Straw Experts, what did I win??

[fedoralover]

I'm no authority on straws, so does anyone have an idea of the quality of this hat I just bought? And how might I research who Russ Bostad is? I tried googling it and I come up with a Bob Bostad who is from the right State, but no Russ. Any help would be appreciated.

By the way if the hat is a loser, don't be afraid to say so, I didn't pay that much for it.

fedoralover

 

[T Rick]

Leghorn weave Panama? Yep, very definitely a loser. To save you further embarrassment, you may send it to me for proper disposition.... .

Great looking hat, I know little of them, but for sure, it's no loser! The name would of course be the retailer where it was originally sold, you may wish to look into business records to see when the store closed it's doors, obviously the hat predates that date. I'm sure more informed folks will come along with real answers, but I just wanted to chime in and say it's a very cool hat, especially if you paid very little for it!

 

[alanfgag]

I think you did good on that one. It's not from Panama. More leghorn info on this thread. Rejuvenate the pug, steam in some side creases and you'll have a nice straw at a good price.

 

[fedoralover]

Thanks Alan, I know you have a lot of straws so I value your opinion. I guess what puzzled me is I read the Leghorns were from Italy, but this one says "Genuine Panama"? A bit of marketing perhaps?

fedoralover

 

[VetPsychWars]

The 200 block of Atwood Ave in Madison is strictly residential. That's probably not the vendor but the guy who originally bought the hat.

Tom

 

[fedoralover]

Hey, thanks a lot. It's always interesting to know those little things. The seller just informed me they got the hat from an elderly man who was the original owner.

fedoralover

 

[hatophile]

Very nice!

 

[Sam Craig]

Can't tell what size it is, but it IS a vintage leghorn, which are illegal in most states due to some serious health concerns.
Fortunately, Kansas is immune, so it is I to whom you should send said hat ... provided it's nice and roomy...

Seriously, great hat, appears to be in good condition.
Invest in a decent period looking replacement pug hat band and you are up and running.
Great find.
Take care of it and you should get years of wear.

Congrats,

Sam

 

[Sam Craig]

Looking at it again, this is not just any leghorn.

It really IS a leghorn weave Panama ... this could be a really rare hat.

Great score!

Sam

 

[fedoralover]

Looking at it again, this is not just any leghorn.

It really IS a leghorn weave Panama ... this could be a really rare hat.

Great score!

Sam

I'm not exactly sure what that is Sam, could you elaborate?

Thanks fedoralover

 

[alanfgag]

I can't tell you what a leghorn weave panama is, but Russ Bostad was a reasonably able bowler, with a 532 series in November, 1946 (column 3, "at Arcade Recreation").

 

[hatophile]

This guy's hat?

 

[fedoralover]

I can't tell you what a leghorn weave panama is, but Russ Bostad was a reasonably able bowler, with a 532 series in November, 1946 (column 3, "at Arcade Recreation").

Article was a little small and hard to read but I finally found it. Thanks. I'm anxious to get this hat and examine it a little closer and see if there's any other markings or labels on it. The last Leghorn on ebay sold for $230. so I felt fortunate to get this one in my size at the price I did.

fedoralover

 

[alanfgag]

The last Leghorn on ebay sold for $230. so I felt fortunate to get this one in my size at the price I did.

fedoralover

I missed that one. This Brooks Brothers hat looks to be leghorn weave - did not receive any bids. I was tempted but resisted. I'm working on that.

 

[fedoralover]

I missed that one. .

It was this one. In great shape and decent size. But it went way too high for me.

fedoralover

 

[alanfgag]

Oh yes... I remember that one.

 

[carouselvic]

me too

 

[fedoralover]

Well the hat came in today. It looks to me to be just a cuenca Panama. The "leghorn" weave was probably just a marketing tool. The bright side is the hat fit perfectly, the leather sweatband was still very soft and supple.It needs a little cleaning, there are a few minor spots but not bad and no broken straws. I put another vintage pug on it, I really didn't like the one it came with. I did a quick reshaping, but it still needs some tweaking. Here's a pic. It looks better than the original pic.

fedoralover

 

[scottyrocks]

This guy's hat?

I was wondering how long that would take. lol

 

[alanfgag]

Well the hat came in today. It looks to me to be just a cuenca Panama. The "leghorn" weave was probably just a marketing tool. The bright side is the hat fit perfectly, the leather sweatband was still very soft and supple.It needs a little cleaning, there are a few minor spots but not bad and no broken straws. I put another vintage pug on it, I really didn't like the one it came with. I did a quick reshaping, but it still needs some tweaking.

When you have a chance, take some close-up photos of the weave outside and inside the hat. The Leghorn shows a plaited or braided weave, often with concentric rings that accent the pattern. Not sure if this weave was ever used with toquilla straw in Panama or if the term was used purely for marketing. I guess anything is possible. Your hat looks very nice and the new pug is a good addition.