The Dobbs Diner...

[MikeinRome]

NICE!!!!!

Thanks, Hatman. I don't think the seller even knew what they had, because they didn't even mention that it was a Forty.

 

[Jazzsaxy123]

Here’s my Dobbs! Came with a center dent and I steamed a teardrop in it and added pinches. Not sure what decade it’s from because it has a 1960s liner but has a brown cushion-aire sweatband. It came with the unique Lytton’s hat box! No indication of what Lytton’s location it came from.

It has a soft feel to the felt and the brim is especially softer than other hats I’ve handled. A great hat!

 

[Blare]

Here’s my Dobbs! Came with a center dent and I steamed a teardrop in it and added pinches. Not sure what decade it’s from because it has a 1960s liner but has a brown cushion-aire sweatband. It came with the unique Lytton’s hat box! No indication of what Lytton’s location it came from.

It has a soft feel to the felt and the brim is especially softer than other hats I’ve handled. A great hat!

Very nice hat with what looks like a Cavanagh edge brim. My guess would be late 50s early 60s. If you could get a photo of the paper manufacturing label under the sweatband it might help. But only if you are able to look under without tearing the sweatband.

 

[MikeinRome]

This is a somewhat puzzling 1940's Dobbs, 2 1/2 inch brim, bought earlier this year. It has a liner said to date ca. 1940-45, and has a 40's manufacturing tag behind sweatband. This tag say it's a size 7 hat. However, the size tag say 7 1/8, and it's a red tag said to not be used before the early 50's. Was this hat stretched and a new size tag put on it later? If so, I've stretched it even farther, to 7 1/4 with no I'll effect or damage to it. I think it has the original sweatband, but not sure.

 

[M Hatman]

This is a somewhat puzzling 1940's Dobbs, 2 1/2 inch brim, bought earlier this year. It has a liner said to date ca. 1940-45, and has a 40's manufacturing tag behind sweatband. This tag say it's a size 7 hat. However, the size tag say 7 1/8, and it's a red tag said to not be used before the early 50's. Was this hat stretched and a new size tag put on it later? If so, I've stretched it even farther, to 7 1/4 with no I'll effect or damage to it. I think it has the original sweatband, but not sure.

Hats could and often did get cleaned and re-built/ modified during their lifetime to cater to the current fashion/whim of the owner, and quite frankly to get more life out of their hat (people did not just throw away things like we do now and labor was cheaper).

The most common alterations were cutting down of the brims and changing ribbons. Almost every town had either a cleaners or a stand alone shop that would perform these services, not to mention the Hat Makers themselves. Often retailers could also do some basic work (like changing ribbons).

ALL would do the work introducing new parts as needed (which of course would be contemporary to when the work was done).

I too have a 40's Dobbs that was most definitely modified with a brim reduction (luckily only down to 2 3/8") , but was otherwise original. It originally had a guild edge as the sweat states........no more.........

I have a whole thread dedicated to those hat shops and drycleaners that performed hat services.........

HATTERS, CLEANERS, AND DYERS!!!!!

Here is a thread dedicated to OUR (ones you collect and OWN) business cards, ads, photo's and associated ephemera of HATTERS, Cleaners, and Dyers of old (lets say at least more than 30 years old)!!! I will note: MANY hatters offered cleaning services and MANY cleaners offered cleaning and...

www.thefedoralounge.com

 

[M Hatman]

Dobbs Twenty in the colour Neptune (a dark blue). Size 60 (7 1/2 American) with the curled brim at 6cm (not counting the curl) and the crown at 11cm at the center dent. Made under license in Germany. Probably dates from the sixties. Aside from a few small scuffs (two on the undersie of the brim and one at the pinch) it's in excellent condition and hand of the felt is beautiful. Nice shape and colour too.
Made for Breiter in Munchen.

Well, rather than take new pictures, the new owner (me) will just quote these....
Hat arrived yesterday from my overseas haberdasher who is quoted above.....and I could not be happier with our trade!


Simply wonderful hat and that brim....really really cool! AND has the stamp of approval from the wife!

 

[Blare]

Well, rather than take new pictures, the new owner (me) will just quote these....
Hat arrived yesterday from my overseas haberdasher who is quoted above.....and I could not be happier with our trade!


Simply wonderful hat and that brim....really really cool! AND has the stamp of approval from the wife!

Wonderful addition, Mark!

 

[steur]

Well, rather than take new pictures, the new owner (me) will just quote these....
Hat arrived yesterday from my overseas haberdasher who is quoted above.....and I could not be happier with our trade!


Simply wonderful hat and that brim....really really cool! AND has the stamp of approval from the wife!

Can't get a higher recommendation than the stamp of approval from the wife . It's been a pleasure as always.

 

[M Hatman]

Can't get a higher recommendation than the stamp of approval from the wife .

Is THAT not the absolute truth.......?!?!?!?!?

