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

[tonyb]

...

In another auction, not a hat but hat tools. I didn't bid but was watching.

Cheers,
Tom

Yikes! Two hundred fifty-five bucks for an old rounding jack and a stretcher? And there's nothing special about either item, by the looks of 'em.

There's nothing wrong with old hatter's tools, provided they're still in serviceable condition, of course. But for the most part there's really nothing all that special about them, either, outside of the charm/cachet/whatever else their long history may have bestowed upon them. I'd gladly use all-new equipment, if it were available at an affordable price, and if it were of a type that would allow me to make the sorts of hats I prefer to make (in other words, if the block and flange styles were "right"). Alas, I've found that not to be the case.

There are brand-spankin' new rounding jacks available for less than what someone paid for this old guy here. Good ones, too, ones I'd rather use than that old one. And stretchers ain't all that hard to come by.

 

[HatsEnough]

There are brand-spankin' new rounding jacks available for less than what someone paid for this old guy here. Good ones, too, ones I'd rather use than that old one. And stretchers ain't all that hard to come by.

That's why I abandoned the auction, too.

 

[TCMfan25]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...item=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_8651wt_1141

Just won buler's Boater!

 

[Joshbru3]

I won this old Stetson last night. This one had me curious. The seller said that the sweatband had no markings, but does appear to be older with an untaped seam. I know it has to be at least 40's and prior due to the style of the reorder tag. Looking at the width of the ribbon, I thought it might be a playboy, but then I noticed the bound edge. I dunno??? I'm waiting for a further inspection when I get it. Seller said that the Block number looked like a 52 and based on the auction pictures of the reorder tag, the crown height is 5 1/2. Hopefully I can reshape this one and resurrect it into a nice hat.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&rt=nc&nma=true&item=260797287641&si=aEFVm%252FdenFDCuzE%252FO2glM%252BnRvDk%253D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

 

[randooch]

I won this old Stetson last night. This one had me curious. The seller said that the sweatband had no markings, but does appear to be older with an untaped seam. I know it has to be at least 40's and prior due to the style of the reorder tag. Looking at the width of the ribbon, I thought it might be a playboy, but then I noticed the bound edge. I dunno??? I'm waiting for a further inspection when I get it. Seller said that the Block number looked like a 52 and based on the auction pictures of the reorder tag, the crown height is 5 1/2. Hopefully I can reshape this one and resurrect it into a nice hat.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&rt=nc&nma=true&item=260797287641&si=aEFVm%252FdenFDCuzE%252FO2glM%252BnRvDk%253D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

Interesting one, Josh! (I see the seller has 17,697 transactions to date. Hard to imagine. I'm up to 182 and it feels like I've been at it for decades.)

 

[hatophile]

Looks like that one does have some promise, Josh. Good luck!

 

[gtdean48]

... Looking at the width of the ribbon, I thought it might be a playboy, but then I noticed the bound edge. I dunno???...

Looks like a Stetson Wanderer to me = Playboy style ribbon & bow with a bound edge. See my avatar...

 

[Joshbru3]

Interesting one, Josh! (I see the seller has 17,697 transactions to date. Hard to imagine. I'm up to 182 and it feels like I've been at it for decades.)

Thanks, randooch! Ive been on ebay for over 11 years and I only have a 247. LOL.

Looks like that one does have some promise, Josh. Good luck!

I sure hope so! Thanks, hatophile!

Looks like a Stetson Wanderer to me = Playboy style ribbon & bow with a bound edge. See my avatar...

Ya know Tom, I never even thought of that. Thanks for pointing that out! It could be a Wanderer! Unfortunately without the sweatband to tell me, I guess it would be kind of hard to prove. Unless we knew the dimensions for the Wanderer. Im hoping that I will find some kind of marking under the sweatband.

 

[gtdean48]

...
Ya know Tom, I never even thought of that. Thanks for pointing that out! It could be a Wanderer! Unfortunately without the sweatband to tell me, I guess it would be kind of hard to prove. Unless we knew the dimensions for the Wanderer. Im hoping that I will find some kind of marking under the sweatband.

