Stetson Special?

[tonyb]

I've had Royal Stetsons and Royal Deluxe Stetsons and a Stetson Sovereign and a Stetson Fifteen and a Stetson Twenty and Stetsons with various numbers of Xes, but I haven't, until now, had a Stetson Special. I just bought a dark blue Homburg (on the cheap, of course) that looks in the photos to be in pretty nice shape. It looks "vintage," and the seller thinks it is too, although I seriously doubt it's anywhere near as old as his turn-of-the-last-century estimate. The top of the liner says "The Stetson Special," and "John B. Stetson Company, Philadelphia."
I'll likely post photos when the hat arrives here at the Caverns. In the meanwhile, I'd like to know when the Special variety was offered, and how it compares to other Stetsons of its era. The pessimist in me suspects that "Special" was used in the way "Chef's Special" is used at my favorite greasy spoon, meaning its primary ingredient is something the cook wants to use up before it goes bad. Hope I'm wrong about that, but if anyone knows anything about the Special, I'm all ears.

 

[astaire]

stetson Homburg

You have lots of Stetsons, eh....

I, like your good self, have recently bought a vintage stetson homburg. although mine is a st. regis in light brown color.

Just wondering, since your stetson collection is quite impressive, what's your take on the felt quality of stetson's sovereign line? i'm thinking of getting a sovereign twenty (vintage, of course)...

also along the line of your questions, when did stetson produce the st. regis line.

thanks,
astaire