Vintage Biltmore Fedora Hat Canadian Beaver Plush Deluxe Finish Dark Brown 7

This is a wonderful men’s Biltmore fedora hat made in a high pile dark brown coloured fur plush.  The brim is turned up at the edge, and finished in grosgrain ribbon, somewhat like a homburg.  The crown has a grosgrain ribbon around its base with a bow and feather accent at the left.  The sweatband is gold stamped “Canadian Beaver Deluxe Finish”.  The inventory label reads “Model Payette” and “Colour Bel. Brown Size 7”.  The lining is stamped with the Biltmore logo and with text that reads “Biltmore The Master Hat of Canada Canadian Beaver Deluxe Finish”.  It  is sized as a 7 - it measures 22” around the sweatband and 7 7/8” by 6 1/2” across the opening.  The brim measures 3” in width following its contour and the crown measures 4 1/2” in height.  The hat is in very good condition - pre-owned, but well cared for. 

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  The Biltmore brand was withdrawn from the market from 1982 until 1988, when a group of Canadian investors revived it.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 very nice Biltmore fedora hat - attractive colour and excellent quality beaver plush!