Antique Beaver Felt Top Hat – Tress & Co London, Made for Applegath Toronto Montreal

YES we can ship to the US!🇺🇸 Most of our antiques and vintage items ship duty-free or with fees already included (DDP – Delivered Duty Paid). This means the price you see at checkout is usually the total you’ll pay. In rare cases (especially for Canadian-made items), U.S. customs may apply import fees. Buyers are responsible for any duties or taxes, but we always do our best to minimize or include them so your order arrives without surprises.

Please see below for Item Description...

FOR SALE ☞

Authentic Antique Beaver Felt Top Hat by Tress & Co. London – Made for Jess Applegath (Toronto & Montreal)

DESCRIPTION ☞

A superb and well-preserved example of an Edwardian-era beaver felt top hat, produced by Tress & Co. of London, one of the most respected hatters of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

This hat is crafted in black beaver felt, prized historically for its durability, density, and refined sheen. The felt remains soft to the touch with a subtle luster, and the hat retains its elegant crown shape beautifully. The interior silk lining is exceptionally clean for its age, with no sweat staining, rips, or tears, suggesting careful ownership and limited wear.

The interior label reads:

“Tress & Co. London — Made Expressly for Jess Applegath, Toronto & Montreal.”

Beneath the maker’s mark is a gold-colored monogram reading “AJC.” We have been advised by an expert that such monograms were typically executed in true gold lettering during this period, in keeping with the standards of high-end hatters. This has not been formally tested and is noted here for transparency.

About the Maker:

Tress & Co. was a prominent London hat manufacturer established in 1846, operating for over a century before being acquired by Christy’s in 1953. Their hats are known for superior craftsmanship and were produced for both British and international retailers.

About Applegath:

Applegath Hats was, at one time, Toronto’s largest haberdasher, with additional locations in Montreal. Founded in 1885, the company expanded rapidly and reached its peak in 1946 before declining as hat-wearing fell out of fashion. All Applegath stores in Canada were closed prior to 1967.

Jess Applegath was one of the Applegath sons who operated independently in the early 1900s, with stores in Toronto and Montreal. This hat was produced expressly for his business during that period.

Please note: This item is offered and priced based on its maker, materials, age, and condition. Any historical or personal associations beyond the documented retailer label are considered speculative unless supported by written provenance.

IMPORTANT SIZING NOTE ☞

Marked Size 7, however antique sizing runs smaller than modern sizing.

If you intend to wear this hat, please message us with your head measurements prior to purchase. This ensures fit expectations are clear. We cannot be responsible for fit issues after delivery.

This is an investment-grade antique. Additional photos and factual condition details are available upon request.

No returns or exchanges once sold and shipped.


CONDITION ☞

Excellent antique condition overall.

Felt remains strong with no holes or structural damage

Interior silk lining is exceptionally clean

Original leather sweatband intact

Light, honest wear consistent with age

Threading is delicate, as expected for an antique; care is advised if wearing

A very faint red tinge is present near the brim edge, visible only under bright light (see photos)

Please see photos. Color may differ slightly in real life from how it appears on your screen due to varying monitor settings.

ABOUT US ☞ Front Street Antiques is located in downtown historic Kaslo, British Columbia, Canada. We are a husband and wife team on the hunt for interesting items that inspire nostalgia and curiosity. We are antique enthusiasts and we do our very best to describe any imperfections and quirks, as well as provide a general background on the item; however, we are not yet experts on every item in our store. Have a question about this item or want to see more photos? Send us a message & we’ll get back to you ASAP!

PLEASE NOTE ☞ Item will be carefully packaged up and shipped within 3 business days of sale, often sooner. We combine shipping on multiple items -- please send us a message prior to purchase to give us a heads up & we will be happy to refund the difference upon shipping!

All our listings are considered collectible, retro/vintage (25+ years) or antique (100+ years) and are rarely brand new. The majority of our stock comes from auctions and private collections or estates. Items for sale may display some age related wear and/or minor flaws consistent with the date of manufacture. Photos are included as part of the description. Due to the age and nature of our stock, all items are sold "as is" and final sale unless damaged in transit/with insurance.

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Return Policy:

• EU/UK Buyers — Under consumer law, most online orders include a 14-day right of withdrawal. Exceptions may apply to antiques, collectibles, and items sold “as is.” Buyer pays return shipping; refunds are issued only after inspection and verification of condition.

• Non-EU Buyers (US, Canada, etc.) — All sales are final unless otherwise stated.