OTHER THAN eBAY Hats: Victories, Defeats, Gripes & Items of Interest

[wsmontana]

Took a chance on this hat with bad seller photos and no size. The bones looked good and I managed to get the seller to provide rough length and width measurements before pulling the trigger on it.

Looks pretty good after a quick brushing.

Bill

 

[Snowman]

Took a chance on this hat with bad seller photos and no size. The bones looked good and I managed to get the seller to provide rough length and width measurements before pulling the trigger on it.

Looks pretty good after a quick brushing.

Bill
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Good looking lid.

 

[wsmontana]

I’ve had bad luck with sweatbands on No. 1. Quality westerns in the past but this one, while stiff, is intact. The liner is a gold color that is difficult to capture on my iphone. Felt is in great shape.
Bill

 

[wsmontana]

Good looking lid.

Thanks Snowman!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Thinking this might be a leftover sweatband from when Bollman had the license to make Borsalinos in the US:

NOT my hat.

 

[wsmontana]

I just received a hat that is a disappointment. It is a Stetson Twenty Mode Edge Sovereign in my size but it has hidden damage. The listing had two pics and no details. I exchanged messages with the seller asking about any undocumented damage and they said all was in “excellent condition.” Obviously from the pics here the hat is not in good condition.

I’m in for $63 and am debating whether to request a return or not. I’m not sure I like this hat well enough to get it restored and flipping for a profit seems unlikely. Seems best to return it for a refund. Any thoughts?

Bill

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I just received a hat that is a disappointment. It is a Stetson Twenty Mode Edge Sovereign in my size but it has hidden damage. The listing had two pics and no details. I exchanged messages with the seller asking about any undocumented damage and they said all was in “excellent condition.” Obviously from the pics here the hat is not in good condition.

I’m in for $63 and am debating whether to request a return or not. I’m not sure I like this hat well enough to get it restored and flipping for a profit seems unlikely. Seems best to return it for a refund. Any thoughts?

Bill
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Personally, I’d send it back. It’s not in the best shape, even looking beyond the sweatband that must be replaced. It’s also not from my favorite era. If you drop another $100-160 and still have mediocre hat in not-so-perfect condition….?

 

[wsmontana]

Personally, I’d send it back. It’s not in the best shape, even looking beyond the sweatband that must be replaced. It’s also not from my favorite era. If you drop another $100-160 and still have mediocre hat in not-so-perfect condition….?

Thanks Brent, I really appreciate your input!

 

[Blare]

I just received a hat that is a disappointment. It is a Stetson Twenty Mode Edge Sovereign in my size but it has hidden damage. The listing had two pics and no details. I exchanged messages with the seller asking about any undocumented damage and they said all was in “excellent condition.” Obviously from the pics here the hat is not in good condition.

I’m in for $63 and am debating whether to request a return or not. I’m not sure I like this hat well enough to get it restored and flipping for a profit seems unlikely. Seems best to return it for a refund. Any thoughts?

Bill
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Ahh. That’s too bad. I understand the disappointment

 

[wsmontana]

Ahh. That’s too bad. I understand the disappointment

Thanks Joe. Not a big deal — you win some and lose some. I’m sure the return will be approved and I can stay focused on my other project hats .

 

[BobHufford]

'Bout time ...

It is from the later period and has a couple of spots and one moth nip that I can see.

But it's supposed to be my size and, although it went past the $25 to $45 estimate, it was still half-price.

This one was a defeat. The auction photos had one of the liner and one of the hat from a quarter front angle and the description was simply "SIZE 7 1/2 GOOD SHAPE". It did show a moth bite. The auction house did not respond to a question to confirm the size or show other photos of the hat (including the interior and sweatband). I took a chance and won it -- shipped to my door for $79.75.

When it arrived it turned out be be about a size 7, had a replacement sweat band, had more severe mothing under the brim and the brim had been curled so tight that it was stitched to the crown just under the ribbon at one point.

Sigh ...

 

[BobHufford]

Auctions can be weird.

This auction had several items attributed to Bill Pickett (1870 - 1932).

Including several hats.

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/cat...western-americana-auction/?keyword=hat&page=1

This Stetson sold for $2000. This makes some sense given the "provenance", but there were no interior photos.

Listing details:

"Leather sweatband with Stetson stamp and "^/4 Ranch". Silk lining with retail mark reading "MADE EXPRESSLY FOR/MAX J. MEYER Co. INC/Cheyenne". **Very good to fine condition. Some overall wear and discoloration with a 3" stain on brim. Sweatband in good condition with some minor wear and scratches. Lining in excellent condition with a brightly stamped retailer's mark.** Provenance Ellsworth Collings (101 Ranch) Bill Geis (Bar-C Ranch) $400-$800"

This Stetson BRE was also "attributed" to Mr. Pickett , but was larger in size than all the others (listed as 8" x 7" -- which peaked my interest). It sold for $220 -- which I thought was low. It was also estimated at $400 to $800, but did not list the "provenance".

Then again, this Miller Bros. was also "attributed" to Bill -- although it seems (no pun intended) to be much newer with that logo.

"Fine fur felt construction with bound brim and woven hat band. Padded textile sweatband with lining en suite. Lining with maker's label "M/MILLER BROS./WESTERNS/SINCE 1902". **Good condition overall. Some minor staining present with wool in excellent condition. Some minor wear to lining with label in excellent condition.** Provenance Ellsworth Collings (101 Ranch) Bill Geis (Bar-C Ranch) $400-$800"

It sold for $300. I don't get it.

That same black BRE above (the store logo on the sweat band and the stains on the sweat band match) sold a dozen years ago for over $400.

