The gamble paid off...kind of

[DOUGLAS]

I bid on these Three not really knowing how good they would be.
The Pilgrim seems to be unworn and although it is a 7-1/8 it fits ok.Actually this is a pretty nice hat and in fabulous condition. It is not my personal style but a beauty non the less. Sorry for the poor shots.I will take better ones later.

 

[Mojave Jack]

What's not to like?! That looks like a great hat! How wide is that brim?

 

[DOUGLAS]

The brim is 2-3/8" and the crown 4-1/4" at the middle of the hat. The color is great and there is nothing not to like. It is pristine accept the sweat shield at the liner has dried and fallen off. I just usually prefer a different crease with a higher crown.

 

[DOUGLAS]

The next one was the one I wanted most and would'nt you know it it is the only one that is too small. It figures. This is a really nice hat . It is very soft and pliable and is a great color and has the shape I like very much.I reminds me of an Akubra Squatter only better.

I really wish this one fit!:eusa_doh:
Brim is 2-3/4" and the crown 4-1/2"

 

[Mojave Jack]

That's a nice hat, too!



And just my size...:whistling

 

[DOUGLAS]

The last one is my least favorite and seems to have the most use however not misused or abused. It has the thickest felt and is the most substancial of the three. It also has the Cananagh edge type.It is a Higbee. I have never heard of this company before.

Brim is 2-3/8" and the crown 5".

 

[GentlemanFarmer]

Trifecta

You got all three in one purchase? Amazing! They all seem very, very nice. Enjoy them - when it cools off. It was 100 degrees here yesterday + heat index.

 

[Johnnysan]

Wow...nice score on all three of these, Douglas! You've got quite a selection...getting dressed in the mornings must be rough with all those hats to choose from!

 

[DOUGLAS]

It is 100 degrees here in the city today plus the heat index. I bid on all three at one time. Not a bad price comes to $43.00 per hat. I just wish I could wear the one I wanted.

 

[scotrace]

Higbees

Higbees was a major fancy department store in Cleveland and later had several stores in northern Ohio, perhaps eslewhere too. They were bought up a few years ago, I think by Kaufmann's, now swallowed up by Macy's.

 

[DOUGLAS]

Higbee definitely made a heavy duty hat. This thing is a tank.

 

[Razzman]

Another nice score Douglas. All three are great looking hats.

 

[DanielJones]

Higbee's Deparment Store in Cleveland was the one they had in "A Christmas Story".

The parade scene was filmed just outside Higbee’s in Cleveland’s public square at 3 AM in the morning. The final scene is Ralphie and Randy’s visit to see Santa which was filmed inside Higbee’s. Higbee’s kept the Santa slide that was made especailly for the movie and used it for several years after the movie’s release.
There you go a little usless movie trivia to go with the hat.

Great looking hats Douglass. Good catch.:eusa_clap
Too bad toe one you wnt the most doesn't fit.:eusa_doh: Off to the collection then?

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Cruiser]

It is 100 degrees here in the city today plus the heat index. I bid on all three at one time. Not a bad price comes to $43.00 per hat. I just wish I could wear the one I wanted.

It's just one size off, isn't it? Maybe Art can stretch it for you. BTW, all three are fabulous hats, congratulations.

 

[DOUGLAS]

I though that was a fun movie. I don't know Cruiser, it is two sizes too small. I will show him anyway. Maybe he can pull a miracle out of his hat.

 

[feltfan]

All nice hats

Douglas, you should be able to stretch that hat pretty easily
if you have a stretcher. We've discussed various methods here,
but the short version is to Lexol the leather sweat lightly, let it
sit overnight, put some stiff paper between the sweat and the
felt (to avoid impressing the sweat's top line in the felt- not an
issue if you have a wide hat band), steam the felt a bit, and crank carefully.

I bet Higby had the hats made for them by some company you've
heard of. Possible that they had benchmade hats, though... but
just as likely a Cavanagh or mode edge Stetson in disguise...

 

[DOUGLAS]

Here is a couple of the Pilgrim.