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Messages
10,806
1950s Saks Fifth Avenue

23746FE3-C0AC-4476-91F6-C895BB5DBD66.jpeg


4 1/2 Crown as shaped 5 1/2 open
1 3/4 burnt orange to copper ribbon
2 3/8 brim with felted welt edge (Cavanagh)

6447E517-F14D-4CB4-A269-923987020C98.jpeg
DE326B72-414A-46BB-9100-2A302F31038E.jpeg
392C1C30-9AE4-4B35-A56B-FF5B7DEEB077.jpeg
90CA8BE9-1598-4CCB-A33E-E20ED2D75BFA.jpeg


This one came for its very cool burnt orange to copper ribbon... it is staying for its super soft and light felt and beautifully well done “felt welted edge” (Cavanagh). The felt is light and buttery. I do not know if it is originally unlined.. but that is how it is now. I had thought this one had flown the coop As it went for a pretty penny on its original auction. It turned out the buyer did not pay and it fell into my lap.

Seller says this Saks logo was only used in 1955.. if true a pretty good dating mechanism.

C4E57FD6-2FCA-4228-9B98-F77143876560.jpeg


It is not without its flaws for sure. The sweat is starting to deteriorate.. but still comfy. There is a small hole in the felt right under the edge where the ribbon meets the brim.. but fairly concealed by the ribbon. There are also some light spots on the felt... but I was able to scrub some of that out with a damp rag. And then a few small blemishes on the ribbon.

I have my suspicions based on the manufacturing tag and the felted welt edge stamping on the sweat this may have been made by Dobbs or possibly Knox. If anyone has any insight there.

AF4C74E1-13A2-488F-965B-2B2B625D35AE.jpeg
10D61630-7126-4267-B978-F30C80EBCF05.jpeg


All and all I am very pleased with this one

D72C3D81-156E-4A4B-A97D-5ABECF580044.jpeg
07078F4A-BB83-45A2-B4A6-B5F2F1FDAF8D.jpeg
 
Messages
17,855
Location
Nederland
1950s Saks Fifth Avenue

View attachment 242289

4 1/2 Crown as shaped 5 1/2 open
1 3/4 burnt orange to copper ribbon
2 3/8 brim with felted welt edge (Cavanagh)

View attachment 242291 View attachment 242292 View attachment 242293 View attachment 242294

This one came for its very cool burnt orange to copper ribbon... it is staying for its super soft and light felt and beautifully well done “felt welted edge” (Cavanagh). The felt is light and buttery. I do not know if it is originally unlined.. but that is how it is now. I had thought this one had flown the coop As it went for a pretty penny on its original auction. It turned out the buyer did not pay and it fell into my lap.

Seller says this Saks logo was only used in 1955.. if true a pretty good dating mechanism.

View attachment 242295

It is not without its flaws for sure. The sweat is starting to deteriorate.. but still comfy. There is a small hole in the felt right under the edge where the ribbon meets the brim.. but fairly concealed by the ribbon. There are also some light spots on the felt... but I was able to scrub some of that out with a damp rag. And then a few small blemishes on the ribbon.

I have my suspicions based on the manufacturing tag and the felted welt edge stamping on the sweat this may have been made by Dobbs or possibly Knox. If anyone has any insight there.

View attachment 242290 View attachment 242296

All and all I am very pleased with this one

View attachment 242297 View attachment 242298
Very nice, Joe. The ribbon is the winner for sure. Likely the maker was Knox: the Saks branded hats we've seen so far were made by them.
 
Messages
10,806
Very nice, Joe. The ribbon is the winner for sure. Likely the maker was Knox: the Saks branded hats we've seen so far were made by them.
Thanks Stefan. Really really like this one. Thanks for that info. I definitely got some Dobbs and Knox cues. The manufacturing tag definitely pointed to 1950s HCA. It had got me thinking to ask a question in the Question/Answer thread about at what point after the HCA merger did they stop making separate brands at separate factories. Obviously a lot of the manufacturing process started to be standardized almost immediately.. ie manufacturing tags.
 
