Uncle Vern
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 171
I've been watching this hat in a local antique shop, a vintage (very vintage, I think) Borsalino Open Road, silverbelly, with wind trolley, and a 2.5-inch brim. The hat is so soft and pliable that I could roll it up and stick it in my pocket. I can buy the hat for approx. 20 bucks.
The hat is filthy--there's a ring of dried sweat where the crown joins the brim, penetrating all the way through to the underside. There are various other stains, and the headliner (stiched-in) is also very stained. But there's no physical damage to the hat.
I've had pretty good luck cleaning hats and might like to try it myself, although I'm a little unsure about the head liner. The hat is too small for me, probably a 7 or smaller, but it's so beautiful I hate to pass it up. I could always sell it or trade it, and I think it would re-block nicely for someone with a non-western bent. My questions are these--should I attempt the cleaning myself or send it off to have it rehabilitated? And is there enough possible return value for my efforts? Thanks in advance for any advice sent my way.
Uncle Vern
The hat is filthy--there's a ring of dried sweat where the crown joins the brim, penetrating all the way through to the underside. There are various other stains, and the headliner (stiched-in) is also very stained. But there's no physical damage to the hat.
I've had pretty good luck cleaning hats and might like to try it myself, although I'm a little unsure about the head liner. The hat is too small for me, probably a 7 or smaller, but it's so beautiful I hate to pass it up. I could always sell it or trade it, and I think it would re-block nicely for someone with a non-western bent. My questions are these--should I attempt the cleaning myself or send it off to have it rehabilitated? And is there enough possible return value for my efforts? Thanks in advance for any advice sent my way.
Uncle Vern