The Ever Present Open Road

[jeboat]

I just watched an auction for a 7X MIB Open Road in an open crown. It looked new, new enough to fetch $640.00!!!

I have a few Open Road hats but $640.00!!! I don't think so.


jeboat:eusa_doh: :eusa_doh: :eusa_doh:

 

[WEEGEE]

NO DEAL

Over the top.

 

[jpdesign]

That makes the $250 I am asking for a mint in box Stetson 100 seem cheap. I thought I was a bit high, but it is what I have to get. If it doesn't sell soon I just may have to put it on ebay.

Jimmy

 

[feltfan]

For the record, that was an awesome hat with unique
liner and sweatband markings and enviable dimensions:

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-MIB-STETSON-7X-FEDORA-BOWLER-73-8-10-GALLON-HAT_W0QQitemZ230083861410QQihZ013QQcategoryZ14065QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Much nicer than the Stetson 100 I bought a while back,
but possibly not nicer than the one jpdesign has. Dunno.
Certainly it was no simple Open Road.

No, I would not have and indeed did not pay $640 for that hat.
But I would have paid half that if it had been in my size. I'm getting
tired of wrestling 3/8 hats to my size, at least for that kind of dough.

BTW, the same buyer is laying out cash right and left:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280064450979

http://cgi.ebay.com/NIB-Vintage-ROYAL-STETSON-WHIPPET-FEDORA-Grey_W0QQitemZ270083652329QQihZ017QQcategoryZ14065QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I wonder if he reads this site?

 

[jimmy the lid]

Time Out!

Before this thread starts to take a dark turn and becomes more about $$$ than hats, let me just say that I am the person who just purchased the Open Road on eBay for $640.00. I am absolutely thrilled, and here's why...

When I first saw the auction, I was wowed by the sight of a vintage Open Road -- a 7X Clear Beaver in mint condition -- in my size, no less. But I was intrigued by the liner of the hat, which did not contain the usual Stetson logo. Instead, the liner on the top of the crown reads: "Shady Oak Farm, Ft. Worth, Texas, Where the West Begins." On the front part of the hat, the liner reads: "The Latch String Always Hangs Outside, Amon Carter."

Curious about this, I began some Internet research before deciding whether or not to bid, and things got interesting. This hat appears to be a Stetson "Shady Oak" Open Road that was made for Ft. Worth publisher Amon Carter -- the kind handed out by Carter to luminaries such as Truman, FDR, MacArthur, Churchill, etc., beginning in the late '30's. Apparently, up until around 1935, Carter had western hats made by Borsalino that he would give out as gifts to visitors and dignitaries -- but, when Mussolini invaded Ethiopia in 1935, Carter turned to Stetson to supply a new hat for him. After some months of working out the design (which differs slightly from the standard Open Road), Stetson began making the "Shady Oak" Open Road, which was originally procured through Washer Brothers, of Fort Worth. At some point (the exact date is not clear to me), it appears that the "Shady Oak" was supplied by Peters Brothers of Ft. Worth. (Incidentally, a new beaver "Shady Oak" from Peters Bros. goes for $600.00).

For more info, check out the following link to "Amon: The Cowboy Who Played Texan for America" by Jerry Flemmons:

Shady Oak Open Road Enter "Stetson" in the search function, and click on the first search result (page 113).

So, as is always the case, you take a bit of a chance buying something on eBay. But, it appears that the hat that I just won may well be one of the original "Shady Oak" Open Roads supplied by Washer Brothers. I suppose that this means that, theoretically, the hat may well date to the late thirties.

As far as I am concerned, the worst I will do here is to own a vintage Stetson 7X Clear Beaver Open Road in mint condition. I suspect, however, that the hat has an additional dimension -- a back story that really has a historic quality. I would do it again in a second.

And yes, FeltFan, as you point out, I have recently acquired a couple of other nice hats. Just last evening, I won a Whippet in mint condition that appears to be that blue/gray hue that is so beautiful. I am thankful to have found it. As a Mac guy, I am having a few problems figuring out how to post photos in a Windows world, but would love to share in the spirit that is so valuable around here.

So that's it for now, folks. Please don't make this about the money -- it's about the hats, and the spirit of sharing our love for hats here in this wonderful place. Hope I'll be able to post some photos and share some more soon.

Cheers,
Jimmy :cheers1:

 

[feltfan]

A toast back at ya

A top knotch piece of detective work. :cheers1:
I wonder if the seller has any idea whose hat this was?

