Browsing for hats at the antique stores

[squid]

I spent several hours today looking for hats in the downtown antique stores. I found five that interested me somewhat, but didn't buy any of them for various reasons.

The first hat to catch my eye was (I think) a Knox panama. There was a small frayed cloth tag sewn to the sweatband with a "NO" on it. There was no shape left to the hat, but the straw wasn't brittle like several others I saw. On closer inspection the crown had been cut off and sewn back on. It didn't look like a real ametuer job.

I found two nice fur felt Dobbs fedoras in another store. Both were gray with dark ribbons, stingy brims, in great shape, and much smaller than my 7 1/4 head. One had a $30 price tag, and the other didn't. If one of them had been at least close to my size I would have bought it.

In the back of the basement I found a Cavanaugh. It was blue/gray and the felt was in pretty good shape if a little dirty. With the high crown and wide brim it had to have been a cowboy hat, but there was no shape left to it. I don't know what size it was.

The last hat of any interest was a black straw Stetson with a stingy brim. It was on the verge of being brittle. Once again it was too small for me.

If anyone is interested in any of the hats I described let me know. I really did like those two Dobbs hats, and I would like to see them adopted into a good home.

 

[Brad Bowers]

How much was the Cavanagh? As far as I know, they never entered the western market. No matter what size it is, sounds like there might be enough felt to reblock it to a 7 3/8. Did you notice if it had a Cavanagh Edge?

Thanks,

Brad

 

[funneman]

Hey Squid!

...Where in Florida? I might like to drive over and take a look at those myself.

 

[fedoralover]

How much was the Cavanagh? As far as I know, they never entered the western market. No matter what size it is, sounds like there might be enough felt to reblock it to a 7 3/8. Did you notice if it had a Cavanagh Edge?

Thanks,

Brad

Well they did to a degree Brad, as I have a Cavanagh 100 in an Open Road style. No Cav edge, it's bound just like other Open Roads. The workmanship on it is superior to the Stetson 100 I had.

fedoralover

 

[feltfan]

I have a Cavanagh Open Road style hat (fedora brim,
narrow hat band and OR crown). Posted a picture of
it a while back. The edge is raw- no Cavanagh Edge
and no binding.

So they did do Western hats, but not cowboy hats.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Thanks guys, I stand corrected. I forget all about the Open Road type hats.

Brad

 

[squid]

How much was the Cavanagh? As far as I know, they never entered the western market. No matter what size it is, sounds like there might be enough felt to reblock it to a 7 3/8. Did you notice if it had a Cavanagh Edge?

I don't remember seeing a price on this hat. And I have no idea what a Cavanagh Edge is. In fact I had never heard of that specific brand prior to posting here. And I'm really guessing at the cowboy/western style since there was no shape left from the original block. It had a high crown and wide brim that led me to believe it had been a western hat.

...Where in Florida? I might like to drive over and take a look at those myself.

Panama City.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Hi squid,

If the felt on that Cavanagh is just dirty, and hasn't been munched into by moths and silverfish, I'd be interested in it. I wouldn't think they'd charge too much for a dirty, shapeless hat! Let me know if you are going back down there again.

Here is some information for you on the Cavanagh Edge:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=4993

Thanks,

Brad

 

[squid]

Hi squid,

If the felt on that Cavanagh is just dirty, and hasn't been munched into by moths and silverfish, I'd be interested in it. I wouldn't think they'd charge too much for a dirty, shapeless hat! Let me know if you are going back down there again.

Here is some information for you on the Cavanagh Edge:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=4993

Thanks,

Brad

Thanks for the link. I do remember the brim was finished, but it wasn't bound or simply folded over and sewn. I prefer a raw edge, but that one was really nice and it sticks out in my memory. I might be able to go by there on Wed, but if I can't it will be at least the 8th as I will be out of town this weekend. I will go ahead and pick it up if it isn't too unreasonable. And if you decide you don't want it then I'll keep it for myself.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Thanks, squid. I appreciate it!

Brad

 

[matei]

Over the weekend we journeyed outside of London for a change. While strolling around, we came across a small market where people were selling handcrafts, antiques etc. On the table closest to us, there was a woman with stacks (about 4 or 5) of vintage hats. The first one I picked up was a beautiful condition, wide brimmed Borsalino. I nearly fell over.

Sadly, they were almost all too small, about 7 or 7 1/8. There were two that were 7 1/4 (UK), but they just didn't suit me, wrong colour. I can't remember the brand name, but they had some strange white plastic support in the front of the hat (to keep the shape while worn?) and the owners initials in raised plastic on the sweat.

I did come across several more that were my size, but the style was too funky to wear.

They are out there - just keep your eyes open and don't hesitate to investigate any leads!

 

[Twitch]

I can just picture all those hats coming from the estates of passed-away seniors citizens who migrated to Florida to retire.....