There may be a more appropriate thread for this question...probably several in which it would fit.
Any oppinions about putting new liners and sweatbands in older hats as to taking away from the hats value because of removing Company logos, crests, and other information that may be imprinted on the sweatband and crown labels?
Would it take away from the collectability of the hat by removing or replacing this information, artwork or original pieces of the hat?
I have seen some hat that need the sweat or liner to be replaced to make it a nice wearable hat....but, would that alter the intrinsic elements that make a particular hat desireable to own.
I have never had a hat cleaned, blocked or replaced a liner or sweatband....I don't know how it is done or if there is such a thing as new reproduced items as in auto parts for replacements for restoreation.
maybe some of the older hat collectors and wearers that have experience in replacing these items could offer opinions and feedback.
I wear my hats, period. If the sweat & liner are serviceable, they stay in & get used. If not, they get replaced & I consider the hat a vintage felt body.
I do try to keep the original liner & sweat with the hat in its box for "documentation".
I don't run a museum so keeping older hats in original state that I don't wear is non-starter.
I have some hats from around the world that are on the hall tree in the foyer but those are souveniers.
I do think the "value" as far as resale is deteriorated when modern replacement liners & sweats are applied.
It would take a buyer of the same mindset to see past the modifications. JMHO....
Ought to be a sticky.
When you have a hat sent out to replace the liner or sweatband, does the shop doing the work automaticly send back the old liner and/or sweatband?
Is that common practice or do you have to request them back?
You MUST request it. I remove the liners before sending off if I want to keep them & specifically state to return the sweat. HTH
Great thread, very informative and a nice display of some fantastic examples of fedoras.
One thing though, where in the timeline of hats does the "wind trolley cord" appear?? Is it any particular decade or was it more about different options from different hat brands throughout??
2 of my hats (Resistol & Pilgrim) have the cords, and both are supposed to be from 1930/40's era.
Any insight would be grand.
Cheers Dan
Here is an ad from 1894. Its been around for quite a while. Not sure when it transitioned from an aftermarket option to a manufacturer's option.
B