Post New Hats Here!

[steur]

Ignacio just finished five hats from my last batch. He cleaned them all with Percloro Etileno, so I still have to put Pecard Antique Leather Conditioner on all the sweatbands.

First, an Excellent Stetson. I am pretty sure I got it from Stefan, but I might be confusing it with another.

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk

Very nice parade of new hats again, Max. This one is indeed the German made Stratoliner I found.

 

[steur]

This one is not really new-to-me; I've had it about 3 or 4 years, but how it came to me and why I didn't wear it is interesting, to me, anyway.

About 3 or 4 years ago I was working with the kindergarten on their 'Holiday' show. I was in and out of their classrooms more than usual at that time.

One of the teachers had a dress-up area with various clothing, including hats, on it.

I'll always stop and look at hats, so I walked over to the rack and spotted a gray fedora. It definitely looked the real deal.

I took it off the rack, and I could instantly tell this was no toy. Any of us with an experienced hand would know instantly that this was a vintage hat. Great hand, supple felt, feeling no later than a 1950s hat. I looked at the sweat, and although a bit worn, was all there. And there were the words Royal Stetson on it.

As casually as I could, I asked the teacher if I could have this hat, and I would replace it with another like it. She told me it was her father's, but sure, no problem. It was being used as a toy now, anyway.

I walked out of the room with it trying to look like I wasn't going to pop, and brought it home.

There was no size tag on it, but it was definitely too small for me. I estimated it was a 7 1/8 by the way it (didn't) fit me.

So why is this hat being posted here now as new-to-me? Because a couple of days ago I finally decided to put a Hat Jack in it.

First I treated the sweat with 100% shea butter, the best thing for leather, imho, because it is made completely from shea nuts and has no petroleum products in it, whatsoever. Then I put the jack in and steamed all around the brim break, spun the jack quite tightly, and left it overnight. I wanted to get the hat out to a generous 7 1/4.

Important dimensions are 2 1/4" brim, and 4 1/4" front pinch height. I put my now customary diamond into the top.

And that's what happened. I've been wearing the hat off and on for a couple of days. The sweat is cloud-comfortable, and the hat has a certain lived-in look that I prize so highly. Today is the first day I have worn it out of the house.

View attachment 155423 View attachment 155424 View attachment 155425 View attachment 155426 View attachment 155427

Cool story. That crease tells the story about how nice the felt is too.
B

+1

 

[Redfokker]

Just arrived and I'm in love. From our own Anthony Amodeo a beautiful Borsalino Featherweight c1945. Felted edge, light as a popcorn fart and incredible felt. Like so many of Ant's hats, this one is a pristine example, perfect in all respects. Wish it was a little warmer today (unusual snow storm for Oregon coming), but I'll just admire it in my easy chair.

 

[Tukwila]

Just arrived and I'm in love. From our own Anthony Amodeo a beautiful Borsalino Featherweight c1945. Felted edge, light as a popcorn fart and incredible felt. Like so many of Ant's hats, this one is a pristine example, perfect in all respects. Wish it was a little warmer today (unusual snow storm for Oregon coming), but I'll just admire it in my easy chair.

View attachment 155470 View attachment 155471 View attachment 155472 View attachment 155473

Jealousy is such an ugly word.... droooool.

Beautiful acquisition, Mike!

 

[Steinbockhase]

"I've been wearing the hat off and on for a couple of days. Today is the first day I have worn it out of the house."

View attachment 155423

Yup. We all need some private time at home with a new hat before we go public together

 

[Frunobulax]

More later. Found at an antique mall today. Also two more destined to be thrown in the bay.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[scottyrocks]

Yup. We all need some private time at home with a new hat before we go public together

Yes, candles, soft music, fine wine, and then a little woo-woo! hahahahaha

 

[OldStrummer]

The USPS makes you wait and wait, and then all of a sudden, a parcel is left at your door.

