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Playboys on Parade!

Messages
19,408
Location
Funkytown, USA
Time to revive this thread. I just picked up this olive green Playboy. It has an unusually wide ribbon for a Playboy (1 1/2"). No liner, and I'm not sure if that's original either. No remnants of a stamp or liner tip sticker can be found.

2 1/2" raw edge brim, no decorative stitching. Crown 6" when open, as opposed to my two other Playboys at 5 1/2". Other than a little staining in spots, it's in great shape.

906d181d0af10c27477eda3565785433.jpg
ff6992a38543e7622b40baa06b831732.jpg
7ae4c363d87eb60bf375d6896cd412db.jpg
9ce5f19bf1fe93a3904eb940a11887ce.jpg


The ribbon appears to me to be original. Here"s a look at the bow stitching from the inside.
9a84411922669909b81e664148237833.jpg


Re-order tags, etc.

1c087043a5fb20267e58e801dad3d0a8.jpg
94dfdd57f963d06a985c36839337c36c.jpg
bed8a6a13f0fc65de044a6ca96ca9112.jpg


The store marking is "Chas. Levinsohn, Asbury Park."
1e0063267c5cb427d24fce7f3b0eb075.jpg


Sent directly from my mind to yours.
 

moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,592
Location
NJ
Time to revive this thread. I just picked up this olive green Playboy. It has an unusually wide ribbon for a Playboy (1 1/2"). No liner, and I'm not sure if that's original either. No remnants of a stamp or liner tip sticker can be found.

2 1/2" raw edge brim, no decorative stitching. Crown 6" when open, as opposed to my two other Playboys at 5 1/2". Other than a little staining in spots, it's in great shape.

906d181d0af10c27477eda3565785433.jpg
ff6992a38543e7622b40baa06b831732.jpg
7ae4c363d87eb60bf375d6896cd412db.jpg
9ce5f19bf1fe93a3904eb940a11887ce.jpg


The ribbon appears to me to be original. Here"s a look at the bow stitching from the inside.
9a84411922669909b81e664148237833.jpg


Re-order tags, etc.

1c087043a5fb20267e58e801dad3d0a8.jpg
94dfdd57f963d06a985c36839337c36c.jpg
bed8a6a13f0fc65de044a6ca96ca9112.jpg


The store marking is "Chas. Levinsohn, Asbury Park."
1e0063267c5cb427d24fce7f3b0eb075.jpg


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

interesting Jim

no decorative edge stitch which re-appeared in the mid 40s at some point ... it disappeared after it had been there in the 30s

Justin had one like this with a wide ribbon not long ago ... his also had no stitch and had the same block as well I believe

sometimes there is just no way to figure out what went on in situations like this all those years ago

nice score
 
Quite frankly, on situations like this, as with any assembly line type of work, I always wonder if it just a matter of the wrong sweat accidentally mixed in with others when they switch over hat production to another model.....wrong liners, wrong sweats, mixed....it is seen, and like Moon said..so hard to say this many years later.
I will say that this type of thing is seen still at the outlets....where a wrong sweat, or a hat that is supposed to have a bound brim either gets missed or gets a bound edge when it should not.....
In any event a really cool had and GREAT score!!!!
M
PS It would be interesting to perhaps compare the blocking tag with other hats of that era with the wider ribbon and see the models that would match by way of comparison.
 
Messages
19,408
Location
Funkytown, USA
Thanks, Ant. I had figured mid-40s based on posts earlier in the thread, but who knows? I need to do a little research into the retailer, as well.

Great felt, like my other Playboys. Very easy to get it back to OC.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.
 
Messages
19,408
Location
Funkytown, USA
@alanfgag also has a Playboy without stitching, although I do believe it has the usual mid ribbon.
I read back through the thread yesterday for reference. There was at least one wider ribbon, but the photo links are broken.

Maybe @alanfgag or @carouselvic will weigh in. But regardless of the date, I'm happy to have a third one in my stable.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.
 
Messages
15,077
Location
Buffalo, NY
I read back through the thread yesterday for reference. There was at least one wider ribbon, but the photo links are broken.

Maybe @alanfgag or @carouselvic will weigh in. But regardless of the date, I'm happy to have a third one in my stable.

The Playboy mark had a long run. The trademark was filed in late 1935 showing a first use in trade date in early 1934. The two I own are from a similar vintage, c.1940 but show differences in block, ribbon width and branding imprints. The LOTXXXX numbers are 160 numbers apart (7794 and 7636). Both are without the decorative brim stitch.

