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[Blare]

Lee Fifth Avenue - Smartlee

Lee Fifth Avenue - Smartlee
Ultra lightweight felt 76 grams
Off white with tan/brown undertones
5 inch open crown (4 1/2 as shaped)
1 1/8 light brown grosgrain mid ribbon
1 7/8 raw edge brim

I took a flyer on this Lee Fifth Avenue Smartlee. I knew from the photos it would probably be a lightweight felt but upon arrival I was blown away by how incredible thin and airy it is! This unlined hat weighs in at just 76 grams and I attribute a good amount of that to the sweatband as the band itself is bit thicker and heavier than on my ultra lightweight borsalinos which weigh in between 64g and 74g. I believe in felt alone this one may well be the lightest. It is incredibly soft to shape and the color combination is just beautiful in person. An off white cream color with tan and brown undertones with a light chocolate brown grosgrain mid-ribbon. It does have one small hole In the felt toward the rear of the crown. Luckily it is well hidden in the crease. I may attempt a repair Or at least place a small piece of tape on the inside just to ward off further degradation in that area... but it is not any big issue visually. I think this one may become a perfect Florida Friend.

held up to the sun you can see some light peeking through the small hole in toward the rear of the crown

 

[Just A Hat Rack]

Lee Gold Label. Thanks to Randall Renshaw. I was after one for a while View attachment 273962 View attachment 273963 View attachment 273964 View attachment 273965 View attachment 273966 View attachment 273967 View attachment 273968

Nice shape and proportions on this one Max. I dig it.

 

[Steve1857]

And it has found one. What a great style. Good catch, Steve.

 

[Steve1857]

Thanks, Stefan

 

[Randall Renshaw]

40s/50s 2 3/4 brim Dalton with an extraordinary embroidered liner and purple ribbon!
It’s one of four hats I purchased from a single seller in two days. They all came from an estate sell.
The original owner must’ve had good taste and the money to support it.
Two Daltons one day and two really nice wide brimmed Crofut & Knapps! Got the Formers yesterday and will receive the latters tomorrow. Can’t wait for those! Never owned that exclusive brand.
The medium brown TAR Dalton needs some TLC but will clean up nicely.
I feel awfully blessed to have found this seller...before you guys!

 

[steur]

And another size 7. This is the 3X Quality 10-Star Quality Wormser OR style hat. 2 1/2” bound brim and very soft felt. This is my second of these Wormsers and they are marked identically, but this hat has a much softer brim: still western firm, but not as harsh as my first specimen.

View attachment 274493 View attachment 274494 View attachment 274495 View attachment 274496 View attachment 274497 View attachment 274498 View attachment 274499 View attachment 274500 View attachment 274501 View attachment 274502

This hat is also looking for a new home so send me a PM if you’re interested.

Some very nice finds there, Brent. The Stetson is an awesome hat, but not something I would wear over here. The Wormser is also very nice. From what I've seen of them (which is limited) there can indeed be quite a bit of difference between one or the other.

And a Dobbs in my size. I’m guessing that this hat is from the 1970s, but that is truly a guess. It started life as a homburg and the wider on the bottom biding (shows as the top after the brim edge is curled) is wider than the top. A previous owner removed a lot of the curl, but left some. I tweaked the brim a bit and added some sharp dents.

View attachment 274503 View attachment 274504 View attachment 274505 View attachment 274506 View attachment 274507 View attachment 274508 View attachment 274509 View attachment 274510

The sweatband looks perfect, but has a feel of leather I’ve learned to leave alone so no peak for labels.

Works just as well as a more informal hat, I think. Nice get.

Well this is why I call my other half the better half!

No wonder I still love her just as much 36 years later, here's her secret........


Edit: Opps...forgot the hats I was so excited about the steamer lol. Both Akubra Fed IV, Dark Brown and Carbon Grey. I guess I joined more than just the Jiffy club today hahaha. Such a beautiful woman to make sure I had a couple of open lids to play with on the new steamer as well.

Who am I kidding, I'll prolly hit all my hats for a freshen up lol...Should only take a "Jiffy"! hahahaha...

And it's not even Christmas yet! Hours of fun to be had there.

