Plastic Felt

[alanfgag]

1946

From the days when the word plastic was rich with promise... a handful of examples of Plastic Felt hats have surfaced on the lounge. This recently acquired post war Stetson is made from a wool mix combined with Vinyon, a synthetic fiber made from polyvinyl chloride (think PVC plumbing pipe) first marketed in 1939. The construction gives the form a pre-creased C crown with 4 1/2" height and 2 3/4" brim. This example has a 3/4" self ribbon.

1/8" spaced spiral stitching throughout gives some of the strength of a fur felt body but none of the softness... it feels like a pea coat. The hat weighs 3.9 ounces.

Under the hood are familiar elements that are just different enough to make you wonder whether Stetson manufactured this or contracted it out to another factory.

 

[alanfgag]

Have we seen another size tag like this?

The sweatband is synthetic but feels remarkably like the thin supple sweats used in the early 1940s, with a natural looking nap on the back side. The cut edge, uniform grain and stamping without any embossment are clues. Stetson would come back to master this flat style of imprinting in the modern era. ugh.

Size tag is stapled. There are no typical Stetson labels found under the sweat.

Wixed?? What is that?

It's a good wearing hat with nice styling though I don't know if I'd venture out in the rain with it. I hate the smell of wet PVC.

Please feel free to add other examples and information to this thread.

 

[alanfgag]

A related thread with some broken links and photos of other plastic felt hats.

The Vita-Felt thread, with more discussion and conjectures on mystery felts.

Another related thread on spiral stitched hats, mostly fur felts.

 

[Sprinkles]

A very curious piece! Thanks for sharing it, I know this was in another thread as well but it would be great to see some other examples show up in this new designated thread. Sweatband sure is something...got me on the "wixed" as well.

 

[splintercellsz]

Very interesting!

 

[Brad Bowers]

Could it be a mirror of the word "mixed?" Ink transfer or something like that?

 

[Sprinkles]

Well that would probably make sense, like "mixed materials" perhaps?

 

[Chepstow]

Alan, a coole and rare hat. I think you stay warm under it.

 

[mayserwegener]

Alan, Fantastic! Could the sweatband be some type leather with an exterior coating?

 

[rlk]

Could it be a mirror of the word "mixed?" Ink transfer or something like that?

"10 Autumn Shades-Plain or Mixed"

I see the top is a separate piece like a fabric hat. May have been made in that department.

 

[alanfgag]

How nice it is to have many eyes and brains to assist on this.

Seeing now that there is transfer on the contents label from the printed pieces being stacked (I should know about transfer from my day job!) - "wixed" is most certainly "mixed" that has transferred from the front where it is hidden by being glued to the sweatband. And the sweatband may very well be leather with a water repellent treatment.

 

[Sprinkles]

"10 Autumn Shades-Plain or Mixed"

I see the top is a separate piece like a fabric hat. May have been made in that department.

Seems so obvious now! :eusa_doh:

 

[Redfokker]

Bump, we now will have a new plastic felt to compare with Alan's beauty. Soon...

 

[Bob Roberts]

Good bringback. ^ ^ ^ ^

 

[splintercellsz]

Pre-46 Mallory Plastic Felt

Made of
25% Vinyon
75% Wool

Side note, The ad Alan posted in the threads beginning says "Every inch a Stetson"... I think Mallory says otherwise

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[splintercellsz]

cont.

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[M Hatman]

Here is a copy of an ad I have related to these hats. Price is the same as found in Allan's hat!!
M

Back of this page has an ad for a roaster!!!!

 

[moontheloon]

Here is a copy of an ad I have related to these hats. Price is the same as found in Allan's hat!!
M
View attachment 92906
Back of this page has an ad for a roaster!!!!

you own the physical ad ?

that is fantastic

 

[M Hatman]

you own the physical ad ?

that is fantastic

Yes............I have a nice collection of ads and booklets related to Stetson.
m

 

[moontheloon]

Yes............I have a nice collection of ads and booklets related to Stetson.
m

I’d love to get a look at those
Do you have them scanned?

The Stetson ad thread which is my all time favorite is hurting due to horrible web hosting sites... you may be able to single handedly revive it


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