Josh, I am yet to locate a Stetson Wanderer with ANY sweatband markings stating the model name. Other makers had a Wanderer as far back as the late 1930s, same configuration = mid-ribbon, boxed bow + bound edge.
I bought a possible candidate from Buler that, like some Open Road styles, just marked as Royal Stetson. I have a Saturday Evening Post ad copy of what you see in my avatar but no dates on it.

 

[SteveAS]

I won this old Stetson last night. This one had me curious. The seller said that the sweatband had no markings, but does appear to be older with an untaped seam. I know it has to be at least 40's and prior due to the style of the reorder tag. Looking at the width of the ribbon, I thought it might be a playboy, but then I noticed the bound edge. I dunno??? I'm waiting for a further inspection when I get it. Seller said that the Block number looked like a 52 and based on the auction pictures of the reorder tag, the crown height is 5 1/2. Hopefully I can reshape this one and resurrect it into a nice hat.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&rt=nc&nma=true&item=260797287641&si=aEFVm%252FdenFDCuzE%252FO2glM%252BnRvDk%253D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

Interesting hat, Josh. With no markings, an un-stitched seam, and a reed, I'm guessing the sweatband is a replacement?

 

[alanfgag]

Interesting hat, Josh. With no markings, an un-stitched seam, and a reed, I'm guessing the sweatband is a replacement?

I think that's a good guess. The reed and spacing of stitching reads more 50's vintage to me... will be interesting to get your take on it when it arrives, Josh.

 

[Joshbru3]

Josh, I am yet to locate a Stetson Wanderer with ANY sweatband markings stating the model name. Other makers had a Wanderer as far back as the late 1930s, same configuration = mid-ribbon, boxed bow + bound edge.
I bought a possible candidate from Buler that, like some Open Road styles, just marked as Royal Stetson. I have a Saturday Evening Post ad copy of what you see in my avatar but no dates on it.

Thats really interesting. I wonder if any model year actually had the name on the sweatband, or if the Wanderer is just one of those Stetson Models that has to be identified only by looks. I hope someone can locate a labeled Wanderer as an example.

Interesting hat, Josh. With no markings, an un-stitched seam, and a reed, I'm guessing the sweatband is a replacement?

I would guess that its a replacement sweatband, mostly because of no Stetson markings and no retailer markings. It looks likes an old replacement sweatband though. All of the older replacement sweatbands that Ive seen have all had sewn seams, which could possibly make this an early replacement to the 30's, or maybe the hatter that replaced the sweatband just tried to copy the original sweatband that was on the hat.

I think that's a good guess. The reed and spacing of stitching reads more 50's vintage to me... will be interesting to get your take on it when it arrives, Josh.

I have seen Pre-50's sweatbands with reeds, but the type of stitching on this one does make me think 50's as well. I'm pretty confident in saying that the felt dates to Pre-50's based on the reorder tag, but I really dunno for sure. I will most definitely post pictures when this one arrives. I'm curious to see if the felt feels like that very lightweight playboy felt, or possibly more dense. I know one thing, its going to need a good steaming, brushing....and flanging....

 

[gtdean48]

.... I hope someone can locate a labeled Wanderer as an example.
....

Sounds like an assignment for Robert....

 

[Lefty]

Dobbs 40, size 7, under $70 shipped

almost the same price for a Dobbs milan, 7 1/2

 

[randooch]

Did I just purchase a woman's hat?

 

[JAVIER]

I lost this bad boy and it hurt, I really wanted it but at a deal anyhow.... I got bullied out; was it from a FL member? (if so enjoy)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...dl54icU%3D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT



My consolation prize.... thoughts, how did i do? Also it may end up being a little small, how would I if need be, stretch it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...dl54icU%3D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Also this TLCer, I will need a little guidance on getting it to par, as always thoughts and advice welcomed.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...dl54icU%3D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[cookie]

Did I just purchase a woman's hat?

No - that is the Squatter style for wearing round the saleyard. Famous hat used by former Prime Minister Howard.

 

[hatophile]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320711976714&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

No bites on this Resistol.

 

[red71veloce]

Wanted it, but........I've got to learn to stop somewhere.......but I did want it..

T

 

[Justin B]

Is it yours Hatophile? If so...let's talk.