The Open Road Guild

[John in Covina]

Which one of the series was it? I have all of them and can try a frame-by to check it out. Of course it could be a Dobbs Westward, a Malory Dallas, or????? .

Don't forget the Resistol San Antonio!

 

[jamespowers]

My family has had several wire fox terriers like Asta. Those dogs are a hoot.

Do they have a taste for alcohol like Asta too? lol

Regards,

J

 

[Katt in Hat]

This will be my 3rd or 5th Open Road Style Lid

It cost $62.50 with shipping and insurance. It is to be returned by mid Autumn at the latest. If I never see it again, it will probably be too soon. :kick:

This is my 100th post. What will become of " Familiar Face" as I pass this milestone?

Post now # 128, this thread.

 

[jamespowers]

Wow! In 1953 the 7X Beaver cost $50 according to Stetson literature so you got it for less than list price but it has quite a bit of potential there. That hat is one class up from the Stetson 100 so you have some decent felt there my friend. If it were a 7 5/8 I would say lose it my way.

Regards,

J

 

[Katt in Hat]

Information please...

James & All, I never got an answer from anyone in the flock on this; I own a still serviceable Stetson 150 and another which is going to Art for as much work as is cost effective. It's only a filthy body at this time. Stripped bare of everything...

Both were bought in last 30-35 years or so from Young's Hats on Nassau St. in the City. Store now know as: The Hat Corner
139 Nassau Street -------corner of Beekman St.
New York, New York 10038
212-964-5693
eMail> info-support@hats-capsonline.com.
http://www.hats-capsonline.com/index.html
This may be of interest to those who will be visiting for weekend bash in May and others later or earlier.

Hats were purported to be NOS from all over the country. In gold leaf on the band was 'Stetson 150'. I have never seen any reference to this grade anywhere. The brim is razor thin. It is one hell of a hat, the one still in service, that is. Have you ever seen or heard of this grade Stetson? Any info would be most highly appreciated. :eusa_clap

$364.97 in the year 2005 has the same "purchase power" as $50.00 in the year 1953.
Wow!!!

Wow! In 1953 the 7X Beaver cost $50 according to Stetson literature so you got it for less than list price but it has quite a bit of potential there. That hat is one class up from the Stetson 100 so you have some decent felt there my friend.
Regards,J

 

[John in Covina]

Lee Model?

I just reshaped a Lee in the Open Road block for my wife this afternoon. J

*****
Was the Lee an honest Open Road imitator or just a fairly similar style?
If an out & out imitator, what was the model name?
Like to add to the list of imitators or a fine "alternate manufacture OR style = AMORS."

 

[jamespowers]

*****
Was the Lee an honest Open Road imitator or just a fairly similar style?
If an out & out imitator, what was the model name?
Like to add to the list of imitators or a fine "alternate manufacture OR style = AMORS."

It was just a regular Lee that had a cowboy bash. Same ribbon as the Open Road and bound edge. Without knowing it was a Lee I would say it is an Open Road from afar. The felt on it is pretty good and the wife uses it as an everyday beater hat. It looks better now but it is still used a lot.
There was no model name that I remember. Lee produced these by the ton. They were the biggest hat manufacturer at one time---yes, bigger than Stetson. Every Brent hat you see was produced by Lee for Montgomery Ward. Marathons too. Lee adapted their processes to produce hats for various other sellers and makers so that their name would appear on the hat and not Lee's. Thus there are tons of Lees out there with proprietary names. That great find of a Lee 100 is the same as a Stetson 100. Lee could produce great hats if you were willing to pay for them.

Regards,

J

 

[jamespowers]

James & All, I never got an answer from anyone in the flock on this; I own a still serviceable Stetson 150 and another which is going to Art for as much work as is cost effective. It's only a filthy body at this time. Stripped bare of everything...

Both were bought in last 30-35 years or so from Young's Hats on Nassau St. in the City. Store now know as: The Hat Corner
139 Nassau Street -------corner of Beekman St.
New York, New York 10038
212-964-5693
eMail> info-support@hats-capsonline.com.
http://www.hats-capsonline.com/index.html
This may be of interest to those who will be visiting for weekend bash in May and others later or earlier.

