M.C. Gannon Hat Company

[Frunobulax]

@Hurricane Jack - Thank you for taking the time to post the images of the felt swatches against other colors, in various lighting conditions, etc.

I've carried my own swatches around for weeks now, with my own set of lighter colors now at hand, but am learning as much from your images and thought progression as from my own efforts-- especially in relation to these lighter hues. Again, thanks.

For me, gauging colors and trying to anticipate/request a finished effect based on the interplay of light, ribbon width and hue, etc. ranges from enjoyable to maddening(!), and every bit of visual data helps.

Thankfully, I'm wildly pleased with the returns on my own Swatch Compare.

Again:

Granite
7/8" Steel Ribbon
Bow - I don't know the name, i just sent Michael pictures of his other hats featuring this one
2 1/4" brim

At home:

Context:

This is me a few years back, becoming a mother-in-law...

... but I'd far rather be dressed like this:

But wait, what's this?!

Incoming:

Steel Beaver Felt
7/8" Steel Ribbon (Same ribbon and bow treatment as on the Granite, on purpose-- I wanted to 'codify' the interplay of colors, as t'were. Besides, I mean, just look at it!)
2 3/8" brim [1/4" wider brim than on Granite, for variety/comparison]
Same goal as before, 4" or slightly lower crown at front-- smaller hats scale big on my tall little narrow noggin....

I thought we'd be weeks/months out for this Next Hat, but here it is, already. Booyah!

I have loved working with Mr. Gannon, and the results. Thanks, y'all-- I wouldn't have known about him without you, nor taken the leap without the visual resources you've provided here.

~ S.

Excellent choices and excellent work by Mr. Gannon. Both give off a definite Stetson Playboy vibe.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[moontheloon]

@Hurricane Jack - Thank you for taking the time to post the images of the felt swatches against other colors, in various lighting conditions, etc.

I've carried my own swatches around for weeks now, with my own set of lighter colors now at hand, but am learning as much from your images and thought progression as from my own efforts-- especially in relation to these lighter hues. Again, thanks.

For me, gauging colors and trying to anticipate/request a finished effect based on the interplay of light, ribbon width and hue, etc. ranges from enjoyable to maddening(!), and every bit of visual data helps.

Thankfully, I'm wildly pleased with the returns on my own Swatch Compare.

Again:

Granite
7/8" Steel Ribbon
Bow - I don't know the name, i just sent Michael pictures of his other hats featuring this one
2 1/4" brim

At home:

Context:

This is me a few years back, becoming a mother-in-law...

... but I'd far rather be dressed like this:

But wait, what's this?!

Incoming:

Steel Beaver Felt
7/8" Steel Ribbon (Same ribbon and bow treatment as on the Granite, on purpose-- I wanted to 'codify' the interplay of colors, as t'were. Besides, I mean, just look at it!)
2 3/8" brim [1/4" wider brim than on Granite, for variety/comparison]
Same goal as before, 4" or slightly lower crown at front-- smaller hats scale big on my tall little narrow noggin....

I thought we'd be weeks/months out for this Next Hat, but here it is, already. Booyah!

I have loved working with Mr. Gannon, and the results. Thanks, y'all-- I wouldn't have known about him without you, nor taken the leap without the visual resources you've provided here.

~ S.

absolutely outstanding ...

my first Gannon was steel mid ribbon on granite ... still an absolute favorite of mine

looks amazing on you

Michael is one of the best in the biz ... glad so many of you get to own his work

 

[Scuttle]

Thanks, y'all.

Scuttle; Congrats on being a Mother-In-Law. You are styl'n in your Granite fedora. I can not wait to see pics of your fedoras companion in steel. Excellent felt hues. The granite crosses over the warm and cool hues. I find this hue very versatile.

All the earth tones (for lack of a better descriptive) really appeal to me. I remain fascinated by how similar they can appear, especially in small swatches or different lighting conditions, but how wildly different the larger outcomes can vary! Granite is predominantly gray, but the brown undertones in this felt render it more of a chameleon than, say, Stetson's (modern) Caribou-- a felt/color I happen to like very much.

The Steel ribbon draws the Granite back towards gray (and itself looks blue gray, a favorite hue/spectrum). I'm loving it.

