c. 1984 Stetson IJ fedora(s) question

[Indiana Greg]

From all I have read (although I cannot now find the citations, I will link as able) the run of Stetson IJ fedoras, following TOD, were sourced from two different suppliers, Stetson and then as demand grew, an as yet unknown (to me) European supplier. The run of European felt is said to be superior to the initial & subsequent domestic Stetson products. My question- how to tell one from the other?

I recall more than a few permutations of Stetson IJ fedoras back then. There were the woolies & then the fur felt Stetsons- some with a leather sweat and some with a padded fabric sweat. Most brown but many gray. I also seem to dimly recall a few different linings- a bright yellow/gold, a deep maroon & maybe white (?).

Does anyone know the what's & wherefore's of telling one from another? Any definitive timeline or known overseas supplier?

I have slept since 1984 & the old gray matter is failing, eh?

Thanks!

[Michaelson]

I have one of the LFL contracted Paramount 'Stetsons't that were made in Europe and supposed to be sold in the theater lobbies for the release of TofD, but never were. It was acquired by a friend directly from the Paramount warehouse where they were stored before being sold off to retailers and mixed into the domestic IJ TofD Stetsons inventory.

The felt is VERY soft, and the cloth sweat has the gold embossed Stetson emblem emblazed on it in several places on the sweat. The cloth sweat is shiny black. The supplier/maker was located in Austria, and was featured in a segment of 'How it's Made' on Discovery Channel many years ago.

The only way to really tell is to have one of each in hand to see the quality of one far exceeds the quality of the U. S. made version that was sold through companies like U. S. Cavalry etc.

It compares to a soft beaver felt hat.

Regards! Michaelson

[Indiana Greg]

I have one of the LFL contracted Paramount 'Stetsons't that were made in Europe and supposed to be sold in the theater lobbies for the release of TofD, but never were. It was acquired by a friend directly from the Paramount warehouse where they were stored before being sold off to retailers and mixed into the domestic IJ TofD Stetsons inventory.

The felt is VERY soft, and the cloth sweat has the gold embossed Stetson emblem emblazed on it in several places on the sweat. The cloth sweat is shiny black. The supplier/maker was located in Austria, and was featured in a segment of 'How it's Made' on Discovery Channel many years ago.

The only way to really tell is to have one of each in hand to see the quality of one far exceeds the quality of the U. S. made version that was sold through companies like U. S. Cavalry etc.

It compares to a soft beaver felt hat.

Regards! Michaelson

Does it look like this?





Thanks!

IG

[WConly]

Yepper! Had two of these -- American made ones. Got them from Eddie Bauer -- well the original brown that is. Cannot remember who I ordered the grey one from, but it was the same as the brown as far as quality (or lack there of). But, at that time they seemed pretty special! W>

[Hollowpond]

I have one. The sweat and liner have been removed, and the ribbon replaced. It has been beat to heck and is softer than my AB deluxe. The pinch is nearly worn through. My son wears it now, as it was mine when I was about 11 or 12 when I got it. Ive got some pics somewhere...

[Michaelson]

No, it doesn't look like that one, IG.

Mine is a VERY VERY dark brown, much darker than the chocolate brown American made versions, and has a brilliant while liner with black sweat band and the gold embossed Stetson emblems imprinted all the way around the cloth sweat.

Regards! Michaelson

[Hollowpond]

Ok...never mind then, that's not what I have then. I have one like IG posted. Ill still post pics as its awesome. I also need to clarify, as to how soft it is. It is soft BECAUSE its been beaten to death. Kinda like a baby blanket that's been drug around for 10 years.