Vintage Stetson 20 Sovereign Open Road, Size 7 1/4

[tonyb]

Another estate sale find, a Stetson Sovereign 20 Open Road in Silverbelly, size 7 1/4 mid oval. I wanna say it’s ’50s-vintage, but I’ll leave it to those who make a more careful study of such matters to correct me if I’m mistaken about that.

I’d assess its condition as good to very good. It was a bit frumpy looking when I found it; the brim was all wonky and it had some staining on its underside. But I’ve since very nearly eliminated that damage (the staining is all but imperceptible now; even I have difficulty seeing it, and I’m the one who did the work), and I’ve flanged the brim.

I’d be happy to keep this hat. It fits me, more or less, and it’s a cut above your typical vintage Open Road. The crown is full and untapered, the felt has a nice hand, it has a windstring, and the innards are in good shape.

So considering all that, I figure that $95, including shipping to the CONUS in a brand-spankin’ new hatbox, is a reasonable price.

 

[Johnny J]

PM sent.

 

[Rick Blaine]

Outstanding!

Put me in line, should Johnny change his mind.

 

[Rodkins]

That's an amazing deal! Nice catch!

 

[tonyb]

Well, that didn't take long. Thanks to Blaine and Rodkins for your interest, but Johnny got in line ahead of you.

 

[Johnny J]

Thanks Tony!

 

[alanfgag]

:eusa_clap:eusa_clap

Tony, I want to go shopping with you.

 

[tonyb]

Well, for every hit there are at least two misses. But I like looking through old stuff. It's a mostly recreational activity for me, although I do occasionally pass items along to vintage retailers, the stuff for which I have no use myself but which I know is worth something to the right person. And some I just give away.

I expect I'll visit this most recent estate sale again tomorrow, as they approach closing time. They indicated to me that they might be open to offers on whatever is left at that time. There's a way cool old vacuum cleaner there (I dig old vacuums; don't ask me why), and several hundred old LPs, and another decent hat, although it has a nasty sweat stain on its ribbon, and I don't know that I want to put much effort or material into it. But if they let it go cheap ...