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[deadlyhandsome]

I a bit confused about where to post my question. I'm trying to date an older straw Stetson cowboy hat. Should I post pics here?

The thread below is a good place too:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...uss-the-age-of-your-vintage-hat.30350/page-25

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Rigorous academic research has found a direct, positive correlation between the length of time of membership in TFL and both the "hat budget" and total dollars spent on hats New members beware!

I think it’s more than a correlation, I think it’s the cause. I also think there are more than a few wives who can back me up.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Sage wisdom asked for; How can I remove the perspiration (perhaps leather detris included) stains from a Gannon crown ribbon? During the 2020 Pandemic shutdown I wore this hat for a long walkabout. This Gannon (natural beaver felt, matching brim and gilled ribbon hues) has an untreated leather sweat. At the end of the walk I found I had sweated through the leather sweat and into the ribbon.

I have steamed (distilled H20) and wiped dry and gentle use of Woolite. A couple of times with steam. They have diminished, but not been removed.

A small bit of the ribbon staining can be seen in the pic below. The obvious stain is at the rear of the gill treatment. The stains are on the front and the other side.

Here is a pic when the hat was newly in my hands.

What to learn from this? Leather sweat is incredibly comfortable, but not something I will ever ask for again. Treated leathers, dye and the like, help me when wearing my hats not to unduly wear them.


What should I do to remove the offending stains?

Thanks in advance, Eric -

 

[belfastboy]

Damn, I cringe when I stain a ribbon. I am thinking the only way to really get rid of the will be to remove the ribbon and wash it completely. I use an Orvis paste or I steal some lingerie soap from my wife. I have not had good luck spot cleaning ribbon as it seems I just end up chasing the stain from area to area. Perhaps check with Michael for hints on how he attaches this type of bow/ribbon work and it may be possible to remove and retack at home.

 

[hatsRme]

Sage wisdom asked for; How can I remove the perspiration (perhaps leather detris included) stains from a Gannon crown ribbon? During the 2020 Pandemic shutdown I wore this hat for a long walkabout. This Gannon (natural beaver felt, matching brim and gilled ribbon hues) has an untreated leather sweat. At the end of the walk I found I had sweated through the leather sweat and into the ribbon.

I have steamed (distilled H20) and wiped dry and gentle use of Woolite. A couple of times with steam. They have diminished, but not been removed.

A small bit of the ribbon staining can be seen in the pic below. The obvious stain is at the rear of the gill treatment. The stains are on the front and the other side.

Here is a pic when the hat was newly in my hands.

What to learn from this? Leather sweat is incredibly comfortable, but not something I will ever ask for again. Treated leathers, dye and the like, help me when wearing my hats not to unduly wear them.


What should I do to remove the offending stains?

Thanks in advance, Eric -

I have had great success mitigating crown ribbon sweat stains without removing the ribbon by applying ample water to the ribbons with a (new) sponge, gently “massaging the affected area with the wet sponge, and hard press (hand) blotting with a folded up towel. Before and after pictures of my Art Fawcett VS light sage felt. Does that make it sage advice?

Before & After…

 

[Zombie_61]

I have had great success mitigating crown ribbon sweat stains without removing the ribbon by applying ample water to the ribbons with a (new) sponge, gently “massaging the affected area with the wet sponge, and hard press (hand) blotting. Before and after pictures of my Art Fawcett VS light sage felt. Does that make it sage advice?

Before & After…
View attachment 368369
View attachment 368367 View attachment 368368

Hoo boy, I like that hat! I wish I was rich instead of ugly.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

I have had great success mitigating crown ribbon sweat stains without removing the ribbon by applying ample water to the ribbons with a (new) sponge, gently “massaging the affected area with the wet sponge, and hard press (hand) blotting. Before and after pictures of my Art Fawcett VS light sage felt. Does that make it sage advice?

