Stetson hat ID possible governor's hat

[ThomW]

This hat was given to my father before I was born, so sometime in the 1950s most likely.

He told me it was a Stetson and that it was given to him by Governor Shivers, that would be Allan Shivers, Texas governor in the 1950s.

There is no identifying mark or liner. There are two labels, one on each side under the sweat band. One is partial, some wording at the top is illegible but below that appears to be a serial number,
L 21349 536. And below that is the patent statement.

On the other side is a label that says "22 shivers 849." The word "shivers" may be in my father's handwriting but not sure about that.

Is this a Stetson, and is there any way to know based on the serial number whether it was owned by Governor Shivers? Any idea what model or style?

 

[CRH]

Hmmm, looks like the map to El Dorado was probably on the sweatband. Hmmm

 

[jlee562]

That handwritten tag is presumably not a factory tag. The other reorder tag doesn't match the reorder tags on my mid century Stetsons.

(new sweatband, original tags)


Also, the sweatband would have been branded and would have been a wider width in the 50's.

Pretty sure this one is 40's:


So, if it was a Stetson at some point, nothing in the pictures can verify that. It's possible it was refurbished at some point and that's where the reorder tag came from.

 

[TheOldFashioned]

This hat was given to my father before I was born, so sometime in the 1950s most likely.

He told me it was a Stetson and that it was given to him by Governor Shivers, that would be Allan Shivers, Texas governor in the 1950s.

There is no identifying mark or liner. There are two labels, one on each side under the sweat band. One is partial, some wording at the top is illegible but below that appears to be a serial number,
L 21349 536. And below that is the patent statement.

On the other side is a label that says "22 shivers 849." The word "shivers" may be in my father's handwriting but not sure about that.

Is this a Stetson, and is there any way to know based on the serial number whether it was owned by Governor Shivers? Any idea what model or style?

That's a Hatco factory tag typically associated with use in the 1940s. The Block number is 536X. I suspect it should read 5361, and the hat could be a Dobbs or Knox.

 

[ThomW]

That's a Hatco factory tag typically associated with use in the 1940s. The Block number is 536X. I suspect it should read 5361, and the hat is a Dobbs Westward.

Examples:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-dobbs-diner.18579/post-2697470
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-dobbs-diner.18579/post-2607405
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-dobbs-diner.18579/post-2975254

Now that you mentioned Dobbs, that name sparks some sort of memory but I'm not exactly sure what. It may have been a label I saw as a child but I'll have to do some thinking. Thank you for the info, good detective work.

 

[TheOldFashioned]

Now that you mentioned Dobbs, that name sparks some sort of memory but I'm not exactly sure what. It may have been a label I saw as a child but I'll have to do some thinking. Thank you for the info, good detective work.

I misidentified it as a Westward, which has a bound brim. Yours appears to have a raw edge. I would still bet the block is the same, however.

The felt body still appears to be in good shape. You could have it refurbished and a new sweatband added or enjoy it as is in its current state. Either way it's a great family memento.

 

[TheOldFashioned]

Now that you mentioned Dobbs, that name sparks some sort of memory but I'm not exactly sure what. It may have been a label I saw as a child but I'll have to do some thinking. Thank you for the info, good detective work.

Here's a great thread of old Miller Stockman catalogs that you can search through to maybe ID the model:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/miller-stockman-catalogs.52929/

You might be able to cross-reference your hat by comparing the features such as brim width, crown height, raw edge, and ribbon.

 

[ThomW]

I misidentified it as a Westward, which has a bound brim. Yours appears to have a raw edge. I would still bet the block is the same, however.

The felt body still appears to be in good shape. You could have it refurbished and a new sweatband added or enjoy it as is in its current state. Either way it's a great family memento.

I noticed that edge difference but it is very close. It is in very good condition. When I saw the horse and carriage logo for Dobbs, it looked familiar. Of course, I'm trying to remember things from 50+ years ago. This has been a big help. Anything else you come up with will be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[SC_Jazzman]

Great looking old hat. I am always amazed at the hat knowledge here.

 

[RickP]

Cool... I went to college with one of Alan Shivers grandsons. From what Ive seen he never went outside without a hat...EVER!

 

[ThomW]

Cool... I went to college with one of Alan Shivers grandsons. From what Ive seen he never went outside without a hat...EVER!

I looked at lots of pictures of him, always with a hat.