Describe This Royal Deluxe Stetson

[johnnyphi]

I found several of these Royal Deluxe Stetsons, and I don't know how do describe them. The model is "Stetsonian". The edge binding is so thick and the colors different from the ribbon on the crown. What do you think? Is this the "Stetsonian" look, or is it something unique?

 

[Brad Bowers]

That is thick. Is there a welted edge under that binding, or has it just puckered up with age?

Brad

 

[feltfan]

I just popped my 40s Stetsonian on my head
to answer you...

My Stetsonian (and if I am not mistaken, MattDeckard's too:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=104873&postcount=22 ) has a bound edge that
is just a touch lighter than the ribbon and bow and, more
distinctively, a wider binding under the brim than over.
Hm, on second look, MattDeckard's binding is much lighter
than the ribbon. Interesting.

But remember that the model name "Stetsonian" was used
for many decades (at least from the 30s to the 60s, as I
recall). What was called the Stetsonian differed greatly
over the years.

Lemme know if you have one in 7 1/2 or larger...

 

[johnnyphi]

Not a welted edge...

Hey Brad, It's not a welted edge under the binding. (My understanding is that a welted edge would have felt folded over or under to create the edge binding. Is that correct?) The binding on this hat is the same on top as it is on bottom. You can get the jist of it from the side view of the hat, but I'll try to post a picture of the underside of the brim. The binding isn't very thick, it is just kind of puffy or puckered where the brim is snapped.

That is thick. Is there a welted edge under that binding, or has it just puckered up with age?

Brad

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Might I suggest that if you pop the brim UP all around, you might have a Homburg?

 

[feltfan]

It's a fedora.

 

[Edward]

I'm certainly no expert - still very much a newbie in the hat world.... but I'd hazard a guess that either the ribbon or the edge binding isn't original. I'd say the edge binding, given how closely the ribbon coordinates with the hat body, and it's unusual thickness. It does actually remind me of a homberg ribbon that has been ironed flat. Purely the observations of a hat-beginner, though!

 

[Rick Blaine]

c. 1923 Stetsonian ad in TSEP

and one from 23 yrs. later

and here is one that MKL posted a couple of yrs. ago clearly showing the contrasting brim binding

... of course, just to conflate matters here is one from ??? featuring the sevlt-edge :eusa_doh: ... so obviously it went through various permutations through the years, eh?


I also have a KNOX Premier with almost the same thing going on

 

[scotrace]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say 1948. It's a Bold Look hat.

 

[Brad Bowers]

For a second there, I thought that was Judge Reinhold!lol

Brad

 

[Feraud]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say 1948.

Good call! :eusa_clap

 

[johnnyphi]

In the ballpark...

I'm going to go out on a limb and say 1948. It's a Bold Look hat.

Scotrace... This stuff is amazing! This is definitely a BOLD LOOK hat, and 1948 is the correct ballpark, but this particular hat could be from 1-2 years earlier. I say this because the owner of the store told me that Stetson stopped supplying his store in '46 or '47. It's possible that he is off by a couple of years, but he has a great memory, and he's still bitter about losing Stetson, so I'm reluctant to doubt him. Is it possible that this style fedora was already on the scene, and Esquire combined it with various pieces of the collection to create the overall look?

Either way, the Esquire article explains the odd coloring. The term BOLD captures the look of this hat perfectly!

I'll try to post some additional photos of the binding to show details on both sides of the brim.

 

[jimmy the lid]

What's interesting to me about the hat in the photo posted by scotrace is that the edge binding is narrow on top, but wide underneath. Haven't seen that combo before.

Cheers,
JtL

 

[johnnyphi]

Underside of brim...

This photo should give you a better view of the underside of the brim. As you'll see, it's not exactly as described in the advertisement, but I found a hat that is very close to what was described.

 

[jimmy the lid]

That binding treatment is reminiscent of the Stetson Vogue.

Cheers,
JtL

 

[Andykev]

What a great hat

My take on the picture posted just above this reply, the view of the underside of the brim:

The felt looks outstanding, and pristine. The sweat bead edge has some checks or wear. It appears as if the hat was not new, but is a very nice lightly worn hat. The picture shows the satin liner ,and you can see a faint discoloration with the telltale shape of normal sweat / soil marks. From only THIS picture, this example does not look "unworn" or New Old Stock, but rather a hat that was gently worn, and is in outstanding condition.

I cannot comment further, without inspecting the hat in person, but it is certainly a fine, fine example of a vintage hat. I have paid over $100 for this quality hat. And if it is a 7 3/8 or larger...it is worth more. As anyone knows, there are a LOT of 6 7/8 or 7 hats out there. Today, a 7 3/8 size or better is what we have evolved into.

Overall, a very beautiful hat. I hope to see more like it!

PS if ALL the pictures in this thread so far are of the SAME hat, then I believe it is NEW old stock, and the later pic's are not showing as well. Great hat.

 

[Razzman]

A beautiful Stetson lid, whatever the model.:eusa_clap

 

[johnnyphi]

For comparison purposes...

I've done some comparison photos for you all...

Here are 2 Stetsonian hats with similar styles but entirely different edge bindings.

Wild stuff...

Topside of brims:

Under brims:

Under the sweatbands...
Tan Hat:

Grey Hat:

 

[Feraud]

Nice comparison photos. The tan hat is a beauty.

 

[johnnyphi]

Full disclosure...

Nice comparison photos. The tan hat is a beauty.

Thanks for the compliment on the comparison photos... Regarding the tan hat... It is a beauty, but it needs a little TLC!

Here's a wider angle photo of the tan hat...