Sweatband Anomaly...(?)

[Brad Bowers]

...I would not advocate using this distinction as a reference for dating vintage hats.

At least, not for European hats, we decided. The method works much better for American hats.

Brad

 

[jpbales]

where did you get that stuff??

I have a case of those things, also they used smaller pieces to help hold the keeper on the bow/ribbon in place.

Major Moore

 

[J.J. Gittes]

My mystery fedora has these types of strips holding the liner in place. They also used it to reinforce the sweat stitching. Pretty nifty.

 

[mayserwegener]

I am bumping this thread. Has anyone found a tape (or glue process) that works?

 

[alanfgag]

Steve, I've used a linen tape made for picture framing. The acid-free water activated adhesive seems similar to what might have been used on paper tape in decades past. If you'd like to try it, send me a PM - I'd be happy to send you some.

 

[mayserwegener]

Hello Alan, That would be great. Thanks!

 

[Aureliano]

Alan, would you mind sharing the brand,? I'd like to buy some at my art supply store (hopefully) I just got a grey one with cav edge and it has a taped sweat but the tape is gone.

 

[alanfgag]

Ale, this roll dates back many years... I'm afraid to guess, but sometime from my years right after art school. No sign of a maker. Let me send you a little and you can test it. I'm sure Pearl Paint or Lee's would have something very similar.

 

[Aureliano]

Ale, this roll dates back many years... I'm afraid to guess, but sometime from my years right after art school. No sign of a maker. Let me send you a little and you can test it. I'm sure Pearl Paint or Lee's would have something very similar.

Thanks so generous of you Alan. I'll gladly pay you for the postage. Need my address?

 

[alanfgag]

Yes, Ale... shoot me a PM - I don't think I have it.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Well, at least it appears to be an anomaly vis-a-vis vintage Stetsons -- but, as a more general matter, I'm not so sure...

Here's what I'm talkin' about...I have one vintage Stetson (my Amon Carter/Shady Oak OR) that has a sweatband that is not stitched together at the back of the hat (under the little bow, where the two ends of the sweat meet). Instead, the two ends are secured together by a piece of tape in back of the sweat, providing for a seamless effect. This photo gives you the idea:

I have one other lid with this same feature, a vintage Borsalino:

Baron Kurtz has pointed out in another thread that he has vintage Borsalinos where the sweat is joined in the above fashion.

So, this leads to a number of questions. First, is the "tape" method of joining the sweat tied to a particular time period? For example, was this a technique that, by definition, was used in the '30s/40's, for example, or did it extend beyond that time period? Did particular manufacturers use this technique, whereas others did not? What was the underlying rationale for this technique -- was it aesthetic? functional?

Any thoughts?

Cheers,
JtL

I have a Stetson 7x clear beaver 50 that has that feature. Looks like a length of fabric tape woven through slots in the sweatband and glued at each end. Not sure of the age of the hat.[huh]

 

[alanfgag]

Like this?

This feature was incorporated in Stetson sweatbands in the 1930s and made a reappearance in the 1960s, as in this Stetson 100. This second coming is likely the time period of your 7XCB50. I would guess it is a decorative reference to early sweats that used lacing to adjust the fit of the hat.

This 4 year old thread was discussing a rear sweatband seam that is taped rather than sewn closed. Early American hats, for instance, 1920s derbies show this feature. It is found in more recent years in lightweight Borsalinos and European hats.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Like this?


This feature was incorporated in Stetson sweatbands in the 1930s and made a reappearance in the 1960s, as in this Stetson 100. This second coming is likely the time period of your 7XCB50. I would guess it is a decorative reference to early sweats that used lacing to adjust the fit of the hat.

This 4 year old thread was discussing a rear sweatband seam that is taped rather than sewn closed. Older American hats, for instance, 1920s derbies show this feature. It is found in more recent years in lightweight Borsalinos and European hats.

Yep, like that! Thank you Alan.