For everyone else who failed to win the 7 3/4 Dobbs Westward

[Rick Blaine]

This was a stunner, a real A+ beauty, but at 158 bucks far too rich for my blood as I suspect was the case w/ any of ya'll too.
I consoled myself with the purchase of a Stetson Retro

from an online retailer up in Siketon MO. Falkoff's Men's Shop fer a mere 40 clams (+shipping of $7). And while this is not & will never be a mid-forties Dobbs Westward, it'll do, for now... so 'fess up, who snagged that brass ring, eh?

 

[GI Joe]

Thanks for the tip, Rick. I was looking at that Stetson on other websites & Falkoff's was cheaper by far so I ordered one, too.

 

[Rick Blaine]

Thanks for the tip, Rick. I was looking at that Stetson on other websites & Falkoff's was cheaper by far so I ordered one, too.

Agreed. It is cheaper by almost 20% than anywhere else I have found.

 

[feltfan]

I'd say at $158 a bargain for the Lounger
who won it (and is welcome to his anonymity
unless he decides otherwise). Congrats.

Has anyone ever seen a Dobbs West/Westward
panama before? Unusual hat! Beautiful straw.

 

[Spellflower]

I know vintage felt is amazingly durable stuff, but how does vintage straw hold up over the years? Is this hat more fragile than a new one from Bob? Or is it even stronger? Opinions?

 

[Mr. Lucky]

I know vintage felt is amazingly durable stuff, but how does vintage straw hold up over the years? Is this hat more fragile than a new one from Bob? Or is it even stronger? Opinions?

I stopped bidding on THAT one when it hit $25! As for your questions - I picked up a similar vintage Dobbs Panama (EXACT same markings on sweat band, etc.), but in a Optimo crown, a few weeks ago for under thirty bucks! And, yes, it is one of the finest straws I've ever seen. Even after all these years it can take a roll and, with a little dampness, shaping. I love the hat and have been wearing it daily. Considering what this other one went for, I deem myself quite lucky!

 

[feltfan]

I stopped bidding on THAT one when it hit $25! As for your questions - I picked up a similar vintage Dobbs Panama (EXACT same markings on sweat band, etc.), but in a Optimo crown, a few weeks ago for under thirty bucks! And, yes, it is one of the finest straws I've ever seen. Even after all these years it can take a roll and, with a little dampness, shaping. I love the hat and have been wearing it daily. Considering what this other one went for, I deem myself quite lucky!

This one?
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=540175&postcount=3822
Did you put a pinch in the optimo block?

 

[AlanC]

...I deem myself quite lucky!

Well, of course you do! lol

 

[RBH]

Wow Rick I love that thin ribbon...wish you would have gotten it!..
As for the Retro.. I have one. It is a fine straw but the brim at 2 12 [it was said to be 2 34 when I bought mine...they changed the ad after I let them know { got mine for under 30}] and the low crown it is not one of my favorites.
But that said ..it is a nice hat for the money.

 

[AlanC]

That Westward is stunning.

 

[Rick Blaine]

Wow Rick I love that thin ribbon...wish you would have gotten it!..
As for the Retro.. I have one. It is a fine straw but the brim at 2 12 [it was said to be 2 34 when I bought mine...they changed the ad after I let them know { got mine for under 30}] and the low crown it is not one of my favorites.
But that said ..it is a nice hat for the money.

Yeah, I kinda wondered where you were on that Dobbs, RBH.
Re: the Retro, I am better off w/ the 2 1/2" brim, but am disappointed (tho' not shocked) that the crown is on the low side, I was thinking of replacing the ribbon with a ribbon more like the Westward or a thin hitched horsehair I have to make the most of the height that is there.. Is the crown's taper too extreme? It is hard to tell from the photo. Still and all, it seems a decent approximation of a classic era panama, where did you nab one for thirty bucks?

 

[Mr. Lucky]

This one?
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=540175&postcount=3822
Did you put a pinch in the optimo block?

Actually, it sort of came that way. I'm currently keeping my eye on a sweet Optimo block on da'Bay. We'll see how much it's worth.

 

[RBH]

Yeah, I kinda wondered where you were on that Dobbs, RBH.
Re: the Retro, I am better off w/ the 2 1/2" brim, but am disappointed (tho' not shocked) that the crown is on the low side, I was thinking of replacing the ribbon with a ribbon more like the Westward or a thin hitched horsehair I have to make the most of the height that is there.. Is the crown's taper too extreme? It is hard to tell from the photo. Still and all, it seems a decent approximation of a classic era panama, where did you nab one for thirty bucks?

No I did not get that one Rick...:eusa_doh:
As to the Retro... is is a great hat. I have just so gotten used to a high crown { and wid[er]brim its hard to get used to the ''normal'' crowns that are out today. Taper is not bad on mine and I have also thought about a thin ribbon. Might just have to do that on mine also!
Here is where I got mine
http://alphiessaco.com/index.php?cPath=57&osCsid=62e2651a604fd2438a21a0436bc1e7f7
they dont have the Retro listed anymore?????

 

[Rick Blaine]

I'd say at $158 a bargain for the Lounger
who won it (and is welcome to his anonymity
unless he decides otherwise). Congrats.

Has anyone ever seen a Dobbs West/Westward
panama before? Unusual hat! Beautiful straw.

Quite so, it is just with April 15th looming $158 was not in the cards for me. A really unique item and at that size, in that condition, as rare as hen's teeth.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Well done, Mr. 'H' -- it's a beauty! :eusa_clap

Cheers,
JtL

 

[Rick Blaine]

Well done!

Well done, Mr. 'H' -- it's a beauty! :eusa_clap

Cheers,
JtL

Echo that! Whatta beaut! I cannot wait to see it on ya'. Even rarer in Éire, eh?

 

[indycop]

lol lol :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Rick Blaine]

Breathtaking!

Absolutely sweet as Tupelo honey, looks good on ya' too!!! :eusa_clap

 

[feltfan]

Nice as advertised. Congrats.

Interesting the way the weave changes
on the crown. I can't recall seeing a panama
with one weave at the ribbon area and another above.

 

[Mr. Lucky]

As a fellow, and losing, bidder on that one, I must say that it looks MUCH better on you than it ever would have on me! There is a just cosmos! Congrats!