Messages
10,806
Royal Stetson Whippet

E31C0EA6-BE27-49EF-90F7-AF2B704FD9AE.jpeg


Royal Stetson Whippet
Medium Steel Blue Grey Felt
4 1/2 crown as bashed (just shy 5 1/2 open)
1 1/2 black grosgrain ribbon
2 1/2 brim with 3/8 contrasting Grosgrain edge binding

F1952E68-5F88-4259-A558-078F584564CC.jpeg
4E34FF3B-9956-4050-BA35-B3F927F74036.jpeg
CEE52493-D0BF-4565-8885-CFAAB2DAB87F.jpeg


This beauty arrived a couple weeks ago off a much appreciated tip from Jonathan @TheOldFashioned. I immediately surrendered the box to my wife to save for Father’s Day. After that day finally arrived yesterday I now get to experience The Whippet

Here are my impressions... I can say for sure... this is one very well made hat. The felt has an excellent quality feel to it. It is not as soft and malleable as my Royal Stetson “Musketeer” or older Stetson Standard Quality. It is a bit thicker and more dense but still very high quality feel and holds shape well with a hand crease. I’m sure with steam it would do any thing you wanted. The texture of the felt is very smooth and almost velvety to the touch. The big thing here are it’s lines and proportions... which are very distinct. This hat creates a very crisp look and I do see why it may be they are so sought after. So my impression is if you hear whippets are not what they are cracked up to be.. it is not that they are not an excellent.. well made hat from their era. They most definitely are. It is probably more so that you can find some equally fine or finer Stetsons From this era and older for less money if you look hard enough... especially considering what a whippet can go for price wise these days. I say if you have the chance to grab one at a decent price they are well worth the investment.

I was able to get a little story from the seller about the original owner of the hat. It belonged to the sellers father-in-law. He and his wife were a couple from New York. They did not have a lot of money but they preferred to save up to buy nice things. This hat being one example. He was able to send me a photo of the gentleman wearing a Homburg hat.

D8CD97CD-D419-4143-9A7D-F5E3763EB999.jpeg
098ABF1D-2FC4-429D-B9A1-0AF90E3A7FA6.jpg
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1268D3E2-BFA0-48BC-BA5C-ED6B88E6EB96.jpeg
 

Rmccamey

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,614
Location
Central Texas
Looks like the Whippet is a keeper, Joe.

Royal Stetson Whippet

View attachment 243382

Royal Stetson Whippet
Medium Steel Blue Grey Felt
4 1/2 crown as bashed (just shy 5 1/2 open)
1 1/2 black grosgrain ribbon
2 1/2 brim with 3/8 contrasting Grosgrain edge binding

View attachment 243388 View attachment 243390 View attachment 243389

This beauty arrived a couple weeks ago off a much appreciated tip from Jonathan @TheOldFashioned. I immediately surrendered the box to my wife to save for Father’s Day. After that day finally arrived yesterday I now get to experience The Whippet

Here are my impressions... I can say for sure... this is one very well made hat. The felt has an excellent quality feel to it. It is not as soft and malleable as my Royal Stetson “Musketeer” or older Stetson Standard Quality. It is a bit thicker and more dense but still very high quality feel and holds shape well with a hand crease. I’m sure with steam it would do any thing you wanted. The texture of the felt is very smooth and almost velvety to the touch. The big thing here are it’s lines and proportions... which are very distinct. This hat creates a very crisp look and I do see why it may be they are so sought after. So my impression is if you hear whippets are not what they are cracked up to be.. it is not that they are not an excellent.. well made hat from their era. They most definitely are. It is probably more so that you can find some equally fine or finer Stetsons From this era and older for less money if you look hard enough... especially considering what a whippet can go for price wise these days. I say if you have the chance to grab one at a decent price they are well worth the investment.

I was able to get a little story from the seller about the original owner of the hat. It belonged to the sellers father-in-law. He and his wife were a couple from New York. They did not have a lot of money but they preferred to save up to buy nice things. This hat being one example. He was able to send me a photo of the gentleman wearing a Homburg hat.

