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Vintage Arnold Constable Bucket Hat 50s 60s Black Pliable Plush Fur Felt Size M

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Brand Poppy's Vintage Clothing

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This is a black plush fur felt bucket hat dating either to the 1950s or early 60s.  It was made for Arnold Constable, a high-end New York department store chain, with its flagship store located at 115 Fifth Ave.  It was founded in 1825 as A. Arnold, but became Arnold Constable & Co. in 1853.  At one time it was considered  to be one of the largest business establishments in the world and was the oldest department store in America when it closed in 1975.  Its customers included Grover Cleveland, Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, J.P Morgan, John D Rockefeller and Cornelius Vanderbilt.  Arnold Constable was known both for high end fashion and exceptional quality.

This hat has a high rounded crown, but the felt is so pliable, that you can wear the hat with the crown indented at the top, as I have posed it.  At first glance, I thought that it dated to the 1960s, but given the look of the label and the felt stamp, which reads “Sovereign Imported Body Made in United Kingdom”, I think that it may be late 50s era.  The base of the crown is wrapped with black grosgrain ribbon with ribbons falling loosely down the right side brim.  The crown is attached to the brim with hand stitching, another indication of age - there is no sweatband.  The hat should fit a medium sized head - the diameter around the sweatband measures about 23”.  It is in very good condition with no noted wear - the label is a little yellowed and there is a bit of soiling at the back stitching, but otherwise, clean and ready to wear.  The label reads “Fifth Avenue Arnold Constable New York”.  Super quality plush felt makes this hat pliable, so that it can be posed in different shapes - great hat!