I have died and gone to.....hat heaven

Fedora · 10-09-2003, 01:09 PM

I got the vintage Imperial Stetson today from a purchase on ebay. This hat apparently was stored in a hat box for its entire life, or so it looks. It was bought as a reblock canidate, but if it were not a size too small, I would leave it as is. This is the Imperial Stetson, chocolate brown, that was sold in London, according to the gold lettering on the sweatband. It was made in Philadelphia PA. and comes with a 2 7/8 brim, 5 1/2 open crown height and felt that is as good as it gets-I think. I can say first hand now that Optimo does in fact sells felt that is very close to the vintage felt. Of course, several here knew that already, but I didn't.

It makes the Optimo more desirable to me as they indeed sell a felt that is vintage-like. This hat was blocked originally with the Raiders block. No taper at all and the right radius on the top. The sweatband is tan, very soft, and has the extra piece of material under it to keep the sweat from soaking through(something that I wish Optimo would replicate). The liner looks like silk, hand stitched. I just removed the ribbon and the felt underneath is the same color as what is above it. Yes!!!!!! I was worried about that. The thickness of the felt is just a fuzz thicker than the lightweight Optimo, but thin nonetheless. This hat looks brand new. I am truly impressed. I have it stripped down, and I also noticed that the felt on the inside is practically as nice a finish as it is on the outside. This is very fine felt, and a great example of what felt used to be. Needless to say, this will be my favorite hat, due to all mentioned above, and because it is vintage. I will be wearing a piece of history, and you can bet I will baby this fedora. I can't thank fedoralover enough for turning me on to vintage hats, and his pointers on what to look for as far as grades of felt in the Stetson line. No doubt about it. Stetson used to make some fine hats. too bad this is not the case anymore.

regards, Fedora

PS, I forgot one thing. It has the wind trolley.

Fedora · 10-09-2003, 02:02 PM

An update. I just finished putting the hat on the block. This felt is very very nice to work with. It stretched over the block with ease, and it was no problem at all getting 5 1/2 out of it, even with having to move up a size. The brim stayed the same. In fact, I could have got 5 3/4 out of it if I had tugged more. I love felt that lets you do that to it. Not all felt has that quality, or not as much of it anyway. I was going to make this a LC hat, but it is much too thin for anything but an all out Raiders fedora. Looks like I will be wearing the Optimo and the Imperial Stetson the rest of this year. regards, Fedora

Kentucky Blues · 10-09-2003, 02:21 PM

Must see pictures . . . MUST SEE PICTURES . . .

Matt Deckard · 10-09-2003, 02:25 PM

I being a fan of vintage hats... especially deadstock vintage hats am afraid to look.

fedoralover · 10-09-2003, 02:41 PM

Having an Open Road in the Imperial felt, I know your feelings. The felt and quality of workmanship is very seldom done today and if it is it will cost you some big money. I'm just glad I got mine before all you other hat affectionados caught on. I just looked up your purchase on that hat and it looked fantastic. Since you have that block you can get a real deal on those smaller sizes. That hat even looked like it had the flying V in the front bow loop. Congrats on a great find. I know the price on these are only going to go up as more people recognize their quality. I recently saw an Adam fedora in its original box go for over $200. A borsalino just went for $80. Those prices are still bargains when compared to new ones. Even though they usually have a few dings here and there, they are still a hat lovers dream. Post some pics of it after you rework it.

fedoralover

SHARPETOYS · 10-09-2003, 02:50 PM

Hello fedora. This is the hat angel i want to wear your new hat.I'm happy you got a nice fedora.Post some pictures please.

fedoralover · 10-09-2003, 03:08 PM

I just wanted to add that I'm not sure if your wife will thank me for turning you on to vintage hats. After looking at all the ones you've bought it looks like your wife will have to move some of her stuff out to the garage to make way for the influx of new hats you'll be getting in the mail soon.

fedoralover

Fedora · 10-09-2003, 05:07 PM

Shhhhhhh.....she might be listening.

