The Hatmakers

Product Information

The company is still in business, making fine quality hats, has from time to time been contracted by Borsalino to make their felts and hats. The company was located in Norwalk, CT, where many of the the high end hatters were located, including Cavanagh, Crofut & Knapp, and Dobbs. Cavanagh Hats was started by John Cavanagh in 1928, with an exclusive store at 247 Park Avenue in NYC. The budget brand of the day, Adam none-the-less made a dependable hat, and made sure that they copied the styles of the most popular hat makers . . . If that wasn’t enough of an achievement, Tamzin is also in the midst studying herbalism. Here, the actress turned wonder woman - who notably lost the role of the Mother of Dragons after filming the pilot of Game of Thrones - opens up about success, failure and the ‘negative’ moments in her life that ultimately became her most empowering moments…. By penning your own book, The Hatmakers, was it a way of you controlling the narrative of your own career?

The company merged with Cavanagh-Dobbs in 1929, which was, in turn, taken over by Hat Corporation of America in 1932. Today the Feltmakers Company is a modern, thriving and very relevant influencer of the modern trades and international business. The Hat making and Millinery industries in the UK represent the very highest standards of quality, design, high fashion and craftsmanship in the World. These businesses export globally and generate considerable revenues for the UK Economy.To help new Liverymen meet others in the Company there is a Livery Society. This holds a number of less formal occasions. There is also a Masonic lodge. The Master uniquely entertains the Sheriffs and the Court on Plough Monday. Founded by James Henry Knapp in Stamford, Conneticut, and the makers of Knapp Felt Hats in New York City. The company was actually located in Norwalk, CT, where many of the the high end hatters were located, including Knox, Cavanagh, and Dobbs. This book was so entertaining and the premise is just so charming. Rival families of merchants that create clothes or shoes or watches infused with spells and magic. This reminded me a lot of the Netflix movie "Slumberland" too (not really in concept but more in vibes) and I really loved that. At the turn of the last century, the F. Berg hat factory complex was the most productive of the 34 firms manufacturing hats in Essex County New Jersey, which was the hat-making capital of the world between 1870 and World War I. The area had 21 hat-making companies by 1892, and 35 by 1900. Hat making began to decline in the 1920s, and the Berg company moved to Norwalk, Connecticut, where it was primarily a finisher, producing hats for high-end retailers such as Finchley’s in New York.

The one gripe I had is I found the conflict going on with the king to be far to obvious, from almost the very beginning, and therefore the twist like extremely predictable....like the adults in the story ignoring the most clear explanation bugged me. But I know I'm not the target audience for this though, so me finding the ending predictable doesn't really detract from my enjoyment of the book. Now, the magic in this book is really fun. One way in which is manifesting is in how the various families Make items. For instance, the Hatmakers imbue their hats with a variety of unique and oftentimes hard to get items--such as moonbeams, storms, and feathers from rare birds--that, when worn, can give the wearer feels of peacefulness, happiness, excitement, you name it. I assume this is also how it works for the Bootmakers, Glovemakers, Cloakmakers, and so on. I loved learning about all of the different trades and their methods of Making various magical items, as well as some tidbits here and there about past events that the Makers have been a part of. The first is the splendid Master’s tricorn hat with white plumes. It is true to say that it is the envy of Masters of most Livery Companies. A number were kindly donated to the Company by the late Sir Hugh Wontner. Although John Stetson died in 1906, his company followed men's fashions into the twentieth century, manufacturing top hats, bowlers, homburgs, fedoras, and trilbys, as well as straw hats in both western and dress styles.In 1971 Stetson sold its machinery to the Stevens Hat Company and ceased production of hats, concentrating instead on marketing, and outsourced its actual manufacturing. In 1979 the Stetson name was acquired by the Hat Corporation of America (HatCo). Founded 50 years ago, this South American manufacturer is in Columbia and is still in business today.

The company made fine hats, and did a lot of advertising in magazines such as Esquire and Colliers.Charles Knox, an Irish immigrant who came to the United States in 1930 at age 12, and apprenticed to Leary & Company Hatters of New York, opened his first hat shop before he was 20.

I also adored this quote: "Everybody has their own unique magic, littlest hatmaker. But it's up to you to discover what it is. You've got to adventure into your own heart and head and belly to find out just what your own special magic is made of." (P.65) The Company dines three times a year. The Installation Dinner Рon the occasion of the installation of the new Master Рis in October. In April there is a Spring Dinner and the Summer Banquet is in June, normally at the Mansion House with the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs and their Consorts. Many eminent Company and private guests attend these functions. A most popular Carol Service is held in December. Masters often introduce other functions during the year and The Master uniquely entertains the Sheriffs and the Court on Plough Monday. Harry MacLachlan began work as a hatter’s apprentice in 1884 and went into business for himself in 1892 in Danbury, Connecticut, producing rough felt bodies for finishers in the hat trade in that city. He formed the S.A.G. Hat Company in 1904, and in 1909 Mr. McLachlan and Frank H. Lee formed a partnership under the name of the Lee-McLachlan Co., which continued until 1914, when the partnership was dissolved and H. McLachlan & Co.,Inc. was incorporated.

50 Years of Iconic Hats & Headwear

Cavanagh-Dobbs, Inc. formed in 1928 to merge Dobbs and Cavanagh. Cavanagh-Dobbs acquired Sunfast Hats, of Danbury, CT in 1928, Crofut & Knapp in 1929 and F. Berg & Company of Norwalk, CT in 1929. Hat Corporation of America bought the company in 1932. A small family-owned firm, the Stevens Hat Company was located in St. Joseph, Missouri. The company merged with HatCo’s Stetson division in 1984, and took over the production of Stetson Hats, most of which were still made in St. Joseph until HatCo moved all of its production to a new factory in Garland, Texas.