Vintage Hat Making (Millinery) Books?

[lantzn]

OK all the guys like Steve, Marc, John, etc. who have gone onto make hats using turn of the century equipment had to read something to learn all this stuff. What are the recommended books? Is there a so-called "Bible" of hat making book?
I think it would be fun to make a block of my size (22-5/8 long oval) and re-block some hats. I've never been able to find hats that fit well and I'm sure it's because of my long oval noggin. It would be fun to also make a hat from the beginning. Nobody make decent kids fedoras and I could make some for my grandsons. Just sounds like a fun hobby.

I found a reprint of this book which talks a lot about some of the tools used. I just received it.

Scientific hat finishing and renovating: a complete and profusely
By Henry L. Ermatinger
http://books.google.com/books?id=FEIuAA ... q=&f=false

[binkmeisterRick]

The book you ordered is the must have. In fact, it's the only real book I have and my copy is a spiral bound "reprint" made before some book publisher got smart and reprinted it properly. If there is only one book you can get, this is the one.

[RaidersBash]

That's the one I have. Love it!

[BendingOak]

I have that book as well. Mr. Delk sent me a copy as a gift. Signed it to me. One of my most favorite books. It's a good place to start.

[DanielJones]

I have that one as well. Very invaluable for the cleaning tips to be sure. I've tried them and they still do the job. A must have for the beginner or professional.

Cheers!

Dan

[Indiana Jeff]

What's great about that that book is the cover stating "course of instruction...according to tested and approved methods" copyrighted 1919. Usually when you see that kind of statement on a book written that long ago you are going to get a good laugh about 'latest' scientific techniques, etc. that are woefully outdated today. Heck, check out science text books written in the 50s.

But in this case, because Steve, Marc, et al are using the actual techniques from a century ago, the book still is an invaluable resource.

Steve has also mentioned this book several times. Hat Talk by Debbie Henderson.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Yojimbo Jones]

Just came across this thread. This was one of my favourites as well. Covers a lot of ground. Love that he starts with your store layout!

It's public domain so here is a free downloadable copy:

http://ia311026.us.archive.org/3/items/ ... 00erma.pdf

[lantzn]

Just came across this thread. This was one of my favourites as well. Covers a lot of ground. Love that he starts with your store layout!

It's public domain so here is a free downloadable copy:

http://ia311026.us.archive.org/3/items/ ... 00erma.pdf

Yes in my original post I put a link to the book in public domain on Google's site.
I like books in hard copy for easier reading.

[Yojimbo Jones]

Oh, ok? I went to that link and couldn't find how to get to the pdf version so thought I'd throw a direct link up.

[lantzn]

Oh, ok? I went to that link and couldn't find how to get to the pdf version so thought I'd throw a direct link up.

It's in the farthest upper right corner.

[Yojimbo Jones]

My Google screen doesn't show it - just a snippet view, and links to other things. Perhaps you need to have an account. No matter. But I'm in the same frame of mind - I'm wanting to make a block for my 2 year old next. He loves playing Indy already.

[lantzn]

My Google screen doesn't show it - just a snippet view, and links to other things. Perhaps you need to have an account. No matter. But I'm in the same frame of mind - I'm wanting to make a block for my 2 year old next. He loves playing Indy already.

That's odd, if you click on the Overview option in the left column you'll see a big blue button in the middle of the page and a download PDF below it.
I do have a gmail account by the way.