http://www.ebay.com/itm/401061221390
This vintage derby is S.B.A.’s Comfort hat, with a Bon Ton Ivy self adjusting sweatband and positive ventilation which supposedly prevents balding. It measures 20-3/4″ in circumference.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281305928450
This vintage brown derby was made during the derby revival of the late 1950s. It was sold by The English Shop / The Libertyville Saddle Shop of Libertyville, Illinois. It is made of brown fur felt. It has a fancy pleated liner with a generic gold stamp. Size 7-1/4
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281107425215
This vintage derby has had a hard life. It’s been crushed and glued back together. The ribbon and biding is falling off, the sweatband and liner are missing. Probably good for decoration or costume only. None of the damage is reparable. Marked a size 7-1/4.
Man’s best friend.
This one dates from the early part of the century. It still has the original tags.
You don’t see a lot of brown derbies these days. Lots of black ones survived, but the slightly more casual, slightly less common brown ones didn’t make it nearly as well. This is a modern one. Well- I say modern- but I consider any hat made from the mid ’70s on to be pretty modern. It’s soft like a homburg and has a homburg curl to the brim, not a derby curl. But the blocking is all bowler- too low to take a crease, so I guess that’s what it is.
You don’t see derbies with this salt and pepper long nap finish anymore. Beautiful condition, and a very lightweight hat. Made in London England.
Vintage-Haberdashers Blog 