Frank Lee Ruggles, all around good guy, photographer extraordinaire, bon vivant and entrepreneur, has been recognized by the Stetson Hat Company by the release of The Ruggles, a 100% wool, made in the USA, 18% gray photographer's hat.

Because I admire and respect Frank, I decided to pop for one despite its 3-1/2" brim. You know what? I like it!

(The first image doesn't show its true gray color, but the rest are more accurate).

 

[BobHufford]

More later. Found at an antique mall today. Also two more destined to be thrown in the bay.

Sounds like you're having a great day Jim! Congrats on the hats and the impending offer!

 

[Redfokker]

View attachment 155485 View attachment 155486 View attachment 155487 View attachment 155488 View attachment 155489 The USPS makes you wait and wait, and then all of a sudden, a parcel is left at your door.

Frank Lee Ruggles, all around good guy, photographer extraordinaire, bon vivant and entrepreneur, has been recognized by the Stetson Hat Company by the release of The Ruggles, a 100% wool, made in the USA, 18% gray photographer's hat.

Because I admire and respect Frank, I decided to pop for one despite its 3-1/2" brim. You know what? I like it!

(The first image doesn't show its true gray color, but the rest are more accurate).

View attachment 155485 View attachment 155486 View attachment 155487

Nice one Fred. Wider brims for protection are a wise choice. So you can use this hat to adjust the color balance on your camera? Cool hat.

 

[Redfokker]

More later. Found at an antique mall today. Also two more destined to be thrown in the bay.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

Wow! You are just having a great day! Can't wait to see detail shots of this one. Some guys have all the luck.

 

[hatsRme]

This one is not really new-to-me; I've had it about 3 or 4 years, but how it came to me and why I didn't wear it is interesting, to me, anyway.

About 3 or 4 years ago I was working with the kindergarten on their 'Holiday' show. I was in and out of their classrooms more than usual at that time.

One of the teachers had a dress-up area with various clothing, including hats, on it.

I'll always stop and look at hats, so I walked over to the rack and spotted a gray fedora. It definitely looked the real deal.

I took it off the rack, and I could instantly tell this was no toy. Any of us with an experienced hand would know instantly that this was a vintage hat. Great hand, supple felt, feeling no later than a 1950s hat. I looked at the sweat, and although a bit worn, was all there. And there were the words Royal Stetson on it.

As casually as I could, I asked the teacher if I could have this hat, and I would replace it with another like it. She told me it was her father's, but sure, no problem. It was being used as a toy now, anyway.

I walked out of the room with it trying to look like I wasn't going to pop, and brought it home.

There was no size tag on it, but it was definitely too small for me. I estimated it was a 7 1/8 by the way it (didn't) fit me.

So why is this hat being posted here now as new-to-me? Because a couple of days ago I finally decided to put a Hat Jack in it.

First I treated the sweat with 100% shea butter, the best thing for leather, imho, because it is made completely from shea nuts and has no petroleum products in it, whatsoever. Then I put the jack in and steamed all around the brim break, spun the jack quite tightly, and left it overnight. I wanted to get the hat out to a generous 7 1/4.

Important dimensions are 2 1/4" brim, and 4 1/4" front pinch height. I put my now customary diamond into the top.

And that's what happened. I've been wearing the hat off and on for a couple of days. The sweat is cloud-comfortable, and the hat has a certain lived-in look that I prize so highly. Today is the first day I have worn it out of the house.

View attachment 155423 View attachment 155424 View attachment 155425 View attachment 155426 View attachment 155427

Score!!!!!!
Would you be so kind as to post a couple inside shots, Scott?

It seems Alanf(?) scored a hat or two from his wife’s costume/wardrobe hat inventory. Correct me if I’m wrong, please, Alan...

 

[mayserwegener]

Ignacio just finished five hats from my last batch. He cleaned them all with Percloro Etileno, so I still have to put Pecard Antique Leather Conditioner on all the sweatbands.

First, an Excellent Stetson. I am pretty sure I got it from Stefan, but I might be confusing it with another.

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk

Max, Super! It was made by Mayser. They had the Stetson license for Germany in this time period.

