I Really Like These Two Hats....Can Anyone Tell Me About Them?

[portolan]

These pics were posted on the movie thread. Are they both Panamas, or something else? I really like the one in Geisha a lot. Thanks in advance for any thoughts anyone has on them. Phil

 

[RBH]

Phil, I would say both are panama.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Hey Phil,

The first photo looks like a Cuenca Panama hat with a personalized snap shape to the front brim. These come up often on Ebay and I have three of them. Due to the nature of the material they were woven from, and age, many of them are now yellowed (which I personally like) and brittle (which is not a great thing). They can be great hats but are not the same as the fine weave, supple, vintage Monticristis which come up for auction far, far less often.

Many of the hats in this photo seem to have been woven in Ecuador and imported by various makers in the States. I have one by "The Ecuadorian Hat Company of New York" and two by "Adam". I have seen them by Dobbs, Stetson, and on and on. Still, most of them are essentially the same hat with different logos attached inside the crowns and imprinted on the sweat bands.

The primary problem with these hats is that they are prone to cracking if one is in the habit of handling them by the brim/front pinch, as I am. Some are sold already cracked and some arrive OK only to fail when the wearer is not careful enough.

Also, I have seen the vintage hats I've described sell on auction for $10.00 and I've seen them sell for $300+. SAME HATS. In my opinion, they are great looking (I'm eager to get mine out when summer comes) but not rare or of high value.

 

[pplepic]

Pic

Wow, you look like you're both in an old Hollywood movie. Perfect!:eusa_clap

 

[cookie]

I think Gerne is right here because a Monte would not maintain that stiff shape because Montes can be floppy.