Ebay Hats: Victories, Defeats, Gripes & Items of Interest

[Just Daniel]

I agree, I’d certainly tell a friend about a deal before informing a stranger. For sure. Even a virtual friend. My guess is we’d all agree on that point.

Of course the Lounge policy of not posting live auction information restricts me a little to pms. So far I know Doc wants about every quality hat he does not already have, one guy wants BRE Stetsons, and Brent looks for big hats. One guy a while back was looking for Playboys at a good price. JLee was after some pre-20s Stetsons. Justin was going for old stuff with potential resale.

Outside of those the list may just get too big.

But is that then really following the religious ethos & walking the path that has been used as a reason?


Why not let the free market work for itself? Why put an uninformed seller ahead of a fellow brethren of the FL?


If you support a fellow buyer find a deal why would you not support all members of the FL by staying out & not interfering with the marketplace?





Exactly!

 

[Frunobulax]

I agree, I’d certainly tell a friend about a deal before informing a stranger. For sure. Even a virtual friend. My guess is we’d all agree on that point.

Of course the Lounge policy of not posting live auction information restricts me a little to pms. So far I know Doc wants about every quality hat he does not already have, one guy wants BRE Stetsons, and Brent looks for big hats. One guy a while back was looking for Playboys at a good price. JLee was after some pre-20s Stetsons. Justin was going for old stuff with potential resale.

Outside of those the list may just get too big.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/ebay-auction-links-permitted.48027/

P.S. Dalton, Dalton, Dalton!

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I agree, I’d certainly tell a friend about a deal before informing a stranger. For sure. Even a virtual friend. My guess is we’d all agree on that point.

Of course the Lounge policy of not posting live auction information restricts me a little to pms. So far I know Doc wants about every quality hat he does not already have, one guy wants BRE Stetsons, and Brent looks for big hats. One guy a while back was looking for Playboys at a good price. JLee was after some pre-20s Stetsons. Justin was going for old stuff with potential resale.

Outside of those the list may just get too big.

The Lounge hat section has just really lost its way in the last couple of yrs. I'll just leave it at that.

 

[Just Daniel]

Yes, I’ve read that, but it does not seem to apply in practice. If you put up an auction link I find you must be prepared to defend yourself for letting everyone know about a potential deal or increasing the number of potential bidders, etc.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/ebay-auction-links-permitted.48027/

P.S. Dalton, Dalton, Dalton!

 

[Frunobulax]

Yes, I’ve read that, but it does not seem to apply in practice. If you put up an auction link I find you must be prepared to defend yourself for letting everyone know about a potential deal or increasing the number of potential bidders, etc.

Well, you're right, you know...

 

[JessieJames]

Yes, I’ve read that, but it does not seem to apply in practice. If you put up an auction link I find you must be prepared to defend yourself for letting everyone know about a potential deal or increasing the number of potential bidders, etc.

except me. I'm a 6 7/8
but I'm not searching for hats all the time, definitely love a vintage Stetson though, got 2 off Alan and got 1 from Bowen and I love them. I would love the thrill of finding one on my own on ebay or in a vintage shop but I don't think my knowledge base is strong enough to figure out if it's a good one in short time

 

[Just Daniel]

You won’t go wrong on this Knox...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Knox-40-Fedora-Sz-6-7-8-Brown-with-Box/274264207264

except me. I'm a 6 7/8
but I'm not searching for hats all the time, definitely love a vintage Stetson though, got 2 off Alan and got 1 from Bowen and I love them. I would love the thrill of finding one on my own on ebay or in a vintage shop but I don't think my knowledge base is strong enough to figure out if it's a good one in short time

 

[JessieJames]

You won’t go wrong on this Knox...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Knox-40-Fedora-Sz-6-7-8-Brown-with-Box/274264207264

Thanks for the link! I just did a quick look on the bay and didn't stumble on that one (though I am in Canada).
I don't know why but browns never attracted me. I'm more into the light beiges (light silverbellies), black and greys.
It also looks like a 2 inch brim, I'm into 2.5-3in brims.

 

[Just Daniel]

Well if you want to break the mold at least once, a Knox 40 is about as good as it gets in fedoras. There are a few 50s and a few less 100s out there, but the 40s are still brilliant, wonderful hats. I have two and may still buy this one.

....and you can make an offer! A true invitation to take the leap!

