elastic cords. The beret style hat is labelled Designed by Harryson New York, and has a stamped label that reads "Merrimac Superior Fur Felt". It has red and jet seed beads sewn onto it. The Ere Nouvelle hat is velvet with crocheted "popcorn" type balls and a covered silk(?) cord bow. It is marked size 22 1/2. I think the Ere Nouvelle hat is 1930's and the beret is late '30's -'40's. Am I correct? Hats are new to me.

Linn

 

[APrizeEveryTime]

Omigosh, I'm no help on dating but I just had to jump in and say that those are two of the most adorable hats I've ever SEEN! I love them!!!!

 

[Linn]

Thank you!

I love them too, and plan to wear the Ere Nouvelle to the opera this coming Friday night. It's small enough not to block anyone's view of the stage and is too fun!

Linn

 

[Linn]

Aloha,

I'm still wondering if I am correct on my dating of these hats. I hope one of the experts - or a more experienced hat collector - on this forum will post their opinion.

Thanks so much!

Linn

 

[cmpollack]

Linn,

I'm not familiar with the style of these hats (both of which are just darling and look great on you!), though your dates do seem plausible. Hopefully a hat maven will be along soon!

In a Google search for "Merrimac", I pulled up this newsletter with an article about the Merrimac hat factory, which was apparently a big producer till post WWII, when it fell on hard times (so no later than 40s on that hat would make sense, wouldn't it?):

http://www.stoneridgeproperties.com/newsletters/Stone_Ridge_Properties_Fall2007_Newsletter.pdf

(Scroll all the way to the end of the newsletter for the bit about the factory).

Also, I think the 2nd one will be a perfect opera chapeau!

 

[missproper]

Oh wow, that 2nd one is SO cute!!

 

[vertugarde]

I think those two hats are early 1950's. The cut beret or 'tam 'o shanter' style hat has some bright embellishment quite typical for 1950 and the close fitting cap with velvet was also a 'new' fabric at the beginning of the decade. The elastic cord can be a give-away.

You wear them well!

 

[grandmascloset]

These are hard. A lot of the 30's styles were repeated in the early 50's. My guess on these would be early to mid 40's on the first one. The second one is probably mid to late 30's. The elastic bands were pretty much going out of fashion by the early 50's being replaced with plastic combs or metal clamps.