Well, this blog is supposed to be a joint effort, so it’s time I stop slacking and start writing. I’ve had a few blogs, but the only thing consistent with them is that I stop updating after a while. Emmie’s managed to keep her other blog going for years, and it’s only currently on an update hiatus because there’s nothing to update about. My first few posts are going to be cross-posts from my old blog. I’m also quite interested in attire, although in a quite radically different way to Emmie. I’m not going to blog exclusively about what I wear, however, as you’ll see. This first post will be regarding one of my most treasured vintage items of attire, even though it’s one of the few I have never worn – my top hat.
Emmie bought this hat for me at a second hand shop for 150kr (£12.50 / $18). I wasn’t there at the time, but we share the same head size and she felt it fit quite well on her. The hat came with a box, which was quite battered, but I was thrilled.
When Emmie gave me the box and I took the hat out, I noticed that there was some newspaper at the bottom of the box. I can only assume it was there to prevent dust getting through the holes in the box. A quick glance at the newspaper gave a date of the 22nd September, 1956, showing that the hat was not a modern creation, and I became even more excited. I noticed that the hat was made by “H.J. Olsson”, in a town quite near where I live.
For a while after that, however, I couldn’t find out much about the hat. Nobody on the vintage forum I frequent, The Fedora Lounge, had any ideas regarding it, and I couldn’t find any information online from the names I had found on the hat’s lining.
One day, while looking at the hat, I noticed it was made in Eslöf. Until then I had read it as Eslöv, the name of a town quite near where I live, so I naturally assumed that the hat had come from there. A little bit of research revealed that Eslöf is the archaic name for Eslöv, so I thought it could assist with a more accurate ageing of the hat. I contacted the Eslöv bibliotek (library), asking if they would be able to provide any further information. I was quickly contacted by a librarian, who, over a few e-mails, informed me that the hat shop was opened in 1890, and closed down in 1966, and for the last 20 years was not run by the Olsson family. She also informed me that the name of Eslöv was changed to Eslöf in 1927. This meant that the hat was created some time between 1890 and just before 1930.
I also checked the quality of the hat, the feel of the material used to create the hat, and the quality of the light reflection, and determined that the hat is made of traditional silk plush. This makes the hat a much higher quality top hat, and makes the price Emmie bought it for even better – silk plush is much blacker than the modern alternatives, and has a much more defined shine – however, there are no looms left capable of creating the silk plush required, and obviously not enough demand for anybody to research the possibility of creating a modern loom that is capable. Top hats are one of the few items that royalty buy second hand – a second hand silk top hat is much better than a modern melusine.
I still need to acquire or create a velvet pad to give the top hat the proper shine it deserves – since receiving the photos I have purchased some hat brushes and brushed the hat, but I need a velvet pad to get it into perfect condition.
Dear Alexander, I am a fellow Fedora Lounger who has recently acquired a vintage silk plush top hat similar to yours. I am eager to learn how to care for it; but, like you, I have found very little help on the Lounge. What have you learned about the care of your hat since your last post a few weeks ago? Regards, –Jack
Hi Jack,
The best advice I’ve found is a post on Charlie Huang’s (also a lounger) blog. I’ve provided a link (and sent you a PM on the lounge).
Congratulations on getting a silk top hat!
http://charlesrupertdomeki.wordpress.com/2009/05/14/guide-to-polishing-a-top-hat/
Thank you, Alexander. Charlie’s blog was very helpful. It answered virtually all my questions, Warm regards, –Jack
Hi, there Alexander. I found your blog when i was doing a search on Melusine. I have a womens hat that is marked Genuine Melusine. My search has only brought me to others who re-create hats like yours and by the melusine name. frankly i’m confused about that. But i was just wondering if you would happen to have any information on the name. I just started downsizing some of my vintage fashions that i’ve had for years. I was thinking about selling this hat but thought i would do some more research on it before i do.
P.S I really like your top Hat. Emmie gave you a splendid gift.
Hi Kim,
Melusine is a material used to construct hats. It was created to replace hatter’s silk plush, which can no longer be created as the technology has been lost. It’s made from fur, which has been formed into small “naps”, in the style of silk plush.
Thank you for your reply, now i understand and it all makes sense.