My latest hat bargain (stratoliner)

[Dinerman]

I scored this little number for 25 bucks at an antique store.

It's not in the best shape, it looks like someone wore it often and wore it hard. There are no moth bites, and the sweat is still stitched in and soft. But,there are sweat stains all through the felt, and the plastic in the top is cracking. But it was my size, I liked the lines and the color and it was priced decently, so I snagged it.

Oh yeah- and it's a royal stetson stratoliner.

I feel like I did rather well on it.

There weren't many other good hat type things. One dealer had 4 knox boxes, which I eagerly opened. All empty. Also a '60's or so Dobbs western cowboy hat, and a light grey '40's dobbs homburg that looked like it had never been worn.

 

[DOUGLAS]

Absolutely,that is a great score!!!! Dinerman you are finding some wonderful hats. Congrats:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Nice one. That's the kind of steal that makes your year . . . nice colour. Have it cleaned up and you're all set for wearing a very fine hat.

bk

 

[Dinerman]

I actually found this one about a year ago, and put it back, thinking "oh- it's too beat up". Then I found the lounge and realized it wasn't really in all that bad shape, and it was a nice model of hat and all. I kind of kicked myself for not buying it then.
I went back today, and somehow, it was still there a year later, sitting on a shelf right by the front door. I was amazed.

I also have to take pictures of the other stuff I managed to find.

 

[The real Henry]

Very nice! I wish there'd be more antigue stores in my region!

I like the rare color of the felt and the ribbon very much, but I personally think the look of the Stratoliner-brim doesn't suit most people(especially me!).

For that price it really is a bargain!


Regards,
Henrik

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Don't be surprised. In that condition most people will leave it behind. A little bit of knowledge (as to what one is looking at) goes a long way. I did exactly the same thing with a green playboy i own: went back 6 months later and there she was sitting on the same hatrack from where came my stratoliner and my first whippet.

bk

 

[Dinerman]

I'm going over the hat and finding little eccentricities with it. I don't know if these are repairs, or what. I think it may have been sized up, there's a metal bit in the back of the reeding where the ends meet, rather crudely covered in wax. The liner's held in with tape, as opposed to being sewn in. The back of the reeding where the sweatband is sewn to the felt is only sewn in one stitch every two inches or so.

Is any of this normal for a stratoliner?

Before taking the pictures, I removed a feather someone had put in the bow. Instead of merely slipping it between the bow and the hat like most people, this person had made a hole in the base of the feather, and sewn it to the ribbon.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

there's a metal bit in the back of the reeding where the ends meet, rather crudely covered in wax.

I've seen this on a number of Stetsons.

bk

p.s. not to gross you out, but i suspect that it might not be wax. The green is the metal salt (being that it's green the metal is an alloy that contains probably nickel), and it's probably congealed sweat, not wax.

 

[Dinerman]

not to gross you out, but i suspect that it might not be wax. The green is the metal salt (being that it's green the metal is an alloy that contains probably nickel), and it's probably congealed sweat, not wax.

eh- not a problem for me.

 

[deanglen]

Nice one. That's the kind of steal that makes your year . . . nice colour. Have it cleaned up and you're all set for wearing a very fine hat.

bk

How clean can it get? Are the stains removable?

dean

 

[Feraud]

That is a nice way to end 2006! You can send it out for a pro cleaning if necessary.

 

[RBH]

Great find Dinerman !

That is one great looking Stratoliner.
You of course will have to decide how you want to get it cleaned.
But you can do a great deal of it yourself, with some naphta and a hat sponge. Just soak it for around 12 hours or so and before you take it out to dry hit the tough stains lightly with the sponge. Then hang it up outside to dry . There is alot of satisfaction in doing a cleaning job yourself, unless there is more intensive work you need done you should be able to handle it.
Im sure you will enjoy such a fine looking fedora!

 

[thunderw21]

That's a beauty. Congrats! :eusa_clap

 

[Razzman]

Wow! Was there a treasure map involved in that find?

Sweet looking Strat. Nice find.:eusa_clap Nice looking color too. I wish I could find any kind of a hat in the Antique shops around here. Oh well! My next hat is going to be a custom from Art.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

How clean can it get? Are the stains removable?

dean

Who knows? I've had luck getting sweat stains out before, though i've heard of some that are immobile. He won't know until he tries.

bk