Hat Gift Certificates - Those Tiny Boxes of Delight

[scotrace]

Those tiny hats in tiny hat boxes. Does anyone collect them? What's desirable? Did they come with certificates as well? Do you have any photos to share?

 

[besdor]

I started to collect them about fifteen years ago before Ebay ruined everything . Now , I have over 100 different ones from companies such as Dobbs , Stetson ,Borsalino , Mallory , Dalton and many others .
I shouln't say Ebay ruined evertyhing , just that it got more people interested in them . When Ebay started , you could buy them for 5 to 15 dollars . Now , I've seen some go for over 100.00. The same for vintage hats .
At least they dont take up that much space in my house!!

Steven

 

[squid]

I found a magazine ad for Knox hats in an antique store today. It was for the Christmas season so it highlighted these as gifts. One came in a bell shaped ornament, a Tom & Jerry came with a coffee cup, and a third one that I don't recall. Each one came with a gift certificate.

I was just killing time so I didn't pick up the ad. And the search for hats was a bust.

 

[thunderw21]

The Gift Hats

You know, those tiny hats that would fit a size 7/8" head.

I'd always wondered what they were exactly. At first I thought they were "salemen's samples", as antique shop price tags so often called them.

Turns out, they were given as gifts as the below advertisement shows.

The receiver of the tiny box and hat would take them into the shop where the giver had already paid for a real hat. The receiver would then pick up his hat and happily walk out with a smile on his face and a new hat tipped on his head.

Here are mine:

The Resistol hat on the right is made of pure felt while the others are fuzzy plastic.


Let's see yours.

 

[RBH]

I had wondered at those tiny hats!!!

 

[bolthead]

very cool....

I see them on OFAS all the time, tempted to get a few, but haven't pulled the trigger as of yet.

 

[Josephine]

The receiver of the tiny box and hat would take them into the shop where the giver had already paid for a real hat. The receiver would then pick up his hat and happily walk out with a smile on his face and a new hat tipped on his head.

Why didn't they just bring the real hat home? ::is puzzled::

 

[Tango Yankee]

Why didn't they just bring the real hat home? ::is puzzled::

This way the receipient was able to pick out the hat--color, style, etc. and get one that fits the first time around rather than have to go back to get it in the right size, etc.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[jimmy the lid]

Why didn't they just bring the real hat home? ::is puzzled::

In essence, these miniature hats and hat boxes acted as "gift certificates." So, the recipient could head on over to the retail store and then choose a lid that was to their liking in terms of style, color, etc.

It always cracks me up when I see one of these described as a "salesman's sample" on OFAS. I can just imagine the salesman meeting with the head buyer at the department store, taking out a tiny plastic fedora and saying, "Now just imagine this a whole lot bigger, and made of felt, not shiny red plastic...How many would you like to order?"

Cheers,
JtL

 

[jimmy the lid]

Here's how it works...[1949]

 

[Edward]

Those are cool. Much more fun than the reular gift certificate, and for someone who either wanted to let the recipient choose the style and colour, or who didn't kno the size, a great way of being able to suprise them on Christmas Day without getting it "wrong", either in terms of style or size.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Here's the Gift Box in the Stetson Ad...

 

[Art Fawcett]

I've collected these for years and in fact, I use them as intended!!! I have had several transaction using them and it's perfect for the wife to surprise "hubby" and treat him to a custom, while having something to open at the event. I'll get some pics if time allows.
Great box JTL, the Stetson Christmas is one of the most sought after

 

[ScionPI2005]

In essence, these miniature hats and hat boxes acted as "gift certificates." So, the recipient could head on over to the retail store and then choose a lid that was to their liking in terms of style, color, etc.

I never knew these existed, but now that I do, I think they're really cool. I'm finding the whole idea of miniature fedora "gift certificates" very intriguing. Makes me want to get a few to decorate my desk or something; seems like they could be perfect for that.

 

[kpreed]

I collect these too. At one time I found them an easy find, not so much anymore, but I always felt any fedora owner should have at least one.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Great box JTL, the Stetson Christmas is one of the most sought after

I'm with you, Art. I absolutely love the scene on that box -- a nostalgic look at a 40's Christmas. I was also lucky enough to find the full-size version, as well:

Cheers,
JtL

 

[jimmy the lid]

Makes me want to get a few to decorate my desk or something; seems like they could be perfect for that.

I love how the Stetson ad suggests that the little box can be used to store cuff-links and collar buttons!

Cheers,
JtL

 

[pgoat]

I've got a couple as well....I noticed a big jump in price right before the holidays on ebay - guess that was why!!

 

[Sefton]

Another mystery solved. What a brilliant idea. I should let my wife "accidentally" read about this. My birthday is a way off...our anniversary is coming up though. Pearls for her...a new VS for me..hmmm...

 

[portolan]

This forum is amazing....

I just saw several of these for sale and was about to inquire if there are enough to form a collection. I think, after looking at this thread, the answer is yes! I think they are very cool. I am a sucker for collecting odd ball stuff. These look terrific......Any more updates on them?