 

[Frunobulax]

Sounds like you're having a great day Jim! Congrats on the hats and the impending offer!

Wow! You are just having a great day! Can't wait to see detail shots of this one. Some guys have all the luck.

Thanks, yeah. Pretty good day. From future anxiety to some peace of mind, a few hats and then a pint.

To top it off, I went to my favorite diner for a bite later and scored the last piece of blackberry cobbler.

Pretty good day...

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[steur]

Wasn't sure if I should post this one. La Scala in grey. Turns out this hat was made by Panizza. The moths have been at this one unfortunately. So it doesn't look at its best, even though the damage is less noticeable in real life as opposed to the pictures. Really nice hand to the felt too. Size 58 with an overwelt brim at 5cm and crown 10cm at the center dent. If anyone's interested, just let me know.

 

[steur]

Another T&W Lees of Stockport, England added to the collection. I have had a few of their homburgs pass through my hands before, but never one in my size. Until this one came along. An excellent hatmaker by any standard they made hats for other brands (like G.A. Dunn&Co) and under their own brand name.
Homburg in black with the brim at 6cm and the crown 11cm at the center dent. The liner is not in pristine condition (to say the least) and the sweat seems to have an addiction to leather conditioner (but seems solid enough). Fits me like a dream and the felt, ribbon and brim binding are all in great condition. I think this one is 1930's.

I'll need another post for this, because of the shop it was made for.

 

[OldStrummer]

Nice one Fred. Wider brims for protection are a wise choice. So you can use this hat to adjust the color balance on your camera? Cool hat.

Thanks, Mike. Yes, a gray card is used for establishing consistency of exposure for a specific photo shoot. From Wikipedia:

Gray cards can be used for in-camera white balance or post-processing white balance. Many digital cameras have a custom white balance feature. A photo of the gray card is taken and used to set white balance for a sequence of photos. For post-processing white balance, a photo of the gray card in the scene is taken, and the image processing software uses the data from the pixels in the gray card area of the photo to set the white balance point for the whole image.​

 

[steur]

The T&W Lees was made especially for P. van den Brul (first time I've seen this on a Lees hat). P. stands for Piet van den Brul, a large retailer with several shops around the country. Their main store was located in Amsterdam on the Nieuwendijk on the corner of the St. Nicolaasstraat. The shop was built in 1906 and rebuilt in 1930 in the style of the Amsterdamse School, designed by architect Hildo Krop. He designed 15 gable stones to be placed, referencing both the trade (with the initials of Piet van den Brul underneath) and Saint Nicolas (because of the location on the corner of St. Nicolaasstraat).
First picture is of the buildings'construction in 1906. The one next to it is the building in 1935.

First picture is the construction of the new shop in 1930. Next to it the gable stone depicting Saint Nicolas.

A few of the other gablestones woth the initials PvdB

Advertisement for the shop dated 1935

Another advertisement and the drawing for the 1930 building. The building still stands and the gable stones can still be seen. Piet van den Brul is long gone however, having closed shop in 1973 (the name P. van den Brul disappeared in 1966).

What it looks like now.

 

[steur]

Let's do another. My first Portis hat. A long shot admittedly, because this is one in a puny size 6 3/4. Portis Sterling homburg in grey. Swan's down finish (liner) or Swansback Water Repellent (sweatband). Brim at 6cm and crown at 11,5cm at the center dent. Seems to be NOS and the felt is wonderful. If there's a member with an even smaller head than me, just PM me. Otherwise I might ask Penumbra hats to upsize it to fit me.

 

[scottyrocks]

Score!!!!!!
Would you be so kind as to post a couple inside shots, Scott?

It seems Alanf(?) scored a hat or two from his wife’s costume/wardrobe hat inventory. Correct me if I’m wrong, please, Alan...

Sure, I can do that, but I can tell you now that there is no liner. Just pristine gray felt. And the less than perfect but very comfy sweat has some of the Royal Stetson 'paint' on it.