When is a Stetson not a Stetson???

[Maj.Nick Danger]

I'm sure a few others here were interested in this one, but I didn't know that there were 2 Stetson hat companies. The label inside this hat is unreadable in the listing. Apparently there were 2 Stetson hat companies in the world? Hat experts,...what's the low-down on this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160107492882&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=006

 

[Dixon Cannon]

Here's what I was able to drum up...

One of John B. Stetson’s grandnephews, Stephen L. Stetson, in January 1934 was sued by the John B. Stetson Co. for trademark infringement. That happened after he decided to put his name, Stephen L. Stetson, on his manufactured hats. Stephen L. Stetson ultimately was ordered to stop using the family name on his hats.

Stetson Co. v. Stephen L. Stetson Co., 85 F.2d 586, 587 (2d Cir. 1936)

-dixon cannon

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I didn't realise it was his grandson.

bk

 

[Dixon Cannon]

I didn't realise it was his grandson. bk

That's because it was his 'grandnephew'! :eusa_doh: -dc

 

[Baron Kurtz]

must . . . replace . . . glasses. :eusa_doh:

bk

 

[MattJH]

I was watching that auction, but I just won a black Barbisio so I couldn't justify going for it. From what I've read in the post archives here, the felt is less than desirable on the Stephen L. Stetsons. Don't take that as canon from me, though; I've never held one. That hat went for over $40.00 more than my Barbisio, though! I was surprised.

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

I always chuckle a bit when I look at the liner of my Stephen L. Stetson fedora. The whole thing is a legal disclaimer. We're used to stuff like that nowadays but back then?

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

One of John B. Stetson’s grandnephews, Stephen L. Stetson, in January 1934 was sued by the John B. Stetson Co. for trademark infringement. That happened after he decided to put his name, Stephen L. Stetson, on his manufactured hats. Stephen L. Stetson ultimately was ordered to stop using the family name on his hats.

Stetson Co. v. Stephen L. Stetson Co., 85 F.2d 586, 587 (2d Cir. 1936)

-dixon cannon

I found something like that too. Not much info though.
So John B.'s company survived until today, and Stephen L.'s went under? [huh]

 

[Twitch]

Hey Tony today we'd get something like "Warning! Do not wear hat in shower." lol

 

[skwerl-hat]

i seem to recall reading something once which said that the original stetson company ended in 1971.

 

[scotrace]

Steve Stetson.