I think I have bought 5. But only 3 were vintage fedora type hats. I bought 2 older western hats, one for me, and one for my brother. I am waiting on a Stetson fedora now that looks pretty good. We shall see. regards, Fedora

10-09-2003, 01:09 PM	#1
Fedora Vendor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Mississippi Posts: 786	I have died and gone to.....hat heaven I got the vintage Imperial Stetson today from a purchase on ebay. This hat apparently was stored in a hat box for its entire life, or so it looks. It was bought as a reblock canidate, but if it were not a size too small, I would leave it as is. This is the Imperial Stetson, chocolate brown, that was sold in London, according to the gold lettering on the sweatband. It was made in Philadelphia PA. and comes with a 2 7/8 brim, 5 1/2 open crown height and felt that is as good as it gets-I think. I can say first hand now that Optimo does in fact sells felt that is very close to the vintage felt. Of course, several here knew that already, but I didn't. It makes the Optimo more desirable to me as they indeed sell a felt that is vintage-like. This hat was blocked originally with the Raiders block. No taper at all and the right radius on the top. The sweatband is tan, very soft, and has the extra piece of material under it to keep the sweat from soaking through(something that I wish Optimo would replicate). The liner looks like silk, hand stitched. I just removed the ribbon and the felt underneath is the same color as what is above it. Yes!!!!!! I was worried about that. The thickness of the felt is just a fuzz thicker than the lightweight Optimo, but thin nonetheless. This hat looks brand new. I am truly impressed. I have it stripped down, and I also noticed that the felt on the inside is practically as nice a finish as it is on the outside. This is very fine felt, and a great example of what felt used to be. Needless to say, this will be my favorite hat, due to all mentioned above, and because it is vintage. I will be wearing a piece of history, and you can bet I will baby this fedora. I can't thank fedoralover enough for turning me on to vintage hats, and his pointers on what to look for as far as grades of felt in the Stetson line. No doubt about it. Stetson used to make some fine hats. too bad this is not the case anymore. regards, Fedora PS, I forgot one thing. It has the wind trolley.

10-09-2003, 02:21 PM	#3
Kentucky Blues "A" List Customer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 438	Must see pictures . . . MUST SEE PICTURES . . . __________________ High Regards, Daryl When I grow up, I want to be Cary Grant.

10-09-2003, 02:25 PM	#4
Matt Deckard Bartender Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: A devout capitalist in Rosemead CA. Posts: 8,624	I being a fan of vintage hats... especially deadstock vintage hats am afraid to look. __________________ Matt Deckard Apparel Deckard's Guide Looking for my Emma Peel. END OF LINE

10-09-2003, 02:41 PM	#5
fedoralover One Too Many Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Great Northwest Posts: 1,357	Having an Open Road in the Imperial felt, I know your feelings. The felt and quality of workmanship is very seldom done today and if it is it will cost you some big money. I'm just glad I got mine before all you other hat affectionados caught on. I just looked up your purchase on that hat and it looked fantastic. Since you have that block you can get a real deal on those smaller sizes. That hat even looked like it had the flying V in the front bow loop. Congrats on a great find. I know the price on these are only going to go up as more people recognize their quality. I recently saw an Adam fedora in its original box go for over $200. A borsalino just went for $80. Those prices are still bargains when compared to new ones. Even though they usually have a few dings here and there, they are still a hat lovers dream. Post some pics of it after you rework it. fedoralover Last edited by fedoralover : 10-09-2003 at 02:48 PM.

10-09-2003, 05:07 PM	#8
Fedora Vendor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Mississippi Posts: 786	Shhhhhhh.....she might be listening. I think I have bought 5. But only 3 were vintage fedora type hats. I bought 2 older western hats, one for me, and one for my brother. I am waiting on a Stetson fedora now that looks pretty good. We shall see. regards, Fedora Last edited by Fedora : 10-09-2003 at 07:57 PM.

10-09-2003, 02:02 PM	#2
Fedora Vendor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Mississippi Posts: 786	An update. I just finished putting the hat on the block. This felt is very very nice to work with. It stretched over the block with ease, and it was no problem at all getting 5 1/2 out of it, even with having to move up a size. The brim stayed the same. In fact, I could have got 5 3/4 out of it if I had tugged more. I love felt that lets you do that to it. Not all felt has that quality, or not as much of it anyway. I was going to make this a LC hat, but it is much too thin for anything but an all out Raiders fedora. Looks like I will be wearing the Optimo and the Imperial Stetson the rest of this year. regards, Fedora

10-09-2003, 02:50 PM	#6
SHARPETOYS Call Me a Cab Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Titusville, Florida Posts: 2,467	Hello fedora. This is the hat angel i want to wear your new hat.I'm happy you got a nice fedora.Post some pictures please.

10-09-2003, 03:08 PM	#7
fedoralover One Too Many Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Great Northwest Posts: 1,357	I just wanted to add that I'm not sure if your wife will thank me for turning you on to vintage hats. After looking at all the ones you've bought it looks like your wife will have to move some of her stuff out to the garage to make way for the influx of new hats you'll be getting in the mail soon. fedoralover

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