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[RatherUn1que]

So Im looking through local online ads trying to see if theres any hats that peak my interest and that seem of quality. I came across this hat and am trying to understand if the condition is beyond repair and if not what that repair entails. Im also not sure what style of hat this is, looks homburg-ish minus the round or indented top. I cant tell visual if its felt or wool either. Any feedback regarding this hats state and quality is welcome! Thanks!

 

[BobHufford]

Any feedback regarding this hats state and quality is welcome!

It appears to be fur felt and I’m not seeing obvious damage — just dirt. You could vacuum and then use a hat sponge / hat brush to get much of it. You could also toss it in a bath of white gas / camp stove fuel if needed.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/step-by-step-naptha-bath.43157/

The hat was probably made for the store by a large scale manufacturer like Resistol or Lee.

This store was around from 1927 - 1979. This hat appears to be from the mid-to-late 1950s based on the shape, ribbon width, the back-bow, color and width of the sweatband, plastic liner tip and the logo / fonts used.

The shape is a telescope crease, but could possibly be changed with steam or distilled water, but there might be some “ghost” evidence of the original edges of this crease.

For $25 it would be a fun way to get started!

 

[ShadowXY]

It appears to be fur felt and I’m not seeing obvious damage — just dirt. You could vacuum and then use a hat sponge / hat brush to get much of it. You could also toss it in a bath of white gas / camp stove fuel if needed.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/step-by-step-naptha-bath.43157/

The hat was probably made for the store by a large scale manufacturer like Resistol or Lee.

This store was around from 1927 - 1979. This hat appears to be from the mid-to-late 1950s based on the shape, ribbon width, the back-bow, color and width of the sweatband, plastic liner tip and the logo / fonts used.

The shape is a telescope crease, but could possibly be changed with steam or distilled water, but there might be some “ghost” evidence of the original edges of this crease.

For $25 it would be a fun way to get started!

Looks wearable. Liner is OK. Condition the sweat band after cleaning it. I'm a fan of Saphir. I need to get more delicate or Nappa conditioner.

Great tips. Always vacuum first before any cleaning. I am curious as to how effective & how dangerous it is to clean with white gas etc kerosene. That's oil but evaporates I suppose. Just would worry about the smell & combustibility. Wouldn't it be better to go after it with a dry clean like baking soda, brush it into & vacuum it out first? I might try some 1500 wet dry sandpaper to smooth out stained areas. Then you could try a wool or silk wash. A light sponge clean & then rinse to see how that comes out... Gas is just scary. I have seen hat makers spray hats with alcohol & light them. Then they brush off the residue. Seems to smooth them if you are brave.

 

[RatherUn1que]

It appears to be fur felt and I’m not seeing obvious damage — just dirt. You could vacuum and then use a hat sponge / hat brush to get much of it. You could also toss it in a bath of white gas / camp stove fuel if needed.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/step-by-step-naptha-bath.43157/

The hat was probably made for the store by a large scale manufacturer like Resistol or Lee.

This store was around from 1927 - 1979. This hat appears to be from the mid-to-late 1950s based on the shape, ribbon width, the back-bow, color and width of the sweatband, plastic liner tip and the logo / fonts used.

The shape is a telescope crease, but could possibly be changed with steam or distilled water, but there might be some “ghost” evidence of the original edges of this crease.

For $25 it would be a fun way to get started!

Sheesh, what a wealth if information Im entirely new to this forum and hats. What did a hat like this go for in its day, Im curious in general what these hats went for back when they were as common as baseball caps are today.
What do you think a hatter shop would charge to restore it?
When you say the shape could possible be changed you mean an all together different crown style?
Lastly, what kind of person wore telescope style hats like this in its day? Musicians? gamblers? Businessmen?

 

[BobHufford]

Sheesh, what a wealth if information Im entirely new to this forum and hats. What did a hat like this go for in its day, Im curious in general what these hats went for back when they were as common as baseball caps are today.
What do you think a hatter shop would charge to restore it?
When you say the shape could possible be changed you mean an all together different crown style?
Lastly, what kind of person wore telescope style hats like this in its day? Musicians? gamblers? Businessmen?

Here is a ‘58 Stetson ad showing a similar crease and back-bow.

This hat is a bit different with the “ridge” down the middle. Of course this is an ad and there may have been distinct groups of hat wearers that gravitated to this style, but I can’t speak to that … I wasn’t around yet.

Reach out to a hatter (not all do cleanings / refurbs). This Lounge member did a great job on an old hat for me (cleaned, sized up, new sweat):

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/wolfbrae-custom-hatters.103637/

 

[Steve1857]

View attachment 743552 View attachment 743553 View attachment 743554
So Im looking through local online ads trying to see if theres any hats that peak my interest and that seem of quality. I came across this hat and am trying to understand if the condition is beyond repair and if not what that repair entails. Im also not sure what style of hat this is, looks homburg-ish minus the round or indented top. I cant tell visual if its felt or wool either. Any feedback regarding this hats state and quality is welcome! Thanks!

