Did they really punch out their straw hats at the end of the season?

[Marc Chevalier]

It is interesting to see a jet black coloring product for straw hats.

Very occasionally, jet black vintage straw boaters appear on eBay.



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[thunderw21]

fftopic:

I wonder, where did the term "jet black" come from?
I always assumed it referred to jet aircraft but since that coloring product predates modern jet aircraft my theory (assumption) is shot down.

 

[Feraud]

I think jet black refers to the bead.

 

[Torpedo]

I think jet black refers to the bead.

That is how I understand it, too.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I wonder, where did the term "jet black" come from?

"Jet" entered English in the 14th century, adopted from the Old French "jaiet." The French form was drawn ultimately from the Greek "gagates," meaning "stone from Gagae," a town in Asia Minor. The "stone" that gave its name to "jet" was actually a black form of lignite coal, very hard and glossy, commonly used for buttons and ornaments. "Jet" in English originally referred to the material "jet" itself, but by the mid-15th century "jet" or "jet black" was being used to denote the deep, glossy black of the coal.


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[thunderw21]

Makes sense.

 

[dnjan]

These people worked hard in their hats. I doubt if they were fit for use come next spring/summer, and I doubt if they cost much to begin with.

their wives probably didn't want those filthy, sweaty things in the closet all winter ...

 

[Marc Chevalier]

their wives probably didn't want those filthy, sweaty things in the closet all winter ...

It was bad enough to have their filthy, sweaty owners in bed all winter ...





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[RBH]

This type of straw would have been worn by the rural man in the south, west, east and north .
I would be certain if finances allowed they would have had a 'dress' straw for special occasions.


From 1937 Miami Oklahoma

and from 1945 Ada Oklahoma

And from 1944 in New York [cut from a large Montgomery Ward ad]

 

[Midwest Boater]

for many years ive worn hats ranging from $10 - 40 USD very summer and even the nice ones when i got them out and ready to use in the spring had to be replaced , i may as well of been punching them out or tossing them into a thresher . now i have a nice brooks brothers boater that i would never treat like that (i cringe at the thought) but my straws that i work in all summer better look out.