Stetson Peoria?

[HatFan]

I bought a hat in Vienna, Austria early this year while there on a visit. It is a Stetson and on the inside band it says Peoria. On the bottom of the crown, it says Vita-Felt.

It is black with about a 2 inch brim and I have worn it alot this year. It is very comfortable and is good at keeping my head warm in cool weather.

I don't see any reference to this hat anywhere on the web though. Does anyone know if this was made for Europe only? I have seen references to Vita-felt on FL, but the posts seem to indicate this was a material used many years ago. Anyone have info on this?

Thanks.

 

[carter]

HatFan, Can you post some pictures of your Peoria? They may help those seeking to provide some information on your hat.

 

[HatFan]

Yeah, I will try to get some pics made up and post them.

Thanks.

 

[donCarlos]

http://www.hutportal.de/shop/articl...oria.html?shop_param=cid=1&aid=ST-111020.001&

Looks nice!

 

[Lefty]

This came up once before. Stetson is using the term vita-felt in Europe in a way completely different from its early, light-weight fur felt meaning.

Here's a German site selling all sorts of vita-felt Stetsons, and here's the translation of the paragraph just above the photos of the hats (using Yahoo's handy, though imperfect, Babblefish translator):
A new leading product of the American hat production is VITA FELT, exclusively from STETSON. The hat is easily, softly, roll upable and by luxurriöser quality. Never a Hutmacher could manufacture better, lighter felt. VITA FELT is handmade water-rejecting of American specialists from best, finest wool, 100%. One can roll and form the hat, then he becomes the singular, individual head coverage.

 

[HatFan]

http://www.hutportal.de/shop/articl...oria.html?shop_param=cid=1&aid=ST-111020.001&

Looks nice!

That's the one! Except mine is black. I couldn't find this when I Googled it, Thanks DonCarlos!

 

[Dewhurst]

Hm. So, is this modern Vita-Felt the equivalent of LiteFelt?

Their properties certainly sound similar.

 

[Lefty]

Just popping "lite felt" into Google, it seems first that "lite felt" isn't trademarked or, if it is, no one is bothering to protect it. Arnold Hatters has a Capas Lite felt Blues Brothers hat and Hats plus has a Broner Lite Felt Gambler. Of course, both names might be owned by the same maker - I'm not going to look into that for these purposes. What the hats share in common is a low price tag and a wool composition.

 

[carter]

Happening Holidays !

So they could be known as Woolite Felt ?

 

[Lefty]

Only if the colors don't run and the wool doesn't shrink.

 

[Dewhurst]

Well, it does have the little "r" behind it...

I know that Bailey and Country Gentleman also have LiteFelt hats. They are owned by the Bollman hat company, but I have NO IDEA if Bollman holds the rights to LiteFelt or if it is someone else entirely.