I have been searching and searching for an ID

[Threegpsi]

Hello all - First let me say I am a member of another forum community so I understand the newbies that do not research themselves. However, in this case this newbie has done as much research as I can. I have been looking at logos, block numbers and reading any related thread I can. With that said, I recently inherited a hat from my father which was his father's.... Possibly his father’s as well.

I am not a collector and I do plan on selling the hat but I would really like to understand a real value of the hat r even be pointed in the correct direction of where I can research it further, or even to a interested buyer.

Any insight would be great, if you need more pictures, please let me know.

Thanks in advance,
Ken


Outer Hat:

Condition: 1 Stain, Underside seems to have some spots of missing hair?

Inner Labels and Sweatbands:

 

[Threegpsi]

And the last picture -

 

[danofarlington]

Welcome. I am not a member of the opinion that newbies have to dig and scroll through weeks or years worth of website data before asking any questions. I am waiting for somebody to say "egad, man, don't you realize that this same conversation was had in December 2007? Don't you do any research?" So even if you didn't research it, I personally wouldn't have been bothered at all.

As to the value of the hat, partly I think it depends on the age. I am no expert, but your hat looks relatively old, by which I mean 40s or before. Despite the mothing and the stain, because of it's age, I would expect an eBay auction to go north of $200 on a good day. Unless there is some other quality we don't know, like John Wayne wore it or it's 100% beaver, you probably aren't going to get much more than that. Maybe $300 at the outside. On the low side, an auction might get you as little as the $100 range, in my opinion. I am no expert, but I'm guessing about the market.

 

[Threegpsi]

Thanks for the input Dan.

I actually run a business on a few forums selling aftermarket car parts, so I understand both opinions.

 

[RBH]

Here are a few threads tha may help you out. But if you are looking for a guide as to pricing the hat to sell, I am not sure we can help.
You can get as much as the buyer wants to give.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?32145-Stetson-Nutria

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?55014-The-Official-Stetson-Nutria-Quality-Thread

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?39321-Stetson-5X-Clear-Beaver-1942

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?29232-Nutria

This thread really has some great info.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?21471-HATCO-Could-you-quot-clear-quot-something-up

 

[alanfgag]

This hat is from the 1920s. I would expect it to attract some interest when you sell it.

 

[randooch]

Alan, if that were your find, would you have it cleaned before putting up for sale?

 

[Mystic]

This hat is from the 1920s. I would expect it to attract some interest when you sell it.

I think that's what just happened.

I can't think of a better place for an exploratory market test for a very vintage hat. :whistle:

 

[alanfgag]

Alan, if that were your find, would you have it cleaned before putting up for sale?

I don't know... when I get smart and start selling instead of buying, I'll let you know.

 

[Threegpsi]

Is the overall opinion for it Ebay then? Should I start the bid at $100 and let the market decide the price? Should I set any sort of reserve?

Thanks again for all the help and feedback.

 

[danofarlington]

I would absolutely put a reserve of around $100 on it. Would be a shame if bidding were slow that week. If it's from the 1920s, you've got strong earnings potential. But I am thinking if you put a higher reserve, it would wind up like a lot of eBay hats pitched at $200 or $300, which get no action. What you want is a hot auction between a few interested parties in the final two minutes, rather than throwing cold water on interest with a high initial price. When I get drawn into an auction, it's always with a low reserve, where I fool myself into thinking I'll get a steal.

 

[mikespens]

I would absolutely put a reserve of around $100 on it. Would be a shame if bidding were slow that week. If it's from the 1920s, you've got strong earnings potential. But I am thinking if you put a higher reserve, it would wind up like a lot of eBay hats pitched at $200 or $300, which get no action. What you want is a hot auction between a few interested parties in the final two minutes, rather than throwing cold water on interest with a high initial price. When I get drawn into an auction, it's always with a low reserve, where I fool myself into thinking I'll get a steal.

I agree with dano, nothing kills an auction buzz more than a high open. Set your reserve but start it low. It has some issues like the stain and moth bites that will turn some off. It's worth more for it's historical value than fashion value and the market for that is very small. You may be better off listing it in the Lounge classifieds with your asking price. Buyers here tend to be more savvy and appreciative but also looking for a decent deal. Since you paid nothing for the hat, you don't have anything to lose. Good luck.

 

[Walt]

One of the pictures appears to possibly be showing a moth larva. To the left of the re-order tag and below the red liner fold sew line. I would check that ASAP!

Given the amount of moth tracks and holes I would do some checking for those and eggs and take care of it immediately if anything is found. Brushing off/vacuuming anything found and maybe freeze that hat if you do find eggs or larvae. There are several discussions on the Lounge about moths and how to deal with them.

 

[mikespens]

Sharp eye Walt, get that hat in the freezer Threegpsi!

 

[Mystic]

One of the pictures appears to possibly be showing a moth larva. To the left of the re-order tag and below the red liner fold sew line. I would check that ASAP!

Given the amount of moth tracks and holes I would do some checking for those and eggs and take care of it immediately if anything is found. Brushing off/vacuuming anything found and maybe freeze that hat if you do find eggs or larvae. There are several discussions on the Lounge about moths and how to deal with them.

Now that's one brash arrogant Larva !!! Right out in the open posing for photos and thumbing it's nos.... :eeek: :mad3:

Opps, No thumb and no nose....
Well....still brash anyway.... :laugh:

Actually that's one heck of an educational photo.

I agree with the others....check it out, isolate it and FREEZE IT for a couple of days....

 

[Threegpsi]

Thanks Gentlemen, it is currently in the freezer.

Odd how it got there, it has been wrapped up in the same plastic bag for years now.

 

[Walt]

Thanks Gentlemen, it is currently in the freezer.

Odd how it got there, it has been wrapped up in the same plastic bag for years now.

If the bag is not air tight with no holes and tied very tightly shut (such that it holds air like a balloon) those moths will flatten their bodies and crawl right in! They are evil! :eeek:

If it is an air tight bag then conceivably they could be just going though their lifecycles breeding and the worms living off the fur felt, becoming adults and doing it all over again.

 

[countryclubjoe]

Hi Threegpsi

Why not offer the hat here on FL? Determine the price you would be satisfied with and post it in the classifieds.
Good luck and best regards.

CCj

 

[Threegpsi]

Hat has been in the freezer for a day now, I will wait 2 more days in the deep freeze before I sell.

I will put it up on the FL forums first for $200 and see if there is a taker. If not I will run it over on Ebay.

Please let me know if you think $200 is fair, high or low for the FL buyer. I am not trying to make a mint, but simply get what the hat is actually worth.

 

[Threegpsi]

Also for the record, before I put the hat in, I touched the said cuplrit and it did not move. I am guessing it died at some point in the past.