The Open Road Guild

[Rick Blaine]

Thanks Gent!

I could be wrong, but is the brim edge bound with a ribbon? It looks so thick and the same color too, like it's felt-bound. Looks like you get to put whatever hatband you want on it though. Should make a dandy lid.

I am hoping that the edge is the fabled ! CAVANAGH EDGE !
mebee one of the more knowledgeable members present could weigh in on that one... I will of course let ya' know when the item is actually in hand...
Regards & best wishes

Rick

 

[Visigoth]

I May Or May Not Be a Member

Well, I snagged this Marathon version of the Open Road on ebay for $41.00:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl.../search.dll?from=R40&satitle=8275324245&fvi=1

This would be the same hat as Jeff Bridges wore in Seabiscuit, I believe. I shall either be applying for membership in the Guild, or, tragically, I may have to pass it on to one of you.

I didn't realize that the seller posted that he would ship only to America. If he's adamant about not shipping the hat to me in Mexico (or wants to charge me an arm and a leg), then perhaps one of you will wish to buy it -- or, more interesting for me -- trade me something for it, and I'll have it shipped to you direct. Even the box is in superb shape; and I suspect I won't bother with the box if he sends it down (adds a lot to shipping).

Message me if you're interested. I'll know by tomorrow whether he'll ship it here.

 

[Visigoth]

In fact, I've decided to pass on this hat. He's willing to cancel the order. BUT... if someone here is interested, and gets back to me immediately, I can transfer it.

 

[riccardo]

My Open Road

Hi to all,
here am I in my OR.

I'm in Geraci Siculo,a nice country near Palermo, I was there for my Easter lunch.
I advice you to visit this little sweet city, for any information let post me!!

Best regards.
Riccardo.

 

[John in Covina]

Open Road in Italy- We came, we saw, we did a little shopping

Bella Via!

Great Open Road Riccardo! Great picture.

La Dolce Vitae!

 

[riccardo]

Bella Via!

Great Open Road Riccardo! Great picture.

La Dolce Vitae!

Many thanks for your visit in Sicily,John.
Hope you were good!!
Take care.

Riccardo

 

[RBH]

Great photo Riccardo !

You look very dashing in your O R.
Thanks for posting.....

 

[maintcoder]

Dang!

I am making available tomorrow a Stetson Royal DeLuxe "The Open Road" in medium grey that appears to be 1940s, size 7. Tonight I am just finishing the cleaning and steaming. I will take pics tomorrow and post to the vintage section of our website. However, I will also post two pics (one liner) here and perhaps someone could date it? The lining is goldish satin. The Royal DeLuxe Stetson imprint is in purple and black under protective translucent fabric. I will have it on our site tomorrow for $79 with the lounge members discount. It's $99.00 for everyone else.

Too bad it is a size 7... if it was a size 7 1/4 I would on this hat toot sweet!

 

[GentlemanFarmer]

My second OR back from the hatter

If you remember back, I had "rescued", what I believed to be, a Resistol San Antonio from a local vintage shop back in March. It was soft and pretty clean so it only needed a good brushing. It was missing it's sweatband. It was also too small. I'm a 7 1/4 and the label adhered to the inside of the crown read 7. Since it was only a $12 investment I applied steam and a Hat Jack. Removed the liner and ribbon hatband, then steamed-ironed the brim flat and by golly it survived the resuscitation and even fit! Sent it off parcel post to Mike the Hatter in Cleveland last Wednesday, 4/12. They re-flanged the brim to fedora-style, reinserted the liner, reattached the hatband, put in a new sweatband and shipped it back. It was $22.95, including shipping and the whole endeavor was done in 10 days. The hat looks great, fits great and yes I did keep the original Dress Alpine (Cattleman's) crown. Just had to do it.

Where are the pictures you ask? I will figure out Photobucket this weekend and try to post them.

Wish me luck. (My 14 year old usually has to help poor old Dad)

 

[GentlemanFarmer]

Photos finally

Okay fellow Guild members, I'm hoping I do this photo transfer correctly. I tried to position both hats identically for the photos. Both hats with the Cattleman's crease and the front brim down, rear brim up.

BTW, the OR Guild thread was found today on page TWO. Shocking!! We must do better to keep the Guild FRONT PAGE. More input, more photos, more braggin' on this classic chapeau!

Now to retire to the front patio with the lovely wife to enjoy a relaxing cocktail on a beautiful Spring evening.

Top: Resistol San Antonio
Bottom: Stetson OR

<center>
<img src="http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g278/GentlemanFarmer/SanAnton2.jpg" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"><br><br>
<img src="http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g278/GentlemanFarmer/OR2.jpg" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"><br><br>
</center>

 

[thefedorastore]

Recent Addition

Here's a recent addition that I just received from Saskatchuan, cleaned, steamed and re-shaped and it's ready to go. I think that's four or five Open Roads we have available now, this was was the smoothest and softest felt and it took the shape very well.

 

[RBH]

G F, Thats a couple of great looking hats!
Although I favor the fedora crease, your hats have a real classic look with the ''cattlemans'' crease and turned down brim in front.
Thanks for the pics...

 

[REDKNIGHT1775]

HAD TO JOIN IN!

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A COUPLE OF OPEN ROADS ON EBAY. I SAW EVERY ONE WAS HAVING TOO MUCH FUN WITH OUT ME.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8278245927&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8410948006&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

STILL GOT ANOTHER ONE IN MY SIGHTS. PLANING ON KEEPING ONE WITH THE WESTERN CREASE AND FRONT BRIM DOWN, THE OTHER WILL BE REBASHED FEDORA STYLE AND BRIM SNAPPED DOWN. CHECK THEM OUT AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK GUYS. I'LL POST MORE PICS UPON ARRIVAL.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Gosh, you wear a size 7? Lucky you!!! eBay is your orchard, with most every apple ripe for the picking. (7 is one of the most common sizes there.)

 

[REDKNIGHT1775]

ACTUALY I WEAR A SIZE 7 1/8, BUT SOMETIMES A 7 WILL FITS PERFECTLY. IF NOT, I AM PREPARED TO STRETCH WITH MY HANDY STRETCHER. MY FRIEND, WHO IS ALSO INTO HATS, ALSO TELLS ME THE SAME THING... I'M JUST LUCKY!

 

[TomMason]

I just got my fifth Open Road - a nice 7 1/2 that will onlu need a little work. We have probably discussed this before, but what is the record? I know I am not even close.

 

[thefedorastore]

Whaddya Think?

New sweatband and grosgrain band. Whaddya think? I think this straw is
really cool.

 

[J.B.]

New sweatband and grosgrain band. Whaddya think? I think this straw is
really cool.

.....

Wa-Heu! Now that is a nice straw -- the best of both worlds!

...Oh, and don't forget Monday is Straw Hat Day!!!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Looks like a homburg brim and a cowboy crown got together and had a Panama love child.

 

[Pilgrim]

Redknight, I'm jealous. You got a couple of extremely nice hats for a song. They look super, and I'm sure you will enjoy them.

Somehow, wearing an Open Road feels a bit different than other hats. They have such an interesting association with the American West and powerful men. Just look through old pictures of Senators, University Presidents, and UUS Presidents - the Open Road was a common denominator.