Fantastic hats and very informative comparison, Justin. Thank you for this: it's a real treat.1915 Stetson"The Event"
1915-1917 Dobbs
Both of these hats, though from different manufacturer, are extremely close in age. The Stetson was produced during the fall of 1915, whereas the Dobbs was produced sometime between 1915 and 1917.
As you can see in the photographs, each hats is every single shade, as long as it's black. The Stetson absorbs light, and is as black as black can get. The dobbs, the black and color, exhumes slight greenish undertones, depending on the lighting.
Each hat has some beautiful ribbon work. The Stetson has the usual bow, which can be seen on many of their hats, whereas the Dobbs has this interesting treatment done with fraying on both the leading and following edges. Each hats are up brims, which means that they were flange to have the brim worn upward. The Stetson has an over welts, with a single row of stitching, which I photographed. The Dobbs has a very early Cavanaugh Edge, which was patented in 1913. I've included both photographs of the edge, and of the sweatband embossing showing the patent
Each hat, in hand, weighs the same. Though the Stetson does have a denser feel to it. Looking on the inside of each hat, the Stetson is readed, whereas the Dobbs has the sweatband attached directly to the felt. The Stetson has a sizing ribbon which, sadly has worn a part in its lifetime, but was used to adjust the size of the Hat by pulling on the back of the ribbon that would be protruded through the sweatband. The Dobbs, does not have this feature, but has a beautifully executed knot at the rear of the sweatband.
The embossing on each sweatband is truly beautiful examples of the time period, the Stetson has gold leaf, or foil, inlaid in each of the embossing, whereas the Dobbs only has it laid into the store logo.
With each hat in open Crown, be Stetson Crown blocking is extremely straight. When looking at the side profile of the Dobbs, you can notice Crown taper. Very interesting
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