The Open Road Guild

[gtdean48]

Judging from that size tag, I have an Open Road that pre-dates that hat.

 

[jimmy the lid]

I wonder if this recent eBay find predates Stetson stamping "Open Road" on this style of hat? Except for the 2-cord ribbon, it matches OR measurements in every way...I figure mid 40's, but don't really know.

Bob -- your liner dates your lid to the mid-50's. Stetson made a number of lids that pretty much matched OR specs, albeit with different ribbons -- but the "Open Road" moniker was reserved for lids with the particular thin-ribbon treatment that we've all come to know and love.

Cheers,
JtL

 

[Bob Smalser]

Thanks gents. Learned something as usual.

 

[handlebar bart]

I won my first Open Road today. What do you guys think. Is it a good one and what do you think age wise. Its a 7 1/8

 

[gtdean48]

Looks nice but need to see the size tag better...

 

[Atticus Finch]

Well, now I am in a funk.

Since 2006, I have been laboring under the misimpression that I was a solid member of the Open Road Guild. Now I despair that I am but an outcast. I have just read elsewhere in this thread that for a hat to be an Open Road, it has to be marked as such on the sweatband.

Sadly, I lack a hat with such a mark.

Yes, I have four Stetsons that look exactly like ORs. Two are felt; two are straw. I bought two of these impostors on e-bay; the other two, I purchased brand new from Quality Hats. But none of them---even the new ones---have the words “Open Road” printed on their sweatbands. Yes, they say “Open Road” on the little white, paper tags in their sweatbands, and their boxes said “Open Road”, but no such words appear on their sweatbands. And, darn it, the new ones were advertised by Quality Hats as being Open Roads...and I surely bought them thinking that they were Open Roads. Now I fear that we---Quality Hats and I---were wrong all along.

I feel like Saint Peter just walked up to me saying, “Atticus, about your coming up here to live…..well, Old Sport, I’m afraid there has been a mistake….”

AF

 

[John in Covina]

Well, now I am in a funk.

Since 2006, I have been laboring under the misimpression that I was a solid member of the Open Road Guild. Now I despair that I am but an outcast. I have just read elsewhere in this thread that for a hat to be an Open Road, it has to be marked as such on the sweatband.

AF

My opening remarks (see post #1) were this:

"To those that achieve this great quest is bestowed title of "Open Road Guild Member." Keep sending those pictures! And non Stetson facsimiles such as the Dobbs Westward and the Mallory Dallas will be considered as 'Honorary' members since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

You should not despair even I thought that there should be some wiggle room.

 

[rlk]

Stephen L. Stetson Open Road Pretender "TEXAN"

Its large and in sad shape (7-1/2 LO)so I will be selling rather than taking on the project.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Well, now I am in a funk.

Since 2006, I have been laboring under the misimpression that I was a solid member of the Open Road Guild. Now I despair that I am but an outcast. I have just read elsewhere in this thread that for a hat to be an Open Road, it has to be marked as such on the sweatband.

Atticus, I am here to lift your veil of despair. In terms of the felt lids, it sounds like you have two bona fide Open Roads. They just happen to be modern incarnations -- hence, no "Open Road" on the sweat (but "Open Road" on the tag inside the hat).

The back and forth on this issue has centered around vintage Stetsons, and whether or not a vintage Stetson with all of the attributes of an OR -- but without "Open Road" on the sweat -- is "officially" an OR.

Just to alleviate any lingering pangs of despair you may have, you may just have to go out and get yourself a vintage OR!

Cheers,
JtL

 

[Corky]

An alternate idea...

Quote: Originally Posted by Atticus Finch
Well, now I am in a funk.

Since 2006, I have been laboring under the misimpression that I was a solid member of the Open Road Guild. Now I despair that I am but an outcast. I have just read elsewhere in this thread that for a hat to be an Open Road, it has to be marked as such on the sweatband.


An alternate idea might be to go to a stationery store and get yourself a metallic gold felt tip marker and use it to write the words "Open Road" inside the sweatband of each hat.

 

[Atticus Finch]

An alternate idea might be to go to a stationery store and get yourself a metallic gold felt tip marker and use it to write the words "Open Road" inside the sweatband of each hat.

BINGO!!!!!

 

[Lefty]

If you're going that route, write Stratoliner and triple the value of the hats.

 

[portolan]

Has an Open Road ever looked better

than on the lovely Ms. Portolan? She got two recently....one in a fedora bash and this one in a traditional western style....

 

[rtravler]

7 7/8 Open road

Not sure if it is Bob or Ed but I know I have a big head. And Howdy.
Sent an email also. Name is David and I would like to buy your hat. I pray it is still available, if so tell me how you would like to do proceed.

David Hill

 

[Mister_Ed]

Hat is still available

Not sure if it is Bob or Ed but I know I have a big head. And Howdy.
Sent an email also. Name is David and I would like to buy your hat. I pray it is still available, if so tell me how you would like to do proceed.

David Hill

Hi David, yes the hat is still available. I don't see your email in my inbox, so please try again: mister_ed1@yahoo.com . You have to have at least 15 posts to PM someone. Thanks, I hope to hear from you!

 

[handlebar bart]

A better glamour shot of my new one

 

[RBH]

Very nice Bart and I really like that crease!!!

 

[jimmy the lid]

Very nice Bart and I really like that crease!!!

:arated:

 

[ScottF]

I don't have an 'Open Road' yet, but have been looking for one. During that search I picked up a JC Penney's Marathon that supposedly belonged to a Seattle fire chief who was born around 1910.

I am new to vintage hats, so unsure how to more accuratelly tell the age, and hoping one of you might be able to help. Attached are photos of the original box, and labels. The pics were all bad, so I had some fun with them - it's marked 'Pecan' on the box. Thanks!

Box and original bash: http://oldsplice.homestead.com/Hats/MarathonAjpg.jpg
Label: http://oldsplice.homestead.com/Hats/MarathonL.jpg
Band: http://oldsplice.homestead.com/Hats/MarathonS.jpg
Re-bashed Pics
http://oldsplice.homestead.com/Hats/MarathonFront.jpg
http://oldsplice.homestead.com/Hats/MarathonTop.jpg
http://oldsplice.homestead.com/Hats/Marathon-Side.jpg

 

[Justdog]

I don't have an 'Open Road' yet, but have been looking for one. During that search I picked up a JC Penney's Marathon that supposedly belonged to a Seattle fire chief who was born around 1910.

I am new to vintage hats, so unsure how to more accuratelly tell the age, and hoping one of you might be able to help. Attached are photos of the original box, and labels. The pics were all bad, so I had some fun with them - it's marked 'Pecan' on the box. Thanks!

Box and original bash: http://oldsplice.homestead.com/Hats/MarathonAjpg.jpg
Label: http://oldsplice.homestead.com/Hats/MarathonL.jpg
Band: http://oldsplice.homestead.com/Hats/MarathonS.jpg
Re-bashed Pics
http://oldsplice.homestead.com/Hats/MarathonFront.jpg
http://oldsplice.homestead.com/Hats/MarathonTop.jpg
http://oldsplice.homestead.com/Hats/Marathon-Side.jpg

I wouldn't worry about an OR as yours is pure classic and looks great:eusa_clap