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[deadlyhandsome]

I recently came into a lot of vintage hats that I know very little about. I'll probably sell them eventually since none fit my giant head. What can you tell me about them? Approximate worth?

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To get anything close to an accurate valuation we would have to know a lot more about each hat. A hat in 6 7/8 might sell for a small fraction of what the same hat in size 7 1/2 sells for. The age of the hats, the crown heights, the brim widths, the condition, the liners, the debossing, and many other factors go into their value. Then ultimately all that matters is what someone is willing to pay for it and that wildly fluctuates on its own. Value is a slippery concept.

Valuations are not really what this forum is for. Some time spent on ebay seeing what similar hats actually sell for seems to be your best bet. We enjoy seeing vintage hats and if you included detailed photos someone here might even make you an offer.


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[Afc]

Well, that's why I'm here. I honestly don't know where to start as far as what the styles are called, timeframe, etc.

 

[Frunobulax]

Hello all. I have a question that I'm having trouble finding an answer for. Is white vinegar safe to use on a beaver fur felt hat?

Yes. I use a dilute solution of vinegar and distilled water. Abour 1:10 ratio, normally. I just cleaned some mystery stains on a light colored Stetson with great results. However, you can still leave "water marks," occasionally.

Think before you do it, though. Not because of harm, but effectiveness. Vinegar is an acid; it is good at breaking down salts and things on the higher side of the pH scale.

Something like a baking soda paste should be good at breaking down acids, such as uric, which we secrete. Oils, etc. are another matter.

Vinegar is pretty good with verdigris, as it's a copper salt.

Don't be afraid to check sites like Tide's, which give stain advice. Much can be applied to fur felt.

Good luck!

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[Lone45]

Thanks guys. My concern is not with stains, but rather bacteria. We were at an event last weekend and spent about 10 hours in a county fair building with a dirt floor. This building is commonly used for showing animals, and it was quite obvious that the floor contained more than just dirt. By the end of the day, we and everything with us was coated with a thick layer of dust. I cleaned the dust from my hat with a shop vac, but I can't shake the feeling of the bacteria left behind.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Thanks guys. My concern is not with stains, but rather bacteria. We were at an event last weekend and spent about 10 hours in a county fair building with a dirt floor. This building is commonly used for showing animals, and it was quite obvious that the floor contained more than just dirt. By the end of the day, we and everything with us was coated with a thick layer of dust. I cleaned the dust from my hat with a shop vac, but I can't shake the feeling of the bacteria left behind.

Freezer....72 hrs. Great for the mind... not so much for the bacteria.
B

 

[Steinbockhase]

Freezer....72 hrs. Great for the mind... not so much for the bacteria.
B

Some interesting facts I found on bacteria:

With 85% the majority of bacteria are good and necessary;
only 15% of bacteria are considered bad and can cause sickness.

The Freezing Myth
"It is clear that freezing does not kill most of the bacteria," said Redl, "but puts them in a dormant state."
Bacteria stops growing in the freezer, but will become active again once you slip your pants back on and those germs are warmed up by the heat of your body.

So the freezing methode is more or less just "great for the mind" !

If you are really worried about bad germs and bacteria, try using some kind of stainless and oderless disinfectant spray.
i.e. clear alcohol

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Some interesting facts I found on bacteria:

With 85% the majority of bacteria are good and necessary;
only 15% of bacteria are considered bad and can cause sickness.

The Freezing Myth
"It is clear that freezing does not kill most of the bacteria," said Redl, "but puts them in a dormant state."
Bacteria stops growing in the freezer, but will become active again once you slip your pants back on and those germs are warmed up by the heat of your body.

So the freezing methode is more or less just "great for the mind" !

If you are really worried about bad germs and bacteria, try using some kind of stainless and oderless disinfectant spray.
i.e. clear alcohol

Freezing is effective at killing moth eggs and larvae, and we tend to worry more about them than bacteria.

