Light Blue Open Road

[jimmy the lid]

I am incredibly excited about today's arrival. The seller of this hat described the color as “silver-greyish,” but the auction photos suggested otherwise. I wasn’t in the market for a silver belly OR, so I took a chance that I was right about the color and bid anyway. Bingo! When I opened the box, there it was – a light blue OR! The hat is mint (with one exception that I’ll get to later). The liner is sewn-in, and there are John B. Stetson Philadelphia tags on the inside of the hat behind the sweat. In addition, there is also a price tag of $12.50 on the back of the sweat.

And now for that "exception" that I mentioned. When I took the hat out of the box I immediately saw a familiar sight – the disintegrated remains of the yellowish cellophane liner that had originally been part of the hat packaging. This is exactly what I had found in the box of the Playboy I recently acquired -- and, in that case, the pieces of yellow cellophane had left some color stains on the inside of the liner. The OR came in a square box – more shallow than a Stetson oval box – and the crown of the OR was basically in close proximity to the yellow cellophane liner. The result is that there is some yellowish staining on the crown and top of the brim in places.

So, the seller should have mentioned this, but didn't. The fact is though, that from a few feet away, you really aren't even aware of it (we'll see what daylight brings tomorrow...). In addition, by the time the hat is bashed, any staining on the top of the crown probably won't be all that noticeable. I don't know if this kind of stain is "cleanable." Either way, though, a light blue OR in this general condition, (probably dating from the early 50's?), certainly doesn't seem to come around that often, so I'm inclined to hang onto it regardless of whether or not the stains will ever come out. Other than the stain issue, it really is a great hat. Any thoughts?

Cheers,
JTL

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Great hat, JTL. I have one much like it! Same color, but mine has a darker sweatband and a different liner logo, and it was estimated as being from the 60's, so you might be right about yours being 50's. The light blue will show discolorations easily when examined, but always looks great when worn. Good luck with it.
NB

 

[jimmy the lid]

Thanks, NB-13. This is so funny, because just yesterday I posted a question to you in another thread about your light blue OR. Your photos just blew me away. So, when I opened the box today and saw a light blue OR, I just about fainted!!!

Cheers,
JTL

 

[Duck]

Sweet OR Jimmy!!!!!!!! Love the color!!!!:eusa_clap

 

[DOUGLAS]

Really nice. I love when they come open crowned:eusa_clap

 

[jimmy the lid]

OK, in broad daylight, the staining that I was worried about virtually disappears. So, after some steaming, brushing and bashing, things are looking up!

RBH, I have read the posts about naptha/white gas, etc., and it is really tempting. But man, there is just something about the thought of submerging a vintage lid that scares the heck out of me. Maybe I need to buy a beater and give it a test run just to see how it turns out...

Cheers,
JTL

 

[Cacklewack]

Good work, Jimmy!

Matt

 

[tonyb]

You might try a white rubber hat sponge. If that discoloration doesn't penetrate far into the felt, the sponge just may do the trick.

 

[Lady Blue]

fabulous hat! I've been looking for one in that color. Great work on the cleaning and bashing too. It looks amazing now.

 

[jimmy the lid]

I've been looking for one in that color.

Just what I'd expect from you, Lady "Blue."

Thanks!

JTL

 

[jimmy the lid]

You might try a white rubber hat sponge. If that discoloration doesn't penetrate far into the felt, the sponge just may do the trick.

Hey, tonyb -- good idea. Where do I get one of those bad boys?

Cheers,
JTL

 

[tonyb]

Our local hat store carries them. They retail for about five bucks apiece, as I recall.
And there must be several online sources.

 

[Feraud]

That is a good looking hat. I have two Open Roads that I do not wear much because I think the thin ribbon does not suit me.
The color on that Stetson is excellent.

 

[budward]

I've never seen one in that color. It's quite striking. Congrats!

Bud

 

[GentlemanFarmer]

Great hat and a great job on the bash

 

[Fletch]

A beaut! Sometime these old ready-made rarities have the quality of a real one-off or custom made item. This is one of those. Good luck with the cleaning and wear it well.

 

[Bud-n-Texas]

Nice score Jimmy

I am incredibly excited about today's arrival. The seller of this hat described the color as “silver-greyish,” but the auction photos suggested otherwise. I wasn’t in the market for a silver belly OR, so I took a chance that I was right about the color and bid anyway. Bingo! When I opened the box, there it was – a light blue OR! The hat is mint (with one exception that I’ll get to later). The liner is sewn-in, and there are John B. Stetson Philadelphia tags on the inside of the hat behind the sweat. In addition, there is also a price tag of $12.50 on the back of the sweat.

JTL

I have yet to add a blue of any kind to my collection. Good for you

 

[K.D. Lightner]

Jimmy -- Oh, I'm jealous, jealous! I have a black OR and it is a beauty, but, of all the OR's I've seen, light blue is the one I'd want to score! I don't have a light blue fedora of any kind yet.

Congrats on a great hat, glad you were able to work the stains out.

karol

 

[jimmy the lid]

Thanks to all for the nice comments! I have to say, so far, I just keep pinching myself when I see this hat -- I never would have thought that an Open Road would have come in a light blue. I am extremely lucky to have found a couple of vintage hats in this color lately.

Incidentally, I came across a 1949 Stetson magazine ad that offers the Open Road in "Silver Belly and other colors." Another 1949 ad (now featured in my avatar) features the color "Cadet Blue." Don't know if this is the precise color of my OR or Whippet, but it looks almost identical.

I'm aware of the following OR colors: Silver Belly, Light Blue, Black, and Estes Tan. Anyone know of other OR colors?


Cheers,
JtL

 

[tonyb]

I'm aware of the following OR colors: Silver Belly, Light Blue, Black, and Estes Tan. Anyone know of other OR colors?


Cheers,
JtL

I've seen pictures of a dark-ish blue one. Not quite a midnight blue (if memory serves), but definitely a darker-than-medium shade. And a "vintage" one, to boot.
A man who used to post here bought that very clean blue OR from that infamous online auction site. Many of us were watching that action. Reports were that several of us gasped when we saw what our guy paid for it. It was something north of $300, as I recall. Some opined that he paid too much, while others said that the hat's condition and rarity easily made it worth the price. I tended toward agreeing with the guys in the second camp. It was sort of like that Amon Carter Shady Oak Farm OR that sold for big money rather recently. Great condition, tremendous provenance -- a fine hat and also a splendid little piece of Americana.
Oh, that was you who bought that one, right?

EDIT: Oh, another OR color. In a closet around here is a medium-to-dark gray Open Road. The color is kind of inconsistent (it's a bit mottled) and the crown is tapered and, well, it's not much of a hat. I bought it new a dozen or so years ago.