At the Dog Track... The Whippets

[suitedcboy]

I always have seen whippets with wide ribbons so the conversations here and the ads always surprised me when narrower, almost mid-ribbon width Whippets are shown. Every hat I like and every hat I have had custom made mimics a Whippet. Whippet features and proportions are PERFECT to my eye. Perfect on many face shapes, height, weight, and complexions. I have never seen a fine head of hair that wouldn't look better shorn with a Whippet or a well executed Whippet facsimile covering it. Hell, I think Roy Rogers would have looked better atop Trigger wearing a Whippet.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

I have never seen a fine head of hair that wouldn't look better shorn with a Whippet or a well executed Whippet facsimile covering it. Hell, I think Roy Rogers would have looked better atop Trigger wearing a Whippet.

+1 Agreed. Roy needed to have given up that mess of a double creased dome of a hat and gotten a proper hat and ribbon treatment-like Whippet. Now Trigger (Golden Cloud) was a handsome stallion and he could get away with just the Roy Rogers signature fancy-dancy saddle (unique saddle had silver triangle and diamond shaped decorations with a matching breast collar, bridle, and tapaderos). Always loved those leather covered stirrups.

Back to Whippets!

 

[M Hatman]

Well here is my early addition for this thread. It could have been made right before the "Vita-Felt" version's, or just after. Vita-Felt was introduced by Stetson in1941 and seems to have been dropped around 1945 (at least as far as advertising it as something special is concerned). I think it (Vita-Felt) was their new felt processing that was done after the government mandated dropping of mercury in the felt proccessing as it was a vital war material (and of course dangerous stuff to work with, though we have known that for quite a while, We just need the stuff for war production now). Anyway, this Whippet example has the Stars in both the sweat and tip logo's. Also, this example does not have a tip protector, nor does it say "Whippet" under the Royal Stetson logo on the tip as later examples do. Rather "Whippet" is debossed on the front of the sweat. This example was origionally sold at "The Hub" (a LOT of cities had a buisness or often a building called "The Hub" in the early to mid twentieth century) in Dubuque (Iowa?). Also indicated is this name ?Sanspareil? Also debossed in all caps as part of the shop logo.
This example is in a nice light grey with a black 1 1/2 inch crown ribbon, crown is just about 5 1/2'' with a 2 3/4" bound brim. Binding is a simular color to the wonderfully pliable thin dense felt......quite the nice felt on this example! It has the red/white blocking tag and the orange tag with the reorder number (did not get pictures of these as the welt stitching is weak). The sweat is 2 inches. The brim binding is 5/16 top and bottom, so fairly narrow for a whippet, which makes me think this was made just prior to the "vita" versions around 1941 or so, as the post war versions I have seen had wider brim bindings. Feel free to let me know your thoughts on it's production date as I am just guessing based on the overall dimensions and details.
This one will be in my archives only and will not get worn as it is only a size 7 1/8. Which is too bad really as it is in very good shape!! BUT, it displays nicely!!
Anyway, here are the picts!
M

 

[Bill Hughes]

Just arrived today. 1950s Whippet in I don't really know what color. It some light it looks an olive-gray. Other lightning brings out more light browns (kind of fawn like). What ever you want to call it I think it's great. The ribbons show wear and give it a real "been there done that" look. So at some point I will have to replace them but not now. The real test will be if my wife veto's me wearing it to church because of the condition of the ribbons.

Surprisingly there is no label behind the sweatband.

Is there a standard bash for a whippet?

 

[Just Daniel]

Looks like Whippets 7 1/4 and up are hitting at over $400. I saw WTH's hat for just long enough to think it was over priced and it was gone! Here are four:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Vi...Size-7-3-8-Men-039-s-Hat-Fedora-/332814159266

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-ROYAL-STETSON-WHIPPET-FEDORA-HAT-W-BOX-BROWN-7-1-4-/263768157610

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Wh...rs-Brothers-Clinton-Illinois-IL-/292686955235

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ROYAL-STETSON-WHIPPET-HAT-BROWN-SIZE-7-1-2-WITH-BOX-/202412733383

 

[drmaxtejeda]

I bought the $444 one. Had to replace the ribbon, and clean it with white gas. I also had Ignacio Reyes conform it to my head for another $32. Now it fits like a glove, Daniel.

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk

 

[Redfokker]

Well here is my early addition for this thread. It could have been made right before the "Vita-Felt" version's, or just after. Vita-Felt was introduced by Stetson in1941 and seems to have been dropped around 1945 (at least as far as advertising it as something special is concerned). I think it (Vita-Felt) was their new felt processing that was done after the government mandated dropping of mercury in the felt proccessing as it was a vital war material (and of course dangerous stuff to work with, though we have known that for quite a while, We just need the stuff for war production now). Anyway, this Whippet example has the Stars in both the sweat and tip logo's. Also, this example does not have a tip protector, nor does it say "Whippet" under the Royal Stetson logo on the tip as later examples do. Rather "Whippet" is debossed on the front of the sweat. This example was origionally sold at "The Hub" (a LOT of cities had a buisness or often a building called "The Hub" in the early to mid twentieth century) in Dubuque (Iowa?). Also indicated is this name ?Sanspareil? Also debossed in all caps as part of the shop logo.
This example is in a nice light grey with a black 1 1/2 inch crown ribbon, crown is just about 5 1/2'' with a 2 3/4" bound brim. Binding is a simular color to the wonderfully pliable thin dense felt......quite the nice felt on this example! It has the red/white blocking tag and the orange tag with the reorder number (did not get pictures of these as the welt stitching is weak). The sweat is 2 inches. The brim binding is 5/16 top and bottom, so fairly narrow for a whippet, which makes me think this was made just prior to the "vita" versions around 1941 or so, as the post war versions I have seen had wider brim bindings. Feel free to let me know your thoughts on it's production date as I am just guessing based on the overall dimensions and details.
This one will be in my archives only and will not get worn as it is only a size 7 1/8. Which is too bad really as it is in very good shape!! BUT, it displays nicely!!
Anyway, here are the picts!
M
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Super interesting Whippet Mark. Dream hat.

