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

[carouselvic]

both

 

[fedoracentric]

If you buy an older hat - in my case a 1930s Adam - and some part, be it the headband, ribbon, or liner is not perfect, would you send it to Optimo or some other hatter of repute for a remake, or would you try to keep the vintage components?

Well, that is a sticky question. If it is a rare hat and it is at least 80 years old, I say leave it as is for the sake of history. If it is a common thing, why not rehab it to wear?

Here is my for instance on when to leave something as is. So, someone buys a 1950s Stetson 100. Then they upsize it, put in a new sweatband and maybe even a new liner. So... it's not a Stetson 100 any more. It was when it was marked. After all the markings were removed its just a hat with nice felt but no other way to prove what it is. So, it is no longer a Stetson 100. In my opinion that is ruining the hat.

In other cases, I'd never rehab any hat (Stetson or not) made before 1920. It would just be raping history as far as I am concerned.

On the other hand, it's your hat. You have every right to do whatever you want with it. Plus if your only interest is in wearing the thing and you don't care a whit about collecting... well, do what you need to do.

So, I guess what I am saying is that you have to decide what you want out of your hats. Do you just want a nice hat to wear, or are you interested in collecting for history sake?

You'll get several answers, here, I'm sure, but ultimately you are the one that has to decide.

Lastly, don't take ANY seller's claim for the age of a hat. 99.9 percent of them out there haven't the first clue about hats. If someone said it's a "1930s Adam hat" I'd verify that with the collectors here. They are very knowledgable.

Good luck with your decision. It won't be an easy one, I'd guess.

 

[Miamibruno]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply, fedoracentric. I know the ultimate decision is mine, but I enjoy listening to the wisdom of the Lounge. The hat is below for a reference. If anyone can place this hat historically, I would appreciate it.

 

[Lefty]

I was beginning to think this old velour cav was never going to sell

 

[Brad Bowers]

I was beginning to think this old velour cav was never going to sell

I thought about it many times.

Brad

 

[mayserwegener]

I received a tip from Manfred on this larger size German (?) Back Bow. I think this is an old one but in little worn condition. It also has a clip for the crease (deep center crease) which I have never seen before. Looking forward to receiving this one.

 

[buler]

Great looking hat! The "crease clips" are advertised quite a lot in the American Hatter's.

B

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Looks nice. Appears to have been photographed in an undertaker's shop, though. This freaked me out a bit. eek

Seller accepted my offer for this ancient Livingston "Best Make"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160989888366?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[mayserwegener]

Great looking hat! The "crease clips" are advertised quite a lot in the American Hatter's.

B

Bill, Thanks! Interesting regarding "The American Hatter" and the "Crease Clip". Do you have any ad photos or know anyone here that has one of these clips? I do recall seeing this type of center crease in old photos.

 

[mayserwegener]

I was beginning to think this old velour cav was never going to sell

I like that one a lot. I would like to see the liner and sweatband.

 

[mayserwegener]

Seller accepted my offer for this ancient Livingston "Best Make"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160989888366?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Garrett, Great find! Looking forward to more details.

 

[mayserwegener]

I also picked up this NOS silver - gray Echter Rockel Velour. Unfortunately the auction photos are not the best.

This was the only size 59cm but Robert and Manfred picked up the rest (this same model and others) of them in smaller sizes. Manfred should receive his this week so looking forward to more details.

 

[buler]

Bill, Thanks! Interesting regarding "The American Hatter" and the "Crease Clip". Do you have any ad photos or know anyone here that has one of these clips? I do recall seeing this type of center crease in old photos.

Check the Vintage inventions/oddities thread. I've added a couple of the ads. Most of the clips I've seen in ads are like the one you have. Never seen any of these in the wild. But I seem to remember one lounger posting that a hat they received had one in it.

B

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks for posting the ad! I am looking forward to getting a close look at it.

 

[hatophile]

Those look nice Steve. I'm anxious to see them on a head.

 

[splintercellsz]

Mayser, wow! You definately picked some winners!

 

[delectans]

I received a tip from Manfred on this larger size German (?) Back Bow. I think this is an old one but in little worn condition. It also has a clip for the crease (deep center crease) which I have never seen before. Looking forward to receiving this one.

I also picked up this NOS silver - gray Echter Rockel Velour.

Very nice acquisitions, Steve! Looking forward to seeing your great photos when the hats arrive.

 

[mayserwegener]

Perry, Al & Justin, Thanks! I am very interested to see what Manfred finds with the Rockel Velours (his lot also has another make). I think they are pre 1950s based on the style but I could be wrong.

Here are the ones Robert (RLK) won. The one on the left is marked "Busani" so this could be some other make.

Here are the ones Manfred (Chepstow) won. I am not sure if the brown ones are Rockel.

 

[splintercellsz]

Wow! Looks like a really great score!!

 

[splintercellsz]

Just won this Stetson as a B.I.N. Not too sure on how old it may be, but I am thinking 30's or older?