help again please

• Dec 30, 2009

• #1

B

bocephus9

New in Town

Messages

14

Location

Hazleton,PA

can anyone tell me what i have here ?..its a humingbird felt hat..early 1900s..the box it was in is postmarked roelofs and has a stamp from 1911..however there is no Roelofs marking in the hat..all it says is Hummingbird felt hat...trying to post pics

 

• Dec 30, 2009

• #2

B

Brad Bowers

I'll Lock Up

Messages

4,187

You have a nice Derby there, is what you have. It may or may not belong with the box, but I suspect it's from the same period. Looks like it might have an English bell-style crown. I have no idea if Hummingbird is the manufacturer, or if they merely retailed it under their name. Neat logo.

As for what it's worth, it depends on the size, as larger sizes bring more than smaller ones. Looks to be in good condition, which helps the value.

I've taken the liberty to include your photo links in Image tags for better viewing.

Brad

 

• Dec 30, 2009

• #3

B

bocephus9

New in Town

Messages

14

Location

Hazleton,PA

thank you as i am new to this great forum..still learning the way around here. the size is 7 1/8 and says xxxx quality... this hat is BRAND NEW condition...i cant find any info on a hummingbird felt hat..

 

• Dec 30, 2009

• #4

Lefty

I'll Lock Up

Messages

8,639

Location

O-HI-O

Hummingbirds are pretty rare. Yours is about the 4th I've seen, and there's one on ebay right now, but it's in bad shape.

 

• Dec 30, 2009

• #5

B

bocephus9

New in Town

Messages

14

Location

Hazleton,PA

wow, thank you sooo much for this info..im sure to find out the history behind this hat...i love this lounge ! but who made hummingbirds? was it Roelofs hat co ????

 

• Dec 30, 2009

• #6

B

bocephus9

New in Town

Messages

14

Location

Hazleton,PA

i cant find that hummingbird hat on ebay

 

• Dec 31, 2009

• #7

Lefty

I'll Lock Up

Messages

8,639

Location

O-HI-O

Check the "search within listings" (or whatever it's called) box when searching the words "hummingbird" and "hat" and look at the results in the vintage - men's hats section.

 

• Dec 31, 2009

• #8

B

bocephus9

New in Town

Messages

14

Location

Hazleton,PA

i still cannot find that hummingbird felt hat on ebay...

 

• Jan 4, 2010

• #9

B

bocephus9

New in Town

Messages

14

Location

Hazleton,PA

still need help

hello all

i still need help determining value for thre HUMMINGBIRD FELT HAT..all i know now is that its very early 1900's and is a derby... its in MINT condition

Jude

 

• Jan 4, 2010

• #10

Lefty

I'll Lock Up

Messages

8,639

Location

O-HI-O

the one that was on ebay didn't sell

 

• Jan 4, 2010

• #11

B

Brad Bowers

I'll Lock Up

Messages

4,187

It just depends on what someone is willing to pay for it. I would expect a 7 1/8, lesser-known brand, in mint condition to fetch around $30.

The Hummingbird Felt Derby that Lefty just posted was overpriced for the opening bid. The condition is just not that good. I've noticed you can get by with less-than-good condition if the Derby is nineteenth century or a well-known brand.

Brad

 

• Jan 6, 2010

• #12

S

steveforse

New in Town

Messages

20

Location

Riverside, CA

Sometimes eBay is kind. Sometimes eBay is cruel. Put that hat in on one side, turn the crank, and see if money comes out.

 

• Jan 10, 2010

• #13

B

bocephus9

New in Town

Messages

14

Location

Hazleton,PA

hi again

i'm taking the advice...i posted it on ebay.. whatever i get im happy with...heres the link

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110479433235&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

 

• Jan 10, 2010

• #14

billyspew

One Too Many

Messages

1,746

Location

London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom

You're not supposed to post live ebay links in this section, try posting the link in the classifieds section.
Good luck.

 

• Jan 10, 2010

• #15

B

bocephus9

New in Town

Messages

14

Location

Hazleton,PA

i didnt know...sorry

 

• Jan 10, 2010

• #16

Lefty

I'll Lock Up

Messages

8,639

Location

O-HI-O

It's very nice, but your asking price for such a small derby from such an obscure brand is quite high, and your buy it now price is just crazy. From all of the auctions I can recall, few derbies under 7 3/8 ever go for more than $50. Once you hit that magic 7 3/8 or larger spot, you double the price.

I hope you get lucky and prove me wrong.

 

• Jan 10, 2010

• #17

fluteplayer07

One Too Many

Messages

1,844

Location

Michigan

Hey Lefty, why do the larger sizes sell for so much more? Any particular reason- were they less common?

 

• Jan 10, 2010

• #18

B

bocephus9

New in Town

Messages

14

Location

Hazleton,PA

ill change it... but why obscure brand ? one would think rare ?

 

• Jan 10, 2010

• #19

rlk

I'll Lock Up

Messages

6,100

Location

Evanston, IL

bocephus9 said:

ill change it... but why obscure brand ? one would think rare ?

Click to expand...

Price is based on demand and perceived value not rarity. Some of the most popular models, mass-produced for extended periods seem to obtain consistently high prices(Stetson's in particular).

 

• Jan 10, 2010

• #20

Lefty

I'll Lock Up

Messages

8,639

Location

O-HI-O

fluteplayer07 said:

Hey Lefty, why do the larger sizes sell for so much more? Any particular reason- were they less common?

Click to expand...

There's been disagreement on this one. I can't remember if we've had any stats, but it's been contended by some that the population in general, and therefore heads, have gotten larger. Others, and the straw pole done in another thread sort of backs them up, claim that the current average size is 7 1/4.

While 7 1/4s are common on ebay, tending to show that head size has remained constant (if the claims are correct), there are hundreds more in the even smaller sizes (especially 7 and 6 7/8), a few 7 3/8, and really slim pickings at 7 1/2 and above. I don't have an answer for why they're harder to find, but there's no question that they're scarce.

As to brands and price, I agree with rlk.