 

[steur]

View attachment 274725 40s/50s 2 3/4 brim Dalton with an extraordinary embroidered liner and purple ribbon!
It’s one of four hats I purchased from a single seller in two days. They all came from an estate sell.
The original owner must’ve had good taste and the money to support it.
Two Daltons one day and two really nice wide brimmed Crofut & Knapps! Got the Former yesterday and the latter tomorrow. Can’t wait for those! Never owned that exclusive brand.
The TAR Dalton needs some TLC but will clean up nicely.
I feel awfully blessed to have found this seller...before you guys! View attachment 274721 View attachment 274723 View attachment 274724 View attachment 274738

Fantastic, Randall. Congrats!

 

[Randall Renshaw]

Fantastic, Randall. Congrats!

Thanks a lot, Stefan.

 

[Just Daniel]

VERY nice. Pretty cool find!

View attachment 274725 40s/50s 2 3/4 brim Dalton with an extraordinary embroidered liner and purple ribbon!
It’s one of four hats I purchased from a single seller in two days. They all came from an estate sell.
The original owner must’ve had good taste and the money to support it.
Two Daltons one day and two really nice wide brimmed Crofut & Knapps! Got the Formers yesterday and will receive the latters tomorrow. Can’t wait for those! Never owned that exclusive brand.
The medium brown TAR Dalton needs some TLC but will clean up nicely.
I feel awfully blessed to have found this seller...before you guys! View attachment 274721 View attachment 274723 View attachment 274724 View attachment 274738

 

[steur]

Lee Fifth Avenue - Smartlee

View attachment 274566

Lee Fifth Avenue - Smartlee
Ultra lightweight felt 76 grams
Off white with tan/brown undertones
5 inch open crown (4 1/2 as shaped)
1 1/8 light brown grosgrain mid ribbon
1 7/8 raw edge brim

I took a flyer on this Lee Fifth Avenue Smartlee. I knew from the photos it would probably be a lightweight felt but upon arrival I was blown away by how incredible thin and airy it is! This unlined hat weighs in at just 76 grams and I attribute a good amount of that to the sweatband as the band itself is bit thicker and heavier than on my ultra lightweight borsalinos which weigh in between 64g and 74g. I believe in felt alone this one may well be the lightest. It is incredibly soft to shape and the color combination is just beautiful in person. An off white cream color with tan and brown undertones with a light chocolate brown grosgrain mid-ribbon. It does have one small hole In the felt toward the rear of the crown. Luckily it is well hidden in the crease. I may attempt a repair Or at least place a small piece of tape on the inside just to ward off further degradation in that area... but it is not any big issue visually. I think this one may become a perfect Florida Friend.

View attachment 274568 View attachment 274567 View attachment 274569 View attachment 274571 View attachment 274572


held up to the sun you can see some light peeking through the small hole in toward the rear of the crown

View attachment 274570 View attachment 274573 View attachment 274574 View attachment 274575

Thought that one might catch your eye, Joe. I did consider it, but I've not done all that well with hats not my size.
Nice enough hat though.

 

[Randall Renshaw]

VERY nice. Pretty cool find!

Thanks, Daniel. Cool fer sure!

 

[Zombie_61]

And a Dobbs in my size. I’m guessing that this hat is from the 1970s, but that is truly a guess. It started life as a homburg and the wider on the bottom biding (shows as the top after the brim edge is curled) is wider than the top. A previous owner removed a lot of the curl, but left some. I tweaked the brim a bit and added some sharp dents...

Looks like a nice hat, but the thing that puts it over the top for me is the brim shape. I do think that kinda' makes it a Homburg/Western combo, but if it were my size I wouldn't care. Looks good on you too Brent!

 

[Steve1857]

My eyes widened when I saw your photos of the Dalton, Randall. Great shape and super colours. The ribbon combo is just something to behold. Congrats on the find and your winning bid.

View attachment 274725 40s/50s 2 3/4 brim Dalton with an extraordinary embroidered liner and purple ribbon!
It’s one of four hats I purchased from a single seller in two days. They all came from an estate sell.
The original owner must’ve had good taste and the money to support it.
Two Daltons one day and two really nice wide brimmed Crofut & Knapps! Got the Formers yesterday and will receive the latters tomorrow. Can’t wait for those! Never owned that exclusive brand.
The medium brown TAR Dalton needs some TLC but will clean up nicely.
I feel awfully blessed to have found this seller...before you guys! View attachment 274721 View attachment 274723 View attachment 274724 View attachment 274738

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Optimo Rex. More details in the Optimo thread. View attachment 274310 View attachment 274311 View attachment 274312 View attachment 274313 View attachment 274314 View attachment 274315 View attachment 274316 View attachment 274317 View attachment 274318

I’m sorry that the Optimo wasn’t completely perfect. It’s a great looking hat and I’m sure Ignacio will make it even better.

