Pretty Blue made in 42

[fedoralover]

I Picked this up in Portland at the antique show yesterday. Saw a few loungers there, I'm glad I saw it first. It's a Hardeman in a nice blue color, and on the underside of the sweatband there is a stamped date of Sept. 18 1942. I am assuming that's a manufacture date, but maybe it was added later,but that doesn't really make sense to me. It's a lighter blue than the midnight blue I have from Art.
It was a bit small, I stretched it and now it fits. The felt was dirty but in perfect condition. The ribbon has some fading, I'm debating to have it changed or keep it as is. The bow design is a litte different.

Vintage Blue fedora's are kinda rare so I was glad to get one that was in such good shape felt wise. The liner is pretty dirty, but I bought some naptha this morning and will give it a soaking, hopefully it will clean up. Here's the pics.

fedoralover

 

[RBH]

WOW!!!
Great luck! Thats a fine looking fedorta, lets see it on!

 

[buler]

Thats a beauty! Great find.

B

 

[fedoralover]

WOW!!!
Great luck! Thats a fine looking fedorta, lets see it on!

Here's a quick shot. Please excuse the bloodshot eyes, not heavy drinking, just Glaucoma meds.

fedoralover

 

[handlebar bart]

Yep, that looks great. I would leave the ribbon as-is if it were mine. Really sharp look.

 

[Al Niente]

Excellent!:eusa_clap

 

[Slim Portly]

Beautiful, and a great find. What size was it, and what size were you able to stretch it to?

 

[RBH]

Here's a quick shot. Please excuse the bloodshot eyes, not heavy drinking, just Glaucoma meds.

fedoralover

Now that looks perfect.
Im with Bart... I would leave the ribbon as is.
I like the different bow it has and the little bit of fading just adds character.
And let me add I love the hand creased look it has!
Very well done!

 

[fedoralover]

Beautiful, and a great find. What size was it, and what size were you able to stretch it to?

It was a size 7, I normally wear a 7 1/8 to a 7 1/4. When I tried it on it felt like it was on the larger end of a size 7, so I'd estimate it's now inbetween a 7 1/8 and a 7 1/4. I'm almost ashamed to tell you all that I was able to get it for $15.00. A real steal considering it's rare color.
fedoralover

 

[Carlisle Blues]

^
Do not change a thing it looks perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[scottyrocks]

I'm not loving the ribbon, but if thats the way it came from 1942, then I'd leave it as is. And the hat looks great on you.

 

[billysmom]

I concur with the rest. Leave it as is. It looks terrific on you!

Sue

 

[ScottF]

Here's a quick shot. Please excuse the bloodshot eyes, not heavy drinking, just Glaucoma meds.

fedoralover

Looks perfect on you!

 

[fedoralover]

Thanks for the comments. Here it is with a handpainted tie I also got at the antique show. I was able to get a total of 5 ties, so it was a great show for me.

fedoralover

 

[scotrace]

Your luck is always pretty breathtaking. Great to see you here.

 

[RBH]

Thanks for the comments. Here it is with a handpainted tie I also got at the antique show. I was able to get a total of 5 ties, so it was a great show for me.

fedoralover

WOW!!!!!

 

[tonyb]

My vote (which counts for absolutely nothing) is to leave the ribbon as is. Hardemans are rare, so for those of us who care about such things, originality means quite a bit.

A bit of trivia ...

The building that once housed the Hardeman plant still stands, by the way. It's at 500 Aurora Ave. N. in Seattle and is now home to a private art school. A sign identifying the building as the J.T. Hardeman Hat Co. is still visible. It's painted near the top of the eastern wall of the building and is visible from the Dexter Avenue North side of the property.

 

[dr greg]

Nice

The word classic comes to mind, any chance of reversing the ribbon, I've done that a couple of times as the colour is usually still OK on the inside.

 

[4and1]

You might consider this...my everyday hat had a faded looking black ribbon. Kinda brownish. I heated up some liquid lanolin to thin it and brushed it on the ribbon. It was like I gave it a cool drink of water. That was months ago and it still looks good.The results were amazing and I wished I'd taken before/after pics.

 

[Chuck Bobuck]

Wow! Beautiful hat, great find! :eusa_clap