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Dating Vintage Stetsons by size tag

Rmccamey

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,860
Location
Central Texas
Indeed!!! Why was it not a 1/8???

JessieJames, you might also search the Classified section here. There are often vintage ORs posted for sale.

Ps, I have a very nice Stetson Fifteen in your size. PM if you are interested.
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
LOL good to know, not much competition for my hat size then. It's also hard to tell sarcasm and humour through text :\ glad it wasn't out of judgement then. Out of curiosity, any other hats that are kind coveted on Fedora Lounge?

From reading (or maybe it's because I was already going towards Stetson OR and Stetson Stratoliner) it seems that the Stetsons are pretty up there for vintage and quality. And modern hats, it would be Akrubas.

You’re twice blessed: a common and inexpensive vintage size and the opportunity to get a 7X Clear Beaver from Alan. Run, don’t walk, to contact Alan. These are opportunities that don’t come along often. Just promise that you won’t intentionally distress this rare and incredible vintage hat.


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JessieJames

One of the Regulars
Messages
280
Location
Canada
You’re twice blessed: a common and inexpensive vintage size and the opportunity to get a 7X Clear Beaver from Alan. Run, don’t walk, to contact Alan. These are opportunities that don’t come along often. Just promise that you won’t intentionally distress this rare and incredible vintage hat.


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hahaha oh boy the pressure is on. I already wrote him as soon as he posted that :) Just waiting on the other person if they buy it or not. What does a good condition 7x vintage OR go for about? I've seen different prices on ebay but the condition varies.
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
hahaha oh boy the pressure is on. I already wrote him as soon as he posted that :) Just waiting on the other person if they buy it or not. What does a good condition 7x vintage OR go for about? I've seen different prices on ebay but the condition varies.

In my size...in that condition...$600 and up. Usually they can’t be had for love or money.


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JessieJames

One of the Regulars
Messages
280
Location
Canada
and I guess it being 1 size off isn't that big of a deal? (in terms of look and feel)
If it's in excellent condition and I don't have to bring it to hatter for further cleaning, seems worth it than to buy one on ebay that might have defects + bringing it to a hatter to restore to not full 100%
In my size...in that condition...$600 and up. Usually they can’t be had for love or money.


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and I guess it being 1 size off isn't that big of a deal? (in terms of look and feel), I am a woman and have a small head so just something to factor in

If it's in excellent condition and I don't have to bring it to hatter for further cleaning, seems worth it than to buy one on ebay that might have defects + bringing it to a hatter to restore to not full 100%
 
Messages
11,372
Location
Alabama
With a soft crown like that, does that mean I can just reshape it however I want whenever I want, even without steam? And it'll just stick?

Maybe. Hard to tell w/o hat in hand. Many soft felts will shape w/o steam or water but the creases typically set better with steam, especially if a permanent crease is what you're after. Both of my 7X's and a Royal Deluxe OR I have have all been shaped dry.

Emojis are for the easily offended.
 

Rmccamey

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,860
Location
Central Texas
You probably will not get much discussion on pricing here on the open forums. Ebay will give you some general prices but I have found Alan and many others here on the Lounge to be upstanding and honest. I'm sure you will pay a fair price but you will, no doubt, get an exceptional hat!

hahaha oh boy the pressure is on. I already wrote him as soon as he posted that :) Just waiting on the other person if they buy it or not. What does a good condition 7x vintage OR go for about? I've seen different prices on ebay but the condition varies.
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
and I guess it being 1 size off isn't that big of a deal? (in terms of look and feel)
If it's in excellent condition and I don't have to bring it to hatter for further cleaning, seems worth it than to buy one on ebay that might have defects + bringing it to a hatter to restore to not full 100%

and I guess it being 1 size off isn't that big of a deal? (in terms of look and feel), I am a woman and have a small head so just something to factor in

If it's in excellent condition and I don't have to bring it to hatter for further cleaning, seems worth it than to buy one on ebay that might have defects + bringing it to a hatter to restore to not full 100%

I’d buy any hat sight unseen if Alan said it as alright. His “just okay” hats are anyone else’s prized gems. Size is a different story. Hard to know how it will fit it you aren’t sure about your size. If it’s one size big it shouldn’t be a problem at all, but if you go down in sizes....?


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Bill Hughes

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,164
Location
North Texas
I'm new here but Alan seems like a legend around these parts! I'll def be checking out the classifieds too
I have a couple of hats from Alan. They are treasures in my collection not only because of what they are and their condition. But because of who I got them from. There are few collectors as knowledgeable, nice, and all around good people as Alan. And there are few collections as nice and desirable as Alan’s.
 

TheOldFashioned

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,179
Location
The Great Lakes
LOL good to know, not much competition for my hat size then. It's also hard to tell sarcasm and humour through text :\ glad it wasn't out of judgement then. Out of curiosity, any other hats that are kind coveted on Fedora Lounge?

