Royal Stetson Open Road

[riccardo]

Good morning,
i've heard so much from you about Open Road...Stratoliner...that i've decided to buy one of this.
I make my offer on e.bay for a Royal Stetson Open Road....this is my first offer on e.bay, and it would be my first vintage hat.....if i should win it.

Anyone has comment about this hat...how can i know his age...?

I'm from Borsalino's country....but my friends, here on the lounge, are from the Stetson's country...my first purchase is in honour of you!! :cheers1:

Best regards.

Riccardo.

 

[hatflick1]

OPEN ROAD

It's hard to tell the vintage of an Open Road without seeing it. You can still buy them new. Wear is one indication. Another clue is the the hatter, often shown on the sweatband, who originally sold it. Many of these Main Street shops sadly are long gone. For example, I have an Open Road from the fifties originally sold by Parker And Johnson, The Mens Store, Oil City, Pennsylvania. Others in the Lounge may know, I do not, when the Open Road was originated by Stetson. I am guessing the forties. It was indeed the choice of Presidents and was worn by Truman, Ike, LBJ, as well as, his VIP (in one photo I've seen anyway) Hubert Humphrey. Dobbs made a a hat resembling the Stetson classic. Other companies like Miller Hats and Beaver Hats still do.
I hope this helps. And here's the good news...what with gas prices soaring, you can at least place your newly obtained Stetson on your head and enjoy the mythology of the lost American...open road.

 

[riccardo]

One hat one story!

Thanks hatflick1,
here in Italy an adv claim says " ...no Martini no party!"...it refer to an alcoolic drink...you know...!
Then i think, reading your answer hatflick1, that every hat has an own story...i've readed, here on the lounge, about stratoliner's story, the hat was dedicated to the Stratoliner airplan...(isn't so?)...and so i think about a lot of others hats.
I just said, here in Italy i know noone with this love for hat or vintage cloth therefore i only can learn vintage history from you. Thanks.
Anyone know a site or a thread, here on the lounge, where may I read about hat's name history?

Thanks in advance.

Best regards.

Riccardo.

 

[Johnnysan]

Riccardo,

This is a good one for background:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=2247&highlight=Stratoliner

Good luck!

 

[riccardo]

Thanks Johnnysan.

Many thanks Johnnysan,
and to everyone that would help me.

Riccardo.