Royal De Luxe Stetson

[rlk]

2-3/4" brim. 16 ligne ribbon. I haven't put a firm crease in yet. 2 rounds of Pecards and the sweatband is still a bit stiff and dry. About 1/2 size up left to get back to tagged size.

 

[GWD]

oooooh very nice! :eusa_clap

Make sure your hands are clean before you don and doff it.

 

[Lefty]

That one quickly took a high place in the list of my favorite hats on this site. :eusa_clap

 

[fluteplayer07]

Amazing! Just love that liner!

--flute

 

[jimmy the lid]

I'm a big vintage Stetson fan -- and that is one of the very nicest and most unique vintage Stetsons that I have ever laid eyes on. And in amazing condition, to boot. Wow, rlk -- congrats on snagging an absolute gem! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Cheers,
JtL

 

[carouselvic]

What he said.

 

[rlk]

Thank you to all for the enthusiastic comments. The silver edge and the navy ribbon make a stylish combination. One of the best looking hats I have and indeed the light color and its pristine state do cause some handling cleanliness paranoia. I think its going to make it back to original size.

 

[RBH]

That is perfect!

 

[tonyb]

Yowza. As to the hat itself, I got nothing to add to what's already been said. Bee yew tee full.

Man, rlk, that's one to study. I gotta wonder just how many like it they made, and how many survive.

Where'd you get it? And what have you ascertained as to its vintage, etc?

 

[rlk]

Yowza. As to the hat itself, I got nothing to add to what's already been said. Bee yew tee full.

Man, rlk, that's one to study. I gotta wonder just how many like it they made, and how many survive.

Where'd you get it? And what have you ascertained as to its vintage, etc?

Its fresh from ebay and I don't really have specific info to date more precisely than say 1945-57 with any certainty. I would be pleased if anyone has an ad or another dated hat that could close in a bit better.

 

[Chinaski]

You have a couple different creases in your photos, and it looks like it will take a new crease so easily - it looks like great felt. How's it feel? I have one Royal Deluxe that is very soft and malleable.

 

[RBH]

Does it have a name on the sweat?
My search has turned up Stetsons such as 'The Turf' ,'The El Camino' and 'The Sterling' all Royal De Luxe.
All from the time frame you suggest.

 

[rlk]

You have a couple different creases in your photos, and it looks like it will take a new crease so easily - it looks like great felt. How's it feel? I have one Royal Deluxe that is very soft and malleable.

Its very soft and moderately light weight with a smooth finish. It arrived with only the shallow center crease and no sign of any creases or brim distortion. The front pinch of the crown works its way out and would require some steam to set in its current state. Could be it is a bit on the dry side like the sweatband and this makes it a little reluctant to hold its form. The brim has a good bit of curve in its flanging all around and the front of the brim is very cooperative.

 

[Chinaski]

Have you decided on how you will crease it?

 

[mayserwegener]

RLK, You hit the jackpot with that beauty! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[rlk]

Does it have a name on the sweat?
My search has turned up Stetsons such as 'The Turf' ,'The El Camino' and 'The Sterling' all Royal Dr Luxe.
All from the time frame you suggest.

No name on the hat. Was sold by Myers Brothers of Clinton, Illinois. They seem to have had multiple locations in the northern half of the state, with the only reference to the Clinton location in 1947 ad. Other locations mentioned from 30's-50's.

 

[Andykev]

Beautiful

The light colored felts are very prone to finger prints, esp. if you are a smoker. Also, when you set your hat down on a table, etc., it really picks up the dust.

From your pictures, this hat looks to be NOS, or one that was purchased, boxed and hardly worn. The bead (welt) around the inner crown (between sweat and felt) shows absolutely no wear at all.

Very nice. One of my favorite combination of hat body and ribbon is dove gray and black ribbon. This looks like silverbelly, hence the Dark Blue ribbon is the better choice.

Steam the felt to set your crease of choice. You can see ZERO handling marks on the pinch of the crown.

Very nice hat!

PS. I had one of these Stetsons, but in a very light tan. It had the same thread stitching on the top brim edge. I sold the hat because it was about a 2 3/4 inch brim, too wide for me. I did not want to cut the brim to fit me, since it has such nice detailing on the stitching.

Wash your hands before you steam the crown

 

[Mario]

I'm wowed, I'm stunned, I...want one like this! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

There have been a couple of lids lately with similar stitchings on the brim. It's a nice touch. I have only one stingy Mayser from the 60's with brim stitching and I don't wear those stingies anymore.

 

[Mr. Paladin]

Beautiful Stetson, Robert. The felt looks lush and soft. The stitching around the brim is superb.

 

[CRH]

Hope you can get it to fit, rlk. That's a beauty!