EstherWeis
Vendor
- Messages
- 2,615
- Location
- Antwerp
Contact Tim aka alleykathatco. He has some great vintage ribbons for sale in great colors and widths
With that size label, probably early to mid 50s. Does it have a plastic covered liner tip?
Here is a little more information on union labels and dating. http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/look-for-the-union-label.59329/
The slanted "bug" on the union label means it's after at least the mid-40s, I think.
My understanding is that all hat manufacturers went with a plain white manufacturers label around 1953 and after, which is what your hat has. I would think at least the mid 50s for your hat. Others may have a better educated estimate than I do.My Stephen L. Stetson had kind of a boring ribbon with no bow.
I had Mike spruce the old girl up with a contrasting vintage grosgrain ribbon and a interesting bow! He also worked on a bad verdigris stain at the back, came out very nice.
This hat does seem to have some age, tags and union label for your consideration. Even though the brim is only 2" and the overall dimensions of the hat seem smallish, it just seems to be older than the 50s. Anyone have an idea on the decade?
Glad I got 4 rolls JKMribbon cotton/rayon years back,before I found my vintage ribbon.I'll remember to check the Italian manufacturerTo my knowledge (and please share your source if I'm wrong) there are no more American manufacturers of cotton/rayon grosgrain ribbon. Sadly, Schiff is gone and JKM Ribbons no longer sells the good stuff. Petersham ribbon abounds, but not the finished edge ribbon that we all want for our men's hats. However, a hat tool client of mine in Finland did share this link to an Italian manufacturer: http://www.valera.it/p/16829/gros-grain.html
I have not been in contact with them, but it looks to be a good source for high quality grosgrain ribbon.
This hat has become my go-to work hat since I had Mike spiff it up. It just "feels" like a mid to late 50s hat.My understanding is that all hat manufacturers went with a plain white manufacturers label around 1953 and after, which is what your hat has. I would think at least the mid 50s for your hat. Others may have a better educated estimate than I do.