Pre- 1940s Stetson dress hats.

[rlk]

Nice one Robert. What's the color? Looks navy in some of the shots, black in others... [huh]

Thanks. The ribbon is definitely black, the felt is very dark navy like "black" formal wear. Looks blue only next to a true black in daylight.
This is the dominant crease and decent color

 

[Joshbru3]

I have a question about this hat RLK. Is there any way that I could have the measurements of the hat? This is EXACTLY the kind of hat and look that Ive been looking for. I want to have a custom hat made, or possibly modify one myself and I wanted to know the dimensions of this hat to use as a guideline. Is there any way I could have the open crown height, bashed height, front & rear pinch height, brim width, and ribbon width? I would really appreciate it. Thanks very much.

 

[Joshbru3]

I have a question about this hat RLK. Is there any way that I could have the measurements of the hat? This is EXACTLY the kind of hat and look that Ive been looking for. I want to have a custom hat made, or possibly modify one myself and I wanted to know the dimensions of this hat to use as a guideline. Is there any way I could have the open crown height, bashed height, front & rear pinch height, brim width, and ribbon width? I would really appreciate it. Thanks very much.

Thanks for the Spec's Robert!!

 

[fluteplayer07]

20's Stetson Select Quality, dark tan

 

[buler]

Standard Quality Feather Weight

Got this big (24" circumference!) ole Stetson in today. For having a thicker felt its still very lightweight. A Standard Quality Feather Weight. Very light and floppy with a super soft velour-like hand. Maybe a steam will activate some stiffener. The sweatband has a very strange texture and is that odd grey color. Was glad to see no moths have attacked it.

Barth's note:
Victor Barth Clothing/Bingham’s

Moses Barth moved his business to Columbia in 1865 after his general store in Rocheport was burned down by Civil War guerillas. His nephews, Victor and Joseph, took over the store in 1868, and Victor bought out his brother in 1906. Cousins Joseph and Isadore Barth (founder of the Round Table Club) built a new building on the same corner in 1910 and named it after Victor, who died the previous year. Longtime employee Joseph Hourigan took a half interest in the business after Victor died and full interest after Joseph died. Barth’s closed in 1987, and Bingham’s took its place.



B

 

[jimmy the lid]

Oh, man -- what a great find, buler! That is just an extraordinary Stetson. Amazing that it has survived in such pristine condition.

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[alanfgag]

ditto - great catch!

 

[rlk]

Satin Stetson 1900 Paris Expo

 

[Joshbru3]

Great pick up, Robert! I was going to bid on that one because it was my size. I contacted the seller and asked if he would accept an offer just for that hat, but he didnt want to split the cowboy hat and that hat. Whats funny is that my offer was higher for the Stetson than he got for the entire auction. Im glad a lounger got that one. I think its an awesome looking hat. Im a little surprised that the crown is only 5 3/8 and not the 5 5/8 or 5 3/4 that a lot of 20's/30's Stetsons of that period had. Great hat!!:eusa_clap:eusa_clap

 

[rlk]

Great pick up, Robert! I was going to bid on that one because it was my size. I contacted the seller and asked if he would accept an offer just for that hat, but he didnt want to split the cowboy hat and that hat. Whats funny is that my offer was higher for the Stetson than he got for the entire auction. Im glad a lounger got that one. I think its an awesome looking hat. Im a little surprised that the crown is only 5 3/8 and not the 5 5/8 or 5 3/4 that a lot of 20's/30's Stetsons of that period had. Great hat!!:eusa_clap:eusa_clap

Thanks Josh! The handwriting is a little hard to read, it is 5-3/4 for the crown.

It has also really firmed up and holds shape very well now--it only had vacuum, brush and some handling[huh]

 

[Joshbru3]

Teens's Stetson Pace Maker

I just have to say that is the most incredible vintage Stetson that Ive handled. When I first received the hat, the felt was soft, but mold-able and shape-able into any crease that you would throw at it. I did some light steaming, just to get the crown creases out and some light brushing. After the light steaming, that wonderful early Stetson shellac kicked in, and instantly made the felt prefect. What I mean by that is, the crown is NOT stiff, but NOT soft either. The felt has a perfect balance of softness and stiffness to where you can put ANY crease in it.

It will hold perfectly, and you can pop it out like it was never there. The finish and hand to the felt can only be compared to a Stetson 7x CB or maybe even Stetson 100. Its velvety, smooth, and feels almost like extremely fine suede. That being said, the felt is very thin. This hat was advertised as a spring hat, so its weight is very light. I doubt that there was EVER a liner in the hat because not only is the inside finished just as finely as the outside, but there are no remnants whatsoever of a liner.

There are NO moth bites or anything. I couldn't believe it. The felt is just perfect. It makes me wonder where this had been sitting for almost 100 years. How it kept that condition that its in. Going back to the crown, whats interesting is that the actual block shape is a little different than I expected. One of the last photos shows a comparison to my early 1930's Mallory. The Mallory has a very straight and flat top crown, where the Stetson has a round top and the front and back have a slight roundness to it. Not fully square. I guess its that early shape that will let you put all those early style creases in it. It stands at 6 inches tall and is just awesome. Theres so much to talk about, but Ive rambled enough. Here's some pics:

 

[Joshbru3]

 

[Joshbru3]

Here are a couple examples of the early creases that can be used with this old style crown. ALL of these creases were creased dry without steam or water.

Regular deep and thin center dent (front is lower than back)

Deep center with side dents

Center dent with front pinches (Mickey Mouse ears)

 

[alanfgag]

Just great, Josh... love the ribbon and the attachment details for the bow, in fact, love everything about this old hat. Can you wear it, or is it too small?

 

[Joshbru3]

Just great, Josh... love the ribbon and the attachment details for the bow, in fact, love everything about this old hat. Can you wear it, or is it too small?

Thanks, Alan! I actually can wear it. It says 6 7/8, but it must be exactly 21 7/8, because it fits just good enough to where its not uncomfortable.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Yes love the stitching on the ribbon. Is the edge of the ribbon folded over to get that effect?

 

[Rodkins]

Thanks, Alan! I actually can wear it. It says 6 7/8, but it must be exactly 21 7/8, because it fits just good enough to where its not uncomfortable.

Awesome lid!

 

[buler]

Awesome lid!

:arated:

 

[carouselvic]

+2

 

[alanfgag]

Thanks, Alan! I actually can wear it. It says 6 7/8, but it must be exactly 21 7/8, because it fits just good enough to where its not uncomfortable.

That's great Josh. I just received the 1930's era homburg from FL'er Flyfishark - also a 6 7/8 and also a snug but workable fit.
A rare and fabulous find... enjoy it!