2playboys3.jpg


2playboys7.jpg


2playboys9.jpg


2playboys10.jpg


2playboys12.jpg
 
Messages
19,408
Location
Funkytown, USA
The Playboy mark had a long run. The trademark was filed in late 1935 showing a first use in trade date in early 1934. The two I own are from a similar vintage, c.1940 but show differences in block, ribbon width and branding imprints. The LOTXXXX numbers are 160 numbers apart (7794 and 7636). Both are without the decorative brim stitch.

2playboys3.jpg


2playboys7.jpg


2playboys9.jpg


2playboys10.jpg


2playboys12.jpg
Thanks, Alan. This one has no Lot XXXX number, which I believe you posted earlier in this thread disappeared around 1940. This one also has the less stylized Playboy logo on the sweat. I think those clues put it at least in the mid-40s. Although I can't find a reference to the retailer beyond 1941.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.
 
Messages
15,077
Location
Buffalo, NY
Thanks, Alan. This one has no Lot XXXX number, which I believe you posted earlier in this thread disappeared around 1940. This one also has the less stylized Playboy logo on the sweat. I think those clues put it at least in the mid-40s. Although I can't find a reference to the retailer beyond 1941.

I would tend to agree... the heraldic Royal Stetson typeface would suggest mid 1940s on. Hard to see from the photo, but the hat seems to have the soft fabric encapsulation of the reed which was popular in the mid to later 1940s.

royaldeluxe_sweat.jpg
 

moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,592
Location
NJ
the first photo is a 1930s Playboy that belonged to Spencer ... he estimated it somewhere between '35-'37 or so ... you'll see the stitch is present.
the second is my early 40s Vita Felt Playboy and you can see that the stitch is not present.
I gather that it was present early then disappeared sometime in the late 30s through early 40s then returned at some point in the mid to late 40s sometime

image1-2.jpg

Screen-Shot-2019-03-18-at-2-29-12-PM.png
 
Messages
15,077
Location
Buffalo, NY
the first photo is a 1930s Playboy that belonged to Spencer ... he estimated it somewhere between '35-'37 or so ... you'll see the stitch is present.
the second is my early 40s Vita Felt Playboy and you can see that the stitch is not present.
I gather that it was present early then disappeared sometime in the late 30s through early 40s then returned at some point in the mid to late 40s sometime

image1-2.jpg

Thanks for sharing Anthony. I can never find anything around here when I am looking for it. Are there interior photos of the this hat somewhere?

We have to remember that hats were fashion influenced and modified to be different from season to season. We have a small sampling - especially of the older hats and modifications were certainly possible. I expect it was also common practice for a man to have his hat cleaned and blocked on a regular basis in a neighborhood hat shop and to have the ribbons changed and the brims adjusted to fit the whims of fashion.
 
Messages
19,408
Location
Funkytown, USA
I would tend to agree... the heraldic Royal Stetson typeface would suggest mid 1940s on. Hard to see from the photo, but the hat seems to have the soft fabric encapsulation of the reed which was popular in the mid to later 1940s.

View attachment 161168

Exactly right on the reeded sweatband. I had took it to be unreeded, and didn't know about the fabric covered ones.
Justin's looks like a kissin' cousin to this one, including the color. I'll have to quiz him on the ribbon width if he remembers it.

Thanks for your input, gents. You've been very helpful.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.
 

moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,592
Location
NJ
Thanks for sharing Anthony. I can never find anything around here when I am looking for it. Are there interior photos of the this hat somewhere?

We have to remember that hats were fashion influenced and modified to be different from season to season. We have a small sampling - especially of the older hats and modifications were certainly possible. I expect it was also common practice for a man to have his hat cleaned and blocked on a regular basis in a neighborhood hat shop and to have the ribbons changed and the brims adjusted to fit the whims of fashion.
I have the photos of Spencers hat saved on my computer somewhere ... I'll dig them up later
 

psklenar

One of the Regulars
Messages
128
Location
Southern New England
Guidance please ... my (I believe) mid 1950's Playboy has a beautiful snap brim. But the crown ... doesn't seem to have any "body" left. I get it shaped into a nice teardrop or diamond, but any handling or wearing or placing on a hat stand ... and the crown loses its shape. It's just too soft and plyable.

If I were to steam the crown, would that "reactivate" any stiffener or anything? Or am I better off sending it off to Art/Dave or someone for cleaning and service (would that be a reblocking or what)?

