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This one has considerably more history than the average unbranded vintage fedora. It retains its original Hull House liner and sweatband branding, original $10.95 retail price sticker, and the distinctive red-and-gold “CUSTOM MADE” size tag.
Based on the original price, construction, styling, and the documented history of Hull House, I would date the hat to approximately 1956–1960, most likely the late 1950s.
There is also a strong possibility that the hat was manufactured for Hull House by Dalton Hat Co. Dalton is known to have produced private-label hats for independent retailers, and a documented Dalton private-label example from this same period carries both the same $10.95 retail price and the same distinctive style of “CUSTOM MADE” size tag. I have not found a factory label positively identifying this example as Dalton, so I am presenting the attribution as probable rather than certain.
The proportions are particularly characteristic of the period. Men’s hat brims became progressively narrower during the 1950s, and by the end of the decade the stingy-brim fedora was emerging as one of the defining looks of the coming 1960s. With its 1¾-inch underwelt brim, 1½-inch grosgrain ribbon, and compact 4½-inch creased crown, this hat sits right in that stylistic transition. It has that very Frank Sinatra / Sammy Davis Jr.-era look—sleeker and sharper than the broad-brimmed fedoras of the 1940s, but still unmistakably a traditional felt dress hat.
The hat is shown in the photographs with both a classic center dent and a more pronounced fedora pinch, demonstrating how readily the vintage felt takes shape. It can also be worn with the brim snapped down in front or turned up, giving it several distinctly different period-correct looks.
Construction includes black fur felt, underwelt brim, wide black grosgrain ribbon, button-style wind trolley, leather sweatband, and full satin liner with Hull House crest.
Dating: c. 1957–59
Retailer: Hull House, Warsaw, Indiana
Probable manufacturer: Dalton Hat Co.
Original retail price: $10.95
Size: 7 3/8, true to size
Brim: 1¾-inch underwelt
Ribbon: 1½ inches
Crown: 4½ inches as creased
Condition: Very good vintage condition overall. The felt presents nicely and I see no obvious flaws. The leather sweatband remains intact and supple. The satin liner is complete and retains its original Hull House branding, with expected age-related discoloration and staining. The original retail sticker remains present. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they are part of the description.
This is a particularly nice survivor from the moment when the classic American fedora was evolving into the slimmer, sharper silhouette associated with the late 1950s and early 1960s—and it retains enough original retailer detail to make its history unusually traceable.