Did you click on the seller’s other hats?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Adam-Fedora-LongPremier-Sz-6-7-8-Brown/274264078949

These show up only a handful of times on the Lounge.

Thanks for the link! I just did a quick look on the bay and didn't stumble on that one (though I am in Canada).
I don't know why but browns never attracted me. I'm more into the light beiges (light silverbellies), black and greys.
It also looks like a 2 inch brim, I'm into 2.5-3in brims.

 

[JessieJames]

Well if you want to break the mold at least once, a Knox 40 is about as good as it gets in fedoras. There are a few 50s and a few less 100s out there, but the 40s are still brilliant, wonderful hats. I have two and may still buy this one.

....and you can make an offer! A true invitation to take the leap!

Did you click on the seller’s other hats?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Adam-Fedora-LongPremier-Sz-6-7-8-Brown/274264078949

These show up only a handful of times on the Lounge.

I'm not educated on Knox' though I have heard that come up a lot.
Borasalino, Knox, Dobbs. In terms of quality does it go from 40, 50, 100, from least good to best?
What era should I be looking at?
Thanks! (I really shouldn't be tempted ha why am I asking about this hat)

 

[Just Daniel]

40, 50, 100 represent how much the hat cost in dollars at the time.

Stetson 3X cost $15 (some big brims $20) from as early as the 1910s all the way through the 50s. You can imagine that if the price point stayed the same all that time the quality came down in inverse proportion with inflation.

There are Stetson Twenty hats and Knox 20 hats from the 1920s, you can imagine they are pretty fine.

A Knox 40 was always a fine, fine hat. One from the 30s would be a dream. I think one has shown up on the Lounge. Realistically you want one from the late 40s up to mid 50s, like this one.

The Stetson 7X Clear Beaver cost $50 for much of its run. They ran from the late 30s through probably the early 60s. 99% are cowboy hats. Knox and Dobbs and Cavanaugh 50s and 100s are super rare and almost all westerns as well, almost all silver belly.

That’s a not so straight explanation. In sum: several decades had the same price point for hats, so earlier decades naturally had higher quality.

PS Avoid late 50s hats and beyond.

I'm not educated on Knox' though I have heard that come up a lot.
Borasalino, Knox, Dobbs. In terms of quality does it go from 40, 50, 100, from least good to best?
What era should I be looking at?
Thanks! (I really shouldn't be tempted ha why am I asking about this hat)

 

[JessieJames]

40, 50, 100 represent how much the hat cost in dollars at the time.

Stetson 3X cost $15 (some big brims $20) from as early as the 1910s all the way through the 50s. You can imagine that if the price point stayed the same all that time the quality came down in inverse proportion with inflation.

There are Stetson Twenty hats and Knox 20 hats from the 1920s, you can imagine they are pretty fine.

A Knox 40 was always a fine, fine hat. One from the 30s would be a dream. I think one has shown up on the Lounge. Realistically you want one from the late 40s up to mid 50s, like this one.

The Stetson 7X Clear Beaver cost $50 for much of its run. They ran from the late 30s through probably the early 60s. 99% are cowboy hats. Knox and Dobbs and Cavanaugh 50s and 100s are super rare and almost all westerns as well, almost all silver belly.

That’s a not so straight explanation. In sum: several decades had the same price point for hats, so earlier decades naturally had higher quality.

PS Avoid late 50s hats and beyond.

thank you!!
That seems to be a trend for hats, well Stetson anyway I don't know enough about Dobbs and Borsalino, but also heard Stetson after 60s they weren't as good. This has to do with some time period and economy? Did all companies go through the same shift in dropped quality after the 50/60s?

 

[Just Daniel]

As a general rule those Stetsons labeled Stetson 50 were from the years later 50s or 60s, at the start of the great decline in hat quality.

The consensus here seems to be that the 7X Clear Beaver stayed pretty high quality throughout its run, although to my observation the 7X CB from the late 40s is much better than the 7X CB from the late 50s. My 30s 7X CB is really wonderful.

Moving along in decades, In the years after the 50s inflation and the declining popularity of hats led to a GREAT and infamous decline in quality of hats.

Llok for Stetsons with stars in crest and no plastic on the liner. That usually means a pre-‘52 hat and will be a great hat.

