The Open Road Guild

[M Hatman]

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

 

[Vagabundo]

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.

1920 Census Larger

• Vagabundo
• Jul 28, 2017

Great-Grandfather worked at Stetson Philadelphia in the 1920s

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.

IMG_6670

• Vagabundo
• Jul 28, 2017

IMG_6671

• Vagabundo
• Jul 28, 2017

IMG_6672

• Vagabundo
• Jul 28, 2017

IMG_6674

• Vagabundo
• Jul 28, 2017

How do people here feel about rolling their Open Roads for travel?

 

[Hurricane Jack]

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.

1920 Census Larger

• Vagabundo
• Jul 28, 2017

Great-Grandfather worked at Stetson Philadelphia in the 1920s

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.

IMG_6670

• Vagabundo
• Jul 28, 2017

IMG_6671

• Vagabundo
• Jul 28, 2017

IMG_6672

• Vagabundo
• Jul 28, 2017

IMG_6674

• Vagabundo
• Jul 28, 2017

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.

 

[moontheloon]

Interesting block & flange. Hopefully someone can tell us more from your reorder tag.

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

 

[moontheloon]

How do people here feel about rolling their Open Roads for travel?

It is your hat so obviously do as you wish ... it will enhance the self proclaimed vagabond look
That being said I don't recommend it

 

[Vagabundo]

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.

 

[RJR]

It is your hat so obviously do as you wish ... it will enhance the self proclaimed vagabond look
That being said I don't recommend it

+1

 

[moontheloon]

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

 

[Bob Roberts]

+1 ^ ^ ^ ^

 

[Glouie]

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!

 

[alanfgag]

Lovely hat... a Stetson western style with three cord ribbon rather than The Open Road. Subtle differences that take nothing away from your find. Enjoy it!

 

[Glouie]

Alan, Good catch on the triple ribbon. I guess it's a very subtle horse of a different color. It will be a good mate to my other trusty old "thin ribbon".

 

[BobHufford]

Love both of those Glouie! My kinda hats!

 

[RJR]

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.

 

[Revenger]

I know it's new and it technically doesn't SAY Open Road on it but...

Hat-8

• Revenger
• Aug 28, 2017

Hat-11

• Revenger
• Aug 28, 2017

Hat-13

• Revenger
• Aug 28, 2017

Hat-12

• Revenger
• Aug 28, 2017

It's my first and definitely not last Open Road. I love it.

 

[RJR]

I know it's new and it technically doesn't SAY Open Road on it but...

Hat-8

• Revenger
• Aug 28, 2017

Hat-11

• Revenger
• Aug 28, 2017

Hat-13

• Revenger
• Aug 28, 2017

Hat-12

• Revenger
• Aug 28, 2017

It's my first and definitely not last Open Road. I love it.

Beauty.

 

[johnnycanuck]

I know it's new and it technically doesn't SAY Open Road on it but...

Hat-8

• Revenger
• Aug 28, 2017

Hat-11

• Revenger
• Aug 28, 2017

Hat-13

• Revenger
• Aug 28, 2017

Hat-12

• Revenger
• Aug 28, 2017

It's my first and definitely not last Open Road. I love it.

Nice! Mr Big Bucks with the 6X.
Wear it in good health.
Johnny

 

[Revenger]

Nice! Mr Big Bucks with the 6X.
Wear it in good health.
Johnny

No sir, not me haha. Got it from the outlet. Paid $55 before shipping.

 

[Bob Roberts]

No sir, not me haha. Got it from the outlet. Paid $55 before shipping.

$55.00! THE OUTLET! LOVE IT!!!

 

[Revenger]

$55.00! THE OUTLET! LOVE IT!!!

Not sure if you are poking fun?