The Stetsonian Institution

[Orvil Newton]

Visiting Seattle, I stopped by Byrnie Utz hoping to buy a Campdraft. Unfortunately, they didn't have one in my size. After searching the store for a while trying to find something for me, the clerk came up from a lower level cabinet with something. "How about Navy?" he asked. "Oh! it's a Stetson" he called from behind the cabinet door. Then "Look at the price!". The open crown dark blue Stetsonian was covered with dust. The price tag said $99.50. How could I say no? They cleaned it and gave it a center dent with side pinches and I walked out a happy man.

 

[mmbarnes]

Here's my 1946 Vita-Felt Stetsonian.

The year is written on the inside of the sweatband along with 38, with the 3 written over the 8. I suspect that indicates the 7 3/8 size of the sweatband.

718870 is also stamped on the inside of the sweatband. What might that indicate? The source or lot of the leather? The employee number of the individual who crafted it or signed off on quality control? It intrigues me.

Someone re-sewed the liner in askew. A few moth nibbles. Otherwise, it's in lovely shape.

 

[Bob Roberts]

Visiting Seattle, I stopped by Byrnie Utz hoping to buy a Campdraft. Unfortunately, they didn't have one in my size. After searching the store for a while trying to find something for me, the clerk came up from a lower level cabinet with something. "How about Navy?" he asked. "Oh! it's a Stetson" he called from behind the cabinet door. Then "Look at the price!". The open crown dark blue Stetsonian was covered with dust. The price tag said $99.50. How could I say no? They cleaned it and gave it a center dent with side pinches and I walked out a happy man.

Amazing

 

[Bob Roberts]

Here's my 1946 Vita-Felt Stetsonian.

The year is written on the inside of the sweatband along with 38, with the 3 written over the 8. I suspect that indicates the 7 3/8 size of the sweatband.

718870 is also stamped on the inside of the sweatband. What might that indicate? The source or lot of the leather? The employee number of the individual who crafted it or signed off on quality control? It intrigues me.

Someone re-sewed the liner in askew. A few moth nibbles. Otherwise, it's in lovely shape. View attachment 66519 View attachment 66520 View attachment 66521 View attachment 66522 View attachment 66523 View attachment 66524 View attachment 66525 View attachment 66526

Dbl amazing

 

[JDH 1911]

Visiting Seattle, I stopped by Byrnie Utz hoping to buy a Campdraft. Unfortunately, they didn't have one in my size. After searching the store for a while trying to find something for me, the clerk came up from a lower level cabinet with something. "How about Navy?" he asked. "Oh! it's a Stetson" he called from behind the cabinet door. Then "Look at the price!". The open crown dark blue Stetsonian was covered with dust. The price tag said $99.50. How could I say no? They cleaned it and gave it a center dent with side pinches and I walked out a happy man.

Whoa! What a find! Love that ribbon - that looks like a rare one.

 

[Redfokker]

Here's my 1946 Vita-Felt Stetsonian.

The year is written on the inside of the sweatband along with 38, with the 3 written over the 8. I suspect that indicates the 7 3/8 size of the sweatband.

718870 is also stamped on the inside of the sweatband. What might that indicate? The source or lot of the leather? The employee number of the individual who crafted it or signed off on quality control? It intrigues me.

Someone re-sewed the liner in askew. A few moth nibbles. Otherwise, it's in lovely shape. View attachment 66519 View attachment 66520 View attachment 66521 View attachment 66522 View attachment 66523 View attachment 66524 View attachment 66525 View attachment 66526

What is the deal with the "1946"? Can this be a true date? That is awesome.

 

[Frunobulax]

Visiting Seattle, I stopped by Byrnie Utz hoping to buy a Campdraft. Unfortunately, they didn't have one in my size. After searching the store for a while trying to find something for me, the clerk came up from a lower level cabinet with something. "How about Navy?" he asked. "Oh! it's a Stetson" he called from behind the cabinet door. Then "Look at the price!". The open crown dark blue Stetsonian was covered with dust. The price tag said $99.50. How could I say no? They cleaned it and gave it a center dent with side pinches and I walked out a happy man.

]

Wow, great find! Could you post a few shots of interior tags if there are any?




Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Frunobulax]

Here's my 1946 Vita-Felt Stetsonian.

The year is written on the inside of the sweatband along with 38, with the 3 written over the 8. I suspect that indicates the 7 3/8 size of the sweatband.

718870 is also stamped on the inside of the sweatband. What might that indicate? The source or lot of the leather? The employee number of the individual who crafted it or signed off on quality control? It intrigues me.

Someone re-sewed the liner in askew. A few moth nibbles. Otherwise, it's in lovely shape. ]

Simply amazing, Matt.




Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[RJR]

Visiting Seattle, I stopped by Byrnie Utz hoping to buy a Campdraft. Unfortunately, they didn't have one in my size. After searching the store for a while trying to find something for me, the clerk came up from a lower level cabinet with something. "How about Navy?" he asked. "Oh! it's a Stetson" he called from behind the cabinet door. Then "Look at the price!". The open crown dark blue Stetsonian was covered with dust. The price tag said $99.50. How could I say no? They cleaned it and gave it a center dent with side pinches and I walked out a happy man.

Nice find.

 

[ofcoursemyhorse]

Here's four that share very little in common aside from all having the designation of Stetsonian.

 

[Joshbru3]

Here's four that share very little in common aside from all having the designation of Stetsonian.

I think these examples are really important in understanding hat style trends throughout the 20th century. The Stetsonian to me was always the hat model that exemplified the mainstream fashion at the time. They were not super flashy hats, but relatively conservative in appearance that would appeal to almost anyone. To me the "Stetsonian" was "everybody's" hat As these two pictures show, many hats had the "Stetsonian" designation but between the decades the proportions and look changed based on what was going on in the hat industry at the time. The Stetsonian pictured from the teens/20's has a nice crown with curled brim. The up-brim and curled brim was very fashionable in the early 20th century. The Stetsonian pictured here from the 30's has a nice tall crown with an unbound shorter brim. The tall crown/short brim combo was a very popular style in the early to mid 30's. The two Stetsonians from the 40s/50's have wider brims and more tapered crowns. That was also a very popular styling cue from the 40's/50's. Sure, there are always exception to every rule, but overall these hats follow the mainstream styles of the individual time period.

Thanks for posting these.

 

[hatsRme]

Here's four that share very little in common aside from all having the designation of Stetsonian.

They also share in the fact that they're ALL AWSOME, OfCourse...!!

 

[RJR]

I'm very fond of this one,said to be from the 40s-50s per the family I bought it from.

 

[Frunobulax]

I think these examples are really important in understanding hat style trends throughout the 20th century. The Stetsonian to me was always the hat model that exemplified the mainstream fashion at the time. They were not super flashy hats, but relatively conservative in appearance that would appeal to almost anyone. To me the "Stetsonian" was "everybody's" hat As these two pictures show, many hats had the "Stetsonian" designation but between the decades the proportions and look changed based on what was going on in the hat industry at the time. The Stetsonian pictured from the teens/20's has a nice crown with curled brim. The up-brim and curled brim was very fashionable in the early 20th century. The Stetsonian pictured here from the 30's has a nice tall crown with an unbound shorter brim. The tall crown/short brim combo was a very popular style in the early to mid 30's. The two Stetsonians from the 40s/50's have wider brims and more tapered crowns. That was also a very popular styling cue from the 40's/50's. Sure, there are always exception to every rule, but overall these hats follow the mainstream styles of the individual time period.

Thanks for posting these.

Thanks for the additional analysis, Josh.

They're all gorgeous, OCMH.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Orvil Newton]

A couple more shots of my new Stetsonian in the wild

 

[Orvil Newton]

Wow, great find! Could you post a few shots of interior tags if there are any?




Sent directly from my mind to yours.

I was disappointed when I got back to my hotel and removed the hat from the box to find that the store clerk had removed the price tag from inside the sweat band that had the information on it. Of course I did not get the original box either. The only markings on the sweat band are the Stetson logo on the left side and 5X in front. The usual size tag with 7 and 56 is at the stern. There is a stick-on paper label inside the sweat on the right side that says:
NOSTALGIA OF3008
NAVY
5X
2 3/4
7 0/0

 

[Frunobulax]

I was disappointed when I got back to my hotel and removed the hat from the box to find that the store clerk had removed the price tag from inside the sweat band that had the information on it. Of course I did not get the original box either. The only markings on the sweat band are the Stetson logo on the left side and 5X in front. The usual size tag with 7 and 56 is at the stern. There is a stick-on paper label inside the sweat on the right side that says:
NOSTALGIA OF3008
NAVY
5X
2 3/4
7 0/0

Others here would know more than me, but they were marketing a "Nostalgia" model several years ago. I think it was pre-Deckard. Didn't know of any Stetsonians, though. Interesting find.

Next time you go back, ask 'em if they have any more!! [emoji1]


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[moontheloon]

submitting this subject as a reference into the institution

1940s Vita Felt

Sent from my space aged handheld communication device and universal translator

 

[hatsRme]

submitting this subject as a reference into the institution

1940s Vita Felt

Insane, Anthony. Beyond beastfulness... Great save! Congrats and enjoy!!

 

[FedOregon]

submitting this subject as a reference into the institution

1940s Vita Felt

Sent from my space aged handheld communication device and universal translator

Outstanding, Anthony. Just perfect.