Before & After…
View attachment 368369
View attachment 368367 View attachment 368368

Charlie, I will try the sponge route. Thanks. I am hesitant about removing. In the morning I will give it a try.

Eric -

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Damn, I cringe when I stain a ribbon. I am thinking the only way to really get rid of the will be to remove the ribbon and wash it completely. I use an Orvis paste or I steal some lingerie soap from my wife. I have not had good luck spot cleaning ribbon as it seems I just end up chasing the stain from area to area. Perhaps check with Michael for hints on how he attaches this type of bow/ribbon work and it may be possible to remove and retack at home.

I emailed Michael this evening and I will wait for his sage wisdom, not sage hat like Charlie's. I do wish he did have sage felt though.

Eric -

 

[hatsRme]

Hoo boy, I like that hat! I wish I was rich instead of ugly.

Thanks, Al!
I’ve owned this hat close to ten years and it is one of the (if not THE ) most commented-on hats in my collection. Some very funny stories…. I think it looks better with age, too.

 

[wsmontana]

Hello!

I’m a new member and found this site based on some searching I did to try to find information about a vintage hat I recently came to own. I love the hat but unfortunately it is a bit too small for me so I’m going to try and sell it.

I haven’t been able to find much information about this specific hat. I found lots of “Open Road” 6X hats but nothing 7X or with this particular label (actually, I just did a search again and found what looks like this hat on eBay…).

Anyway, I’m hoping that members here can help me out or point me in the right direction so I can do more research on my own.

From the hat label:

Style: W4000 Open Road
Color: 601 S Belly
Brim: 234
Size: 7 1/4

From the hat band:
7X BEAVER
XXXXXXX STETSON

My wife purchased the hat at an auction and I don’t have any information other that what is on the hat itself and on the box. The label on the box doesn’t match the color or size on the hat so not sure what is going on there.

I’ve attached a few pics.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Bill

 

[Snowman]

First of all, welcome to the Lounge. Take a minute and introduce yourself on the New Members thread. https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/new-member-to-the-hat-forum.87263/

Looks like a nice hat in good condition from the pics. It’s not uncommon for hats to have boxes that don’t match. They get switched around and stored over the years, so the box isn’t usually a reliable identifier.

I’d recommend starting here to find info about your hat:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?7047-The-Open-Road-Guild
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?32679-Dating-Vintage-Stetsons-by-Liner-A-Field-Guide

 

[jlee562]

Huh. That's an odd duck.

The most notable 7x hats are the Clear Beaver hats, but this hat doesn't carry that designation. This hat looks more 70s or maybe 60s.

the box is mismatched, happens all the time at hat shops.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hello!

I’m a new member and found this site based on some searching I did to try to find information about a vintage hat I recently came to own. I love the hat but unfortunately it is a bit too small for me so I’m going to try and sell it.

I haven’t been able to find much information about this specific hat. I found lots of “Open Road” 6X hats but nothing 7X or with this particular label (actually, I just did a search again and found what looks like this hat on eBay…).

Anyway, I’m hoping that members here can help me out or point me in the right direction so I can do more research on my own.

From the hat label:

Style: W4000 Open Road
Color: 601 S Belly
Brim: 234
Size: 7 1/4

From the hat band:
7X BEAVER
XXXXXXX STETSON

My wife purchased the hat at an auction and I don’t have any information other that what is on the hat itself and on the box. The label on the box doesn’t match the color or size on the hat so not sure what is going on there.

I’ve attached a few pics.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Bill

This version of the 7X (non-clear beaver) seems to have existed with both the black rectangular size tag that replaced the keyhole tag and the newer size tag with both the US and metric sizes. Based on the liner, I suspect yours is an earlier version. I’d guess late 1960s or more likely 1970s. Those are just guesses based on indicators other similar 7X hats have along with the few matching indicators I can see on your hat.

