Need info on vintage Stetson Find

[Muzz]

I found this hat today at a second hand store here in Seattle. It has a light brown sweat with "Imperial Stetson vita-felt process" stamped in gold. The liner says Imperial Stetson. I would love any info on this hat, era, felt, name etc.

 

[RedPop4]

Photos of the inside of the hat, the label, the sweat, would allow the detectives to work their magic. Look under the sweat, as well, and see if there's a little card in there with the model number, size and such.

That's a lovely hat, by the way.

 

[RBH]

It kinda reminds me of a Whippet.
Great looking hat you got no matter what it is.

 

[tonyb]

If it isn't asking too much, Muzz (and perhaps it is) -- which of our local secondhand shops supplied that hat? Looks like a beaut, man. It's been a good long while since I've come across such a fine lid in such an emporium.
(If you wanted to keep your source to yourself, well, I couldn't fault you for that.)
And ... do you mind saying how much it cost you?

 

[tonyb]

And ...

Ditto what RedPop4 and RBH said.

 

[Muzz]

Inside Pics

Of course, inside pics.......

and the tag.......

It was at Yesterdayz in the pike place market. They have a TON of hats, a couple Knox's, a good number of stetsons, none even close to my size, but all vintage, head down there and clean 'em out!

 

[feltfan]

You know what they say about opinions.
There is no guaranteed Stetson reference.
But a Vita-Felt hat with that appearance
has to be 40s, it seems to me.

Do a search on vita-felt on this site and you'll
find more information.

Very nice hat.

 

[RBH]

My Stratoliner has that same liner.

 

[GoneSolo]

Very, very nice. :eusa_clap

Any chance of getting pics of the other hats?

 

[Muzz]

Very, very nice. :eusa_clap

Any chance of getting pics of the other hats?

If you mean the hats at the shop, I'll take a pic next time I go there.

 

[Marc]

Love that hat!!! LOVE it!!!

If you even wanna part with it, please let me know Congrats with it!

Regards,

Marc

 

[Tango Yankee]

There are several Stetson ads for Vita-felt hats for sale on eBay, all from the early 40s. There was a vita-felt hat sold there yesterday, I think. One of the hats I was watching.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[DOUGLAS]

That is a beautiful hat. Congratulations:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Feraud]

I have a Whippet that looks similar but yours looks to be in excellent condition!
Congrats on the great find.

 

[Muzz]

I have a Whippet that looks similar but yours looks to be in excellent condition!
Congrats on the great find.

I thought it was a lot like a Whippet too, except it has a much larger brim than other whippets i've seen, and its an imperial quality rather than royal. Could it be a pre-whippet whippet? The original that inspired its own line in years to come? I would love to think its from the 40's, its in perfect condition. It must have been worn a lot, because the felt is so soft, but there isn't a single stain, hole or mark on the whole hat! I wish I could post the smell, it smells like other stuff from the 40's and I don't mean my folks! As far as what I paid, i think the fella knew what he had, it was $75. Even though its 7 1/4 and I wear a 7 3/8, it fits well. I'm going to take it by Byrnie Utz next week, since they have been selling Stetsons since 1934, maybe they can help identify it!

Thanks for all the feedback, its nice to hear from the well informed that I did well!

oh yeah, anyone in western washington, go to Yesterdayz in the Pike place market!

 

[jamespowers]

Here's a 1941 Vita Felt ad:

They are nice hats and are well worth what you paid for it. So, since it is a Vita Felt, how does it feel? Pretty soft and supple eh?

Regards,

J

P.S. I think your hat is the brown one.

 

[RedPop4]

So do I.
How old are those folks at Byrnie Utz? lol

 

[Muzz]

That is sooooo funny, I was just looking at that ad on ebay, and was going to post it and say "I think mine is the brown one" great minds..... i would love to find a higher res pic to read the type, maybe i'll just buy it!

 

[jamespowers]

That is sooooo funny, I was just looking at that ad on ebay, and was going to post it and say "I think mine is the brown one" great minds..... i would love to find a higher res pic to read the type, maybe i'll just buy it!

Buy it and then post it.
Being cheap has its rewards.

Regards,

J

 

[Muzz]

They are nice hats and are well worth what you paid for it. So, since it is a Vita Felt, how does it feel? Pretty soft and supple eh?

Regards,

J

The felt is very soft and supple, has a suede feel, the color is just so deep! My hat has a bigger brim than in the ad, but its not a photo, so who knows!

So do I.
How old are those folks at Byrnie Utz? lol

Well the couple that owns/operates the place now must be in their late 40's eary 50's, not sure if they are kin to the original owners though. The whole store is still straight out of the 30's, from the signs out front to the oak display shelves! Somebody, I think Fedora Lover, posted pics on a thread here somehwere.

Funny story: I asked my grandpa if he had any old fedoras, sadly, he said he lost his one and only many years ago. After I bought one at Byrnie Utz, I told him about it and he said he had bought his Fedora at Byrnie Utz in 1956! great minds.....kindred minds!