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The Open Road Guild

Yesterday.....I picked this up.....my second "Open Road"....I think.....the sweat just says 3x only.....NO lining....and close examination does not indicate there ever was....NO evidence of a sewn or glued liner.....inside felt is clean........does have an onionskin protector behind the generous 2" russet sweat. Protector has penciled numbers on it......could not find the blocking tags. Very, very, very clean.....has seen little if any wear. 2 7/8 brim, blocked/ creased in a round or telescope crown, not sure I have ever seen another OR so creased. Looks like it always has been. NO evidence or shadow of any other crease. May have been a special order or special version carried by this particular shop. Sized as 7 3/8 but it ALMOST fits me so is a large 7 3/8..........
VERY NICE LOOKING HAT!
Cheers,
M
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Vagabundo

New in Town
Messages
6
A few years ago I was researching my family history and discovered that the 1920 census showed my great-grandfather listed as a "Hatter" working at the JB Stetson factory in Philadelphia. I was doing the research to re-claim Italian citizenship.... but that's another story.


With Stetson in my blood, I had to have one. Ideally an older Stetson. Something suited to my vagabond lifestyle. Also, I am extremely frugal, so it had to be inexpensive.

When we are not traveling, I visit the swap meet down by the border at least once a week. Here is a video I took of the piles of stuff unloaded down there.


A few weeks ago I was digging through the piles of hats and found this Open Road for $1. It was filthy. I took these photos after the first cleaning. I've since gotten it cleaner with my steamer and light brushing. It also smelled somewhat musty so I treated it with a light Mirazyme and water solution over night.


How do people here feel about rolling their Open Roads for travel?
 
Messages
18,185
A few years ago I was researching my family history and discovered that the 1920 census showed my great-grandfather listed as a "Hatter" working at the JB Stetson factory in Philadelphia. I was doing the research to re-claim Italian citizenship.... but that's another story.


With Stetson in my blood, I had to have one. Ideally an older Stetson. Something suited to my vagabond lifestyle. Also, I am extremely frugal, so it had to be inexpensive.

When we are not traveling, I visit the swap meet down by the border at least once a week. Here is a video I took of the piles of stuff unloaded down there.


A few weeks ago I was digging through the piles of hats and found this Open Road for $1. It was filthy. I took these photos after the first cleaning. I've since gotten it cleaner with my steamer and light brushing. It also smelled somewhat musty so I treated it with a light Mirazyme and water solution over night.


How do people here feel about rolling their Open Roads for travel?
Interesting block & flange. Hopefully someone can tell us more from your reorder tag.

IMG_2451.jpg
 

moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,592
Location
NJ
Interesting block & flange. Hopefully someone can tell us more from your reorder tag.

IMG_2451.jpg
That's a 50s to early 60s manufacturer tag
they supposedly started using those as early as 1952 simultaneously with the red and orange tags while they transitioned

A safe guess is that this is on a mid to late 50s hat
 
Last edited:

Vagabundo

New in Town
Messages
6
That's a 50s to early 60s manufacturer tag
they supposedly started using those as early as 1952 simultaneously with the red and orange tags while they transitioned

A safe guess is that this is on a mid to late 50s hat

I certainly cannot mistreat something this old. I will have to re-think my intention to use it as a packable travel hat.
 

moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,592
Location
NJ
I certainly cannot mistreat something this old. I will have to re-think my intention to use it as a packable travel hat.
wear it ... and wear it hard
it's not like it is a deadstock museum piece.
I just wouldn't recommend rolling it because the reed never really seems to go back to the way it once was ... unreeded is one thing ... but reeds once rolled are pretty much damaged goods.
you have a lovely hat ... enjoy it for all its worth
 

Glouie

New in Town
Messages
8
Location
Oregon
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Newbie lurking for while now and fell in love with all the Open Roads. I came across this early 3x in great clean shape. It's not marked OR just the medallion and shop. Stars on logo, keyhole size tag, and bright gold liner medallion with American Manufacture', full 3" brim, a whopping 6" crown and red and orange reorder tags.. It's a 7 1/2 which I have stuffed with dollar bills to fit my 7 3/8 egghead. Did not like deforming the tightly sewn and near perfect sweatband with felt spacers. Amazing these things survive so nicely!
 

RJR

Messages
10,620
Location
Iowa
View attachment 82689 View attachment 82690 View attachment 82692

Newbie lurking for while now and fell in love with all the Open Roads. I came across this early 3x in great clean shape. It's not marked OR just the medallion and shop. Stars on logo, keyhole size tag, and bright gold liner medallion with American Manufacture', full 3" brim, a whopping 6" crown and red and orange reorder tags.. It's a 7 1/2 which I have stuffed with dollar bills to fit my 7 3/8 egghead. Did not like deforming the tightly sewn and near perfect sweatband with felt spacers. Amazing these things survive so nicely!
Beauty.
 

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