The size tag was shown in this 2010 auction at 7-1/4 (which was one of the reasons I didn't bid this time around -- I already have a BRE that doesn't fit).

The hat band was in a separate lot in the current auction. This lot sold for $150.

Not sure where the star badge ended up.

 

[Blare]

This one was a defeat. The auction photos had one of the liner and one of the hat from a quarter front angle and the description was simply "SIZE 7 1/2 GOOD SHAPE". It did show a moth bite. The auction house did not respond to a question to confirm the size or show other photos of the hat (including the interior and sweatband). I took a chance and won it -- shipped to my door for $79.75.

When it arrived it turned out be be about a size 7, had a replacement sweat band, had more severe mothing under the brim and the brim had been curled so tight that it was stitched to the crown just under the ribbon at one point.

Sigh ...

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Oh no…. That is really disappointing. I suspect you will still be able to come away on it ok. But DARN!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

This one was a defeat. The auction photos had one of the liner and one of the hat from a quarter front angle and the description was simply "SIZE 7 1/2 GOOD SHAPE". It did show a moth bite. The auction house did not respond to a question to confirm the size or show other photos of the hat (including the interior and sweatband). I took a chance and won it -- shipped to my door for $79.75.

When it arrived it turned out be be about a size 7, had a replacement sweat band, had more severe mothing under the brim and the brim had been curled so tight that it was stitched to the crown just under the ribbon at one point.

Sigh ...

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I hate how poorly so many of the hats at auction are described, if described at all! The poor photos and lack of response to questions doesn’t help either. I think you’ll still come out WAY ahead on this hat, but it’s a bummer you won’t be the one wearing it.

 

[BobHufford]

Oh no…. That is really disappointing. I suspect you will still be able to come away on it ok. But DARN!

I hate how poorly so many of the hats at auction are described, if described at all! The poor photos and lack of response to questions doesn’t help either. I think you’ll still come out WAY ahead on this hat, but it’s a bummer you won’t be the one wearing it.

Thanks guys. I was hoping I would finally have a "Hundred" in the stable (I have two empty leather hard cases), but no.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Auctions can be weird.

This auction had several items attributed to Bill Pickett (1870 - 1932).

View attachment 493574

Including several hats.

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/cat...western-americana-auction/?keyword=hat&page=1

This Stetson sold for $2000. This makes some sense given the "provenance", but there were no interior photos.

Listing details:

"Leather sweatband with Stetson stamp and "^/4 Ranch". Silk lining with retail mark reading "MADE EXPRESSLY FOR/MAX J. MEYER Co. INC/Cheyenne". **Very good to fine condition. Some overall wear and discoloration with a 3" stain on brim. Sweatband in good condition with some minor wear and scratches. Lining in excellent condition with a brightly stamped retailer's mark.** Provenance Ellsworth Collings (101 Ranch) Bill Geis (Bar-C Ranch) $400-$800"

View attachment 493573

This Stetson BRE was also "attributed" to Mr. Pickett , but was larger in size than all the others (listed as 8" x 7" -- which peaked my interest). It sold for $220 -- which I thought was low. It was also estimated at $400 to $800, but did not list the "provenance".

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Then again, this Miller Bros. was also "attributed" to Bill -- although it seems (no pun intended) to be much newer with that logo.

"Fine fur felt construction with bound brim and woven hat band. Padded textile sweatband with lining en suite. Lining with maker's label "M/MILLER BROS./WESTERNS/SINCE 1902". **Good condition overall. Some minor staining present with wool in excellent condition. Some minor wear to lining with label in excellent condition.** Provenance Ellsworth Collings (101 Ranch) Bill Geis (Bar-C Ranch) $400-$800"

It sold for $300. I don't get it.

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That same black BRE above (the store logo on the sweat band and the stains on the sweat band match) sold a dozen years ago for over $400.

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The size tag was shown in this 2010 auction at 7-1/4 (which was one of the reasons I didn't bid this time around -- I already have a BRE that doesn't fit).

The hat band was in a separate lot in the current auction. This lot sold for $150.

View attachment 493588

Not sure where the star badge ended up.

Anything to do with the Miller Bros, their Wild West Show, their 101 Ranch, when Pickett worked on the ranch, performed in their Wild West Show, or the movie he stared in, The Bulldogger has great value to those collectors, more so than a hat collector. Especially an item that draws more than one of those things together.

 

[BobHufford]

Anything to do with the Miller Bros, their Wild West Show, their 101 Ranch, when Pickett worked on the ranch, performed in their Wild West Show, or the movie he stared in, The Bulldogger has great value to those collectors, more so than a hat collector. Especially an item that draws more than one of those things together.

Sure ... which is why the $2000 Stetson hat seems reasonable and the Stetson BRE (most likely not his hat due to size and lack of provenance) brought 1/10th of that.

The Miller Bros looks like a 1970s or 1980s hat to me. Regardless of the provenance claim.

This Miller Bros. Sterling Beaver (their best hat) is dated by receipt as 1981. Note the logo style and font.

The one I have (exact date unknown) has the older logo (but certainly not pre-1932) and listed new for half the price of the one above.

I just don't understand how the Miller Bros. hat out performed the Stetson BRE except for the claimed provenance.

I hope the buyer enjoys owning it though.

 

[moehawk]

Some smaller-headed Lounger might like this...
https://www.etsy.com/listing/141789...ick_sum=0e09fda2&ref=user_profile&frs=1&sts=1

 

[BobHufford]

This looks like an "after" photo from a fraudulent weight-loss ad.

 

[Blare]

This looks like an "after" photo from a fraudulent weight-loss ad.

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Goodness… I’m guessing a bit of lens distortion?