The Dobbs Diner...

[Alive'n'Amplified]

Dobbs FIFTEEN

I recently bought a Dobbs FIFTEEN from Etsy. It was described as a "wool" hat. I knew enough to look closely at the sweatband and noticed the "FIFTEEN" designation. Click Bam Boom, the rest was history!

The hat looked to be in good condition in the original listing pictures. Figured it was a good buy. It was. As expected, it arrived dusty, musty, and in need of a good cleaning. After a generous brushing and steaming, the hat perked up and began looking like a Dobbs again. I brought it back to open crown and then gave it a tight pinch with a hand bash. The felt is fabulous, no bites, holes, stains, or tears. It has a good hand now that it's been brushed thoroughly.

I'm a little torn with the liner, though. The hat had clearly been worn. Again, the felt itself is in great condition, but the liner shows its age. It's hard to tell from the pic below, but it does have the clear plastic liner guard, which is hazy in person. Can liners be cleaned? Do I remove this? I like the "Leisure Flex" sweatband with [relatively] flexible textured ribs on the back. There's also a soft foam cushion behind it. Thankfully, this sweatband is also in great condition; still soft and flexible.

What makes this hat exciting to me is that I have a Saks Fifth Ave 15/20 clone that apparently was made in the Dobbs factory. As of right now, I like the Saks hat better, but I'm willing to let the Dobbs grow on me! So, here are the details...

Brand / Model: Dobbs FIFTEEEN
Color: medium grey
Ribbon: 2", black
Crown Height: 5 1/2" open crown
Brim Width: 2 1/2", Guild Edge
Extras: Leisure Flex sweatband

 

[randooch]

L. O. S. = "Lots of Style"

Nice grab! I'd say don't mess with the liner until you are One With The Hat.

 

[DJH]

You are getting some nice hats, AnA.
I like the D15 - it is going to be a cool hat for you to wear.

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

L. O. S. = "Lots of Style"

Nice grab! I'd say don't mess with the liner until you are One With The Hat.

Thanks, Randall. I have a feeling I will become one with the hat soon!

You are getting some nice hats, AnA.
I like the D15 - it is going to be a cool hat for you to wear.

Thank you, David. I'm just glad to be in such good company with you other 'Loungers!

 

[Rabbit]

Very nice find, AnA! The felt appears to be of very good quality, judging by the way it takes the crease. Dobbs made some great hats.

You might want to get the liner cleaned at a later time - the hats looks like it's well worth the effort (or the money, if you send it in to a good hatter for a professional cleaning). Do your homework on liner cleaning before you decide to do it yourself; again, any time invested in a hat like this is certainly going to be worth it.

Enjoy your Dobbs Fifteen!

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

Thanks, Rabbit. I'm going to enjoy this hat, indeed! Hey, stay tuned for another comparison post. I have a mint '60s Dobbs "TWENTY" that's too small for me (7 1/8). I used quotation marks, because it doesn't say TWENTY on the sweatband, but the price tag under the sweatband does say $20.00. It's interesting how similar the two felts are in color. These two hats are going head to head (pardon the pun) in comparisons. Cheers!

 

[Joshbru3]

Beautiful Dobbs 15, AnA!! I love all the 15's and 20's from the late 40's early 50's from Hat Corporation of America. The felt is superb, the finish is soft as butter, and if they are from the late 40's/very early 50's, the blocking is usually very good as well. The "151" block profile was a very nice profile that Hat Corp of America used on their hats. It seems you and I have very similar tastes in 30's style hats. If your looking for a Dobbs, Knox, or Dunlap in a 15 or 20 designation, you may want to look for tags with these block profiles:

These really compliment the 1930's look

Profile - Depth

5233 - 5 3/4

5064 - 5 3/4

5251 - 6

600 - 5 3/4

5330 - 5 7/8

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

Actually, Josh, I've admired a lot of your hats! Some of your posts inspired me to look for taller crowns. Indeed, the straight sides and tall crowns lend a certain air to the profile. They command presence. My co-workers and friends always comment on the height of my hats. My lovely wife calls them my "Looney Toons" hats! She says I look like the short gangster in the grey suit. I do get a kick out of that.

Thanks for the block info. So, does the 151 block mean anything specific? Or is it simply a designation number?

 

[Rabbit]

This post is for Brando11.

New, more color-accurate pics of my 1950s Dobbs in lighter medium gray with greenish undertone, and matching silver-gray band & binding. I have posted pics of this hat before, in late evening sunlight.

5 5/8" x 2 11/16" dimensions. Due to the higher, 52-ish block, the hat takes deep creases and works with both center dent and diamond crease. It's one of thise felts that holds accidental creases wonderfully.

Full resolution image

Full resolution image

 

[seabass]

A&A very nice D-15!

Rabbit Excelent Pics & Hat of course!

 

[bowlerman]

That is a very impressive hat, Nik! Wow!

 

[Brando11]

Perfect! Nik this is outstanding. I'll be talking to Art in the next week or so, and this will be the model for what I'd like. I'll have to think a bit about that flange, though; I, too, prefer a flatter brim.

Thanks again for everything. Can't wait to see the end result-

-Brando

 

[Rabbit]

Thank you, Che, and Jeff!

Brando, I'm looking forward to see what you and Art will come up with!

 

[bond]

Nice one nik , gorgeous hat and color. Dobbs are a favorite of mine .

 

[mikespens]

Nice hat and great pixs Nik, really captures the subtlety of the green hue nicely. Very kool color/ribbon combo.

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

Terrific 10, Nik! Your photos always bring out the qualities of every hat.

 

[Mystic]

Would it be possible to get an approximate date period from these 2 pics of a Dobbs?
Also, did the Dobbs Handover normally have a liner?

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[Brad Bowers]

Would it be possible to get an approximate date period from these 2 pics of a Dobbs?
Also, did the Dobbs Handover normally have a liner?

Yes, the Hanover Square had a liner. That's a '50s hat. Dobbs sold the Hanover Square from 1951 to 1960.

Brad

 

[Mystic]

Yes, the Hanover Square had a liner. That's a '50s hat. Dobbs sold the Hanover Square from 1951 to 1960.

Brad

Thanks Brad.

 

[rlk]

Dobbs Smooth Camel

5-3/4" Crown. Head shot shows best felt color.