Hat Storage

[buler]

Maybe a source for boxes...

I would think a box company in Danbury, CT thats been around since 1906 would make hat boxes. Worth a call or email.

http://www.danburysquarebox.com/DBSQ.htm

B

 

[Blackthorn]

You can get pretty good ones, semi-vintage, with inserts, for between $20 and $30 on Ebay. Just do a search for hatboxes. I got a really nice one (Dobbs) for $10 plus another $10 for shipping, complete with insert, about six months ago.

 

[jlee562]

Take a look here:

http://www.sarahshatboxes.com/

The Adventurebilt boxes have the inserts for sure, and I'm fairly certain the normal boxes under 'Hat Boxes' do as well. Expensive, but they seem very good. Was thinking of a few for myself, so if anyone gets or has some, please let me know how they are.

Cheers,
flute

I have one of Sarah's hat boxes that came with my Penman fedora. They are great. They look fantastic, and seem very well made. I have only had it for a month or two, but I would be VERY surprised if anything bad happened to this box down the road, they look very sturdy.

 

[bendingoak]

I talked with Peter from sarahshatboxes.com and he will make and sells inserts.

 

[chum]

Do quality hat boxes prevent moth or silverfish damage, or do you have to add something(like cedar) under the insert to be sure?

 

[ScottF]

Do quality hat boxes prevent moth or silverfish damage, or do you have to add something(like cedar) under the insert to be sure?

I have a similar question.

I am currently in the process of packing up all of my hats but the ones I wear, for 6-12 months of storage. In addition to individual hatboxes, I have a 31" tall hatbox that I plan to stack about 10 hats in, separated by pieces of plastic.

Given that this could be for 6 months to a year, probably without additional intervention on my part, any recommendations on what to put in the boxes to keep moths away? Would a couple of cedar circles in each box be sufficient, or do I need something longer-lasting, like actual moth balls?

 

[Zanzibarstar]

I have a similar question.

I am currently in the process of packing up all of my hats but the ones I wear, for 6-12 months of storage. In addition to individual hatboxes, I have a 31" tall hatbox that I plan to stack about 10 hats in, separated by pieces of plastic.

Given that this could be for 6 months to a year, probably without additional intervention on my part, any recommendations on what to put in the boxes to keep moths away? Would a couple of cedar circles in each box be sufficient, or do I need something longer-lasting, like actual moth balls?

You may already be aware of this, but just wanted to warn you...from my experience of stacking hats together, the grosgrain ribbon often gets crimped and ruined a little. I've had good luck steaming it back to shape, but there's always a risk of it not flattening back out, especially if it's been in that position for a long time. This happened, even as I thought I was being extremely careful with my hatstacking.

 

[ScottF]

You may already be aware of this, but just wanted to warn you...from my experience of stacking hats together, the grosgrain ribbon often gets crimped and ruined a little. I've had good luck steaming it back to shape, but there's always a risk of it not flattening back out, especially if it's been in that position for a long time. This happened, even as I thought I was being extremely careful with my hatstacking.

Thanks - I can definitely get the ribbons flat again, but I do need to figure out a way to avoid that; if not, I won't stack them.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

Does Mr. Fawcett sell his boxes, or only with his hats?

Why not shoot him an email or give him a call and let us all know.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

Would a couple of cedar circles in each box be sufficient, or do I need something longer-lasting, like actual moth balls?

Cedar doesn't have any insect-repellant or insect-killing properties. The main reason people think so is that, since cedar was a far more expensive wood than pine or others used for chests, it tended to be used on higher-quality, better-built furniture, chests and boxes with tighter seams. "It's more expensive - it MUST be better!" The main draw was its aromatic qualities - things just smelled nicer and fresher when the box or drawer was opened after storage.

