THE BEST OF 2008

[RBH]

Thanks daizawaguy, Neil and Gene.

Yes, the hat has a simple elegance. I'm liking Mike's work more and more all the time and I have every expectation that he'll develop a strong reputation and steady clientele in his new shop space.

But man, Rusty, those spectacles are just too cool. Are those frames vintage? (If they're "frameless," are they still called frames?) Or do I detect those modern "spring hinge" thingies? Best of both worlds, maybe?

Mike is really making some fine hats lately, this litefelt is really something else.
As to the specs [thanks!] I got them online and really paid to much but they are reading glasses on the bottom and clear on the top. I just wanted some round rimless ones and pulled the trigger before I changed my mind.

mine have the gold frame...

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/4811/tuxcableroundsyp7.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a>

 

[Lefty]

I don't care about rules...

I'm voting for three.

I can almost feel the amazing looking felt on this one right through my screen.

Just finished creasing this recent arrival. I love the felt on this lid -- it is a thicker, medium weight, really dense and smooth. The Mallory Nokabouts I have seen posted here or in vintage ads feature a narrower ribbon. So, I don't know if this ribbon was original to the hat or not -- but the chocolate brown goes beautifully with this felt. The edge treatment is a narrow underwelt, which makes for a nice appearance on top.

[one image cut to make all of this fit in one post]

Cheers,
JtL

I have never seen felt "glow" like it does on this hat by Marc Kitter of AB Deluxe.

Here are some quick outside pictures that I just took. I've losened up the front pinch a little in the meanwhile:

Regards,

Marc

Of course, it's back to JtL and his blue Dobbs 20.

OK, not a lot of hands... But, still -- now that I'm out of my weekend attire of shorts and a t-shirt, I thought I'd oblige. Hope the blue comes through...

This shot gives a sense of the rounded side dents that I was talking about in another thread...

Cheers,
JtL

 

[Lefty]

Make it 4. The year isn't over just yet.

Hat Doc, Here are the pictures that you requested on that two toned ribbon hat that I won on Ebay. It just arrived yesterday and I am so glad I decided to after this one.

 

[B. F. Socaspi]

I was watching that last one on eBay, but it wasn't my size.

It's stunning; bold, yet refined.

 

[jimmy the lid]

I'm voting for three.

Lefty, I gotta tell ya -- when it comes to my own stash, it's like you were reading my mind. That Mallory Nokabout is fast becoming just about my favorite fedora. It's neat when you find a vintage lid that just "fits." I'm not talking about size here -- although this one fits like it was custom made -- it just fits who you are and immediately feels like an old friend. I love that one.

But, that being said, I couldn't bring myself to single out the Nokabout over the blue Dobbs 20. That one, too, has the same qualities as the Nokabout, and I still can't get over the beautiful shade of blue. I had to smile yesterday when I read your post, since I was wearing the Dobbs 20.

One other lid came to mind, and since you've taken care of the first two, I'll post the third. I love this Stetson for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that I've never seen another one like it. It is a tropical weight felt -- as light or perhaps a tad lighter than my Stetson Playboy. The brim treatment and the color are unique, and I feel lucky to have found it:

Cheers,
JtL

 

[Carlisle Blues]

Deep blue Borsalino Trionfo

Harp

That has got to be one of the most beautiful hats I have ever seen

 

[Lefty]

Very nice, Jimmy. I've recently picked up an old Stetson book that mentions pearl, and I remembered the discussion of whether it was the name of the color, model, or even a person at Stetson. I can't remember if it's a color or the model, but I'll rule out the quality control inspector right now.

I'll have a look at it this weekend and let you know what I find out.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Great, Lefty -- I'll look forward to that info. Glad to know it's not the hat inspector. Any details you could provide on the book would be great, as well.

Cheers,
JtL

 

[Lefty]

JtL, the info. I've got doesn't conclusively answer the question.

First, I have an ad from the NY Times archive, dated Nov. 8, 1923, in which Wallach Bros. is advertising "The Warwick" "a new Headease* Hat by Stetson". The hat looks nothing like yours. It's available in "Pearl Gray", "a smart new shade of Tan", and "two hues of woody Brown and mixed Oxford". I think Pearl Gray was probably the Caribou of its day - the gray that went with everything, and your hat doesn't strike me as gray.

The other source I have describes a hat salesman getting an award from Stetson for the second best salesmanship tale. He describes waiting on 5 customers at once, and one man in his 70s in particular. The gent wanted a light weight cap for "motoring." The salesman states, "I sold him a Snow pearl, zephyr weight, and he went away well pleased." (I've copied the capitalization the way it appears in the story.) The story is from 1930, which has got to pre-date your hat by at least a decade.

With all of that, I don't think I answered anything.

 

[bolthead]

Jimmy.....

That Stetson is Amazing man. I love the Brim detail. :eusa_clap

I'm posting the Perforated Biltmore that I just got, it's unlike any other Lid I own, or seen for that matter. [huh]

 

[RBH]

sharp hat there Bolt!

 

[Jerekson]

Hoo, you could have a lot of fun with a crown like that!

 

[jimmy the lid]

With all of that, I don't think I answered anything.

I think you may be right! lol Thanks anyway, Lefty.

Cheers,
JtL

 

[Lefty]

My own collection favorites of the year:
Optimo milan - cooler than a panama, looks good with everything

Chamois - Stetson Boss Raw Edge styling, almost perfect condition, and now in the hands of another Lounger. Despite how great this hat looks, the style just isn't for me.

 

[Lefty]

and this one, my own favorite of the year.

 

[RBH]

and this one, my own favorite of the year.

As it should be... that one is sweet!
I have since sold it... but at one time I had a OR from Washer Brothers.

 

[HamletJSD]

I'd vote for every one of these over mine ...

BUT since several of you have voted for a "personal best," 2008 was my year as I have yet to personally beat the Royal DeLuxe Open Road that arrived in lieu of an expected "Champ" that I paid $15 for.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Let's see -- a Royal DeLuxe Open Road in beautiful condition for $15...I wonder if it was worth it...?

Great!

Cheers,
JtL

 

[jimmy the lid]

and this one, my own favorite of the year.

That's a great one, Lefty. That's about as good as it gets in OR Land, and yours is in beautiful condition -- in a 7 1/2 Long Oval, no less!

[Glad to see it posted here, since I think it has disappeared from the Open Road Guild thread]

Fantastic. :eusa_clap

Cheers,
JtL

 

[Feraud]

Champ Featherweight in beautiful condition. Thin ribbon and brim binding.
Weighing in at a whopping 2.9 oz.