With a 7X Stetson of that vintage and appearance,
I'm certain you're right that at the very least you'll
have a better hat than a lot of $600 hats sold these days.
As I said, sure to be better than my Stetson 100- yours
will be soft and with an enviable crown height and brim
width.

Looking forward to pictures. I know you'll enjoy and
truly appreciate the hat. Thanks for sharing that story!

And apologies if you feel I've invaded your privacy with my post.

 

[WEEGEE]

Cool

Jimmy,


Very cool.:eusa_clap

 

[Tango Yankee]

I watched both auctions...

out of curiosity as the hats were too large for me, but man they were tempting! I guessed the OR was somewhat unique (no, I don't know much about hats--it was just a feeling) and though I was surprised at the end cost I admitted to myself that had I the funds and the hat was in my size I might have spent that much or more.

Congratulations on a couple of absolutely beautiful hats!:eusa_clap

Cheers,
Tom

 

[jimmy the lid]

Thanks, guys...

...I especially appreciate that last sentiment, FeltFan.

Cheers,
Jimmy

 

[Razzman]

Wow, you have two beautiful vintage hats. :eusa_clap :eusa_clap As far as price goes, obviously you can afford them. I look at this way. A custom hat today ranges from approximately $300 to $600. I have read many a thread here claiming that the vintage hats are of a much better quality, so I guess you won two fine hats no matter what the price. Price is irrelevant. Sure everyone, including myself is always looking for a bargain. Sometimes you have to pay for quality and condition. Congratulations :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Love your new hat

A 7 X clear beaver from that era is a "100% pure beaver" hat. Look at what a current western hatter charges and the price is very fair. Enjoy your new hat... :eusa_clap

 

[jpdesign]

I was actually going to contact the buyer with much of that same info. There was one of these in peters bros when I worked there. Just one change to what you found. Amon Carter worked with Tom Peters to design the hat, Peters Bros. was the main custom hatter of the day in Fort Worth, and they had Stetson produce it. Washer Bros. has the biggest Department Store in Fort Worth so the hats were sold there as well as Peters Bros. Peters Bros. retained the rights to call there custom hats the Shady Oaks as well.Buried in the back of Peters Bros. there are still vintage Peters Bros. Shady Oaks liners.

Jimmy

 

[RBH]

Thanks Jimmy,for the 'rest of the stroy'.
For the record, I did bid on that great looking O R. I too did research on the history of the hat.
The 1st vintage O R I owned came from Washer Brothes. So I searched Amon Carter. Liked what I found and placed my bid, I went up to what a new lid from Art would have cost. Then it became too rich for me. So I just watched. To me the price is relative. I love getting a deal, but a deal to me may not be a deal to you.
I dont want to offend top hat lovers but I would not give 25 cents for one, the reason is I would not wear it.
So I hope that you enjoy that beautiful Open Road.

 

[scotrace]

Well Done

Doing your homework pays off. I think you got a deal on a great hat. The prized items in my collection are those with a back story. When someone says "Nice hat!" You can tell them why it is a really, really cool hat!

 

[Canadave]

jimmy, no one has asked...are you going to wear it?



David

 

[spiridon]

I'll admit I was a little "flabbergasted" when I checked on the final winning price on this OR. I was watching it for "fun" knowing full well it would escalate well beyond my reach. I agree with RBH, price is relative.

.....at any rate, congratulations on winning a GREAT looking lid!!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[DOUGLAS]

That is one beautiful hat you've won. If it were in my size I probobly would have been one of the bidders. An open crown hat in that condition with history, is a find. Congratulations Jimmy you have hit the mother load. Enjoy it!!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[RBH]

Jimmy,
Thought you might like this to have with that fantastic Open Road.
this from 1931...

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/741/shadyoakfarmvq3.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

2nd from 1955

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/6758/carter1rj4.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

 

[jimmy the lid]

Good Mojo

As a nice postscript to the auction, I received a note from the seller today that included the following: "I sold this item for a struggling non-profit organization in my area. I can't wait to bring in the cash to them today. The last they knew the hat was sitting at $230.00. Thank you, Bret." I think that's kind of cool.

Many thanks for the kind comments and feedback -- all very much appreciated!

And, as for the question: "Are you going to wear the hat?" -- the answer is, "Absolutely!" That being said, I'm sure that I will be taking particular care with this one. But I think that it was meant to be worn, and I am really looking forward to it.

Cheers,
Jimmy :cheers1:

 

[jimmy the lid]

Jimmy,
Thought you might like this to have with that fantastic Open Road.
this from 1931...

Interesting stuff -- thanks RBH! (Looks like you really did do your homework!)