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

[Johnny J]

Got this one in today off the bay:
Royal Panalite Stetson Genuine Panama size 7 3/8. Brim is 2 7/8. Can anyone tell me what year this might be from?

The only negative thing is that right smack in the front there is a 3/8" weak spot. Any suggestions on what I can do?

 

[HatsEnough]

Date? Says "Sept. 16, 2011" right in the picture!

OK, OK, I seem to recall that Stetson's manila card stock, keyhole size tag was 50s and early 60s.

 

[Johnny J]

Got this one also off the bay:
Dobbs Twenty with Guild Edge stamp on sweatband. Inside also says Roos Bros. California. Under the sweat says 7 3/8, but it fits a little larger than that.
Crown: 5 3/4
Brim: 2 13/16
Can someone tell me the age of this one also?

 

[Johnny J]

Date? Says "Sept. 16, 2011" right in the picture!

OK, OK, I seem to recall that Stetson's manila card stock, keyhole size tag was 50s and early 60s.

Ok, thanks. The seller said from the 60s and I was not sure if it was older than that.

 

[Johnny J]

I also got this one a few weeks ago and was also wondering from what year it was from:
Stetson Stratoliner

 

[Dinerman]

OK, OK, I seem to recall that Stetson's manila card stock, keyhole size tag was 50s and early 60s.

They used it early '40s through late '50s. I'd say that panama's from the late '40s through c.1952.

 

[coble]

1950's stetson royal deLuxe open road silverbelly i got for 25 dollars. I do need to replace the sweatband and plan on changing it to a teardrop possibly. It has an interesting story of where it came from. Description of hat shop from seller.

"Morris Men's Shop was the western wear shop in the Stockyard Inn near the Chicago cattle stockyards. For decades THIS was the store that cowboys and cattlemen bought their hats, boots, and clothes from when they came to Chicago to spruce up and buy and sell their cattle. It has some pretty famous end-of-the-trail cowboy history. Having this hat is like having a slice of old west history. "

 

[coble]

Actually, cute is not exactly correct. You're missing the subtext for the man. Cute is how the husband wants it to appear. The subtext is, "honey, I didn't use the (vacation, rent, electricity, food, you fill in the blank) money for this new hat. It was my Birthday Money." It's a way to labeling the purchase as clean and free of all complications, which happens rarely enough in a married context.

you two are funny, but i just want to say thanks for putting a smile on my face work was rough today, and truth be told i did use my birthday money. Thanks for cheering me up.

 

[gtdean48]

1950's stetson royal deLuxe open road silverbelly i got for 25 dollars. I do need to replace the sweatband and plan on changing it to a teardrop possibly. It has an interesting story of where it came from. Description of hat shop from seller.

"Morris Men's Shop was the western wear shop in the Stockyard Inn near the Chicago cattle stockyards. For decades THIS was the store that cowboys and cattlemen bought their hats, boots, and clothes from when they came to Chicago to spruce up and buy and sell their cattle. It has some pretty famous end-of-the-trail cowboy history. Having this hat is like having a slice of old west history. "
...

Same shop that my 100 came from Josh. Too bad that sweat is in such rough shape.

 

[Johnny J]

They used it early '40s through late '50s. I'd say that panama's from the late '40s through c.1952.

Oh, nice! I've been looking for a 1940s Stetson panama, and this one might be it! :eusa_clap
Thanks Dinerman

 

[HatsEnough]

They used it early '40s through late '50s. I'd say that panama's from the late '40s through c.1952.

Here is what I had from earlier threads:

1920s to 1930s = Circle sticker tag
1940s to 1950s = Oval on Foil with Wings
1950s to 1960s = Oval on Manila Card Stock with Wings
1960s to 1990s = Black Square tag
1990s to Current= Black Square tag with Metric Size and U.S. size

So, did they use the manila card stock version concurrent with the foil one, then?

 

[coble]

Same shop that my 100 came from Josh. Too bad that sweat is in such rough shape.

yeah, having to change the sweat is a bummer, but at the same time, the felt looks great, as well as the liner. I'm going to send it in to get a teardrop crown, and a cleaning.

 

[Lefty]

1920s to 1930s = Circle sticker tag
1940s to 1950s = Oval on Foil with Wings

These are off. AFAIK, there were no foil tags (at least, American made ones) from the early 40s onward. Foil was earlier, and was not the only style of tag. While size tag is one indication, it's almost always a mistake to rely on one dating tool. Liner crest, sweat crest, size tag and, to a lesser extent, look of the leather and manner of attachment of the sweat are all indicators of age. They should all be considered.

 

[HatsEnough]

These are off. AFAIK, there were no foil tags (at least, American made ones) from the early 40s onward. Foil was earlier, and was not the only style of tag. While size tag is one indication, it's almost always a mistake to rely on one dating tool. Liner crest, sweat crest, size tag and, to a lesser extent, look of the leather and manner of attachment of the sweat are all indicators of age. They should all be considered.

Thanks Lefty.

 

[Dinerman]

Here is what I had from earlier threads:

1920s to 1930s = Circle sticker tag
1940s to 1950s = Oval on Foil with Wings
1950s to 1960s = Oval on Manila Card Stock with Wings
1960s to 1990s = Black Square tag
1990s to Current= Black Square tag with Metric Size and U.S. size

So, did they use the manila card stock version concurrent with the foil one, then?

The Dating Vintage Stetsons by Size Tag will give you the correct dating for the size tag styles.

 

[jimmy the lid]

While size tag is one indication, it's almost always a mistake to rely on one dating tool. Liner crest, sweat crest, size tag and, to a lesser extent, look of the leather and manner of attachment of the sweat are all indicators of age. They should all be considered.

Well put!!! I have never believed that size tags are a particularly accurate tool for dating vintage Stetsons. Something to consider, certainly -- but nothing you can necessarily hang your hat on...

Cheers,
JtL

 

[Johnny J]

Sweet! This helps me date my Stetson Panama and my Stratoliner. Is there a thread about dating Vtg Dobbs hats?

 

[zetwal]

Sweet! This helps me date my Stetson Panama and my Stratoliner. Is there a thread about dating Vtg Dobbs hats?

Check the Dobbs Diner ...

 

[DJH]

Just arrived Stratoliner from this auction.

Interestingly, the seller had been trying to sell for quite a while at a $299 BIN price with no success. A couple of months ago, I'd offered her $160 which she didn't accept. No worries, when she changed to a regular auction, I was able to win for less than $70!

The hat is in need of a fair bit of cleaning, but otherwise quite nice. Need to get a pin now!

 

[Tango Yankee]

Well done, David! :eusa_clap

I've kept an eye on that hat for a while wondering what would happen with it, but had finally lost interest as it's not my size. I guess you can file that under "good things come to those who wait"! Too bad for the seller they didn't take you up on your offer.

Cheers,
Tom