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Aureliano · Jan 20, 2010

Eulan Bayer Tag

Can this tag be used to date my Borsalino?
After Gene posted his Colombo for sale and Brad has pictures of one I decided to research a bit more about mine. I removed the oil-skin as it was disintegrating.
eulan bayer tag

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Scott Wood · Jan 20, 2010

Would love info on this one

I too have been trying to get more info on a borso:

and these aren't as easy to read even after a little basic editing:

I can't find anything on it but am curious. It's my favourite fedora, I even like the little (almost invisible) moth nibbles for the character they add

Saho · Jan 20, 2010

Can someone suggest some "value" American vintage brands for newbies? By value, I mean decent quality, easy to find and not too hard on the wallet. I'm more interested in "tool" hats, something I can beat up in outdoorsy pursuits (hunting, hiking, canoeing, etc.). Thank you all in advance.

Scott Wood · Jan 20, 2010

Serving quail tonight Saho? [huh] lol
Just a better pic of the tag in that Borso of mine:

Edited on my computer not in photobucket

jessesgirl08 · Jan 21, 2010

if i wear a size 7 now what size would i be in vintage clothing?

i wear a dress size 7 in modern sizes, my measurments are 36-27-36, so when buying vintage what size do i look for?

Lefty · Jan 21, 2010

With only a few ladies posting in the hats forum, you might want to ask the question in the Powder Room. I hear they have couches in there.

billyspew · Jan 21, 2010

Saho said:
Can someone suggest some "value" American vintage brands for newbies? By value, I mean decent quality, easy to find and not too hard on the wallet. I'm more interested in "tool" hats, something I can beat up in outdoorsy pursuits (hunting, hiking, canoeing, etc.). Thank you all in advance.

The Adam Hats ones seem to go for less than Stetsons or Knoxs.
However it's generally size that really dictates price. The smaller the less expensive (as a general rule).

gtdean48 · Jan 21, 2010

Saho said:
Can someone suggest some "value" American vintage brands for newbies? By value, I mean decent quality, easy to find and not too hard on the wallet. I'm more interested in "tool" hats, something I can beat up in outdoorsy pursuits (hunting, hiking, canoeing, etc.). Thank you all in advance.

I've found Resistols to be a good value in the vintage lids. Getting an older Western style & trimming down the brim with a fedora crease has given me some good utility hats for hunting/fishing/camping/chores... HTH

jessesgirl08 · Jan 21, 2010

oops

sorry still getting used to this whole posting thing

frontmanvintage · Jan 23, 2010

Union Labels in Hats ...

I am currently writing a book on dating vintage menswear and in the section on hats I have most of the Cap and Hatters Unions listed and their years, but only 2 examples. (Unfortunately, I'm not a hat person.)

If anyone would like to put up some pictures of hatters union labels from their beloved hat collections (or pm some to me) and give me permission to copy and use them, I would greatly appreciate it.

Brad Bowers · Jan 23, 2010

frontmanvintage said:
I am currently writing a book on dating vintage menswear and in the section on hats I have most of the Cap and Hatters Unions listed and their years, but only 2 examples. (Unfortunately, I'm not a hat person.)

If anyone would like to put up some pictures of hatters union labels from their beloved hat collections (or pm some to me) and give me permission to copy and use them, I would greatly appreciate it.

Something to keep in mind is that the labels are only half the story. They can give you, say, a cutoff date of 1934, but narrowing down beyond that depends on the different factories. The various manufacturers weren't always union shops, and the times they were union shops varied over the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. You'll have to look at each manufacturer separately to determine dates more precisely. For instance, the Crofut & Knapp factory kicked out the United Hatters in 1909, and didn't let their successors back in until 1946. Every factory was different.

Brad

frontmanvintage · Jan 23, 2010

Hatters Union labels

Yes, I know it is not the whole story, but it can be a starting place for dating.

Just like ACWA labels in mens suits can easily provide a dating range to start from and end with, I think the hatters union labels can also provide info.

btw - I cracked the dating code on the '49 ACWA labels, so their range of use from Dec '49 to into the 80's (yes, I know ACWA merged with other unions and became ACTWU in '76) has been shortened and simplified immensely. Really easy to use them for dating now.

Hat styles for the basic fedora have remained relatively the same for 100 years, with only small changes in brim width, crown height, sweatband, etc. I hope to make it obvious for my readers to use all the tools available when dating.

Lefty · Jan 23, 2010

frontmanvintage said:
Hat styles for the basic fedora have remained relatively the same for 100 years, with only small changes in brim width, crown height, sweatband, etc. I hope to make it obvious for my readers to use all the tools available when dating.

Isn't that like saying that suit styles have remained relatively the same with only small changes in drape, shoulder style, lapel width, button stance, material, leg opening, etc.? The degree of the differences that lie within "relatively" depend upon the reader.

frontmanvintage · Jan 26, 2010

hat union labels

Thanks for all the help and encouragement guys.

derby · Jan 26, 2010

MERCURY FEDORA

Does anybody have any information on a Vintage Mercury Fedora? I bought one last night off of ebay. I have been looking everywhere and can't find anything on it. I would Appreciate any HELP!

simmonsgc · Jan 27, 2010

Stetson Long Oval Dates?

Any of you folks happen to know the approximate date when Stetson ceased making "Long Oval" sizes? That is, assuming that they did cease this practice. I'm in a small town, no hat stores or outlets, so I don't often rest my eyes upon new stock.

Many thanks!
GC

barrowjh · Jan 28, 2010

Scott Wood

Here is a pic of the liner from a fine Borsalino that I picked up, had refurbished by Optimo:

the production tag is also similar:
1003A 44458
NINFEA ECOSCA
The seller described it as being from 1930, but I think that during this time period the numbers on the production tag might be a real clue - as in 1944 (1st two digits of the number on the right) and in your case 1940.

'nuther pic, after Optimo refurb:

If the clear plastic tips were common by the mid-1950's, then it makes sense that the 1940's might have witnessed these early oil-skin precursors.

barrowjh · Jan 28, 2010

SAHO

Billyspew is correct, size of the hat is a key to the supply/demand curve and price point. As a general rule, within a size, Stetson and Borsalino names tend to draw more recognition and a higher price. Brim widths at 2 1/2 (and greater) tend to draw more money. After that, color, style, quality, condition (in no particular order there).

carouselvic · Jan 28, 2010

barrowjh said:
Here is a pic of the liner from a fine Borsalino that I picked
the production tag is also similar:
1003A 44458
NINFEA ECOSCA
The seller described it as being from 1930, but I think that during this time period the numbers on the production tag might be a real clue - as in 1944 (1st two digits of the number on the right) and in your case 1940.

If the clear plastic tips were common by the mid-1950's, then it makes sense that the 1940's might have witnessed these early oil-skin precursors.

This dating system is wack! I just got a Borsalino with a 27 number, it is not from 1927. It absolutely does not work on old Borsalinos.

rlk · Jan 28, 2010

carouselvic said:
This dating system is wack! I just got a Borsalino with a 27 number, it is not from 1927. It absolutely does not work on old Borsalinos.

You are absolutely correct! Not until the mid-1970's with those round-cornered white stickers.

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