Stetson Shore Club

[jimmy the lid]

Thanks to buler for discovering this amazing lid!

As far as I know, this is the only example of the Stetson Shore Club that we have ever seen here. The Zephyr-weight felt is beautifully smooth, and the color is a very rich, deep blue/gray. The ribbon is actually silver, with an orange/red stripe. The ribbon treatment itself is unique -- I don't remember seeing this particular treatment on any other Stetson. Very cool. The sweat is in great shape -- the cracked appearance in the photos is simply due to pigmentation, the leather is actually quite smooth. I love the type-face used on "Shore Club" on the sweat, as well. Neat stitching along the edge of the brim. The diamond ventilation holes are beautifully done -- the spittin' image of the Shore Club modeled by Bob Hope in the 1948 Stetson ad.

As far as the crease goes -- I decided to go with a diamond on this one, which seems to suit this lid, I think...

Cheers,
JtL

 

[jimmy the lid]

1948 Stetson Ad...

 

[gtdean48]

SUPER Lid. Jimmy! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[CRH]

Looks like a real champ to me.

And the crease is the knockout punch!

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[jamespowers]

That is a great hat. Too bad there aren't more of them out there so we could actually have a Stetson Shore Club Club.
That wouldn't happen to be a 7 1/2 extra long oval would it?

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Nice try james' -- he's a 3/8.

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Jimmy, that is OUTSTANDING!!! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[jamespowers]

Nice try james' -- he's a 3/8.

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Jimmy, that is OUTSTANDING!!! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

It was worth a try.
Darn it!

 

[jamespowers]

Maybe Art can make one with a thicker ribbon.

 

[J.B.]

Wow! Now that hat is one rara avis for sure!!! Congrats, Jimmy.

...Too bad there aren't more of them out there so we could actually have a Stetson Shore Club Club. ...

:arated: heh. It looks like JtL may own the sole survivor?! Since it's a Zephyr-weight -- I'll program my time machine to take me back to the Turf Club at Del Mar Race Track for the 1948 or 1949 summer thoroughbred meetings...

• 1948 -- A new crop of Hollywood types makes Del Mar the spot to be for summer frolic. Among the celebs who join in the turf and surf fun this year are Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Betty Grable, George Jessel, Mickey Rooney and Jimmy Durante. Durante becomes such a regular that the track eventually names its turf course in his honor.
• 1949 -- A young rider out of Texas sets a Del Mar record of 52 wins at the meet and becomes the first apprentice to claim the track's riding title. His name is William Lee Shoemaker, and his history and that of the track will become entwined hereafter.

...I'll find one for sure, I'll bet?!

 

[RBH]

Just noticed the side vents. Reminds me of the hat Art had in Monteagle, except his had the wider ribbon.
Where did you find this gem?

 

[jimmy the lid]

Just noticed the side vents. Reminds me of the hat Art had in Monteagle, except his had the wider ribbon.
Where did you find this gem?

Well, in typical fashion, it was actually buler who found this gem. Tragically for buler, but fortunately for me, it was a little too big for his noggin'...

 

[jimmy the lid]

Since it's a Zephyr-weight -- I'll program my time machine to take me back to the Turf Club at Del Mar Race Track for the 1948 or 1949 summer thoroughbred meetings...

...I'll find one for sure, I'll bet?!

Of course, you might have better luck if you program your time machine to take you back to the Shore Club, instead of the Turf Club.

That way, you'll find one for shore...

Cheers,
JtL

 

[jimmy the lid]

Here are a few more shots of this lid, courtesy of buler:

 

[gtdean48]

Dig that ribbon treatment!!! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap
Featherweight felt from Winchester with vents like that or like Art had in his at Monteagle....that's the ticket!

 

[BobC]

Cool lid, buler and Jimmy. Glad to see you two hard at work preserving (and wearing) history.

I wonder how effective those vents are at providing ventilation, particularly since the hat is lined anyway? Or are they mostly a design element?

 

[Lefty]

Really CV? You're going to make me say it? Fine.

I'd wear it.

 

[jamespowers]

I wonder how effective those vents are at providing ventilation, particularly since the hat is lined anyway? Or are they mostly a design element?

They are fairly effective in my black Stetson Playboy. It doesn't have a liner though. [huh] I often wondered if it truly was a factory vent but this makes me think that it was as it is exactly the same pattern.

 

[carouselvic]

Really CV? You're going to make me say it? Fine.

I'd wear it.

My Bad!! I was asleep at the switch.

 

[jimmy the lid]

I often wondered if it truly was a factory vent but this makes me think that it was as it is exactly the same pattern.

I think the national Stetson advertising pretty much settles that question. The Bob Hope Shore Club ad and the the Burt Lancaster Playboy ad both feature the ventilation pattern as part and parcel of the advertised lids.

Cheers,
JtL

 

[jamespowers]

I think the national Stetson advertising pretty much settles that question. The Bob Hope Shore Club ad and the the Burt Lancaster Playboy ad both feature the ventilation pattern as part and parcel of the advertised lids.

Cheers,
JtL

The ad I have for the Playboy with Lancaster is not very clear. Thanks for the clarification.