The Penney's Marathon

[frankmartinjr]

Hi all,

I'm trying to verify the authenticity of a hat that belonged to a famous individual. Does anyone know if Pennys Marathon hats were ever custom made from the factory? If so did the inside sweat band say "Custom made for: John Doe". Perhaps there is a way to check with the old factory records. I see from this thread that those hats were produced from the Lee Hat Co. of Danbury, Conn. Does anyone know if their records are still around.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[fedoracentric]

Does anyone know if their records are still around.

Sadly, you won't find any manufacturers that retain the sort of records you are looking for. Firstly, all those great old hat companies are long gone. Secondly, those companies who bought out the old companies never saved any records.

Further, I kind of doubt that there were ever any records kept even when those companies were still going strong that would tell you if they custom made a hat for a particular person.

About all we have these days is newspaper stories, the occasional stray invoice, period advertisements, and old hat industry journals to go by today.

 

[Widebrim]

Does anyone know if Penny's sold ladies hats under the name Marathon?

It may have, but I've never seen any proof of it.

 

[Landman]

Hi all,

I'm trying to verify the authenticity of a hat that belonged to a famous individual. Does anyone know if Pennys Marathon hats were ever custom made from the factory? If so did the inside sweat band say "Custom made for: John Doe". Perhaps there is a way to check with the old factory records. I see from this thread that those hats were produced from the Lee Hat Co. of Danbury, Conn. Does anyone know if their records are still around.

Thanks for any insight.

Welcome to the forum. I have a Penney's Marathon "Beaver One Hundred" western hat that has stamped on the sweatband "Made Expressly For Walt Martini". It also has it's own special suitcase. I purchased the hat from Ebay and don't know anything about Mr. Martini but he obviously had the hat custom made. I posted pictures of it on the Lounge but I can't remember which thread. I'll see if I can find them.

Edit: Here is the thread with pictures.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...er-100-Hat-And-Suitcase&p=1750238#post1750238

 

[gtdean48]

Marathons were made for JC Penney by Lee Hats if I am not mistaken. No idea if special ordering was offered but bet they were in the catalog!

 

[frankmartinjr]

Thanks all for the insight. Landman, thanks for showing me another custom made Penny Marathon, its good to know they are out there.

 

[Landman]

Thanks all for the insight. Landman, thanks for showing me another custom made Penny Marathon, its good to know they are out there.

You are welcome. I'm sure all the Lounge members would enjoy seeing pictures of your hat if that is possible. I know I would.

 

[Miamibruno]

Just in case I missed it, is there a thread that dates Marathon liners or tags? I've gotten my hands on two beautiful Marathons and I'm just trying to get an idea of provenance and time. Also, does anyone know the Ultra, Supreme, Superior scale?

Thanks for any help.

 

[gtdean48]

Just in case I missed it, is there a thread that dates Marathon liners or tags? .... Also, does anyone know the Ultra, Supreme, Superior scale?
...

This thread is pretty much the concentrated Marathon info...

 

[tommyK]

Just picked up off the bay

Some archeology


Not sure if this is a clue to the manufacture, I'm guessing Lee from others in this thread


i had not seen one of these before but it makes sense that something like this would be offered. It was tucked in between the crown and hatband.

 

[tommyK]

Almost forgot the liner. 50's I guess?

 

[Lotsahats]

Hey Tommy,

Glad the hat made it--USPS was quick on that one! I, too, figured late 50s on this one, based on evidence in this thread.

Hope you like it,
A

 

[Widebrim]

View attachment 15459
Almost forgot the liner. 50's I guess?

Might be late-'50s, but even earlier is possible. Great hat, Tommy.

 

[tommyK]

Hey Tommy,

Glad the hat made it--USPS was quick on that one! I, too, figured late 50s on this one, based on evidence in this thread.

Hope you like it,
A

Very happy! I steamed it to open crown on my 52 block, reshaped it and a little brushing and it's good to go. the postman tried to destroy it, the box was really smashed but you packed it too well! It came through unscathed.

 

[Lotsahats]

Very happy! I steamed it to open crown on my 52 block, reshaped it and a little brushing and it's good to go. the postman tried to destroy it, the box was really smashed but you packed it too well! It came through unscathed.

Oh, man, glad to hear that! You freaked me out for a second. Awesome, all around.

 

[fedoracentric]

View attachment 15459
Almost forgot the liner. 50's I guess?

I'd say late 50s but probably 60s.

 

[tommyK]

Could be 60's. At what point did most manufacturers start going to the stingy Madmen style brim? This one's got a 5 1/2 crown and 2 1/2 brim which is why i was thinking 50's. there is probably some overlap in style offerings at that time. I'll have to try and round up some Penny's catalogs from around 1955-1965. Might be able to help date some of these better or narrow the range.

 

[Ordinary Guy]

This is my Marathon, and the ribbon is unique- the gray in the ribbon match the felt.. I haven't seen another two tone Marathon ribbon, doesn't mean they are not out there but I just haven't seen any.

Anyone got a guess on age ?

 

[tommyK]

Do the pleats in the liner help date it one way or the other? Or is that just "flavor of the week" for the manufacturer.

 

[fedoracentric]

Seems to me that the big "M" is a late 50s 1960s style of advertising art.