Thanks for any ideas,
pat----
 
Messages
19,408
Location
Funkytown, USA
Guidance please ... my (I believe) mid 1950's Playboy has a beautiful snap brim. But the crown ... doesn't seem to have any "body" left. I get it shaped into a nice teardrop or diamond, but any handling or wearing or placing on a hat stand ... and the crown loses its shape. It's just too soft and plyable.

If I were to steam the crown, would that "reactivate" any stiffener or anything? Or am I better off sending it off to Art/Dave or someone for cleaning and service (would that be a reblocking or what)?

Thanks for any ideas,
pat----
Try steaming first. The green PB I posted last week was pretty soft and it did stiffen it up a bit. PBs are naturally soft, so don't expect too much. Also, steam from the outside, and avoid letting steam contact the sweatband.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.
 

moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,592
Location
NJ
Guidance please ... my (I believe) mid 1950's Playboy has a beautiful snap brim. But the crown ... doesn't seem to have any "body" left. I get it shaped into a nice teardrop or diamond, but any handling or wearing or placing on a hat stand ... and the crown loses its shape. It's just too soft and plyable.

If I were to steam the crown, would that "reactivate" any stiffener or anything? Or am I better off sending it off to Art/Dave or someone for cleaning and service (would that be a reblocking or what)?

Thanks for any ideas,
pat----
steam should wake it up

block it out to open crown with a good amount of steam ... brush the crown well (counterclockwise) mid steam to open up the nap... let it dry open

that should bring some of the crispness back

after you recrease the dry crown steam the crease

throw up some pics when you get a sec
 
Last edited:

Short Balding Guy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,871
Location
Minnesota, USA
I took a newly cleaned and "spruced up" vintage Stetson Playboy in pine green out for a dog walk. I have not seen many Playboys in this felt hue. The "pine" green hue is a fav of mine. I am very pleased to be able to have it on my hat rack.

i-635WSFb-M.jpg


This is one of the early Playboys, 30-early 40's, as identified by the soft reeded "wide" leather sweat and fonts.

i-DdFKkqh-M.jpg


The stitching on the brim edge is excellent. The liner, while showing fading and some patina from use is clean as can be and still shows the distinct printing from liners of that era. "Pine " was the felt hue as listed in the magazine advertisements in the day.

i-3BK4qTq-M.jpg


I took some comparision pics with a vtg. Stetson Stratoliner in pine green. The Stratoliner is a late 40's-50's hat. The reeding and the quality of leather sweat are different. The blocking is nearly the same when the hats are brought to open crown.

i-sQ2TttR-M.jpg


i-MBTPHX3-M.jpg


i-r3MXHxg-M.jpg


The most obvious differences of the ribbon and edge treatment are still fun to seem in comparison as they are both executed well and with quality.

i-MBTPHX3-M.jpg


i-9Zv4Xs8-M.jpg


Cheers for pine hued vintage Stetsons! Thanks for allowing me to share my Playboy.

Best, Eric -
 

rclark

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,272
Location
Central Texas
I took a newly cleaned and "spruced up" vintage Stetson Playboy in pine green out for a dog walk. I have not seen many Playboys in this felt hue. The "pine" green hue is a fav of mine. I am very pleased to be able to have it on my hat rack.

i-635WSFb-M.jpg


This is one of the early Playboys, 30-early 40's, as identified by the soft reeded "wide" leather sweat and fonts.

i-DdFKkqh-M.jpg


The stitching on the brim edge is excellent. The liner, while showing fading and some patina from use is clean as can be and still shows the distinct printing from liners of that era. "Pine " was the felt hue as listed in the magazine advertisements in the day.

i-3BK4qTq-M.jpg


I took some comparision pics with a vtg. Stetson Stratoliner in pine green. The Stratoliner is a late 40's-50's hat. The reeding and the quality of leather sweat are different. The blocking is nearly the same when the hats are brought to open crown.

i-sQ2TttR-M.jpg


i-MBTPHX3-M.jpg


i-r3MXHxg-M.jpg


The most obvious differences of the ribbon and edge treatment are still fun to seem in comparison as they are both executed well and with quality.

i-MBTPHX3-M.jpg


i-9Zv4Xs8-M.jpg


Cheers for pine hued vintage Stetsons! Thanks for allowing me to share my Playboy.

Best, Eric -
What a stunning pair of hats!
 

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