I too am a fan of the mid ribbon and the flatter brim style you have on your two gorgeous hats. I appreciate that you have stayed with a similar ribbon hue for the different hues. Your explaination of "codifying" by using the rbbons rings true. I have chosen a charcoal ribbon trimmings on most of my Gannon's to made them easily worn with cool dark colors that the seasons in my neighborhood find me dressed in frequently. A rock of color to work from.

Your taste, and applications, are far more refined than mine! I mostly was just going for a knockaround (less formal, if Classy®) hat, scaled to non-Mugsy proportions on my smaller-yet-taller head (ha!), in colors I just plain liked.

I have a hard time spec'ing out something sight unseen, but could not be more pleased with how this first hat has turned out. And yowzah, here comes the second! [The granite hat took weeks longer than first projected due to a hold up in the felt body supply; once it finally arrived, I immediately jumped in line for a second, Steel-- and was presented with an unexpectedly Immediate opportunity. I'm kinda spun, right now.]

.. I was thinking of a bound edge on the Steel hat, but Michael didn't have the same steel ribbon in a narrower gauge. I don't care for the wide-bound edge look, so it was either go Unbound or opt for different ribbon entirely. So, unbound it is; I will enjoy the interplay of the same steel ribbon against the two different felts, more than I would have welcomed a different hue, another variable. This time.

Your hats are terrific town and country hats.

Wear them proudly. Congrats to you and Michael.

Thanks much!

Wonderful hats, Scuttle. I have 2 hats from Michael as well and count them as favorites. Very nice picture of an eventful day. You look great dressed both ways!

Why, thank ye. I hate pictures of myself (and am honestly leery of posting them online), and my in-home selfie/portrait specialists have mostly moved on, but I love what Mr. Gannon is doing, and has accomplished for me, so I wanted to (try to) do his work even a little bit of justice. I need longer arms.

Excellent choices and excellent work by Mr. Gannon. Both give off a definite Stetson Playboy vibe.

Thanks!

It's funny, I didn't have any knowledge of or immediate visual reference for the Stetson Playboy, but that's exactly what Michael said, upon finishing the Steel hat especially:

"The hat has a real vintage Stetson Playboy look which has always been one of my favorite vintage hats. I am thinking of making this same hat a regular offering on my website."

Reading your words, I did a quick Google image search...

... and I can see what you guys mean.

Again, I mostly just asked for a non-Mugsy crown (that didn't need to be telescoped to scale down to 4" or so at the front to NOT be Mugsy-y), with a brim that didn't end up looking Outback around my narrower face.

It seems to be working out.

That the results look somewhat classic shouldn't surprise me, given Gannon's clean lines and overall aesthetic, but I love the connotations.

absolutely outstanding ...

my first Gannon was steel mid ribbon on granite ... still an absolute favorite of mine

looks amazing on you

Michael is one of the best in the biz ... glad so many of you get to own his work

Thanks! Wouldn't have found him if not for you....

~ S.

 

[Frunobulax]

Thanks!

It's funny, I didn't have any knowledge of or immediate visual reference for the Stetson Playboy, but that's exactly what Michael said, upon finishing the Steel hat especially:

"The hat has a real vintage Stetson Playboy look which has always been one of my favorite vintage hats. I am thinking of making this same hat a regular offering on my website."

Reading your words, I did a quick Google image search...

... and I can see what you guys mean.


~ S.

Unfortunately, that's not a Playboy, as Playboys don't have a bound edge. That is likely a Wanderer, which is basically a Playboy with brim binding. We have a thread entitled "Playboys on Parade" that has many fine examples.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[moontheloon]

Unfortunately, that's not a Playboy, as Playboys don't have a bound edge. That is likely a Wanderer, which is basically a Playboy with brim binding. We have a thread entitled "Playboys on Parade" that has many fine examples.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

Could also be a Bantam ... mine pictured below ... which is quite close to a Playboy as well

I unfortunately don’t know the block used for the Bantam for mine is not marked with a block number ... but when compared side by side they are quite close

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Frunobulax]

Could also be a Bantam ... mine pictured below ... which is quite close to a Playboy as well

I unfortunately don’t know the block used for the Bantam for mine is not marked with a block number ... but when compared side by side they are quite close