From reading (or maybe it's because I was already going towards Stetson OR and Stetson Stratoliner) it seems that the Stetsons are pretty up there for vintage and quality. And modern hats, it would be Akrubas.

Just thought I'd throw in my two cents as I can maybe provide a little bit different perspective from some of the others that have responded so far. I've only been collecting for a little over six months now, but had been lurking on this forum prior to that for a little while. So compared to most I'm still a newb. I've found this to be a great community, so heed the advice that others provide and read, read, read through the threads. This is probably the single largest repository of hat information.

If you're set on the OR model I would concur with the others regarding @alanfgag's offer of that 7XCB. You would be hard pressed to do better than that piece right there. I haven't personally dealt with Alan to buy a hat as our sizes are different, but based strictly on his contributions to this forum he is as they say "a scholar and a gentleman." He has kindly provided insight to some of the pieces that I have acquired over the past several months.

If you're looking for additional western stylings, @Bamaboots has given you some great leads. Other Stetson dress fedoras that seem to be coveted around here include the Whippet and Playboy models (no relation to Hefner). Something a little different could be a Stetson St. Regis homburg. If you wanted to look at a foreign brand Borsalino is probably the most coveted vintage hatmaker. They made all sorts of stylings, including western-ish models, though they are mostly known for dress fedoras.

That being said, I would suggest browsing through the "What Hat Are You Wearing Today?" thread to get an idea of what else exists. I personally wouldn't necessarily look for hats that are coveted by others here. Rather, you should find styles that work for you. I can appreciate western models, and from a collector's perspective I'd love to have a 7XCB OR, but I doubt I would ever wear it as I don't really relate with that style. I do have a Champ B-17, which is a poor man's clone of the Stetson Strat. That's probably as close as I'll get, but even then I have it creased like a fedora.

At the end of the day what ultimately matters is that you wear what you like, and wear it with confidence. It's your hat after all. If that 7XCB OR ends up being your first vintage hat you would make a hell of an entrance here, there, or anywhere for that matter. While that easily could be a Grail hat you'll most likely be looking for the next one before it even arrives. You might want to read about hat storage. I added shelves and am already running out of room. (If you're curious you can see Alan's storage/collection.)

Enjoy your hat(s)! :)
 

drmaxtejeda

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,363
Location
Mexico City
Just thought I'd throw in my two cents as I can maybe provide a little bit different perspective from some of the others that have responded so far. I've only been collecting for a little over six months now, but had been lurking on this forum prior to that for a little while. So compared to most I'm still a newb. I've found this to be a great community, so heed the advice that others provide and read, read, read through the threads. This is probably the single largest repository of hat information.

If you're set on the OR model I would concur with the others regarding @alanfgag's offer of that 7XCB. You would be hard pressed to do better than that piece right there. I haven't personally dealt with Alan to buy a hat as our sizes are different, but based strictly on his contributions to this forum he is as they say "a scholar and a gentleman." He has kindly provided insight to some of the pieces that I have acquired over the past several months.

If you're looking for additional western stylings, @Bamaboots has given you some great leads. Other Stetson dress fedoras that seem to be coveted around here include the Whippet and Playboy models (no relation to Hefner). Something a little different could be a Stetson St. Regis homburg. If you wanted to look at a foreign brand Borsalino is probably the most coveted vintage hatmaker. They made all sorts of stylings, including western-ish models, though they are mostly known for dress fedoras.

That being said, I would suggest browsing through the "What Hat Are You Wearing Today?" thread to get an idea of what else exists. I personally wouldn't necessarily look for hats that are coveted by others here. Rather, you should find styles that work for you. I can appreciate western models, and from a collector's perspective I'd love to have a 7XCB OR, but I doubt I would ever wear it as I don't really relate with that style. I do have a Champ B-17, which is a poor man's clone of the Stetson Strat. That's probably as close as I'll get, but even then I have it creased like a fedora.

At the end of the day what ultimately matters is that you wear what you like, and wear it with confidence. It's your hat after all. If that 7XCB OR ends up being your first vintage hat you would make a hell of an entrance here, there, or anywhere for that matter. While that easily could be a Grail hat you'll most likely be looking for the next one before it even arrives. You might want to read about hat storage. I added shelves and am already running out of room. (If you're curious you can see Alan's storage/collection.)

Enjoy your hat(s)! :)
What thread is Alan'a storage/collection in? I haven't seen it.

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TheOldFashioned

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,179
Location
The Great Lakes
whoaaaaaa that's a lot of hats!!! I hope I'm not looking at my future because this is going to get $$$

Ask the good Doc above. I think @drmaxtejeda is on his third or fourth iteration of custom closets and safes because it keeps growing. He's managed to assemble a small museum.

If you're worried about hats you may want to steer clear of the other portion of the site that focuses on clothing, specifically leather jackets.
 
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