Every time I see the Stack I’m reminded of Hufvud’s Njal fedora. Not an exact match either, but the FEPSA 100% beaver really looks like great felt in Mikael’s photos:

 

[Rmccamey]

Ribbon color really pops on that one, Randall!

View attachment 274725 40s/50s 2 3/4 brim Dalton with an extraordinary embroidered liner and purple ribbon!
It’s one of four hats I purchased from a single seller in two days. They all came from an estate sell.
The original owner must’ve had good taste and the money to support it.
Two Daltons one day and two really nice wide brimmed Crofut & Knapps! Got the Formers yesterday and will receive the latters tomorrow. Can’t wait for those! Never owned that exclusive brand.
The medium brown TAR Dalton needs some TLC but will clean up nicely.
I feel awfully blessed to have found this seller...before you guys! View attachment 274721 View attachment 274723 View attachment 274724 View attachment 274738

 

[Randall Renshaw]

Ribbon color really pops on that one, Randall!

Thanks, Randy and @Steve1857 !

 

[deadlyhandsome]

View attachment 274725 40s/50s 2 3/4 brim Dalton with an extraordinary embroidered liner and purple ribbon!
It’s one of four hats I purchased from a single seller in two days. They all came from an estate sell.
The original owner must’ve had good taste and the money to support it.
Two Daltons one day and two really nice wide brimmed Crofut & Knapps! Got the Formers yesterday and will receive the latters tomorrow. Can’t wait for those! Never owned that exclusive brand.
The medium brown TAR Dalton needs some TLC but will clean up nicely.
I feel awfully blessed to have found this seller...before you guys! View attachment 274721 View attachment 274723 View attachment 274724 View attachment 274738

The hat and the box: wow! Very nice, and very rare. You have a real skill at finding great vintage hats.

 

[Blare]

View attachment 274725 40s/50s 2 3/4 brim Dalton with an extraordinary embroidered liner and purple ribbon!
It’s one of four hats I purchased from a single seller in two days. They all came from an estate sell.
The original owner must’ve had good taste and the money to support it.
Two Daltons one day and two really nice wide brimmed Crofut & Knapps! Got the Formers yesterday and will receive the latters tomorrow. Can’t wait for those! Never owned that exclusive brand.
The medium brown TAR Dalton needs some TLC but will clean up nicely.
I feel awfully blessed to have found this seller...before you guys! View attachment 274721 View attachment 274723 View attachment 274724 View attachment 274738

BEAUtiful

 

[Blare]

Thought that one might catch your eye, Joe. I did consider it, but I've not done all that well with hats not my size.
Nice enough hat though.

I definitely can understand when you have to factor transcontinental freight. This one was worth taking a poke at for ten bucks. Pleasantly surprised. It did take a dunk in the Atlantic Ocean today. I think it’s drying out just fine. Though I imagine it May have made it Almost 60 years Without that happening before

 

[Randall Renshaw]

Built myself this full custom.
Well. Sort of.
This was a 50s Adam Pork pie with a narrow over-welt brim. re-blocked, flanged the brim.
I took out the stitching and flattened the welt giving it a 1/4” more brim, then stitched on some vintage binding.
This sweatband is one of 10 ordered from Brian Sullivan, who has taken over
J W hats.
I had an epiphany and gave the leather sweat’s edge unique appeal by stitching gold thread in 3 rows. Think it may end up being one of the features that may help my customs stand out from others. One row of stitching on dress felts, so it won’t look western.
Probably, somebody has already done this stitching on their sweats, but I haven’t seen one.
I’ve yet to come up with a logo, but Brian says he can emboss one in gold into the leather.
Also figured out that holes need to be pre punched in the sweat’s rear seam so the stitching ends up looking more uniform. Kinda drunk lookin’ on this one.
Could’ve easily sewed on a grosgrain ribbon and bow, but I think this particular multi colored hat band that was salvaged off a huge 90s black Resistol looks pretty good on this little homemade hat.
I needed a lid that was a little...different.