Hat box. A keeper?

[Feraud]

I am looking for opinions. See pictures below of a Stetson hat box. It is a bit dusty but badly banged up on one side. Is this worth keeping? I would not trust storing my hat in it because the side is collapsed and will crush the crown.

What do you all think? Should I keep, trash, or do something else with it?

 

[MattC]

you could reinforce it

With a piece of carboard, and use it to store a hat. Make sure the crud on it isn't mold though. If not, I don't think I'd bother. Its not like these boxes are really unusual.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

A little duct tape on the inside and a wet cloth wipe down on the outside and it's as good as gold.

 

[besdor]

Come into our store in Brooklyn and we will give you a new Stetson hatbox ,free of charge !
Just throw out that old box ,please !!!
www.bencrafthats.com:cool2:

 

[scotrace]

Waste Not Want Not

What Hem said, except use the brown super sticky postal tape. Blends in with the cardboard.

 

[budward]

This issue could implicate an interesting point--figuring out how old a particular box style is as a way to help date the hat. Of course, you'd have to be sure the box went with the hat to begin with.

In any event, I don't think that particular box style is old enough to keep. So if you have easy access to a new one, why not. If not, then as others have said, patch it up, and at least it would be functional. Assuming no mold.

Budwin

 

[Andykev]

Keep it

IT's a 1960's era box. I would use clear tape inside, and smooth the crumpled edges using some steam and a flat press, like book on the tabletop.

I have 20 empty hat boxes up in the garage....too bad it costs more to ship them than to sell...or maybe I can try.

 

[jamespowers]

IT's a 1960's era box. I would use clear tape inside, and smooth the crumpled edges using some steam and a flat press, like book on the tabletop.

I have 20 empty hat boxes up in the garage....too bad it costs more to ship them than to sell...or maybe I can try.

You could also just give them to one of your old buddies that happens to live within driving distance and will pick them up free of charge.

Regards,

J

 

[Mycroft]

I would totaly fix it and keep it. If not cut out the side and top pieces and frame them for a cool wall display.

 

[Matt Deckard]

As Kevin said, you could us clear tape inside to try and save the box. That box is very common and you will see them quite frequenly at even thrift sometimes. I myself I think there are better boxes to be had. Seen them from the 700's too.

 

[Feraud]

Thank you all for the replies.
The suggestions to fix the box are all very applicable. The major problem with this box is it's structural integrity. It seems to have sat in this state long enough to be permanently crushed in. When I push out the crushed area, it pops back into itself! It is not conforming itself to being repaired enough to support the crown of the hat. [huh]

 

[tonyb]

If it's worth the trouble, Feraud, you could get some appropriately stiff paper (cardboard?) and build a "new" box inside the old one, at least at the permanently crunched places. The old box would become a veneer over the new material. I got a box much like it a few weeks ago. It came with a hat I bought on the infamous online auction site. The box literally fell apart in my hands when I removed it from the shipping container. I tossed it.

 

[Feraud]

That is not a bad idea, tonyb. I have some cardboard that could do the job. Maybe I will hold the box for a while and have my son work on it when his school work lets up a bit.

 

[John in Covina]

Get replacement and then Toss it, don't worry!

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I'd keep it. But i'm a sucker for those stetson boxes. I prefer the oval ones, but those cuboidal ones are great, too. It doesn't look too badly damaged. Fix 'er up!

bk

 

[jamespowers]

Thank you all for the replies.
The suggestions to fix the box are all very applicable. The major problem with this box is it's structural integrity. It seems to have sat in this state long enough to be permanently crushed in. When I push out the crushed area, it pops back into itself! It is not conforming itself to being repaired enough to support the crown of the hat. [huh]

Popsicle sticks and glue fix the crushed areas. Glue it, clamp it and you are done.

Regards to all,

J

 

[GA Wildlifer]

Why not?

Just put it on the top of the stack.

 

[GA Wildlifer]

New boxes

Does anyone know of a source for new hat boxes? I have a few from ebay without boxes and would like to buy some ... but not the vintage ones that sell for the price of a hat.

 

[John in Covina]

A final step in conservation.

Place tounge firmly in cheek.

You could go to a local museum and ask if they can reccomend a conservator to do repairs. Also have them offset any possible acid damage, then build a hermetically sealed case place it in. Once in the case carefully remove all the oxygen and replace the atmosphere with an inert gas such as nitrogen. Store in cool dark place or have placed in a "time capsule" FOR SAFE KEEPING.
Of course this just might be a little much for an ordinary hat box, BUT we are not simply talking "good enough" here.

Having fun!

 

[John in Covina]

Hat boxes and cans.

Does anyone know of a source for new hat boxes? I have a few from ebay without boxes and would like to buy some ... but not the vintage ones that sell for the price of a hat.

*****
I got a good one from Baron Hats for about $8-10.

If there is a hat vendor nearby you can ask if the have replacement boxes or any leftover fedora boxes for a nominal fee.

Also there are the traveler hat boxes that the vendors tend to call Hat Cans. These hat cans can come in a variety of sizes to accomodate various types of hats from stingy brims to the biggest widest cowboy hat. There are taller ones that you can stack a number of hats inside.

Sincerely,