Vintage Pork Pie Hat 1940s Flat saving Fedora Style Lord Buckley Montreal 6 7/8

This is a vintage mens pork pie hat, a style popular during the 1940s into the 50s, often associated with jazz tenor saxophonist Lester Young. The hat is made in the form of a flat top fedora with a lower crown and a brim that has a turned and stitched edge. The hat is decorated with a wide grosgrain band around the base of the crown - it is finished in a “bow” at the back. The crown has an indented top. The hat is lined in white satin with a transparent vinyl cover on the top. The colour is a bluish grey, very attractive.

Age: 1940s, maybe early 50s

Label: Lord Buckley A Crown Upon Your Head. The sweatband is gold stamped “Lord Buckley Since 1895 Processed for Longer Wear” and with the retailer's name “J.L. Fortin Ltee 1481 Notre Dame Trois Rivieres Que.” as well as “Buckley Form-Fit For Cushion Comfort”. I've found Buckley listed in directories during the 1930s and 40s, but not later, which makes me believe that this is most likely a 40s era hat

Material: Fur felt

Size: There is no size label, but this should fit about a size 6 7/8 (small). The opening measures 21 3/8” around the sweatband, and 6 1/2” by 7 1/2” across. The crown measures 3 1/2” in height. Because the hat is meant to sit higher on the head, it might work for a size 7.

Condition: It is in very good condition except for a 3/16” nibble to the underside brim as well as a few other small nibbles to the underside brim and one to the brim edge. The brim and centre top of the crown has some dust accumulation, but a proper hat cleaning would probably benefit the look of the hat, although it is usable as is. In addition, there is some slight toning or moisture staining to the liner, fairly minor.

Despite the defects, this is a very nice quality hat in a hard to find pork pie style, a very stylish model - sold at a reasonable price with shipping included for North America….