Vintage 60s Biltmore Rondelay Fedora Hat Beaver Plush 7 3/8

This is a vintage Biltmore Rondelay fedora hat, made in Canada, and crafted from a light-coloured (off white or somewhat beige) genuine beaver fur felt with a soft, raised hair nap. The classic fedora design features a centre-crease crown and a brown grosgrain ribbon hatband with a bow detail at the left side. The brim is trimmed with brown grosgrain and is turned up along the edges.

Inside, the hat is fully lined with satin and features the Biltmore Rondelay crest stamped in gold, red, and navy. The sweatband is made of leather and gold stamped “Canadian Rondelay” in script. The size tag reads 7 3/8.  The sweatband measures 23” around its circumference and 7 3/4” by 6 3/4” across the opening.  The brim measures 2 1/4” in width and the crown measures 4 3/4” in height.

Condition: In excellent condition, very clean, looks like it saw little, if any, use.

Biltmore was founded in 1917 and was Canada’s premier hat maker, rival to Stetson.  In fact, after Stetson (Canada) went on a Canadian acquisition binge during the 1960s, Biltmore was able to eliminate its main competitor (Stetson) by buying it in 1970.  In 1982, after Biltmore filed bankruptcy, Stetson (USA) bought the assets of Biltmore, before they themselves filed Chapter 11 in 1986.  The Biltmore brand was withdrawn from the market from 1982 until 1988, when a group of Canadian investors revived it.  Biltmore has always been a quality maker, even producing the Dobbs and Knox brands in Canada. 

This is a great looking fedora - excellent quality!