Stetson "Worth" questions / A Newbie Jumps In

[Magus]

Hi there everyone,

I am a new member here and figured I would jump in ?¢‚Ǩ?ìwith both feet?¢‚Ǩ?. Though I am not a Golden Era aficionado, I am a huge fan of hats, and have been all my life. Literally?¢‚Ǩ¬¶in fact when I was about two I toddled off from my mom in J.C. Penny?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s (I loved walking through the hanging clothes). One of those she ?¢‚Ǩ?ìturned her back for a moment?¢‚Ǩ? things. Anyway they put the whole store on notice and did a search, I was located behind the hat counter where I had taken about a dozen fedoras out and was in the process of putting on first one then the other. Not much has changed in the subsequent years?¢‚Ǩ¬¶.I wander off from my wife?¢‚Ǩ¬¶and she usually finds me trying on hats.

I buy what strikes my fancy?¢‚Ǩ¬¶but have not ever really researched any of them. So perhaps some of you can assist me. The first one is a Stetson. I am trying to attach pictures of it (not sure if I will figure it out?¢‚Ǩ¬¶lol) but the basics are: Black Fedora, Tan leather sweatband, stamped ?¢‚Ǩ?ìWorth San Diego?¢‚Ǩ? and ?¢‚Ǩ?ìJohn B. Stetson?¢‚Ǩ¬¶Select Quality?¢‚Ǩ? (with the Stetson logo in the middle) in gold. There is no liner in the hat and the Logo is also on the felt inside. It has a 2 inch black cloth band and the highest side of the crown is 5 ?Ǭº inches.

Any ideas on its possible heritage, date, etc? I paid $7 for it at a second hand store. There are more hats and questions to follow. Thanks in advance for the assistance.

Magus

PS...The Pictures came out HUGE...so I deleated them...I will figure it out eventually!

 

[Magus]

Pictures of the hat

Lets try this...

 

[spiridon]

Sharp looking hat there Magus! I especially like the hatband/bow. I'm sure someone can help you with the info you seek. I'll have to check, but I think I have an old Dobbs hat from Worth.

 

[silverHalo]

Looks kind of familiar..... hmmm

Looks like the hat I just got from the St. Joseph Stetson Factory Auction. Check out the pictures in this thread. http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=7146
If nothing else the same style ribbon.... ah the mystery continues!

 

[tonyb]

I'll give you eight bucks for it right now.:fing28:
Seriously--How long ago was it that you bought that hat for seven dollars? Even some of the thrift stores operated by charities (Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.) have gotten hip to what "vintage" attire will fetch these days, and price their donated items accordingly. Some even sell on eBay.
That's a really, really sharp-lookin' hat, Magus. How does the felt compare to your other lids?

 

[Magus]

I'll give you eight bucks for it right now.:fing28:
Seriously--How long ago was it that you bought that hat for seven dollars?

That's a really, really sharp-lookin' hat, Magus. How does the felt compare to your other lids?

Thanks for the comments and complements folks. As to the gentleman who just purchased a similar one in brown...the main difference I see is that mine has a bound edge to the brim and my liner is missing...or was never there. But the ribbon is spot on. (one of my favs as well). Nice hat you have there though!

I bought it 4-5 years ago. There is a small community about 12 miles north of us that is 80% senior adults. As morbid as it seems the local thrift store is a mine of "grandfather" attire because many items are donated after the death of a loved one.

The Felt is rather "firm" not "stiff" as in hard to the touch but like it has a good "body" to it. I have never really done a side by side comparison with my other hats.

Magus

 

[Pilgrim]

That's a good buy. My guess is that on Ebay (probably the largest hat market today) it would bring from $30-$80 depending on how badly someone wanted it and how it was pictured and written up. Lacking the inside liner would hurt its value a bit, but a hat fan know you can pick one up from any hatter and just slide it in place.

 

[Zach R.]

A 7 1/2 too, just my size.

Really sharp looking.:cheers1:

 

[John in Covina]

Nice!

That's very nice hat you have there and the bow on the ribbon is a neat variation. 7-1/2, shore is a big noggin!

 

[jamespowers]

Wow! That thing has been around a while it is from the 40s at the latest. My guess would be before that though. I have a 30s bowler that has the same stamp on the sweatband. You did very well for $7. That is a real survivor. Where is this place you found it at again?

Regards,

J

 

[John in Covina]

I bought it 4-5 years ago. There is a small community about 12 miles north of us that is 80% senior adults. As morbid as it seems the local thrift store is a mine of "grandfather" attire because many items are donated after the death of a loved one.

********
Use backward spelling and Name that town, Please!

 

[Art Fawcett]

I agree JP...late '30s early 40's...what a deal Magus and Welcome ot the Lounge!!! Your gonna fit right in!!

 

[tonyb]

I bought it 4-5 years ago. There is a small community about 12 miles north of us that is 80% senior adults. As morbid as it seems the local thrift store is a mine of "grandfather" attire because many items are donated after the death of a loved one.


Magus

Several years ago I was paging through a trade magazine while waiting in the reception area at an advertising agency when I came upon an ad that said "Sometimes Diversification Makes Sense" (or something like that) over a photo (created in Photoshop, I'd imagine) of a building with a sign reading "Rest Home, Mortuary, Used Clothing." I just about fell out of my chair.
If that hat were mine, and if it is indeed as old as jamespowers and Art estimate it is (there's no reason to doubt it), it would take a sizable stack of Jacksons to get me even thinking about parting with it.

 

[Fedora]

A most unusual sweatband. I have never seen one like it. Also, it is the first sweatband in a Stetson, that I have seen, without the reeded sweatband. Must be really old. Fedora

 

[jamespowers]

If that hat were mine, and if it is indeed as old as jamespowers and Art estimate it is (there's no reason to doubt it), it would take a sizable stack of Jacksons to get me even thinking about parting with it.

It would take quite a few Franklins for me to part with it. :cool2: It is one :arated: hat.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Magus]

********
Use backward spelling and Name that town, Please!

Ok...get out your Dick Tracy Decoder ring...

.aC, ytiC nuS.