How much for a boater? Success! And pictures.

[KeyGrip]

Hey gents. I found a boater that actually fit me today, and since it has no price tag I get to make them an offer. How much does your average vintage boater go for? There doesn't seem to be anything special about it; it's a Resistol, in good shape with no holes or breaks that I could find, and the sweatband is starting to separate in some places. Thanks for your help.

 

[Tomasso]

I've seen them go for cheap on the Bay; like $15-20. Start there.[huh] Seeing how you'll have to have the sweatband replaced....

 

[KeyGrip]

$20 sounds like a good place to start haggling. Thanks for the tip.

 

[57plymouth]

I paid $15 INCLUDING shipping for my vintage boater.

 

[KeyGrip]

May I ask what brand it was and in what condition? If this were a felt hat, I would be able to estimate a value on my own, but I have zero experience with boaters. What are the traits of a good boater? What should I look out for?

 

[57plymouth]

Do these answer your questions? I need to replace the ribbon.

 

[KeyGrip]

Success!

Offered $20 and he took it.

Step one is to clean it. Is water okay, or should I just dry brush it?

Step two is to replace the rbbon with something a little less severe. Probably blue and red.

Thank you Tomasso and 57Plymouth for your help and advice.

 

[57plymouth]

I washed mine in water and it destroyed the lining. The sweat band may not survive either. I also had to spray it with several coats of spray starch to stiffen it back up.

I'd use a fairly stiff brush and compressed air to blow it out. It's amazing how much filth I got off mine with some 120 psi air and an old fingernail brush. I should have stopped there and not washed it in water.

 

[KeyGrip]

A good stiff brush took most of the bad dust off. I may go at it with canned air later, but it looks pretty good now. The next step is to find a different ribbon.

 

[skyvue]

What size is your boater, if I might ask?

And me, I'd love to find a vintage boater with a dark ribbon like that. Congrats on your find.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

Isn't this the same hat, for $100.00??

http://www.levinehat.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_28&products_id=113

Leon Fux Headwear Straw Boater

Imported from Italy, the classic straw boater hat, in the finest quality available. Sometimes referred to as the straw cady. This style was the most popular straw hat during the early 1900's.

Available with 2" brim, and the classic navy/red club-stripe band. The straw boater is traditionally a very "dressy" men's hat.
Now available in Solid BLACK with a club stripe band for $125.00

To me $20.00 is about it. Thck hat though.

Later

 

[KeyGrip]

What size is your boater, if I might ask?

And me, I'd love to find a vintage boater with a dark ribbon like that. Congrats on your find.

Tag says 7 3/8ths, and it's a little loose on my 7 1/2 LO head. I'm planning on holding on to the ribbon if I swap it out. Let me know when you find your boater and you can take it off my hands.

Isn't this the same hat, for $100.00??

http://www.levinehat.com/index.php?m...du cts_id=113

Not sure, my crown looks a little shorter. Style wise, they're essentiall the same hat, though I have no idea how boater quality has changed over the years. I don't even know how old mine is.

 

[Big_e]

That's a great lookin' boater Keygrip!:eusa_clap Try a small clean paintbrush to get the dust off.
Ernest

 

[BanjoMerlin]

Is water okay, or should I just dry brush it?

A very nice Resistol. Nice score!

NO WATER!!! When the hat was new it would probably have been able to survive a bit of a rain shower but whatever you do now, keep it dry!

In 1928 Knox was advertising a boater treated with the "Rainoray" Process that would protect the hat from sudden showers and add weeks to wear. If adding weeks to the life of a straw hat was a big enough deal to advertise we should be amazed that any straw hats have survived for us to see today.