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I found the hat she posted by doing a reverse image search. The expired eBay listing just showed Royal Stetson markings, no other designations, or store markings, on the sweat.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/163002128196

Looked like a nice one, though.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[moontheloon]

I found the hat she posted by doing a reverse image search. The expired eBay listing just showed Royal Stetson markings, no other designations, or store markings, on the sweat.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/163002128196

Looked like a nice one, though.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

which is what I intended to type in my last post if my daughter wasn't screaming at me at the time ... that is could also be no model at all

definitely a nice one

for some reason those later tagged Stetsons don't tickle me as much ... I'll get very interested in a piece until I see that tag ... I get disappointed and continue my search

every Stetson I've owned with that tag and tip logo was of much inferior quality

 

[Frunobulax]

which is what I intended to type in my last post if my daughter wasn't screaming at me at the time ... that is could also be no model at all

definitely a nice one

for some reason those later tagged Stetsons don't tickle me as much ... I'll get very interested in a piece until I see that tag ... I get disappointed and continue my search

every Stetson I've owned with that tag and tip logo was of much inferior quality

Agreed. Nice hats, but not aa nice as older ones.

Or a Gannon, to circle back around.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Zombie_61]

...The Steel ribbon draws the Granite back towards gray (and itself looks blue gray, a favorite hue/spectrum). I'm loving it...

I absolutely agree. If there's a better match for the Granite felt than that Steel ribbon, I haven't seen it. It reflects light beautifully, and provides a nice variety of shades to contrast the felt. And I agree with those who have commented on how good the hat looks on you. With regard to "selfies", I think many of us aren't impressed by the way we photograph; we've just gotten used to it.

 

[suitedcboy]

which is what I intended to type in my last post if my daughter wasn't screaming at me at the time ... that is could also be no model at all

definitely a nice one

for some reason those later tagged Stetsons don't tickle me as much ... I'll get very interested in a piece until I see that tag ... I get disappointed and continue my search

every Stetson I've owned with that tag and tip logo was of much inferior quality

I always wondered about the source of hat bodies for Stetson. I can't recall ever reading about them having their own felting plant. I assumed they did it all up to some point. I chalked up the up and down cycles of those hats (happened with their westerns too) to better and not so great hat bodies from their suppliers. The quality cycling was not limited to the felt though. Sweatbands and build quality also rose and fell in cycles.

 

[Scuttle]

Unfortunately, that's not a Playboy, as Playboys don't have a bound edge. That is likely a Wanderer, which is basically a Playboy with brim binding.

Naw, see, I found that image by searching for "Stetson Playboy"-- a Google search, mind you, none of that Bing Bing Duck business, so: it has to be true.





(Thanks for the clarification!)

We have a thread entitled "Playboys on Parade" that has many fine examples.

Oh, I'll bet you do.

-- I shall look up the thread, thanks. I love Stetsons, old and (even!) new. Once I'm done Gawking at Gannons. It may be a while....

I absolutely agree. If there's a better match for the Granite felt than that Steel ribbon, I haven't seen it. It reflects light beautifully, and provides a nice variety of shades to contrast the felt.

Yes! I love the color range and slight 'pop' of the ribbon itself, no matter what the felt, but this combination is sublime, the way the ribbon keens blue against the granite.

While not quite achieving what I call the @Cornshucker77 Effect...

(The way that particular hat brings out his eyes)

... I'm loving this hat.

And I agree with those who have commented on how good the hat looks on you. With regard to "selfies", I think many of us aren't impressed by the way we photograph; we've just gotten used to it.

Thanks!

Also:

(*sigh*)

~ S.

 

[Cornshucker77]

Naw, see, I found that image by searching for "Stetson Playboy"-- a Google search, mind you, none of that Bing Bing Duck business, so: it has to be true.





(Thanks for the clarification!)



Oh, I'll bet you do.

-- I shall look up the thread, thanks. I love Stetsons, old and (even!) new. Once I'm done Gawking at Gannons. It may be a while....



Yes! I love the color range and slight 'pop' of the ribbon itself, no matter what the felt, but this combination is sublime, the way the ribbon keens blue against the granite.

While not quite achieving what I call the @Cornshucker77 Effect...


(The way that particular hat brings out his eyes)

... I'm loving this hat.

