Stetson Straw

[undertaker]

Gentlemen,

I just wondered if any of you were following the activity of this auction. It ended yesterday and I must say I am...........at a loss for words to say the least[huh] .

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260238624351&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=016

Could it have been one of our fellow loungers?

Regards,
J.S.

 

[RPeers]

Wow I was watching that one but I thought it to be too high for a vintage straw but I had not heard of a Stetson Premier, I wonder what straws it is comparable too that is on the market today. For my money I would have contacted art for a custom one (still saving my nickles)

 

[ScottyBlues]

What do they know that I don't?

It looks like a nice hat, and all, but sheesh! I could get a new hat from Art for that.

Does anybody know what part of that is the true value of the hat and what part is the collector's value? I mean, if I was to buy a hat of similar quality made today, would I have to pay that much?

I've got a couple hats from Art, so I'm not opposed to paying that much for a hat. I guess I am a little hessitant to pay that much for a staw hat, though. They just don't seem to last as long. I get a summer or two, at most, out of my daily wear staw hats before the sweat stains have ruined them. I have a nicer staw hat from Borsalino I save for special.

In the end, I guess everything is worth what someone will pay for it.

 

[Panamabob]

'tis time for me to clean out the closet.

 

[Atticus Finch]

I bought a vintage Stetson Panama off of e-bay last year. It's bashed more like an Open Road than a fedora, but it is "Genuine Panama" according to the sweat band.

I think I paid eleven dollars and shipping.

AF

 

[DanielJones]

'tis time for me to clean out the closet.

Sounds like a good plan.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Woodfluter]

I was watching it with some interest but it rapidly went out of my price range. Yes, seems amazing to me. Nice looking hat, though.
- Bill

 

[undertaker]

'tis time for me to clean out the closet.

Please let us know when you do. Heck at this price you might could retire early .

Regards,
J.S.

 

[shoeshineboy]

did you guys notice the lee adventurer that was sold by the same person. it came out of the same estate auction. beautiful hat, too.

mark

 

[Woodfluter]

did you guys notice the lee adventurer that was sold by the same person. it came out of the same estate auction. beautiful hat, too.
mark

Yes I did, but didn't notice that it was the same seller. I was giving that one some serious thought even though it was a half size too small, but had some other irons in the fire, and just wasn't convinced. Looked very distinctive however!
- Bill

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Oh my Lawd!! That was a big sale for sure.

Here's my take on these style of hats:

I have three that are virtually identical. A "Ecuadorian Panama Hat Company of New York, Supernatural", and two "Adam"s. I have also seen them with Stetson labels, Lee labels, et al.

I really love the look of these straws. Perfect proportions, in my opinion, and I like the golden color. Trouble is that whatever kind of straw these are almost always is so brittle that they either arrive already cracked (especially at the top of the front pinch) or they crack when you handle them or happen to barely bump up under something while wearing them. I have had to actually use silicone glue inside the top pinch to fill that area in so it cannot crease any more to arrest this problem on a couple of them.

Now, what I've figured out (this is my own take on the matter) is that a certain Ecuadorian source for these hats was plumbed fairly thoroughly by several manufacturers and they would simply put their label on them to sell them under whichever brand you like. Same hat though. It wasn't like Stetson (or any of the others) was really making these things like they were making their felt hats. SO, a "Premier" notation or any other huey was just that, I thnk.

I usually pay around $15.00 to $25.00 for these and got several since they are so fragile. There's a lot in this old world that I don't know, and can sometimes get wrong, but I think someone really overpaid on this auction.

 

[cookie]

Gentlemen,

I just wondered if any of you were following the activity of this auction. It ended yesterday and I must say I am...........at a loss for words to say the least[huh] .

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260238624351&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=016

Could it have been one of our fellow loungers?

Regards,
J.S.

It looks very dry and brittle from the pix...IMHO

 

[undertaker]

It looks very dry and brittle from the pix...IMHO

Yes, I was a little afraid of that myself.

Regards,
J.S.

 

[undertaker]

did you guys notice the lee adventurer that was sold by the same person. it came out of the same estate auction. beautiful hat, too.

mark

fftopic:

Mark,
Where in the world have you been hiding? I have been waiting to see you and Sharpie in church on some Sunday......... I don't forget those promises .

Regards,
J.S.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Hey folks,

I was reminded about this earlier thread when I saw one of these straws sell today for $31.00 (as opposed to $300+ like the one which started the discussion). Same thing; "Stetson Premier" Panama, just for one-tenth the amount - and still on the high side of what I like to pay for similar ones.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160243134669&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=006

I suppose value is in the wallet of the buyer...

 

[Snrbfshn]

I dunno...

I think the difference is less about value/wallet size and more about the hat's size. Lids in the 6 7/8 to 7 range don't fetch nearly as much.

 

[AlanC]

Combination of a popular size that is relatively rare in vintage, the Stetson name, the fact that summer is here and that it is a handsome hat. Throw in a bidding war and there you go. Apparently the winner had to have it. Good for the seller.

Bob, what would a similar quality body from you cost with a block by Art? I'm not skilled enough to evaluate the quality of the weave from those pics.

 

[Panamabob]

Well, Brisa weave Cuenca, natural....$20.00 low end, $60.00 higher end and blocking....$100.00-160.00 brand new hat blocked in USA and includes shipping!

 

[frijoli]

Well, Brisa weave Cuenca, natural....$20.00 low end, $60.00 higher end and blocking....$100.00-160.00 brand new hat blocked in USA and includes shipping!

That makes the auction seem silly. I wonder if there is a history behind that particular hat.

Clay

 

[PhilS]

Sold! How do I get one?

Well, Brisa weave Cuenca, natural....$20.00 low end, $60.00 higher end and blocking....$100.00-160.00 brand new hat blocked in USA and includes shipping!

Sounds like a winner. I'm sure you could get a lot of us to bite for this.