Hats were purported to be NOS from all over the country. In gold leaf on the band was 'Stetson 150'. I have never seen any reference to this grade anywhere. The brim is razor thin. It is one hell of a hat, the one still in service, that is. Have you ever seen or heard of this grade Stetson? Any info would be most highly appreciated. :eusa_clap

$364.97 in the year 2005 has the same "purchase power" as $50.00 in the year 1953.
Wow!!!

The 150 was produced around the time you bought the hat. By that time the cost of materials and production was much higher than in 1953 so thus the higher cost of the hat. I am not sure if that was a top of the line hat at that time because I have nothing to show me what Stetson was producing at the time and how much they cost. By what you describe, it sounds like it is comparable to the 100 of the previous years. It was quite a purchase for the time. Any pictures?

Regards,

J

 

[John in Covina]

Altenate Manufacture Open Road Style - AMORS

Same ribbon as the Open Road and bound edge. Without knowing it was a Lee I would say it is an Open Road from afar. There was no model name that I remember. J

******
Hey James!
If & when you get a chance, take a peek at the sweat band and see if there is any info as to a model. If there is, then we can add it to the role call of AMORS.

 

[Kaleponi Craig]

To those that achieve this great quest is bestowed title of "Open Road Guild Member."

I got an Open Road a month or so ago, but it has a new incarnation as a Seabiscuit fedora (thanks, Art!). It's from the 50s, was practically new in the box (an older round box with the leather strap). Came with the LBJ bash. It's a 7 5/8.

KC

 

[jamespowers]

******
Hey James!
If & when you get a chance, take a peek at the sweat band and see if there is any info as to a model. If there is, then we can add it to the role call of AMORS.

I will check and see what it says when I go home this evening.

Regards,

J

 

[jamespowers]

KC

Now that's the way they were meant to look. :cheers1:

Regards,

J

 

[John in Covina]

KC & the Open Road

Way to go Craig & Art!

 

[LEUII]

Alright, let's see if I did this correctly:

<a href="http://img129.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image01555gt.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/3758/image01555gt.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>

If that code is right you should see me in my Grandfather's OR. Please pardon the goofy guy underneath the sharp lid.

 

[John in Covina]

Alright, let's see if I did this correctly:

<a href="http://img129.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image01555gt.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/3758/image01555gt.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>

If that code is right you should see me in my Grandfather's OR. Please pardon the goofy guy underneath the sharp lid.

*************
Louie, Louie! That's a great hat! Is A white, off white or ivory in color?

I got the Dobbs Westward version in an off white and had thought it was Tan, thinking in the Ebay pix, the color was washed out from the flash!:eusa_doh:

Should be a good summer hat need some white or off white pants and a navy blue blazer for the ensambal. :eusa_clap

Welcome new Guild members!

 

[jamespowers]

******
Hey James!
If & when you get a chance, take a peek at the sweat band and see if there is any info as to a model. If there is, then we can add it to the role call of AMORS.

I checked and IT just says Lee on the sweatband and the shop it was sold at on the other side, "Newburn's, A Smart Shop for Men, Equitable Building, Des Moines." The equitable Building I do not understand but the rest I do.
The liner says Water Bloc, Lee, Fifth Avenue. Thw Water Bloc is just a process and not a model per say so I have no idea as tot he model. Oh, it has a wind trolly as well.

Regards,

J

 

[K.D. Lightner]

James -- I was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. From the 1920's on, the Equitable Building (named after Equitable Life, an insurance company) has graced the skyline of Des Moines. For many years, it was the tallest building in Des Moines and probably in the entire state-- a whoppsing 19 stories tall, with a little rounded nub on top.

The hat shop was probably located in that building as there were shops and stores on the street level, insurance and medical offices above.

The Equitable Building still stands, now dwarfed on the skyline by a good half-dozen taller buildings. The hat store is, of course, long gone.

http://www.cardcow.com/product.php?productid=23696

If this does not show, you can Google it.

karol

 

[John in Covina]

Lee Mystery Model

Cool story though! At least we got a little real estate history with the hat!

 

[RBH]

<a href="http://img129.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image01555gt.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/3758/image01555gt.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>


LEVII
Great looking OR. It really looks good on you.
Welcome to the GUILD.

 

[WEEGEE]

Does this Knox qualify???