Stetson Exposition Medals

[Garrett]

That is the earliest Stetson I have seen and its the ORIGINAL Exposition Medal.
:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap

Josh, I thought they won in Paris 1878 prior to this one?

 

[Joshbru3]

Josh, I thought they won in Paris 1878 prior to this one?

Ah, my mistake. Your right. I always forget about that. It appears the first Medal was Centennial 1876.

 

[splintercellsz]

Not mine... but I wish it was!

 

[feltfan]

Not mine... but I wish it was!

OMG. And it's a 7 5/8! Hard to believe it is "Extra Light Weight". Must be darn unusual felt.

If anyone here DOES own this, let's hear more.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Yes 7 5/8 in that vintage is rare. Looks like it needs a good brushing.

 

[Garrett]

OMG. And it's a 7 5/8! Hard to believe it is "Extra Light Weight". Must be darn unusual felt.

If anyone here DOES own this, let's hear more.

As you wish:

 

[Garrett]

Continued

 

[alanfgag]

gorgeous!... is the ribbon bow frayed?

 

[fedoracentric]

http://s522.photobucket.com/user/CWON1/media/IMG_20140130_130832_zps6fc70283.jpg.html

Are both of those stickers red?? I have never seen a red re-order sticker. Usually they are brown or orange!

 

[Garrett]

gorgeous!... is the ribbon bow frayed?

 

[Joshbru3]

As you wish:

I knew it had to be you who snagged that one! Absolutely GORGEOUS!!! It needed a brushing in the worst way and now that you did, the felt looks marvelous!! Luckily the moths haven't eaten this one. For some reason they seem to love feasting on Long Hairs. I have never held a Lightweight Long Hair, how much lighter is it really than a Standard Weight?

 

[Garrett]

It really is a light weight (for a long hair). One would never think looking at it that this felt could be so dense while maintaining a slim waistline

 

[Joshbru3]

It really is a light weight (for a long hair). One would never think looking at it that this felt could be so dense while maintaining a slim waistline

If only they could figure out how to make felt like this today. Its remarkable how dense the early stuff is. Its a pleasure to crease, but also to reblock.

 

[TheDane]

If only they could figure out how to make felt like this today

I don't think knowledge is the big problem. Much knowledge could be regained though old felt workers and hatters, still alive. Several European companies made high quality felts into the 60s and 70s. I think the main problem is the cost of labor. Manufactoring of felts like that was extremely demanding and took days and weeks to complete. As I understand it, Winchester can still produce a felted edge - although it's no longer daily routine - but it's too expensive to revive a production.

 

[Garrett]

I wasn't aware any modern manufacturer was making a felted welt edge (Cavanagh Edge).

 

[TheDane]

I wasn't aware any modern manufacturer was making a felted welt edge (Cavanagh Edge).

They are not. One of the employees at Winchester can still make them. A few years ago, Brad talked him into trying, and he made a few half finished - just to demonstrate the technique. The owner didn't see any perspectives in taking up a production, though. The process is very complex and special tools/machines are also involved, so in a decade or two it will be very hard to revive the technique, if anyone should wish for that.

I have read, that the hatter Gary White has sourced some old Borsalino bodies with felted edge. He is to my knowledge the only one still making hats with felted edge - but only as long as the stock lasts.

 

[hatsRme]

Gary has no size 7-3/4 blanks left. shhhhhhhh

 

[TheDane]

Oooops ... Sorry, Charlie

 

[alanfgag]

It really is a light weight (for a long hair). One would never think looking at it that this felt could be so dense while maintaining a slim waistline

Got a postal scale?... inquiring minds want to know!

 

[alanfgag]

Here is a photo of one of Gary's custom edges that belonged to another lounge member: