Vintage Whippets

[Hurricane Jack]

Plus ONE to our Fellow Lounger seller. Wonder who bought it... Reminds me of the Vintage Guitar frenzy of the mid/late 70's... The Japanese buyers drove up the prices rather quickly.

Followed by the East Germans after the wall came down. I sold a couple of containers of Juke boxes when the East German economy took off after the wall came down & they were wanting to buy anything from the United States from the 1950's.

 

[Miamibruno]

Hey, gents. I want you to know that I started that auction for that mint Whippet at $175 and NEVER expected it to get to where it ended up. I'm happy it did, but wow. And I much prefer finding that hidden treasure at some small, out-of-the-way store. It's a challenge and a hell of a lot of fun. And Moon, thanks. I appreciate you watching my back.

 

[DJH]

Good deal, Miami - it's amazing how much people will pay for those fast doggies.

There are still Whippet deals to be found if you are patient, though. I have four at the moment - total price was considerably less than your buyer paid for one.

Three of mine came from the classifieds here and the forth was hiding in plain sight at eBay where I paid $85 for my grey unworn OPS era Whippet.

I was thinking the days of high prices for small Whippets were over, but maybe not. You've sold much better hats for way less $$.

 

[Andykev]

I disagree about the prices coming down. Mostly the economy has picked up (save some areas in the country), and people have disposable income for things they treasure. Be it old cars, airplanes, coins or stamps...collecting is a big activity. The "great"hats as sold above, are getting much harder to find. Evidence of this is the "garage sale" level of hats flooding Ebay. Lots of crud out there.. Think of it, that hats are a garment, something worn..and thusly they can be "worn out". From an era of a hat shop every block in any large city..to now the resurgence of a "cottage industry" of bespoke hats. You simply cannot find the old Dobbs, Stetson, or Cav's out there still in "mint" condition. Every so often, a fine hat comes available, and they WILL command a high price.

 

[Frunobulax]

... NEVER expected it to get to where it ended up...

<snerk>

 

[mayserwegener]

I disagree about the prices coming down. Mostly the economy has picked up (save some areas in the country), and people have disposable income for things they treasure. Be it old cars, airplanes, coins or stamps...collecting is a big activity. The "great"hats as sold above, are getting much harder to find. Evidence of this is the "garage sale" level of hats flooding Ebay. Lots of crud out there.. Think of it, that hats are a garment, something worn..and thusly they can be "worn out". From an era of a hat shop every block in any large city..to now the resurgence of a "cottage industry" of bespoke hats. You simply cannot find the old Dobbs, Stetson, or Cav's out there still in "mint" condition. Every so often, a fine hat comes available, and they WILL command a high price.

I have no problem finding great vintage / antique hats. I am focused on German and Austrian makers. Also old Borsalinos made for the German market. The American makers are just the tip of the iceberg.

 

[Bob Roberts]

I have no problem finding great vintage / antique hats. I am focused on German and Austrian makers. Also old Borsalinos made for the German market. The American makers are just the tip of the iceberg.

We KNOW!

 

[Miamibruno]

Fruno,

I can't stop laughing. Talk about an inside joke.

 

[mayserwegener]

We KNOW!

I definitely do not look at an old hat as just a vintage clothing accessory. For me it goes way beyond that.

 

[Frunobulax]

Fruno,

I can't stop laughing. Talk about an inside joke.

I told my wife it's the funniest thing to happen to me all year.

 

[Miamibruno]

I was thinking the days of high prices for small Whippets were over, but maybe not. You've sold much better hats for way less $$.

David,

I agree that I've sold better hats for less, particularly Borsalinos, whose felts are truly amazing. Also some Stetson 3X's. But those Whippets are pretty darn amazing as well. There is something magical in those dimensions.

 

[Frunobulax]

I definitely do not look at an old hat as just a vintage clothing accessory. For me it goes way beyond that.

I'm with you, Steve. You've truly made it an academic exercise, but the history and stories that go along with them are what keeps me coming back. You've fueled that, and I thank you for that.

David,

I agree that I've sold better hats for less, particularly Borsalinos, whose felts are truly amazing. Also some Stetson 3X's. But those Whippets are pretty darn amazing as well. There is something magical in those dimensions.

We do hear from many of our seasoned veterans about how the Whippet was a mid-priced hat and we shouldn't be ga-ga over it, but you're right. The styling, dimensions, and general construction hit all the high notes for a classic fedora from the 40s. It's what folks think about when they think of those styles. Add to that, it has a name. It's identifiable, and people can say, "I have a Whippet," rather than, "I found this really great Stetson Royal Deluxe with a tall crown, big brim, and wide ribbon." Plus, it's the only hat that, when I walked into my local hatter wearing it, caused the salesclerk to stop dead in her tracks, widen her eyes, and ask, "What are you wearing?" To which the owner replied, "He always has some of the nicest vintage hats." I can't get a beautiful woman to even slow down, but my hat stops 'em cold!

 

[mayserwegener]

I'm with you, Steve. You've truly made it an academic exercise, but the history and stories that go along with them are what keeps me coming back. You've fueled that, and I thank you for that.

John, Thanks!

 

[Frunobulax]

John, Thanks!

Heh. For anybody interested who doesn't already know, you can call me Jim.

Just remember, my full name is Gymnasium - but I go by Jim.

 

[mayserwegener]

Heh. For anybody interested who doesn't already know, you can call me Jim.

Just remember, my full name is Gymnasium - but I go by Jim.

Sorry about that!

 

[moontheloon]

Heh. For anybody interested who doesn't already know, you can call me Jim.

Just remember, my full name is Gymnasium - but I go by Jim.

Jim, there is something great about calling you Fruno

but you guys can call me Anthony ... or Ant ... or moon... whatever

 

[javadave61]

Heh. For anybody interested who doesn't already know, you can call me Jim.

Just remember, my full name is Gymnasium - but I go by Jim.

Just as "Whippet" is a brand seared in the minds of many, so is "Fruno." You're branded. You can't go back.

 

[Bob Roberts]

Cheers! "FRUNO!"

 

[Bob Roberts]

I definitely do not look at an old hat as just a vintage clothing accessory. For me it goes way beyond that.

And I admire your Passion as well as your Knowledge.

 

[Bob Roberts]

... why are they called "Whippets." ???