The Open Road Guild

[mingoslim]

Nice OR . . .

Here's my submission to the guild.

Does anyone have any ideas as to age?

I think you did a great job on the block . . .
As for age, that lining, if it is original, would date it late 50s or early 60s. Brown sweats were used until 1970 or so . . . so the color of the sweat alone doesn't scream 1940s.

More pics of the interior, including the size tag, the logo on the sweatband, and a full shot of the lining would make it easier to give you a more accurate date . . . but even then, there is going to be some wiggle room.

Slim . . .

 

[John in Covina]

It could really do with a good clean but I have yet to pluck up the courage to dunk it in naptha.

*********************
Fear not, good friend, it will not instantly disolve, just keep it safe from sparks and open flame.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Does anyone have any ideas as to age? I was told it was probably 1940's, it has brown hatband but doesn't say open road on it, all it says is Royal Stetson, it has a union label in the back on the size tag, the felt is very soft and pliable. I've included a couple of pics if it help any.

I think this lid is of a fairly recent vintage (definitely not a 40's lid). The liner has certainly been used in post-1970 lids, although I do not have a sense of when this liner first made an appearance. The sweatband looks like it features more of a printed-on outline of the Stetson logo, rather than the deep, embossed gold logo that would signal an older lid. I would guess this one might date to the 70's.

Cheers,
JtL

 

[carouselvic]

I agree with JtL. That graphic was borrowed from the old Stetson Twenty-five, The curly-cues that look like ropes.

 

[Nigel]

Thanks for the info gents. I had my doubts as to whether the hat was 40's era. I don't mind though the felt is great, it has reblocked just fine and I only paid $20 including shipping so at that price I couldn't leave it.

 

[Justdog]

OR 25

Wanted to get a beeter but intead ended up with this. Tan and goes with my favorite coat. The 20 I posted is real sweet as well.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/justdog/Hats/Stetson252.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/justdog/Hats/Stetson253.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/justdog/Hats/Stetson254.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/justdog/Hats/Stetson25.jpg
Just wondering where a thread is that outlines where the 10 20 25 50 100 designations factor into the xxxx factors?

 

[PabloElFlamenco]

Wanted to get a beeter but intead ended up with this. Tan and goes with my favorite coat. The 20 I posted is real sweet as well.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/justdog/Hats/Stetson252.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/justdog/Hats/Stetson253.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/justdog/Hats/Stetson254.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/justdog/Hats/Stetson25.jpg
Just wondering where a thread is that outlines where the 10 20 25 50 100 designations factor into the xxxx factors?

Hi Justdog, try searching "Stetson 20" or so, you'll end up with some threads on the subject, i.a. of correlation between "10 20 25 50 100 designations and the xxxx factors". Working from memory, ...there isn't any provable track record. In general, my limited experience (from this forum and Google searches) is that Stetson history is sketchy. And, as far as I have read (and, hence, repeat), the xxxx's were worth (relatively) more the older they are.

 

[Justdog]

Sovereign

This is my official application for membership of this highly esteemed guild! For the sake of clarity, my new (and best) hat is a Stetson 20 Sovereign, said to date back to the fifties, but I think rather more like anything from 1970 to 1990 (?). It's a beautiful hat, I particularly like to leave it in its original "western" bash.
BTW, the sympathetic feller next to me is Zappa, half St.Bernard, half Husky. The hairs he sheds could easily make felt!

Oh ya that looks realll good! :eusa_clap
Also looks like no wind button,my 20 sov does not have one either.

 

[Justdog]

Thanks

^Justdog, it's an amazing looking hat.

I think a large percentage of the open crown vintage hats were 'special' hats that were put away like that. It's great for modern buyers, but it's also a cautionary tale: if you have a hat, wear it!

Thanks! It is real soft have been wearing it for couple months and just slides onto the head and conforms to your shape. No pinching. I just bash it what ever I feel for the day. The 25 I just got is just as good in tan with wind button no wind tie inside??? I think this is my prefered style of hat as it is like a crossover. Can be western and can be dress can be fedora can be OR. I think this site has helped me gravitate to my suited style of hat, so hats off to the site and the advice and posts which make the journey a little less complicated

 

[GentlemanFarmer]

All around

I agree with Justdog. I kept the Cattleman/Alpine crown on all of mine, but they look good with boots and jeans or over a nice suit with an overcoat. The style is consistent whether casual or dressy.

 

[shortbow]

or's

Hey All, my Grandfather wore OR's, my Dad wore OR's, I've worn them since the early seventies. Open Road (pre 70) pretty much says HAT to me. I've enjoyed Akubras and Borsalinos, but OR's are the real deal. May I apply for entry to this clan?

 

[John in Covina]

Hey All, my Grandfather wore OR's, my Dad wore OR's, I've worn them since the early seventies. Open Road (pre 70) pretty much says HAT to me. I've enjoyed Akubras and Borsalinos, but OR's are the real deal. May I apply for entry to this clan?

******
We need a picture, then you are in like Flynt.

 

[GWD]

Thought I'd post this here. This is the Brand New Open Road I got on sale from Orvis a month ago. It's brim is as stiff as a board but @ $29.00 who's complaining?

I guess this make me a Guilding now!

 

[jimmy the lid]

I like that crease, GWD!

Cheers,
JtL

 

[rmrdaddy]

Nice one GWD!
(you couldn't have ordered 2? one for your 7 1/8 brother in NJ??? sheesh )

 

[shortbow]

John, thanks, but I have no digital camera, I still use only film, and besides, as a neo-ludite by inclination and aptitude, I wouldn't know hot to post anyoldhow.

But I do have one pic of me cached in my computer if some kind soul would like to receive it as an email attachment and post it here.?

As to pics of Dad and Grandad, I got a couple photos of them in their chapeaus, but I would have to find some cyber junkie with a scanner. I'll have an ask around. Lots easier finding a horse and wagon around here though than any computer stuff.

Sure am enjoying all the pics of all you guy's lids though.

 

[Justdog]

Scanner

Hi:
You could drop into a henrys photo store or walmart and they will put them on a disc for almost nothing.

 

[shortbow]

Justdog, hadn't thought of that, thanks. But the nearest big smoke is 200 miles south, so it will have to wait a bit. THEN, I'll have to torture my old brain and figure out how to do the posting.

 

[PhilS]

Two New Slim Ribbons Via Art

A Stratoliner clone and a refurbished Open Road 25 rescued from the dungheap.

<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/philschatz/?action=view&current=IMG_4828.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/philschatz/IMG_4828.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/philschatz/?action=view&current=IMG_4829.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/philschatz/IMG_4829.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Colby Jack]

Can I join with this one?

Even if it's a Whippet of unknown parentage?[huh]