View attachment 243384 View attachment 243385 View attachment 243387 View attachment 243386 View attachment 243391 View attachment 243392
 
Messages
19,096
Location
Funkytown, USA
Royal Stetson Whippet

View attachment 243382

Royal Stetson Whippet
Medium Steel Blue Grey Felt
4 1/2 crown as bashed (just shy 5 1/2 open)
1 1/2 black grosgrain ribbon
2 1/2 brim with 3/8 contrasting Grosgrain edge binding

View attachment 243388 View attachment 243390 View attachment 243389

This beauty arrived a couple weeks ago off a much appreciated tip from Jonathan @TheOldFashioned. I immediately surrendered the box to my wife to save for Father’s Day. After that day finally arrived yesterday I now get to experience The Whippet

Here are my impressions... I can say for sure... this is one very well made hat. The felt has an excellent quality feel to it. It is not as soft and malleable as my Royal Stetson “Musketeer” or older Stetson Standard Quality. It is a bit thicker and more dense but still very high quality feel and holds shape well with a hand crease. I’m sure with steam it would do any thing you wanted. The texture of the felt is very smooth and almost velvety to the touch. The big thing here are it’s lines and proportions... which are very distinct. This hat creates a very crisp look and I do see why it may be they are so sought after. So my impression is if you hear whippets are not what they are cracked up to be.. it is not that they are not an excellent.. well made hat from their era. They most definitely are. It is probably more so that you can find some equally fine or finer Stetsons From this era and older for less money if you look hard enough... especially considering what a whippet can go for price wise these days. I say if you have the chance to grab one at a decent price they are well worth the investment.

I was able to get a little story from the seller about the original owner of the hat. It belonged to the sellers father-in-law. He and his wife were a couple from New York. They did not have a lot of money but they preferred to save up to buy nice things. This hat being one example. He was able to send me a photo of the gentleman wearing a Homburg hat.

View attachment 243384 View attachment 243385 View attachment 243387 View attachment 243386 View attachment 243391 View attachment 243392

Good get, Joe. Always nice to pick up a Whippet without mortgaging the house.

Whippets are very nice hats, and you're right, the shape is one of the things that make them sought after (as well as the name). The "knock" on the Whippet, at least on the FL, is the "quality" doesn't match the current market price for the hat. As FL Members with a little more experience, we know there are higher quality, nicer hats with better appointments to be had. Whippets are great hats, but when you've had your hands on some nice Royal Deluxe or better hats - or high quality hats from other hatters - it gives a different perspective.
 
Messages
10,806
Good get, Joe. Always nice to pick up a Whippet without mortgaging the house.

Whippets are very nice hats, and you're right, the shape is one of the things that make them sought after (as well as the name). The "knock" on the Whippet, at least on the FL, is the "quality" doesn't match the current market price for the hat. As FL Members with a little more experience, we know there are higher quality, nicer hats with better appointments to be had. Whippets are great hats, but when you've had your hands on some nice Royal Deluxe or better hats - or high quality hats from other hatters - it gives a different perspective.
Thanks Jim... I agree. I think we are probably saying the same thing. Having not held a whippet prior to this and having heard comments such as ‘garbage’ ‘stiff as cardboard’ Or ‘wouldn’t own one at any price’. I wanted to put my thoughts on it. Is it a well made hat worthy of the $10ish price point Of it’s day? YES. Would I recommend owning one if you can find one at a good price? YES Would I trade my Musketeer or Standard Quality for one? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Am I very happy to have this one in that lineup... and will it get lots of wear? ABSOLUTELY
 
Messages
19,096
Location
Funkytown, USA
Thanks Jim... I agree. I think we are probably saying the same thing. Having not held a whippet prior to this and having heard comments such as ‘garbage’ ‘stiff as cardboard’ Or ‘wouldn’t own one at any price’. I wanted to put my thoughts on it. Is it a well made hat worthy of the $10ish price point Of it’s day? YES. Would I recommend owning one if you can find one at a good price? YES Would I trade my Musketeer or Standard Quality for one? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Am I very happy to have this one in that lineup... and will it get lots of wear? ABSOLUTELY

Yup. I don't find them that stiff, and I think they have a nice finish. IMHO, a Playboy has superior felt. My experience with vintage Strats is limited, but those seem to be of higher quality in general, and are offered in Royal Deluxe. There may be some RD Whippets out there, but they would be rare.

I once had a 3X pass through my hands (too small) that was basically a high quality Whippet with some cool brim stitching in addition to the bound brim. Better felt, better finish, nicely appointed. It went on eBay for a fraction of a Whippet, because the liner didn't have that word in it.
 

Rumad

One Too Many
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