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The Lee Lounge

Messages
15,083
Location
Buffalo, NY
A Lee Trinity from Buffalo that I no longer own:

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Messages
19,427
Location
Funkytown, USA
Moon's Lee luck must have rubbed off. Not on me, but on my wife. Scored this Lee Black Label All American at the Heart of Ohio Antique Center yesterday:

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Very nice, lightweight felt - also a very nice light gray/Dove gray color, deep and rich. Very supple and easily shaped.

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I've been wanting to get her a classic fedora for a while, and at $20, how could I go wrong? O, the joys of a smaller head!

Crown's about 5 3/4" open, bound brim is 2 5/8". It looks like it just came out of the box.

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moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,592
Location
NJ
just a killer killer hat Fruno.... absolutely beautiful

this is the thread I have been looking for .... I want to put two Lee hats that I have here just to archive them in the proper spot

in no way am I trying to steal your thunder Fruno ... seriously though ... your Lee to me is just the perfect hat ... that high crown .. the light weight ... I'd love to see some head shots of it

anyway ... my Lee blue label and black label

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moehawk

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,841
Location
Northern California
An etsy find, my Christmas gift to me!
Lee Silver Label. Black felt, band and binding.

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4 1/2" crown as creased, 2 1/2" bound brim. No tags under the sweatband, just a stamp reading "1/4". The liner is sewn in, but I didn't see any stickers under the edge of the liner. The sweatband has the sweat barrier, and no liner tip protector. Came in a box that is pretty thrashed, but at least the seller disclosed that beforehand. Any thoughts on the vintage would be appreciated.
 
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Messages
12,384
Location
Albany Oregon
I'm going to be bringing some old threads back to life as I research my hats. I have read hundreds of posts here on the lounge, and some questions still burn in my psyche.

1953 Lee "Jet" back bow. The lady I bought this from on Ebay said her father bought this one on their honeymoon in 1953. It is my first back bow hat. The liner was stained, a little work with Woolite solution and it is better. There is a union label along with a odd mfg tag. The "Jet" model is my main question, it seems that the advancements in aviation and airliners influenced hat model names. Is this one a "rare" one? Have not found any Lee hats anywhere online with aviation names. Dobbs 707, 737 comes up and some others from the 50s. I'm hoping for some comments and answers on these upcoming posts.
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Landman

One Too Many
Messages
1,751
Location
San Antonio, TX
Very nice find, Redfokker. The style of the hat looks more early 60's to me though. In 1953 most jet planes were military and they were just starting to test jets for commercial aviation. Commercial jets didn't really start until the late 50's and early 60's. Of course that doesn't mean it could not have been named for the jet airplane. The jet engine had been around since the end of WWII. However, if it was an early 60's hat then it would coincide with the coming of the commercial jet age. Whatever the age it is a very cool hat. I'm interested in hearing what more knowledgeable members have to say about its age.
 

Brad Bowers

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,187
The Lee Jet was offered from 1953 until 1960, marketed to college-age men as a pre-shaped telescope crown porkpie. As for other jet-named models, Resistol offered the 707 from 1959 until 1963. In the late-1970s, Koracorp revived the name for the Dobbs line, now the Jet 707, and it has lasted into recent years and may even still be offered, though I haven't checked. I don't have a date range on the Resistol 737, but obviously has a late-1960s introduction.

Brad
~The Hatted Professor
 
Messages
12,384
Location
Albany Oregon
This is why I am here! My hats are an extension of many passions, collecting, historical research, and my practice of Public History. The Lee was indeed purchased in 1953, probably because it was the newest hot model. Unfortunately, the guy's new wife was a little upset that he spent so much money (O.P.C. $6.95??) that I think he removed the price tags to keep the peace. Sure wish it still had more provenance existing on the hat, but the story fits. I am in awe of the Hatted Professor's storehouse of knowledge! Thank you so much!
 

bowlerman

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,294
Location
South Dakota
just a killer killer hat Fruno.... absolutely beautiful

this is the thread I have been looking for .... I want to put two Lee hats that I have here just to archive them in the proper spot

in no way am I trying to steal your thunder Fruno ... seriously though ... your Lee to me is just the perfect hat ... that high crown .. the light weight ... I'd love to see some head shots of it

anyway ... my Lee blue label and black label

IMG_1007.jpg

IMG_1008.jpg

IMG_1009.jpg

IMG_1010.jpg

IMG_1011.jpg

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Hey Moon! Check out my Lee Blue Label Overbrook! It has the same initials stamped in the sweatband.

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