It's definitely worth buying. No repairs necessary, just some tlc.

It's a Pork Pie style hat, not a Homburg.

Felt not wool. Ca. 1950s

 

[Homebrew]

What do you look out for when buying old hats - as in, how far gone is too far, shape wise? Like the example in the photo, is that worth trying to clean up? It's an old Borsalino, unknown details

 

[BobHufford]

What do you look out for when buying old hats - as in, how far gone is too far, shape wise? Like the example in the photo, is that worth trying to clean up? It's an old Borsalino, unknown details

Any interior photos? This just looks dusty. I would not walk away depending on the price.

 

[Homebrew]

Any interior photos? This just looks dusty. I would not walk away depending on the price.

Thanks, it would be about 30 euros

 

[jeffgarf]

Thanks, it would be about 30 euros

I think you'll find for 30€ that Borsalino will clean up and be reshaped quite nicely. Don't think you can go wrong there.

 

[wsmontana]

What do you look out for when buying old hats - as in, how far gone is too far, shape wise? Like the example in the photo, is that worth trying to clean up? It's an old Borsalino, unknown details

Borsalinos tend to be small in my experience so you might confirm the size by getting a circumference measurement from the seller.

Cleaning and shaping are relatively easy to do yourself but a hat with moth damage or a bad sweatband should be avoided.

This one looks to be in good shape and if the size checks out I think for 30 euro you have a winner,

Sellers that allow returns are preferable but I think the risk here is pretty low.

 

[Homebrew]

Borsalinos tend to be small in my experience so you might confirm the size by getting a circumference measurement from the seller.

Cleaning and shaping are relatively easy to do yourself but a hat with moth damage or a bad sweatband should be avoided.

This one looks to be in good shape and if the size checks out I think for 30 euro you have a winner,

Sellers that allow returns are preferable but I think the risk here is pretty low.

Thanks, looks to be in ok condition as far as I can see. No moth damage anyway

 

[belfastboy]

Looks wearable. Liner is OK. Condition the sweat band after cleaning it. I'm a fan of Saphir. I need to get more delicate or Nappa conditioner.

Great tips. Always vacuum first before any cleaning. I am curious as to how effective & how dangerous it is to clean with white gas etc kerosene. That's oil but evaporates I suppose. Just would worry about the smell & combustibility. Wouldn't it be better to go after it with a dry clean like baking soda, brush it into & vacuum it out first? I might try some 1500 wet dry sandpaper to smooth out stained areas. Then you could try a wool or silk wash. A light sponge clean & then rinse to see how that comes out... Gas is just scary. I have seen hat makers spray hats with alcohol & light them. Then they brush off the residue. Seems to smooth them if you are brave.

Naptha is white gas or Coleman camp stove fuel. Yes, it is best to use in an open space. The odour gases off quickly and it does a great job of cleaning. Kerosene is not pure, naptha is. If the hat is just shelf dirt and not stained I use Fells Naptha soap or Orvus paste. If the hat is stained, particularly with grease/oils then likely a naptha bath is needed. I do it in my garage with the big door open and I don't smoke whilst cleaning. It is safe...and it works. The downside is the hat needs to be torn down to the felt as leather does not work well with naptha. It would cost around $125 for a full blown clean and reblock etc.

 

[jeffgarf]

Is anyone familiar with this "S.S. Quality" branding on a Dobbs hat and when this would have been used?

 

[The Hatted Professor]

View attachment 744820

Is anyone familiar with this "S.S. Quality" branding on a Dobbs hat and when this would have been used?

It’s nothing I’ve ever seen on Dobbs or any other HCA hat. My guess is it was applied either by or for the retailer. Is there a retailer marking?

 

[jeffgarf]

It’s nothing I’ve ever seen on Dobbs or any other HCA hat. My guess is it was applied either by or for the retailer. Is there a retailer marking?

I just bought it so I'll have more info shortly.

 

[jeffgarf]

So, since @The Hatted Professor had never seen it before and according to every version of AI research available he is the primary source for Dobbs Hat historical information (something we here do not need AI to tell us), I felt I should do a deep AI dive to get to the bottom of my hat posting regarding "S.S. Quality" on the sweatband of a Dobbs Hat. I am an IT professional by trade so I know how to test multiple versions of AI on its answers and sources, but I can also request of those AI versions where to find actual primary sources not available to be digitally searched.

It seems that the University of California Santa Barbara, in analog format, is the best bet to find an answer, based upon ChatGPT, the most well known AI chatbot. Maybe a phone call is in order.

 

[Zombie_61]

View attachment 744820

Is anyone familiar with this "S.S. Quality" branding on a Dobbs hat and when this would have been used?

"S.S. Quality"? Wasn't she another of the Titanic's sister ships?

 

[jeffgarf]

"S.S. Quality"? Wasn't she another of the Titanic's sister ships?

You're thinking of the H.M.S. Quality, being a British-based ship, after all.

 

[Zombie_61]

Your thinking of the H.M.S. Quality, being a British-based ship, after all.

Oh, right. My mistake.