Ebay Hats: Victories, Defeats, Gripes & Items of Interest

[W4ASZ]

I see the item was listed as a "Cowboy Hat", not as an "Open Road" or an "Open Road Twenty Five." Therein lies the seller's error.

The Stetson dating threads here on FL will help you zero in on the age.
:eusa_clap

Speed dial ! :

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images

 

[Lefty]

OK, I was just the highest bidder on this Open Road Stetson. I presume it is not older than the 1980s.

It's much older than that, and a fantastic hat. The 25 is the next step down from the 7X clear beaver of the same age - though it is a pretty large step.

 

[Mobile Vulgus]

Yeah

I see the item was listed as a "Cowboy Hat", not as an "Open Road" or an "Open Road Twenty Five." Therein lies the seller's error.

I sort of thought that was a strategic mistake, too. The only reason I even saw it is that I was looking for hat boxes and since this one in in a box it showed on my ebay search. I figured it would go for way higher than $45, I have to admit. Heck it was at $23 until the last 3 seconds of the auction.

 

[Mobile Vulgus]

It's much older than that, and a fantastic hat. .

Really? Well, I will go look at the threads and see if I can get a feel for how old it is, then.

 

[rlk]

Tweed Panel Cap 1918-34

 

[Salty O'Rourke]

This Lee Trinity didn't last long - I'd have snapped it up but it's too small for me. Whoever won it got the steal of the month.

 

[gtdean48]

OK, I was just the highest bidder on this Open Road Stetson. I presume it is not older than the 1980s.

Anyway, the question is the color. A few days ago I emailed the seller and asked if it was tan or whiter than that and they emailed back saying it was more silvery than tan.

So, seeing as how I can't make heads or tails from Stetson's model names, colors and quality markings yet, my question is this:

What does Stetson call this color?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170544452804&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Excellent hat. GREAT price. Looks Silverbelly to me. Could be Estes Tan.

 

[RBH]

I sort of thought that was a strategic mistake, too. The only reason I even saw it is that I was looking for hat boxes and since this one in in a box it showed on my ebay search. I figured it would go for way higher than $45, I have to admit. Heck it was at $23 until the last 3 seconds of the auction.

If it hade been a 7 1\2... I believe it would have gone higher.

 

[SteveAS]

I figured it would go for way higher than $45, I have to admit. Heck it was at $23 until the last 3 seconds of the auction.

I was the underbidder on that hat. I put in a lowball bid of $44 hoping to get a bargain because it was a poorly advertised hat. I'd have bid higher but I already have a Silverbelly Churchill Beaver 25 Open Road clone, so I really didn't need that hat.

Congratulations on what looks like a great hat at a great price!

 

[hatophile]

OK, I was just the highest bidder on this Open Road Stetson. I presume it is not older than the 1980s.

Anyway, the question is the color. A few days ago I emailed the seller and asked if it was tan or whiter than that and they emailed back saying it was more silvery than tan.

So, seeing as how I can't make heads or tails from Stetson's model names, colors and quality markings yet, my question is this:

What does Stetson call this color?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170544452804&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Nice pickup MV,

I agree with the others, definitely older than 80's, probably 50's or so. Also looks to be silverbelly, although I have about 3 ORs that I would classify as silverbelly, and all colors are slightly different. Some have a more tan cast,
some more grayish/taupe color.

No matter, very nice hat, excellent price. :eusa_clap

 

[SteveAS]

This Lee Trinity didn't last long - I'd have snapped it up but it's too small for me. Whoever won it got the steal of the month.

I wish I'd seen that one. I have an opening for a brown hat with burgundy ribbon in my hat inventory! :eusa_doh:

 

[theinterchange]

Pictures can mislead, but I'd guess silver belly for this one. This is a great hat, whatever you call the color, especially for the price. Congratulations !

I believe it is much older than you think.

I agree, it's not an 80's hat.

I agree with the others, definitely older than 80's, probably 50's or so.

Was thinking 50's myself... but I've been wrong before.

Randy

 

[Mobile Vulgus]

Thanks

Thanks for all the info, folks.

 

[frussell]

When did Stetson Stop the 25?

I also recently won an Open Road that is marked as a Twenty Five. When did Stetson stop this designation? I'd love to get a time frame for the hat I bought as well. It's at Optimo right now for some upsizing and cleaning. Thanks, Frank

 

[Lefty]

I've seen 25s that look like they were made in the 70s, but I'm not sure about the full lifespan. I think the 25s began with the "gold medal" emblem as on MV's, went through another liner, and ended with the diamond patterened liner and black sweat. The 25 designation on the sweat went from the same gold medal emblem to a carnival-looking, curly script.

As far as I know - which ain't much - I might have one of the older 25s, as mine has the flag design in the upper left corner of the liner crest, which was replaced by the leaf (over a transition where both sometimes appear on the same hat - including mine) sometime in the early-mid 50s.

 

[DOUGLAS]

Most often, the originals are purchased by people (many of them in Japan), who intend to make repros of the item. They spend what seems to be a very high amount on the item, spend all sorts of time researching and obtaining the materials and method/means of manufacture, and then do a small, extremely well-made run of repros - which carry the high price of such quality, small runs. If a perfect repro of the cap is made that sells for $80, it won't take the buyer long to recoup and profit, and he can then resell the cap for most of what he paid.

I'm a big fan - though not a buyer - of the high-end repro workwear. While it's certainly not being used as workwear anymore, the vintage style and attention to detail is appealing to me. It's all about the pride of history behind the company/item, and the craft of the repro - very much like everything we discuss here.

You should check out the Free & Easy magazines from Japan if you haven't already. They are fantastic and very detailed with everything from vintage clothing to booze to architecture.

 

[Phineas Lamour]

I got my birthday hat!

More pics in the Dobbs thread.

 

[Lefty]

You should check out the Free & Easy magazines from Japan if you haven't already. They are fantastic and very detailed with everything from vintage clothing to booze to architecture.

I wish we had a bookstore around here that had them. At around $20-30 per isssue, I just look at the bits and pieces posted in auctions and various places online. It is amazing stuff.

 

[Mobile Vulgus]

Black Stetson Sovereign

Got this Stetson in the mail today. Ran me about $69.

Dates anyone? Is THIS one a 1980s Stetson?

 

[BanjoMerlin]

Got this Stetson in the mail today. Ran me about $69.

Dates anyone? Is THIS one a 1980s Stetson?

Maybe even 1990s. Is the sweatband leather or synthetic?