A backwards Portis...

[DanielJones]

I got this one on OFAS today. They state that "Inside is backwards". It was just bashed backwards. Funny huh? I got this one because Art has a liking for the Portis hats, so I figure that if Art likes these hats they must be a nicely made lid. This one should clean up nicely and re-shape the right way no problem.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-PORTIS-Mens-Brown-Fedora-Hat-7-1-4-PIMP_W0QQitemZ110121028526QQihZ001QQcategoryZ14065QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

From the pictures it looks to have an over welt on the brim, then stitched. I can't wait to see this one. And I apologise in advance if I out-bid anyone here.
Does anybody here have a Portis, and could you tell me about the feel & quality of these hats? Like I said, I know Art digs on the Portis hats but I would love to hear from other Portis owners. Thanks for letting me share with you and thank you for looking.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Tango Yankee]

I wondered who got that one!

I was eyeing it, but I've been telling my wife I'll lay off the eBaying for a while. Should be a great hat for you once you get it turned around! Looking forward to seeing it properly bashed.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[deanglen]

You can see the finger imprints in the bash.

dean

 

[DanielJones]

Looking forward to seeing it properly bashed.

No pun intended I presume?lol

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Davidson]

I got this one on OFAS today. They state that "Inside is backwards". It was just bashed backwards. Funny huh? I got this one because Art has a liking for the Portis hats, so I figure that if Art likes these hats they must be a nicely made lid. This one should clean up nicely and re-shape the right way no problem.

It isn't a backwards bash. A female is wearing the hat in the picture, and to paraphrase Kevin Costner from Bull Durham, "the bow goes on the right, big guy"

 

[deanglen]

It isn't a backwards bash. A female is wearing the hat in the picture, and to paraphrase Kevin Costner from Bull Durham, "the bow goes on the right, big guy"

But Davidson, the little tie thing that doesn't tie anything is in the front in the inside shot...and that can't be right, unless I've been wearing all my hats wrong,which is entirely possible. I think. But then again...

 

[EricH]

I've got several of the Portis hats. Mine run from a vintage of I would guess the first in a late 30's to early 40's and the other two in mid and late 40's range. They are all fine hats of good quality, fine lines and remind me of the best of the Lee's/Marathons. The best of the three hats is the oldest. It is a dark navy wide brimmed and exceptional felt and detailing. I would have more Portis hats were it not for the other loungers now seeking them. But, I will not begrudge those who won fair and square. Enjoy the hat!

Eric
Oh yeah, my best Portis I won on Ebay....99¢

 

[AlanC]

I saw that auction, and figured it must be bashed backwards. Congratulations!

I was eyeing it, but I've been telling my wife I'll lay off the eBaying for a while.

With all your recent positive experience I can't imagine why!

 

[Jay]

But Davidson, the little tie thing that doesn't tie anything is in the front in the inside shot...and that can't be right, unless I've been wearing all my hats wrong

I figured it out. The hat is bashed facing the wrong way is all. As in the brim's turned down the back and up in front and pinched to match.

Silly Ebay Salesmen(or women)...

 

[DOUGLAS]

Congrats DJ, That is a grand hat. I have a few,I was wearing one today actually. They are a finely made hat. Portis is one of my top three hat makers. You will enjoy it. How rare to find one with the tag in the front

 

[jimmy the lid]

You know, from the shot of the liner, it almost looks like someone has been wearing the hat backwards -- it looks like it narrows toward the front -- uh, I mean, back. Glad to see that this vintage Portis was identified as a "PIMP" hat -- do you think that's the model name?

Anyway, Daniel -- way to go!

Cheers,
JtL

 

[Baron Kurtz]

It's just had the pinches put in the wrong side. On one of the pics you can see where the original pinches were..


Portis made great hats.

bk

 

[DanielJones]

The funny thing is, that wearing a hat backwards, be it a fedora or a western hat, is not all that uncommon. Just about every year I go to our California Mid-State Fair I see plenty of folks wearing a new cowboy hat backwards.lol A few of them I inform of their fashion fau paux, others I just watched for the entertainment value. They strut around the Fairgrounds like they're a real cowboy, while the Real McCoys are giving themselves whiplash when they do a double take to see this sight. It's usually the obnoxious ones I let go that way, the nicer folks will get the friendly lesson in hats.
Most folks out there really wouldn't know the difference between the fore or aft of a hat unless it was a baseball cap, and even then it is questionable.
I've even seen hats in antique stores bashed like this, most of them were too small for me but they were fairly nice regardless. It just makes buying hats this way fairly interesting, and just makes one smile. To think, that common knowledge for something as simple as a hat could be so easily lost in such a short amount of time as one generation.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[mingoslim]

All I can say is . . .

Very, very nice.

 

[Doh!]

Maybe the original owner was just ahead of the curve: if today's ballcaps are worn backwards in order to look "cool" maybe he was trying the same thing.

Backwards or not, though, I love the hand-bashed look. It looks like it was done with love.

 

[Dinerman]

Very cool hat. I think it's interesting that the seller thought that the backwards bash was something rare and unique, not just a mistake someone had made.

 

[AlanC]

Very cool hat. I think it's interesting that the seller thought that the backwards bash was something rare and unique, not just a mistake someone had made.

'Rare and unique' sells better than 'mistake'.

 

[DanielJones]

Ask, and ye shall receive...

Well, it showed up today! That was faster than I thought too. The color is a grey/mauve with a blue-grey ribbon & wind trolley. The felt is in pretty good shape except for some moth nibbles (those cursed moths:rage: ). I think a little steam & a light brushing should swell those areas enough to be not overly noticable.
The backwards bash popped right out and it took a bash the right way fairly easy. It had been backwards for quite some time so I think a little stem is in order to relax the grease in the back of the crown. No huge odors, a tad smoky/musty but I think a little steam & some Properts cleaner combines with some fresh air should take care of that.
It was made for "Hittle's Men's Wear" in Lansing IL. The price tag is still in tact at $10.00, and there is a sweat barrier under the sweatband.
The brim has an over welt that is stitched & the brim width is 2 7/8". The logo in the crown says Portis, "Fashioned by Hand" & "Swan's Down Finish".
All in all it is a fairly nice hat that still has many years of life left in it.
Here are a few images that I snapped this evening.

The DOUGLAS style mug shot.

The images show it much lighter & more grey. It actually has more of a dark mauve color to it. Thanks for looking gang.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Razzman]

That is one fine hat DJ. I was watching that one. Congratulations.:eusa_clap Portis hat will be hard to come by now.

 

[AlanC]

Great hat.

I think everyone should be required to post a pic that should henceforth be known as 'the Douglas shot' or simply 'the Douglas'.