I doubt bacteria would survive a naphtha bath.


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[suitedcboy]

Am I the only one that has this thread and a couple others that are current and all others are from 2003?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Am I the only one that has this thread and a couple others that are current and all others are from 2003?

I use Tapatalk and I haven’t noticed anything unusual.


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[Lone45]

If you are really worried about bad germs and bacteria, try using some kind of stainless and oderless disinfectant spray.
i.e. clear alcohol

I was strongly considering clear alcohol. Is it safe for beaver fur felt? The hat in question is black and was made this year.

 

[Lone45]

Thanks, but naptha is a little bit further than I'm willing to go at this time. The hat is new, having been made earlier this year.

 

[Steinbockhase]

I was strongly considering clear alcohol. Is it safe for beaver fur felt? The hat in question is black and was made this year.

I'd give the hat a good brushing and then lightly spray mist it with some clear alcohol.
Just enough to disinfect the surface; not necessary to soak the felt!
Then dye bleeding shouldn't be an issue.

 

[aihpcfl]

Thanks guys. My concern is not with stains, but rather bacteria. We were at an event last weekend and spent about 10 hours in a county fair building with a dirt floor. This building is commonly used for showing animals, and it was quite obvious that the floor contained more than just dirt. By the end of the day, we and everything with us was coated with a thick layer of dust. I cleaned the dust from my hat with a shop vac, but I can't shake the feeling of the bacteria left behind.

You were breathing that dust, dirt, and whatever. If that hasn't hurt you, I wouldn't worry about the hat other than dusting it as you did.

 

[belfastboy]

I have purchased a number of great vintage fedoras for my wife. They were 6 7/8 and 7. All pristine , good brands and the most i paid was $50 on Ebay. Hats in small sizes just dont command much $$$ regardless of provenance. Best bet is to list on Ebay full auction and get what you get.

 

[Hat and Rehat]

Thanks guys. My concern is not with stains, but rather bacteria. We were at an event last weekend and spent about 10 hours in a county fair building with a dirt floor. This building is commonly used for showing animals, and it was quite obvious that the floor contained more than just dirt. By the end of the day, we and everything with us was coated with a thick layer of dust. I cleaned the dust from my hat with a shop vac, but I can't shake the feeling of the bacteria left behind.

Bacteria are necessary for the body to produce antibodies.
The parents that spent the most time disinfecting everything seemed to have the sickliest kids in my experience.

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[Dotneck]

Is Supernatural still an active brand of Panama hats?

 

[Bill Hughes]

Is Supernatural still an active brand of Panama hats?

I believe they ended in the 60s.

 

[DaveProc]

Borsalino Punti Size Question.
Good afternoon, I have attached two size labels from a Borsalino size 7, would the 7 be Punti or American 7/12?

 

[Boomerang]

Searching for a black open-crown fedora to purchase new. Style-wise think “Camp Draft in black,” although it does not have to be a thin-ribbon hat. I have a black Fed IV, but the brim is disappointing. Google takes me to the Borsalino “F.A.B.” at the Village Hat Shop, but from what I hear about post-bankruptcy Borsas, I’m not too enthusiastic. Any ideas, or do I need to start thinking custom?

 

[jlee562]

Searching for a black open-crown fedora to purchase new. Style-wise think “Camp Draft in black,” although it does not have to be a thin-ribbon hat. I have a black Fed IV, but the brim is disappointing. Google takes me to the Borsalino “F.A.B.” at the Village Hat Shop, but from what I hear about post-bankruptcy Borsas, I’m not too enthusiastic. Any ideas, or do I need to start thinking custom?

Not a lot of new open crown hats. The Premiere Stratoliner is nice and more or less similar to a CD/OR (slightly different flange, smaller brim).

JJ recently added this new Biltmore open crown hat...I think they're still offering $35 off with code "fall" : https://www.jjhatcenter.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/the-fulton

Customs will most likely be better quality.