The Dobbs Diner...

[Mr. Lucky]

Thanks, the blue one is '40s, probably early- to mid-'40s, and the beige one is '30s.

Brad

Wow! Thank you very much for confirming this. I love these hats - best I own. One last question: From when to when was the Cross Country produced?

 

[rlk]

 

[hatophile]

Well Mr. Lucky, I would say your name is appropriate, given your ability to score these hats.
Well done on those two and congratulations.

 

[Brad Bowers]

What I find interesting about the trademark registration is that C&K offered a Knapp-Felt Cross Country as early as 1908. I'm guessing that the first Dobbs Cross Country was 1920-ish, and just as would happen with the Game Bird, the name would transfer from the Knapp-Felt brand to Dobbs as Dobbs became the more popular of the two brands.

I'd like to see Hatco bring back the Cross Country. They had something similar with the 2007 Cavanagh Park Avenue, but I'd rather see a more classic crown. This one is just a bit too low:

Brad

 

[Mr. Lucky]

THAT is very cool! Thanks.

 

[Mr. Lucky]

One last note: What I find quite interesting is that the beige, the 30's version, is a bit higher in the crown and narrower in the brim compared to the 40's version. But that difference is commensurate between the two - that the 40's brim is 1/4 wider and the crown is 1/4 lower than the 30's version. Would they use the same bodies and just adjust height and width to accommodate the style of the times?

 

[rlk]

They made a range of hats--the CC is a lightweight hat class not a single model and specifications.

 

[SteveAS]

Leisure Light, with Improved Felted Welt Edge. I couldn't get a picture of the original Roos Bros $10 price tag behind the sweatband. Speaking of which, it's wrinkly because a past owner stuffed folded paper behind it. Now that I've removed it, the hat fits perfectly and I think the sweat will flatten out over time. As you'd likely guess, the felt is very soft and very easily molded dry. I like this old, thin felt!

Am I right in thinking this is early '40s or possible '30s?

 

[Lefty]

You and Mr. Lucky are killing me. Very nice.

 

[SteveAS]

You and Mr. Lucky are killing me. Very nice.

Thanks, Lefty. As you can imagine, finds like this in San Francisco Bay Area antique shops are uncommon!

 

[Brad Bowers]

Am I right in thinking this is early '40s or possible '30s?

What a sweet Dobbs! You're right in that it's early-'40s, 1940 - 1944.

Brad

 

[SteveAS]

What a sweet Dobbs! You're right in that it's early-'40s, 1940 - 1944.

Thanks for the compliment and dating information, Brad!

 

[rlk]

same hat
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...Dobbs-Diner...&p=971821&viewfull=1#post971821

makes me think mine came from Park Avenue store.

 

[SteveAS]

same hat
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...Dobbs-Diner...&p=971821&viewfull=1#post971821

1930's Dobbs Leisure Light Park Avenue with 2-3/8" wide brim with Improved Felted Welt Edge(Cavanagh type of 1931 Patent date). Open Crown about 5-1/2" high. Thin soft and flexible 2-1/8" wide sweatband with deep embossing and rolled inside edge. Tassle at sewn sweatband seam has 5 lobes. The felt is very thin and light as well as soft. As light or lighter than Borsalino Alessandria or Pliafelt or Cross Country. Crown really soft and easily shaped with little force while the brim holds its flanging firmly.

Yes, that whole description applies to mine.

makes me think mine came from Park Avenue store.

That seems likely; mine doesn't have the Dobbs Park Avenue stamp. The only differences I see in our hats is the store branding and mine still has a wind trolley.

 

[RBH]

I just ran across this ad for the Westward.
I do not think I have seen this ad before.

At one time I owned a Dobbs West.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...-Open-Roads...&p=742320&viewfull=1#post742320

 

[Chinaski]

SteveAS, I saw your post in the New Hats thread and posted that I hope it fits. I'm glad to see you not only found such a great hat but it fits well too. Score!

 

[carouselvic]

The Dobbs Westward and the Dobbs West line of hats were two separate creatures, and there was no over lap in production dates(from what I've been told.)

 

[jimmy the lid]

I just ran across this ad for the Westward.
I do not think I have seen this ad before.

Neat ad, Rusty -- thanks for posting...

 

[Joshbru3]

Neat ad, Rusty -- thanks for posting...

Agreed, Ive never seen that ad, Rusty. Thanks!

 

[Joshbru3]

WOW, SteveAS. Incredible find, very well done!:eusa_clap