Moth balls are probably a good idea - but sealing everything in a big plastic bag is going to keep out any moths and other bugs. Cardboard boxes wouldn't necessarily do that since the tops don't seal down on the box. Mothball in the box with a plastic bag over is probably best. Anything outside is sealed out, and anything inside is going to get the strongest concentration of the mothballs. Without the mothball inside, there's always the slim possibility you're sealing in something that can devour for months & months in a nice protected environment.

 

[gtdean48]

Cedar doesn't have any insect-repellant...

So the entire pet bedding industry is being misled every day???
"Repelling fleas & ticks in your yard
Cedar is a natural repellent for fleas and ticks. When landscaping your yard, try using cedar based mulch. If you dog is in a kennel style enclosure, try making a perimeter of mulch around his enclosure as a barrier for the fleas."

 

[Mike in Seattle]

So the entire pet bedding industry is being misled every day???
"Repelling fleas & ticks in your yard
Cedar is a natural repellent for fleas and ticks. When landscaping your yard, try using cedar based mulch. If you dog is in a kennel style enclosure, try making a perimeter of mulch around his enclosure as a barrier for the fleas."

Exactly. Have fleas disappeared? Nope. Their excuse will be that they're still being brought in from elsewhere. If it were as simple as using cedar shavings, there'd be no flea powder, flea collar, flea spray market in the world.

 

[fluteplayer07]

Why not shoot him an email or give him a call and let us all know.

Just PM'd him not too long ago. Will report back as soon as I get a response.

flute

 

[Cracker]

From what I have read on those link so far (connection is acting up) there is a lot of good information. If anyone out there knows where I might find NEW hatboxes that are like the vintage hatboxes, that would be very helpful. I already have small cedar blocks (the size of a bar of soap) to try and keep the moths away.

Miller Hats here in Houston sells cardboard hat boxes with the inner ring for $10 (don't know what they charge for shipping). I bought one just last week, and will be buying more as parcels from OFAS pile up on my doorstep. They are not made of acid free paper/cardboard, so I keep the hats in plastic bags as well.

 

[gtdean48]

Exactly. Have fleas disappeared? Nope. Their excuse will be that they're still being brought in from elsewhere. If it were as simple as using cedar shavings, there'd be no flea powder, flea collar, flea spray market in the world.

Use it all the time & no flea issues with my dogs. Didn't say it made them vanish, just leave the immediate area which is my dog pen.

 

[ScottF]

Cedar doesn't have any insect-repellant or insect-killing properties. The main reason people think so is that, since cedar was a far more expensive wood than pine or others used for chests, it tended to be used on higher-quality, better-built furniture, chests and boxes with tighter seams. "It's more expensive - it MUST be better!" The main draw was its aromatic qualities - things just smelled nicer and fresher when the box or drawer was opened after storage.

Moth balls are probably a good idea - but sealing everything in a big plastic bag is going to keep out any moths and other bugs. Cardboard boxes wouldn't necessarily do that since the tops don't seal down on the box. Mothball in the box with a plastic bag over is probably best. Anything outside is sealed out, and anything inside is going to get the strongest concentration of the mothballs. Without the mothball inside, there's always the slim possibility you're sealing in something that can devour for months & months in a nice protected environment.

Thanks, Mike - I will go with mothballs and plastic bag.

 

[fluteplayer07]

Update on my question for Art

He says the boxes are only available with the hats. (Guess that means I need to buy one now. "It's not for the hat, it's for the box!", will be my excuse. ) He says they are crazy expensive, probably $50+, more than anyone would ever spend on one solo.

flute

 

[Lloyd]

Penman sells empty hat boxes for $55.00 according to their price list. Shipping is $20.

 

[St.Ignatz]

I've seen the modern gray Stetson boxes offered on European hat web sites but not in the US. What gives Hatco? I have a dozen plus Stetsons but only about 5 in Stetson boxes. The remainder are in generics from a local hat shop.
Tom D.

 

[gtdean48]

I heard the Outlet store in Garland, TX sells Stetson boxes for $5. You could give them a call & see if they will ship too. [huh]