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Stetson "Shady Oak"

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18,221
Attempting to put together an often conflicting timeline. If you can add to it with sources, please do so.

Amon Giles Carter (1879–1955):
A Chronology


1925
Purchases 780 acres of land along the shores of Lake Worth from the heirs of George Reynolds, a pioneer rancher. Builds a house and names the property Shady Oak; eventually installs other buildings and historical artifacts on the property to recall his early years. Over the next thirty years, Shady Oak is visited by some of the world’s richest and most famous people, including Charles Lindbergh and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Carter becomes famous for presenting his visitors with short-brim Stetsons that he dubs the “Shady Oak Hat.” If the visitor already has a hat, Carter performs a trade; in this way, he builds a collection of hats for himself.
https://www.cartermuseum.org/sites/all/files/about/acm_agc_timeline.pdf
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Fort Worth: Outpost on the Trinity
By Oliver Knight

"Not only is Amon Carter's narrow-brimmed Stetson his trade-mark, it has become an identifying mark for his cronies and the dignitaries who come to Ft. Worth. For every important guest is asked to leave his old hat behind and wear a brand new hat presented by Carter--a Shady Oak hat made of Stetson manufacture. The old hat left behind, many of them military caps, are those of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Charles Lindbergh, John Garner' Otto Kahn, Robert Lovett, W. S. Knudsen, former President of General Motors, Walter McLucas, outstanding Detroit banker, Generals Eisenhower, H. H. Arnold, James Doolittle, "Tooy" Spaatz, and Jonathan Wainwright, and Admirals Stark, Halsey, and Nimitz."

"The Shady Oak hat takes its name from his farm at Lake Worth..."

https://books.google.com/books?id=K...QIAxAB#v=onepage&q=Amon Carter Stetson&f=true

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Former Star-Telegram Publisher Amon Carter Sr. came up with a Peters Bros. design known as the “Shady Oak,” sort of a cross between a Western style and a businessman’s fedora.
He bestowed them on dignitaries and celebrities who visited his ranch of the same name.
Since 1923, the hats have been given to nine presidents, ending with President Bill Clinton, Joe Peters Jr. said.

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/...-stock-show/article3842906.html#storylink=cpy

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buler

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,383
Location
Wisconsin
President of Stetson, George Russell Junior, at Washer Bros. Shady Oak boxes with dimensions behind him. Second pic is clickable for larger version.

Photo dated 11/08/1940.

Dimensions read 5 1/2 x 2 5/8.

B

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Messages
18,221
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art recently put on display a Stetson Shady Oak that Amon Carter Jr. had presented as a gift to Van Cliburn. From the details provided by the museum the hat is only referred to as a Cowboy hat & it is unknown if this is an actual Open Road or not. Those living in the Dallas - Fort Worth area might want to check it out.

IMG_2153.JPG
 

AbbaDatDeHat

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,852
Messages
18,221
This arrived yesterday for the misses. Got it for a decent price but not sure of the vintage. Glued in liner, black ribbon and sweat would make it later 50s early 60s? But liner is embroidered and no plastic/onion cover?
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Looks like 5-5/8" on the crown. Can you measure the brim from the topside to see if you get 2-7/8"? Looks like you got 2-13/16" but you lose some in the roll of the break when you measure from underneath.

At various times Peters Bros sourced bodies from Switzerland, Stetson & Resistol. And the Bankers Special could be ordered in a Fifty, a Seventy-five, & a One-hundred. But one 3X has previously shown up too.

If this was a Stetson 3X OR sourced by Peters Bros for a Bankers Special I'm at a loss why the liner would be glued. That's why the measurements could be important.
 

RossRYoung

Practically Family
Messages
940
Thanks for chiming in Jack. Here’s a few more pics that I spent a little more time with. Let me know if I can share anything else to help shed more light. It’s a nice felt, dry shapes really easily but could stand to get some stiffener added to the very soft brim.
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RossRYoung

Practically Family
Messages
940
Yeah I was little disappointed after unboxing but the ol lady is back Monday so we’ll see what she thinks. Maybe I’ll show her the Optimo Americana and tell her i got the cheaper knockoff version to save some $ lol.
 
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18,221
Washer Bros Stetson Shady Oak Farm Amon Carter in 3X.

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The 3X felt is the thinnest, softest or has less stiffener than about any hat I have owned. It does not have quite the finish or hand of my One-hundreds, 7X CB or 7X Fifty. The one hat I do own which would rival its felt for being thin & soft would be my Dunlap Supreme 4X thin ribbon. In the pic below you can see how the brim deflects from the angle being put on it.

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Easily takes a Cattleman crease, big elephant ear or small dents dry.

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Continued
 

RossRYoung

Practically Family
Messages
940
Many thanks for sharing Jack, that 3x is a thing of beauty! On top of the felt quality, that liner and sweat look top shelf. Congrats!
 

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