This is a wonderful quality men’s vintage Biltmore fedora hat probably dating to the 1960s. This vintage Biltmore fedora is made in a 4X beaver blend fur felt in a deep tone of brown. The brim is turned up at the back, rather unusual and natty style. The crown has a matching felt ribbon around its base with contrasting ochre gold stitching. The sweatband is gold stamped with the retailer name “Bovet Montreal”. The lining is stamped with the Biltmore logo and with text that reads “Founded 1890 Biltmore The Master Hat of Canada Biltmore XXXX Beaver Blend by Canada’s Master Hatters”. It is sized as a 7 1/8 - it measures 22 1/4” around the sweatband and 6 3/4” by 7 1/2” across the opening. The brim measures 2” in width at the front and the crown measures 5” in height. This vintage Biltmore fedora is in excellent condition and looks unused with a beautiful nappe (finish).
Biltmore was founded in 1890 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 The Biltmore brand was withdrawn from the market from 1982 until 1988, when a group of Canadian investors revived it.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 wonderful vintage Biltmore fedora in exceptional condition, rarely seen - attractive brown colour and excellent quality 4X beaver felt!