 

[Randall Renshaw]

This particular 7 1/8 Dobbs Twenty was traded to me for some hat work by Brent @deadlyhandsome. Thanks, bro.
I think he’ll agree that it was a total wreck—with potential.
Missing a liner and hatband, sweatband needing serious attention and the wrinkled dark brown felt nearly faded past hope.
Since being a late 40s model he and I thought it was worth a full restoration.
Reblocked to my size, felt dyed plus a coat of coconut oil to restore its luster, sewn in a liner scarfed from a long past stingy brim, likely, and finally, I sewed together a brown/gold ribbon/bow.
Still boast all its original ample proportions.
Will probably be my most worn brown fedora, after finishing it just today.
Lotsa work, but worth it, especially since love for fedoras paid the costs.

Besides, how many vintage Dobbs hail from Honolulu stores?

 

[Randall Renshaw]

7 3/8 Dobbs. Perhaps my favorite colors to date. A great blue felt and a lightly contrasting lilac ribbon. The 2 ¾” wide brim has biding that is wider on the top than the bottom so perhaps a camber style hat, but it also works great as a snap brim. Sadly, there is moth damage. It’s in the freezer for the next few days, but it needs a home so send me a PM if you’re interested.

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Your favorite is my favorite!!!!!!
Stupid moths!!

 

[Blare]

This particular 7 1/8 Dobbs Twenty was traded to me for some hat work by Brent @deadlyhandsome. Thanks, bro.
I think he’ll agree that it was a total wreck—with potential.
Missing a liner and hatband, sweatband needing serious attention and the wrinkled dark brown felt nearly faded past hope.
Since being a late 40s model he and I thought it was worth a full restoration.
Reblocked to my size, felt dyed plus a coat of coconut oil to restore its luster, sewn in a period correct liner scarfed from a long past stingy brim, likely, and a brown/gold ribbon and bow—and still boast all its original ample proportions.
Will probably be my most worn brown fedora, after finishing it just today.
Lotsa work, but worth it, especially since love for fedoras paid the costs. View attachment 471452 View attachment 471453 View attachment 471454 View attachment 471455 View attachment 471456



View attachment 471457
Besides, how many vintage Dobbs hail from Honolulu stores?

Well done sir. Glad to see you back around the lounge my friend.

 

[Randall Renshaw]

Thanks, Joe!

 

[BobHufford]

I think he’ll agree that it was a total wreck—with potential.

The hat looks great! Kudos Randall! I’d love to see a “before” picture or two.

 

[Randall Renshaw]

The hat looks great! Kudos Randall! I’d love to see a “before” picture or two.

Thanks, Bob!
Luckily, I have two. One where it was wet being blocked, after a coat of coconut oil but before being dyed.
And one before getting dyed—but after trying coconut oil for the first time on just the brim. The crown shows its need for dye, but actually looked worse in hand.
This hat ended up being a test bed for the coconut oil and afterwards a hand application of dye. Turned out perfect!
Its dark brown color helped ease the process.
Maybe Brent might have more pics of its before state.

 

[steur]

This particular 7 1/8 Dobbs Twenty was traded to me for some hat work by Brent @deadlyhandsome. Thanks, bro.
I think he’ll agree that it was a total wreck—with potential.
Missing a liner and hatband, sweatband needing serious attention and the wrinkled dark brown felt nearly faded past hope.
Since being a late 40s model he and I thought it was worth a full restoration.
Reblocked to my size, felt dyed plus a coat of coconut oil to restore its luster, sewn in a liner scarfed from a long past stingy brim, likely, and finally, I sewed together a brown/gold ribbon/bow.
Still boast all its original ample proportions.
Will probably be my most worn brown fedora, after finishing it just today.
Lotsa work, but worth it, especially since love for fedoras paid the costs. View attachment 471452 View attachment 471453 View attachment 471454 View attachment 471455 View attachment 471456



View attachment 471457
Besides, how many vintage Dobbs hail from Honolulu stores?

That's a fabulous resurrection, Randall. I love how you even sewed in the liner. Great eye for detail.

 

[Randall Renshaw]

That's a fabulous resurrection, Randall. I love how you even sewed in the liner. Great eye for detail.

Thanks, Stefan!
Added that simple task many hats ago and would probably be easier if I’d buy a curved needle.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Dobbs Fifteen. Size is 7 ⅛ long oval. The open crown is 5 ½” tall and the brim is 2 ½” wide. The brim has a nice felted/Cavanagh/Guild edge. The felt is substantial and molds easily without steam. It is the type of felt that stays where you put it until you mean to change it.

 

[Yamahana]

7 3/8 Dobbs. Perhaps my favorite colors to date. A great blue felt and a lightly contrasting lilac ribbon. The 2 ¾” wide brim has biding that is wider on the top than the bottom so perhaps a camber style hat, but it also works great as a snap brim. Sadly, there is moth damage. It’s in the freezer for the next few days, but it needs a home so send me a PM if you’re interested.

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Do you still have this one Deadly or has it already been moved on? I’d be interested if you still have it moth bites and all.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Do you still have this one Deadly or has it already been moved on? I’d be interested if you still have it moth bites and all.

I sold that hat on eBay for $450…moth bites and all. I was and wasn’t surprised at the sale price. I liked the hat so much I immediately contacted a hatter and looked into duplicating it. He has the felt, but we are still looking for the right ribbon.