Tress & Co Bowler Hat with paper name and shop labels - photos added

[Pinkcoke]

I love this, I didn't buy the first bowler hat I saw and regretted it later but I think I'm very happy with this find:

inside: leather sweatband with tie adjuster

a paper label that could be the owner's name? not sure if this reads Glover E. P. or Glove R.E.P and printed manufacturer's name.

and this paper label which I only found today underneath the leather sweatband, it has a perferated top edge which has been torn perhaps when sold? Handwritten details of registered shape, style and color and 'set flat' written on top- anyone know any further information on this?

From the National Archives I've discovered that Tress & Co were active between 1890-1967.
Other references I've found reading through the Fedora lounge suggest this may be 1930's - what else can I use to date it?

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Hello,

Outstanding hat indeed, the workmanship is excellent.

Most of my research is on womens' hats, but I have handled quite a lot of mens' hats in my travels as well. I would date it circa 1900 to 1920. The crown, from the photo you hosted, looks a bit deeper than post 1920s bowlers which tend to be not as high. The interior is wonderful, very well made and looks like silk also, or possibly cotton sateen. The interior construction is also the same found on Victorian hats, but the company could have used the same technique on hats they made the 20s and 30s.

As I said, I am not a specialist on antique bowlers, but I get strong Edwardian vibe from this, possibly even late Victorian.

It is a small size...does it fit you? What references are you referring to that might have indicated this was 1930's? Just curious....

I love it, very fine indeed.

Barbara

 

[Pinkcoke]

Unfortunately it definetly doesn't fit me The hat is a size 6 5/8 on the label but I measured the circumference (not expertly I must say) as 21 4/8" My large head (inherited from my father) measures 23 6/8" so I'm about four sizes bigger!
Btw thanks for making me look that up I had no idea English & American hat sizes were different! (I was looking at a US chart to begin with)

I've been reading lots of threads in The Fedora lounge can't remember where the 30's suggestion came from, I'm finding the whole idea of dating hats to be very broad as they kept the same styles for so long!

Don't know if you can identify the lining material from touch alone: but it feels slightly rough textured and has the weight of a light paper; it almost feels like it is a fabric layered over thin paper. It is not dissimilar to the satin used to make my pointe shoes.

I also wanted to ask do you think this is a men's or ladies' hat? as I have found reference this company made ladies riding hats that looked virtually the same on the outside.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Hi,

The crown (from your photo) looks much too high for ladies riding hat. Also, even though womens riding hats were made by a man's hatter and not a milliner, there are differences to the interior, at least in the earlier ones, pre 1930 or so. Usually they did not have a leather sweatband, and had a set in bandeau in place of the sweatband. I have examined quite a few antique ladies riding hats and have several in my collection, but only a few of them have been the casual bowler/derby style. The bowler was usually worn for a lady's morning or afternoon casual rides, and was not formal, and had a low crown.

I am not a riding hat expert...I know our member Corsets and Crinolines knows about the history....maybe she will chime in.

If you feel like there is paper under the satin, that is because there is a layer of either webbing, paper, buckram or another material placed there for structure.

Anyway...I love it, and the interior shows excellent workmanship. Looking again at the paper label... it certainly could be from the 1930's. But I again am no authority on these hats.