As you are looking to sell it, I’d say it might go for nominally more than it’s contemporary 3, 4, and 5X Beaver cousins. It’s not old enough to move it into the realm where the prices really go up and where collectors drool.

Good luck, and reinvest whatever you sell it for in another hat!

 

[jlee562]

Well look at what I had saved on my tablet...

a little blurry but 7x is there

 

[wsmontana]

Snowman, thanks for the links and the tip on the box! I will introduce myself soon on the New Members thread.

First of all, welcome to the Lounge. Take a minute and introduce yourself on the New Members thread. https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/new-member-to-the-hat-forum.87263/

Looks like a nice hat in good condition from the pics. It’s not uncommon for hats to have boxes that don’t match. They get switched around and stored over the years, so the box isn’t usually a reliable identifier.

I’d recommend starting here to find info about your hat:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?7047-The-Open-Road-Guild
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?32679-Dating-Vintage-Stetsons-by-Liner-A-Field-Guide

[/QUOTE]

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Well look at what I had saved on my tablet...

a little blurry but 7x is there

I have a 7X Fifty.

 

[wsmontana]

Thanks for the informative responses everyone! Pricing this hat will be a challenge but at least I’m armed with some great relevant information. I am relieved to hear that a mismatch of the box label to the hat is not uncommon. The auction listing for my hat said the box was original with the hat but obviously there was a swap that occurred somewhere in its history.

This exact hat (but in a size 6 7/8) is on eBay for $320 + $62 shipping and that hat has a hole in it. I suspect that price is a bit of a stretch. I see 3X, 4X, and even 10X Open Road hats listed from $150 to $445. I’m guessing my hat is somewhere in that range.

Thanks again!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Thanks for the informative responses everyone! Pricing this hat will be a challenge but at least I’m armed with some great relevant information. I am relieved to hear that a mismatch of the box label to the hat is not uncommon. The auction listing for my hat said the box was original with the hat but obviously there was a swap that occurred somewhere in its history.

This exact hat (but in a size 6 7/8) is on eBay for $320 + $62 shipping and that hat has a hole in it. I suspect that price is a bit of a stretch. I see 3X, 4X, and even 10X Open Road hats listed from $150 to $445. I’m guessing my hat is somewhere in that range.

Thanks again!

You never know what someone will pay for a hat (or anything else). As someone who watches the vintage hat market closely, I’m guessing this will sell for a price closer to the bottom range of your estimate…perhaps less. For comps you need to look at what hats have sold for and not what people are asking for them. Even at my size, a size that typically sells for more than hats in 7 1/4, I wouldn’t be interested in the hat even at the low end of your estimate, but all you need is one person who really wants it. Now if it was a 7X from 30 years earlier you’d have people beating down your door.

 

[belfastboy]

Thanks for the informative responses everyone! Pricing this hat will be a challenge but at least I’m armed with some great relevant information. I am relieved to hear that a mismatch of the box label to the hat is not uncommon. The auction listing for my hat said the box was original with the hat but obviously there was a swap that occurred somewhere in its history.

This exact hat (but in a size 6 7/8) is on eBay for $320 + $62 shipping and that hat has a hole in it. I suspect that price is a bit of a stretch. I see 3X, 4X, and even 10X Open Road hats listed from $150 to $445. I’m guessing my hat is somewhere in that range.

Thanks again!

I sold an early 1950's Stetson OR in pristine condition 7 1/4" on the weekend. Royal Deluxe felt ....$225.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I sold an early 1950's Stetson OR in pristine condition 7 1/4" on the weekend. Royal Deluxe felt ....$225.

Exactly. Those older hats are so much nicer and so more sought after. An early 1950s 3X, or Royal De Luxe, is nicer than most current 50X hats. Stetsons made after the late 1950s, and even more so after the mid 1960s just aren’t as desirable (for good reason) and they don’t normally sell for much unless they’re something special like the One-Hundred etc. Of course, there are always the outliers that sell for way above or way below market value.