Newbie: Lucky or Sucker, you decide...

[johnnyphi]

Second auction was much more lively!

Well done, gents!

The hats are still going for bargain basement prices, but that is likely to change when word gets out.

 

[handlebar bart]

Well done, gents!

The hats are still going for bargain basement prices, but that is likely to change when word gets out.

I in on the next round Come on SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[johnnyphi]

Visit to Hirsch's, with my parents...

My parents came to town this weekend, and we had a chance to drive up to Hirsh's. The store is over an hour and half north of Washington, DC, in a town called Bel Air, MD.

The store-front was re-opened last month by a local business selling women's accessories, so we were able to go inside the store.

Also, the new owners of the building decided to leave "Hirsch's" in the tile, just outside the front door.

The display shelves have been re-painted, but they are still the same shelves.

I told the teenage girl at the counter that I purchased all of the old clothes from the store, and she was very familiar with Hirsch's. She told me that "Mr. Dave" is doing great, and he still comes down to the coffee shop every morning for a cup of coffee.

I was glad to see that the new owners are making good use of the store, and it was fun to share the experience with my parents.

As we were leaving, I noticed that a black and white photo of Hirsh's from 1920 was displayed in the front window. How awesome is that?!?! The community is progressing, they don't want to forget their heritage. Impressive.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Very cool.

Cheers,
JtL

 

[carter]

Thanks for the update on Hirsch's. It's nice to know they aren't forgotten and the property conntinues to be a vital part of the community.

 

[buler]

The legendary Johnnyphi find story. Definitely worth the long read for those that haven't seen it.

B

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Love reading this would have loved to have gotten in on this mother lode what a great find.
Here is a link to pictures for those who want to see what all the fuss was about.
JohnnyPhi hats

 

[T Rick]

Okay first, WOW. I'd seen reference to JohnnyPhi, and I suspected the story was something like this, but I was unsure. Thanks for posting the link and refreshing the thread!

Next, this has been about 3 1/2 years. I have no doubt that there are still one or two more finds like this out there to be made. What we need now, is for some enterprising soul to find it, and start listing these treasures for our own collections! (Selfish I know, now that I've finally gotten into hats, I want the good fortune had by others to be able to buy some NOS lids! ).

 

[MattJH]

Wow, I remember this. The largest size was 7 1/2. So close!

-- 7 5/8 LO Matt

 

[Lefty]

This was the reason I joined the Lounge after a year of lurking.

I didn't buy any of his hats. :smash:

 

[Marc Chevalier]

That was a great saga.

The sad part (for some of us): before offering the Fedora Loungers access to his hats, JohnnyPhi sold off the defunct store's entire stock of never-worn vintage men's clothing --suits, sportcoats, shirts, trousers, etc.-- to a costume company. I do understand and sympathize with his motives, but it's still a pity we never had a chance to buy the stuff.

 

[Feraud]

Agreed. The clothing sell off was the real loss to Loungers. I found the hats somewhat mediocre.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Agreed. The clothing sell off was the real loss to Loungers.

Yes. That said, he did the right thing for himself. Unpacking, dusting off, sorting, measuring, photographing, describing, and posting all that menswear would have been a nightmare. Selling it all at once to one buyer was the sanest way to go.

 

[RBH]

Good to see you again at the hat section Marc!