Thanks!

Also:

(*sigh*)

~ S.

Ha! The Cornshucker77 effect. You are cracking me up! ......and I neglected to say you look great in your Gannon. Love that hat.

 

[moontheloon]

Scuttle has inspired me to take my first Gannon for a spin today to shield me from the raindrops

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cornshucker77]

As the sun gets lower in the sky of an evening the Worth - Walden on the right that I compared to Bone does yellow up some.

View attachment 119682

Man, those are beauties Jack.

 

[Cornshucker77]

Scuttle has inspired me to take my first Gannon for a spin today to shield me from the raindrops

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Love that hat Moon!

 

[Frunobulax]

I always wondered about the source of hat bodies for Stetson. I can't recall ever reading about them having their own felting plant. I assumed they did it all up to some point. I chalked up the up and down cycles of those hats (happened with their westerns too) to better and not so great hat bodies from their suppliers. The quality cycling was not limited to the felt though. Sweatbands and build quality also rose and fell in cycles.

From what I understand, the John B. Stetson Company of Philadelphia always produced their hats from start to finish. They sourced the fur, cut it, and ran it through the felting process. If you haven't watched the Stetson film on Making a Hat, you should. It has its own thread here - look at the "Important Hat Forum Threads" list. I watch it every few months for fun. I find it fascinating.

To this day, Hatco in Garland TX (Stetson, Dobbs, Resistol) still produces their hats completely from start to finish.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Frunobulax]

Scuttle has inspired me to take my first Gannon for a spin today to shield me from the raindrops

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's Granite, right? Yours and Eric's motivated my purchase of a Granite Gannon.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Love the granite felt. All this talk of granite has me reaching for my Gannon granite fedora this evening as I head back outside. Thanks for the inspiration folks.

Best, Eric -

 

[Hurricane Jack]

@Hurricane Jack - Thank you for taking the time to post the images of the felt swatches against other colors, in various lighting conditions, etc.

I've carried my own swatches around for weeks now, with my own set of lighter colors now at hand, but am learning as much from your images and thought progression as from my own efforts-- especially in relation to these lighter hues. Again, thanks.

For me, gauging colors and trying to anticipate/request a finished effect based on the interplay of light, ribbon width and hue, etc. ranges from enjoyable to maddening(!), and every bit of visual data helps.

Thankfully, I'm wildly pleased with the returns on my own Swatch Compare.

Again:

Granite
7/8" Steel Ribbon
Bow - I don't know the name, i just sent Michael pictures of his other hats featuring this one
2 1/4" brim

At home:

Context:

This is me a few years back, becoming a mother-in-law...

... but I'd far rather be dressed like this:

But wait, what's this?!

Incoming:

Steel Beaver Felt
7/8" Steel Ribbon (Same ribbon and bow treatment as on the Granite, on purpose-- I wanted to 'codify' the interplay of colors, as t'were. Besides, I mean, just look at it!)
2 3/8" brim [1/4" wider brim than on Granite, for variety/comparison]
Same goal as before, 4" or slightly lower crown at front-- smaller hats scale big on my tall little narrow noggin....

I thought we'd be weeks/months out for this Next Hat, but here it is, already. Booyah!

I have loved working with Mr. Gannon, and the results. Thanks, y'all-- I wouldn't have known about him without you, nor taken the leap without the visual resources you've provided here.

~ S.

Scuttle, sorry for my slow reply but I've been away & out of touch in this electronic world (yeah!) for a while. Thanks for your compliment & I'm glad the swatch comparisons helped you. Since swatches are just scrap trimmings & usually small it always helps me when I can compare them to a hat of mine in a known color. It eliminates the variances from camera lenses, metering, computer monitors, etc. Can you imagine trying to describe or understand the color of olive?

Your first Gannon in granite looks superb on you! I have one in granite from another hatter. Granite has a brown undertone in low light conditions, something I didn't expect. I would like to see a swatch comparison between granite & limestone. Limestone is something I would expect to have a light brown or tannish undertone, but maybe not?

I enjoyed your well thought out posts in this thread. Look forward to your post up on your next Gannon.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Man, those are beauties Jack.

Thanks CS but I only posted them in the Gannon thread to support the theory of how Bone yellows up under low light conditions.