Dating a boater based on price?

[Levallois]

I know there has been some work done by members of the forum dating Stetsons based on price but can this be apply to other hats? I have a Brodt's boater with a $5.00 price tag. Brodt's moved to 423 Eleventh St. NS in Washington DC (the address on my hat) in 1933. Boaters pretty much went out of fashion by WWII, didn't they? If so, and my boater dates to this time range, then the $5 price tag puts my hat at the same price level as Stetson Playboy ($5 in 1937-1941) and a dollar cheaper than a Stratoliner in 1940 ($6) or Open Road in 1937 ($6). Am I off base with this type of comparison? I always thought of boaters as "cheap" hats. Thank you.

John

 

[jimmy the lid]

John -- I think the best comparison would be to compare pricing on boaters directly, rather than comparing yours with prices on felt hats of the day. I can't really help much regarding boater prices, but I'm sure there are some Loungers out there who are more savvy in this area.

[Incidentally, the question posed by the title of this thread makes me want to pick up the phone and call Yacht Club Vice...]

Cheers,
JtL

 

[carouselvic]

lol lol lol lol

 

[rlk]

I know there has been some work done by members of the forum dating Stetsons based on price but can this be apply to other hats? I have a Brodt's boater with a $5.00 price tag. Brodt's moved to 423 Eleventh St. NS in Washington DC (the address on my hat) in 1933. Boaters pretty much went out of fashion by WWII, didn't they? If so, and my boater dates to this time range, then the $5 price tag puts my hat at the same price level as Stetson Playboy ($5 in 1937-1941) and a dollar cheaper than a Stratoliner in 1940 ($6) or Open Road in 1937 ($6). Am I off base with this type of comparison? I always thought of boaters as "cheap" hats. Thank you.

John

Boaters declined in popularity but were not unusual in the summer into the 1960's and have always been produced. There are also varying quality levels. This thread has ad images,some with prices
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=42036&highlight=attack+boater

 

[Levallois]

Jimmy you are a crack-up! I'm not sure what I was trying to determine at this point. I guess I was surprised that, if my logic held true (a big if, I know), that a boater/skimmer from the late 30s-early 40s could cost as much as a good felt hat.

John

 

[Levallois]

rlk,

Thanks for the interesting link.

John