Post 1930s:

Royal Stetson: $10
Royal Deluxe: $12.50
3X: $15
Sovereign and Twenty: $20
4X and 5X: very rarely seen, I think $35+ I forgot the exact #
7X CB:$50 (for rare big models, to $90)
Stetson 100: $100

Knox and Dobbs are more of the same, with Gamebirds, Fox and Hounds, Tom and Jerry’s, etc under $15. Knox Premier and Superfine were generally $10 and $12.50.

Then there were Knox and Dobbs 15, 20, 40, 50, and 100

There are also Cavanaugh 50s and 100s.

All the more rare for the higher price points.

That’s an imperfect summary. And hopefully it helps put the Knox 40 in context.

thank you!!
That seems to be a trend for hats, well Stetson anyway I don't know enough about Dobbs and Borsalino, but also have the 50s they weren't as good. This has to do with some time period and economy? Did all companies go through the same shift in dropped quality after the 50s?

 

[J Williams]

I didn't give you anything. I informed you of Lounge Policy for selling items in the Classifieds, which is to set a price. We don't do auctions here.

We used to have a language policy here, too.

Yes I know Fruno. I was just making a wise crack. I was actually happy you let me know of the policy and made sure to correct it, as well as not making the same error twice.

 

[SteveFord]

A victory:
This old Knox is now in the freezer as I don't trust it not to be harboring critters and the sweat band is detached in a few spots but the price was less than a tank of gas. Put a crease down the center and I'll have a have a hat that I won't feel is too nice to use all the time.

 

[SteveFord]

Also scored a Stetson Pinnacle for about half the price of new. I've wanted one for a while and patience and persistence finally paid off.
I figure this will be a really good cold weather hat.
Purchased just as the polar ice caps melt and prepare to drown us all.
Timing is everything...

 

[JessieJames]

Also scored a Stetson Pinnacle for about half the price of new. I've wanted one for a while and patience and persistence finally paid off.
I figure this will be a really good cold weather hat.
Purchased just as the polar ice caps melt and prepare to drown us all.
Timing is everything...
View attachment 215900

at least you'll look good while it happens

 

[SteveFord]

I've heard so much about the modern Stetsons not holding a candle to those of yore.

We'll just see how this one holds up to baling water. It may not be any 10 gallon number but I think it'll hold its own.

 

[JessieJames]

I've heard so much about the modern Stetsons not holding a candle to those of yore.

We'll just see how this one holds up to baling water. It may not be any 10 gallon number but I think it'll hold its own.

I have 3 vintage Stetsons, all from members of the lounge, I can attest to these 1950s and pre versions being the best, I'm spoiled and can no longer get anything else. I visited a store that had modern Stetsons, the felt is still soft hand touch wise (not pliability) though not like the vintage, but the shape is baked in. They manufacture it in and it's kind of starchy. I feel I could knock it on a counter and it would make a "tok tok" noise. It also feels more cheap just overall, like a replica of what a vintage Stetson is - a toy version. That's the best way I can explain it from my point of view

 

[JessieJames]

40, 50, 100 represent how much the hat cost in dollars at the time.

Stetson 3X cost $15 (some big brims $20) from as early as the 1910s all the way through the 50s. You can imagine that if the price point stayed the same all that time the quality came down in inverse proportion with inflation.

There are Stetson Twenty hats and Knox 20 hats from the 1920s, you can imagine they are pretty fine.

A Knox 40 was always a fine, fine hat. One from the 30s would be a dream. I think one has shown up on the Lounge. Realistically you want one from the late 40s up to mid 50s, like this one.

The Stetson 7X Clear Beaver cost $50 for much of its run. They ran from the late 30s through probably the early 60s. 99% are cowboy hats. Knox and Dobbs and Cavanaugh 50s and 100s are super rare and almost all westerns as well, almost all silver belly.

That’s a not so straight explanation. In sum: several decades had the same price point for hats, so earlier decades naturally had higher quality.

PS Avoid late 50s hats and beyond.

Since I doubt anyone on the lounge is my tiny head shape, I think it's safe to post here. I stumbled upon this, although I have a silverbelly 1950s Stetson so I don't really need another, unless it's a different tone (lighter than mine) and I could change up the ribbon. What are your thoughts? Yay or nay? Seller didn't mention date but they never really write the right one anyway

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Dobbs-Westw...104332?hash=item2f3970004c:g:hZcAAOSwc8Zd1W-y