 

[Redfokker]

Just arrived today. 1950s Whippet in I don't really know what color. It some light it looks an olive-gray. Other lightning brings out more light browns (kind of fawn like). What ever you want to call it I think it's great. The ribbons show wear and give it a real "been there done that" look. So at some point I will have to replace them but not now. The real test will be if my wife veto's me wearing it to church because of the condition of the ribbons.

Surprisingly there is no label behind the sweatband.

Is there a standard bash for a whippet?

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Two great Whippets in one day. Be still my heart. Love the character this one exudes Bill.

I bought the $444 one. Had to replace the ribbon, and clean it with white gas. I also had Ignacio Reyes conform it to my head for another $32. Now it fits like a glove, Daniel.

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk

Turned out beautiful Max. Great crease and ribbon work. Impressive.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

I bought the $444 one. Had to replace the ribbon, and clean it with white gas. I also had Ignacio Reyes conform it to my head for another $32. Now it fits like a glove, Daniel.

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk

Oh wow Doc. Your guy is a treasure!!
Not kidding!! Super great “new” hat!
B

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I bought the $444 one. Had to replace the ribbon, and clean it with white gas. I also had Ignacio Reyes conform it to my head for another $32. Now it fits like a glove, Daniel.

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk

It might have taken some effort to get there, but its gorgeous now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Just Daniel]

Looks amazing! Ignacio does some great work!

I bought the $444 one. Had to replace the ribbon, and clean it with white gas. I also had Ignacio Reyes conform it to my head for another $32. Now it fits like a glove, Daniel.

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk

 

[Tukwila]

Just arrived today. 1950s Whippet in I don't really know what color. It some light it looks an olive-gray. Other lightning brings out more light browns (kind of fawn like). What ever you want to call it I think it's great. The ribbons show wear and give it a real "been there done that" look. So at some point I will have to replace them but not now. The real test will be if my wife veto's me wearing it to church because of the condition of the ribbons.

Surprisingly there is no label behind the sweatband.

Is there a standard bash for a whippet?

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Wonderful, Bill. If you have a moment, can you check the specs on this one? Open crown height, brim with, ribbon width...

 

[Redfokker]

Just arrived today. 1950s Whippet in I don't really know what color. It some light it looks an olive-gray. Other lightning brings out more light browns (kind of fawn like). What ever you want to call it I think it's great. The ribbons show wear and give it a real "been there done that" look. So at some point I will have to replace them but not now. The real test will be if my wife veto's me wearing it to church because of the condition of the ribbons.

Surprisingly there is no label behind the sweatband.

Is there a standard bash for a whippet?

View attachment 136411 View attachment 136412 View attachment 136413 View attachment 136414 View attachment 136415 View attachment 136416 View attachment 136417 View attachment 136418 View attachment 136419 View attachment 136420

Great to see this one in detail Bill. I like the signs of life this hat shows. Not a hard life, just good honest wear. Classic.

 

[Bill Hughes]

Wonderful, Bill. If you have a moment, can you check the specs on this one? Open crown height, brim with, ribbon width...

Here you go Doug.

Brim: 2 3/4"
Ribbon: 1 1/2"
Binding: 3/8" (top and bottom)
Open Crown: 5 1/2"

 

[Tukwila]

Here you go Doug.

Brim: 2 3/4"
Ribbon: 1 1/2"
Binding: 3/8" (top and bottom)
Open Crown: 5 1/2"

Fantastic, Bill, thank you!

 

[T Jones]

I've been wanting a vintage Whippet, (among a few other vintage hats), for the longest time but could never afford the high price tag for one. In fact, it remains on my bucket list. Until one falls in my lap, I made my own version of one. A longhair Resistol Whippet clone

 

[RJR]

I've been wanting a vintage Whippet, (among a few other vintage hats), for the longest time but could never afford the high price tag for one. In fact, it remains on my bucket list. Until one falls in my lap, I made my own version of one. A longhair Resistol Whippet clone

I'm sure you'll acquire a Whippet at some point,Terry;I rather suspect that it will not be the equal of your version.

 

[T Jones]

I'm sure you'll acquire a Whippet at some point,Terry;I rather suspect that it will not be the equal of your version.

Thank you, Bob. I can only hope I get one someday. It's one of those vintage hats I've been wanting for some time now. A Whippet, a vintage Stratoliner, a Playboy, and a '50s era OR are on my bucket list. It looks like I'll probably kick that bucket before I'll ever be able to get one. But, until then, I guess I can make my own versions of those hats!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

New to me (not say it’s mine) Whippet Panama in butterscotch.

Squeezing the Whippet name for all it’s worth.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

New to me (not say it’s mine) Whippet Panama in butterscotch.

Squeezing the Whippet name for all it’s worth.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Not sure about this one!! Don’t think i’ve ever said that on the lounge but how they think they can get away by just using the name really diminishes my opinion even farther about Stetson. It’s an ok hat...but it ain’t no Whippet!!! No way!!
There...i feel better.
B