Trying to Learn. What did I buy? UPDATED

[dopey]

Based on the advice I have been getting on this forum, I figure that the only way for me to learn about what makes a good felt is to experience some of the vintage felts first hand. My goal was to get some vintage hats for relatively cheap in a style that I had a good chance of liking if they turn out OK. Plus, I need the hatboxes. What do you think I can expect in terms of quality when these hats are delivered?

Resistol 1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8192625583&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

Nice hat, nice felt but pretty thick. Has an underwelt.

Resistol 2
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8306071693&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

This hat turned out to be a real beauty and I will eventually post pics. Super duper felt and a lovely liner with great pleats circling the center part of the liner at top. UPDATE: see here - http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?p=34287#post34287

Schoble (never even heard of this one):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8306806093&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

Beautifully constructed hat, It is a black homburg, but I am definitely not a 7 and one eighth.

Mallory Century:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8306316392

Still waiting.

I bought a few more on e-bay, which I won’t bother highlighting unless they turn out to be worth mentioning. THIS ONE, however, looks like it may turn out to be a steal - what do you think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8195471933&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:US:6

 

[jamespowers]

Based on the advice I have been getting on this forum, I figure that the only way for me to learn about what makes a good felt is to experience some of the vintage felts first hand. My goal was to get some vintage hats for relatively cheap in a style that I had a good chance of liking if they turn out OK. Plus, I need the hatboxes. What do you think I can expect in terms of quality when these hats are delivered?

Resistol 1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8192625583&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

Resistol 2
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8306071693&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

Schoble (never even heard of this one):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8306806093&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

Mallory Century:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8306316392

1. Resistol from the late 50s. Brim probably about 2" The felt on these was pretty good. Their Kitten Finish of the age is my favorite.
2. Resistol Monarch. Nice hat from the 1950s with a wider brim. The felt will be of the same quality as the previously mentioned hat or better. Brim is still kind of short for me but I have a few like it.
3. Schnoble looks to be a nice homberg in blue but the picture could be wrong. I would guess it is actually black. This ad may help you out with the brand name:

4. Mallory Century. My favorite of the bunch but I am partial to Mallorys anyway. Likely a 1940s hat with a 2 1/2" brim and a higher crown than the rest. I can't see much written on the sweatband but it looks like a nice liner and sweatband. It is probably in its original box.

You have quite an eclectic bunch of hats there. Let us know what you think when you get them.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Flick]

Nice hats, Great deal

Dopey,

All a nice bunch of hats. I have a Resistol much like the Monarch that is one of my favorites, and my most worn hat. My favorite of yours would be the Schoble. Second would be the Mallory. But on both, if the rolled brim is too tight to prop down the front of the brim, I would remove the edging. It looks like the Schoble will be too tight, but Mallory looks like you could roll down the brim.

You got a great price on all of them, and all are probably great fur felt compared to todays offerings and prices (not of course considering the custom built hats), and if you take care of them...which I am sure you will after reading your posts, they will all be worth much more in the future...as well as a joy to wear now. Please inform us when you get them.

Man, I'll bet my writing gives anal English Majors a major case of the fits.

 

[dopey]

Schoble

In January of 1930, Schoble hats sold for $10 in Cambridge, MA (but could be had on sale for $7.50). I have a pdf of a page from the MIT newspaper with an add from a Haberdasher listing the prices.

I don't know whether I hope for it to be black or blue. Both would be cool, but as I am 95% sure it is a homburg, I am not likely to wear it much regardless of color. The rest have good prospects, depending on fit and condition. A 2.25 inch brim is about what I am used to. I know that is what the Monarch's tape reads and the Mallory looks to be about the same or wider.

 

[feltfan]

Wish I were your size

I'm surprised Powers resisted saying it- wish I were your size.
As a 7 - 7 1/8 you will find you can get just about anything, if
you bide your time.

That Mallory is very nice. Love the deep sweat band.
Interesting to see- I had assumed that my Mallory Century
was from 1923, a century after when they were, at that time,
claiming to be founded. Now I see it is a model, and the reference
to "Century" is more to "this century" or modern style.

Those hats should give you an idea of what you like. Now sit
back and get picky- you'll find what you want and it won't take long.

 

[dopey]

One more

One more. A Cavanagh. After a clean and block, this may prove to be the best yet.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8306520288

In any event, this concludes my e-bay research project.

 

[jamespowers]

I saw that one and decided not to bid on it. Kind of difficult to get it up to my size.
That is a nice hat. The felt should be of higher quality and the brim is nice and wide. I would say at least a 2 1/2 inch. Probably from the 1940s with that satin liner. It has the signature Cavanagh edge to the brim as well. When you get it, take notice of it. You will not get a new or custom hat with that edge. It is far to difficult and costly to produce now. That is one of the arts that died with the era when all men wore hats. :cry:
So, that makes your hat a nice addition to your collection. After a clean and block it will probably be the star of your collection. Just wait and see. This is not to say that the others you have are any less vintage hats but this has quite a few things that makes it special.

Regards to all,

J