And Now...A *Great* Grandfather Hat: Stetson Playboy

[AlanC]

Some may recall my earlier 'Grandfather Hat' saga. Well, earlier this year my grandmother, the widow of the Grandfather Hat owner, passed away. My parents have been sorting through her things, of which there is much. In an old trunk they happened to find another hat. This one, as it turns out, belonged to her father, my great-grandfather. It had remained stored away in that trunk since his death in 1962. My parents hand delivered the hat this morning.

It's a Stetson Playboy, unlined (with Stetson logo in the inner crown), and hand bashed by my great-grandfather backwards. Apparently he liked his crowns low as well (all of 2 7/8" in front). This seems to have been his only hat as my father says he remembers it being the one that he always had on. It's a size 6 7/8 LO. It's really quite an impressive hat for a farmer from the hills of eastern Kentucky to own. This is after a brushing and cleaning on the sweat (still needs some work).

I had considered having it resized, but the size difference is so great I just don't think it's the best course. So, I think I'll leave it as it is. I happened to buy this Playboy from Rick Blaine, which has been refurbished by Optimo. I think I may send it back to Graham for a re-re-ribbon back to its Playboy roots and wear it in honor of my great-grandfather (with a different crease, however!).

 

[carter]

Alan, That Playboy is a wonderful memory of your grandfather. With the aid of some steam you can make it look quite nice. Congratulations. And, the one you got from RB looks terrific. No matter what you decide on the ribbon and the crease, that is a nice lid.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

If I were fortunate enough to receive an heirloom like that and in such a size difference, it'd be the one hat I owned that I would not wear or re-bash or anything, but rather keep as a physical memory, like a photograph, of a forebear.

 

[AlanC]

Yes, my current thinking is that I will simply leave it as-is other than brushing it and cleaning/conditioning the sweat. I thought I might even get one of those clear display cubes at Michael's or somewhere. My father thinks there are probably some pictures of my grand-father wearing it. Maybe pair that with an old Playboy ad.

This would have been pre-Playboy, but my Dad was telling me about the time my great-grandfather got his gun, saddled up the horse and informed his family that he was off to kill a man who had gotten his eldest daughter pregnant. This would have been in the mid-30s. Thankfully, he didn't find him and cooled off. The man and my great-aunt married, but she and the baby both died in childbirth. Family histories are intriguing things.

 

[animator]

A wonderful hat!

I agree you should keep it as is!

 

[Levallois]

Terrific hat and story! The backwards bash has me intrigued. Was this common as I've never seen another like this? It would be interesting to see photos of him wearing it this way - hint, hint?

John

 

[carter]

Yes, my current thinking is that I will simply leave it as-is other than brushing it and cleaning/conditioning the sweat. I thought I might even get one of those clear display cubes at Michael's or somewhere. My father thinks there are probably some pictures of my grand-father wearing it. Maybe pair that with an old Playboy ad.

This would have been pre-Playboy, but my Dad was telling me about the time my great-grandfather got his gun, saddled up the horse and informed his family that he was off to kill a man who had gotten his eldest daughter pregnant. This would have been in the mid-30s. Thankfully, he didn't find him and cooled off. The man and my great-aunt married, but she and the baby both died in childbirth. Family histories are intriguing things.

There is a plethora of clear hat boxes on OFAS. Displaying the hat with a picture of your grandfather wearing it sounds terrific.
Family histories are indeed very interesting. And that's just what we know or has been passed down to us.

 

[RBH]

Fantastic story to go with a fantastic hat!!!

Thanks for sharing with us Alan!

 

[feltfan]

It's a Stetson Playboy, unlined (with Stetson logo in the inner crown), and hand bashed by my great-grandfather backwards. Apparently he liked his crowns low as well (all of 2 7/8" in front). This seems to have been his only hat as my father says he remembers it being the one that he always had on. It's a size 6 7/8 LO. It's really quite an impressive hat for a farmer from the hills of eastern Kentucky to own. This is after a brushing and cleaning on the sweat (still needs some work).

I'm tempted to say something about backwards farmers, but I won't.

I wonder if he liked a low crown or if he was used to a deep crown bash.
In the older days, a crown was so big that a ridge like that would
have left a sizeable height.

 

[randooch]

grand-dad's stetson

what a memento! its shape brings to mind the lid worn by rowdy yates in Rawhide, what with the low crown.

i'm a complete newbie (first post), and have been wondering what OFAS means. please do tell, someone.

 

[Dinerman]

what a memento! its shape brings to mind the lid worn by rowdy yates in Rawhide, what with the low crown.

i'm a complete newbie (first post), and have been wondering what OFAS means. please do tell, someone.

OFAS = Our Favorite Auction Site = eBay

 

[duggap]

what a memento! its shape brings to mind the lid worn by rowdy yates in Rawhide, what with the low crown.

i'm a complete newbie (first post), and have been wondering what OFAS means. please do tell, someone.

Means Our Favorite Auction Site or eBay. I know cause I had to ask myself.

 

[RBH]

I'm tempted to say something about backwards farmers, but I won't......

And I for one .. am glad you didnt.

 

[RBH]

Hey Alan.. I just noticed.
Dont most Playboys have a bound edge?
What do you think is the date on this fedora?

 

[Dinerman]

Hey Alan.. I just noticed.
Dont most Playboys have a bound edge?
What do you think is the date on this fedora?

They have stitched raw edge brims for the most part- one of the distinctive playboy features.

 

[RBH]

They have stitched raw edge brims for the most part- one of the distinctive playboy features.

Thanks DMan.

 

[Wolfmanjack]

Yes, my current thinking is that I will simply leave it as-is other than brushing it and cleaning/conditioning the sweat. I thought I might even get one of those clear display cubes at Michael's or somewhere. My father thinks there are probably some pictures of my grand-father wearing it. Maybe pair that with an old Playboy ad.

Yes Alan, by all means do this. A wonderful memento of your great grandfather that your whole family will cherish even more as years go by. Pass it on to your own son...or grandson.

As an aside, I have to tell you about the funeral ceremony for my wife's uncle; a Nebraska rancher and WWII combat veteran. The family placed his old stained and battered Stetson on the altar, where it served as the centerpiece of the ceremony. No casket, no box of ashes; just his hat. It was deeply moving and conveyed great meaning for all those present.

 

[BobC]

This is one of the most interesting threads I've read in a while. Thanks to those of you who have shared your family stories along with the hat stories included with them. I think it important to preserve what we can of our family members who have preceded us because they are the people who are most responsible for making us who we are.

Regards Alan and Wolfman and thank you.

 

[KY Gentleman]

Hey Alan- thats a nice hat and I would vote to keep it "as is" also.
I have a number of pictures of my grandfather (papaw) in his hat(s) and I have no idea where they may have ended up. You're a lucky guy to have that one, buddy. My mom's folks were from Harlan County, BTW!

 

[AlanC]

Thanks for the kind words, all.

Hey Alan- thats a nice hat and I would vote to keep it "as is" also.
I have a number of pictures of my grandfather (papaw) in his hat(s) and I have no idea where they may have ended up. You're a lucky guy to have that one, buddy. My mom's folks were from Harlan County, BTW!

My grandfather was 'pawpaw', too (actually, both were). I've been to Harlan Co. many times. I grew up in Clay Co. My parents still live there.