Side By Side/ Hat Comparisons

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/image-size/id670766542

Ps: this resizer app works for me.
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AbbaDatDeHat said:

Fyi: when some arbitrary? file size is exceeded they come in sideways.
At least that always happens on my old iPhone. If you resize it to smaller file size then they orient correctly.
Just my experience here.
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I find also if you edit or crop them even a mm and save before uploading usually does the trick.

Thanks Bowen and Joe, I’ll give that a try for next time. Can’t tell ya how frustrating it was, guess I’m no longer hip with tech haha

RossRYoung said:

Thanks Bowen and Joe, I’ll give that a try for next time. Can’t tell ya how frustrating it was, guess I’m no longer hip with tech haha

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Lol
Not at all. When i first started it was awhile before folks started telling me they were getting neck aches looking at my pics even though on my iPhone the were oriented correctly which was weird. I felt total stupid, not just the usual.
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On the campaign trail...

I recently added a second Stetson campaign styled hat to accompany a similar/later example that I've had for some time. The original is a Stetson No.1 Quality grade, likely from the period from 1935-1940. The new addition is a Stetson 1X Nutria grade which I believe dates from the second decade of the 20th century, so perhaps twenty years earlier than the No.1. Some thoughts accompany the photos below...



The overall style and dimensions are very close with a clear color difference between the felts. Both have the same height ribbon with simple bow (without frayed edge). The campaign cords are also very similar, with the older hat having enough length to accommodate a knot.



The felt on the No.1 is thick and very stiff. I suspect it might be able to hold a tighter pinch with some steam. The nutria felt is very supple and moldable. It's a very nice grade as is the 1X nutria western I've had and enjoyed for many years. The brim on the nutria campaign is much thinner and completely flexible.





The grade marking imprints compared. Both hats feature a chin strap - much more substantial on the later hat, it wraps around the campaign cord and passes through an elongated grommet on the brim. The strap on the nutria wraps around the back half of the hat and passes through a small bakelite grommet-like piece which can be removed. I took off the strap and removed the bakelite piece when I steamed and cleaned up the hat. It is a different fitting than the brass grommets in the crown.



The store imprints compared. The nutria has the early silver foil which I haven't seen much of in hats after about 1920. It didn't seem to hold up well and was pretty much eclipsed by the gold foil imprint more commonly seen. VVVV stitching on the Fray sweatband... some reed is exposed and it appears to be a natural fiber.



A substantial weight difference between the two hats - the No.1 quality comes in at a hefty 8 ounces.



Hard to show a comparison of the two brims, but the nutria seems to have a softened edge compared to the No.1 which is thick, sharply cut and stiff as a board. The nutria brim could be brought up and affixed to the crown in the manner of a slouch hat.

cheers,
Alan

Awesome info Alan, thanks!

They rarely are as similar as these two showcased hats.

I selected the minty Royal to sport about this morning. When I came inside to change hats the Whippet caught my eye. Inspired by the similarities, I selected the Whippet to wear about.

Below are pics of the Stetson Royal and Whippet. I see them as nearly the same.



The lighter hued gray felts feel the same. If I close my eyes and pick one up I can not discern which one I am creasing. The crown blockings are similar. The flange is similar. I have creased them different.







The ribbon treatment is similar.



The liner is different in that one includes "Whippet." The leather sweats are similar.



They wear similar. The first pic is the Royal and the second in the Whippet.





Thanks for letting me share.

Cheers, Eric -

A few forties made lids from Stetson. A fedora, a cross-over, and a proper western. Different felt types, dimensions, ribbon treatments, felt colorings, edge finishings, and unprotected embroidered liners. The open road type and nutria share the squiggly lines crest, but that’s about the only similarity to these 3 lids. These have been getting the most attention lately, though the Nutria is quite a substantial hat that becomes somewhat heavy on a full days wear.

The tale of two Arminto (style) Stetsons

The nutria has a 9/16” wider brim (technically measures 4 1/16th total width) and is a thicker felt so it doesn’t bash as easily, but the hand is nearly identical.

The 3x is probably 1945 while the Nutria might be into the early 50s. Both share the #643 block and single cell red size stickers.

2 Stetson SQs.

The homburg BE style has thicker felt, liner, frayed ribbon, reeded and a horizontal SQ stamp. It’s a 5/8 size and only gets worn when I’m dudded up.

The raw edge example is a 1/2 size. My first pre 40’s hat with the gold foil size tag still attached. It’s unreeded, no ribbon fray, no liner but has a beautiful tip on sticker, and a vertical SQ stamp. This felt is incredible, takes any dry bash with ease. I thought it might be too much overlap, but she’s going to stick around for now. It’s an awesome wear.

Today we have tail of two deep blue homburgs.




A Borsalino in Cobalto…. A dark midnight blue felt. And a Surety homburg is a dark/midnight navy. The Surety a tiny bit lighter in shade than the Borsalino. Bot have felt matching grosgrain ribbons.



The Borsalino is a bit lighter weight and the brim bends easily.. the Surety a bit more of a dress weight.. but not heavy or stiff by any means



Both hats have reedless sweatbands. Here you can maybe see better the subtle difference in felt color.



I believe the Borsalino has a slightly wider brim and the Surety a slight taller crown… at least that’s how it appears to the eye.



Feel very lucky to find not one but two vintage homburgs in dark blue

Blare said:

Today we have tail of two deep blue homburgs.

View attachment 695746


A Borsalino in Cobalto…. A dark midnight blue felt. And a Surety homburg is a dark/midnight navy. The Surety a tiny bit lighter in shade than the Borsalino. Bot have felt matching grosgrain ribbons.

View attachment 695747

The Borsalino is a bit lighter weight and the brim bends easily.. the Surety a bit more of a dress weight.. but not heavy or stiff by any means

View attachment 695748

Both hats have reedless sweatbands. Here you can maybe see better the subtle difference in felt color.

View attachment 695749

I believe the Borsalino has a slightly wider brim and the Surety a slight taller crown… at least that’s how it appears to the eye.

View attachment 695750

Feel very lucky to find not one but two vintage homburgs in dark blue

View attachment 695751

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Excellent write up, Joe. I'll take both!

steur said:

Excellent write up, Joe. I'll take both!

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Thanks Stefan. I always find this a fun little thread topic.