Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

The Lee Lounge

Messages
15,006
Location
Buffalo, NY
A Lee Trinity from Buffalo that I no longer own:

leetrinity1.jpg


leetrinity2.jpg


leetrinity3.jpg
 
Messages
19,116
Location
Funkytown, USA
Moon's Lee luck must have rubbed off. Not on me, but on my wife. Scored this Lee Black Label All American at the Heart of Ohio Antique Center yesterday:

JLB Lee 2.jpg JLB Lee 5.jpg JLB Lee 1.jpg JLB Lee 11.jpg

Very nice, lightweight felt - also a very nice light gray/Dove gray color, deep and rich. Very supple and easily shaped.

JLB Lee 10.jpg JLB Lee 15.jpg JLB Lee 7.jpg

I've been wanting to get her a classic fedora for a while, and at $20, how could I go wrong? O, the joys of a smaller head!

Crown's about 5 3/4" open, bound brim is 2 5/8". It looks like it just came out of the box.

JLB Lee 14.jpg
 

moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,590
Location
NJ
just a killer killer hat Fruno.... absolutely beautiful

this is the thread I have been looking for .... I want to put two Lee hats that I have here just to archive them in the proper spot

in no way am I trying to steal your thunder Fruno ... seriously though ... your Lee to me is just the perfect hat ... that high crown .. the light weight ... I'd love to see some head shots of it

anyway ... my Lee blue label and black label

IMG_1007.jpg

IMG_1008.jpg

IMG_1009.jpg

IMG_1010.jpg

IMG_1011.jpg

IMG_1012.jpg

IMG_1013.jpg

IMG_1014.jpg

IMG_1017.jpg

IMG_1019.jpg
 
Last edited:

moehawk

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,660
Location
Northern California
An etsy find, my Christmas gift to me!
Lee Silver Label. Black felt, band and binding.

1e5d07326208f0fa4a9dc5f48a752afa.jpg
ac4a21284b54537d2675ecdfcb0305ad.jpg
c8f1b446c7d970d6002ef854c07d6dfc.jpg
a2eeb6fb935b010cc9da7430be0ca334.jpg
d2c8eb48643544eea441495158babd40.jpg
3ed35d74b339fc40beb7e8bbe2ea4eda.jpg
b317c6ade2ba0520b1ee343ae730a614.jpg


4 1/2" crown as creased, 2 1/2" bound brim. No tags under the sweatband, just a stamp reading "1/4". The liner is sewn in, but I didn't see any stickers under the edge of the liner. The sweatband has the sweat barrier, and no liner tip protector. Came in a box that is pretty thrashed, but at least the seller disclosed that beforehand. Any thoughts on the vintage would be appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Messages
12,384
Location
Albany Oregon
I'm going to be bringing some old threads back to life as I research my hats. I have read hundreds of posts here on the lounge, and some questions still burn in my psyche.

1953 Lee "Jet" back bow. The lady I bought this from on Ebay said her father bought this one on their honeymoon in 1953. It is my first back bow hat. The liner was stained, a little work with Woolite solution and it is better. There is a union label along with a odd mfg tag. The "Jet" model is my main question, it seems that the advancements in aviation and airliners influenced hat model names. Is this one a "rare" one? Have not found any Lee hats anywhere online with aviation names. Dobbs 707, 737 comes up and some others from the 50s. I'm hoping for some comments and answers on these upcoming posts.
28462815743_a81d0c1549_z.jpg
28462817763_0d7779ddb1_z.jpg
28462824733_9a052c6a6c_z.jpg
 

Landman

One Too Many
Messages
1,751
Location
San Antonio, TX
Very nice find, Redfokker. The style of the hat looks more early 60's to me though. In 1953 most jet planes were military and they were just starting to test jets for commercial aviation. Commercial jets didn't really start until the late 50's and early 60's. Of course that doesn't mean it could not have been named for the jet airplane. The jet engine had been around since the end of WWII. However, if it was an early 60's hat then it would coincide with the coming of the commercial jet age. Whatever the age it is a very cool hat. I'm interested in hearing what more knowledgeable members have to say about its age.
 

Brad Bowers

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,187
The Lee Jet was offered from 1953 until 1960, marketed to college-age men as a pre-shaped telescope crown porkpie. As for other jet-named models, Resistol offered the 707 from 1959 until 1963. In the late-1970s, Koracorp revived the name for the Dobbs line, now the Jet 707, and it has lasted into recent years and may even still be offered, though I haven't checked. I don't have a date range on the Resistol 737, but obviously has a late-1960s introduction.

Brad
~The Hatted Professor
 
Messages
12,384
Location
Albany Oregon
This is why I am here! My hats are an extension of many passions, collecting, historical research, and my practice of Public History. The Lee was indeed purchased in 1953, probably because it was the newest hot model. Unfortunately, the guy's new wife was a little upset that he spent so much money (O.P.C. $6.95??) that I think he removed the price tags to keep the peace. Sure wish it still had more provenance existing on the hat, but the story fits. I am in awe of the Hatted Professor's storehouse of knowledge! Thank you so much!
 

bowlerman

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,292
Location
South Dakota
just a killer killer hat Fruno.... absolutely beautiful

this is the thread I have been looking for .... I want to put two Lee hats that I have here just to archive them in the proper spot

in no way am I trying to steal your thunder Fruno ... seriously though ... your Lee to me is just the perfect hat ... that high crown .. the light weight ... I'd love to see some head shots of it

anyway ... my Lee blue label and black label

IMG_1007.jpg

IMG_1008.jpg

IMG_1009.jpg

IMG_1010.jpg

IMG_1011.jpg

IMG_1012.jpg

IMG_1013.jpg

IMG_1014.jpg

IMG_1017.jpg

IMG_1019.jpg

Hey Moon! Check out my Lee Blue Label Overbrook! It has the same initials stamped in the sweatband.

IMG_0147 - Copy.JPG
 

Forum statistics

Threads
107,200
Messages
3,030,725
Members
52,674
Latest member
leatherpatch
Top