Club Obi Wan

As for measurements, sorry I can't provide that. I knew it would be asked, and to preserve the value of the piece I just can't throw that information out.

I wondered about that too Agent. I now know the sweat was tan, not chocolate brown like later HJs, but that ribbon width would have been nice to know. The height of the hat would have been of no importance as felt shrinks, expecially a used hat. The screen used hat posted here last year came with a 1 3/4 ribbon. I was just wondering what the TOD had. Now, that would be important info for the board, and Indyfandom at large. Fedora

Well, I don’t want to get into a screen used versus replica discussion – it has been talked to death in thousands of forums. But I’ll explain the importance to the piece and all screen used pieces. When detailed measurements and information about a real piece is given out it obviously helps make replicas more accurate. For everyone here, that is great, however over time one of your replica hats that has been greatly detailed will be sold from one person to the next. Eventually, someone will put it in one of the large auction houses as the real thing. It may even have a Harrison Ford letter explaining that it’s real – because someone asked him to write the letter for an earlier charity auction. As you guys know, most of the auction houses, and even Harrison Ford, have no idea if something is real or not. If it looks close, it must be it. This completely ruins the hobby of collecting real screen used pieces to find out someone paid tons of money for something that is worthless. Just look at all the major auctions, there are always several pieces that are questionable or down right fakes. I am definitely not blaming anyone for this – what I’m saying is that a replica piece can move from hand to hand over time, then it becomes a problem as the story changes.

I hope the above helps to state why we are so careful with pieces like this. I really don’t want to get into the discussion of screen used versus replica because there are always two sides and there never will be an answer. If you owned the piece, and understand the investment, I’m sure you would want it to be as “exclusive” as possible also.

As for your question about some prop dealers, first I’m not a member of the MPA. There is nothing wrong with that organization at all, but we just rather go on our reputation alone. I will not provide “all” of my contact information for a piece either – that is just plain business sense. When you buy something at the store, do you expect them to give you the distributor information so you can buy it directly next time? You definitely did not purchase the right to get that information – that is something you need to discuss BEFORE the purchase. If the information is not available, then you have to decide if you trust that particular dealer. If you really need that history and it is not provided, then don’t buy the item. For something VERY significant like the Indy fedora we just sold, we disclosed every ounce of information about it because this kind of piece MUST have a historical trail for authenticity. However, I can also say that all the information was only disclosed to the buyer once the deal was done. Most of it, including the letter was provided before for the decision process.

The temple wall tile is in my personal collection. I got it a while back – and still trying to figure out a nice way to build a display case to hold it on the wall. My big issue is that it is so heavy – so for now it is laying flat in my display room.

…Desi

Regarding the picture of the sweat band, it's really hard to tell colors with pictures taken in different lighting, but the band looks to be a much lighter tan instead of the brown I see above.

...Desi

I can assure you, no one would ever confuse one of my hats with an HJ!!!!!! Mine use a much better felt. And, it is visually a finer felt. But, I see your point, kinda, sorta. Thanks for the heads up on the sweat. I know the color you are speaking of. Will I use this info one day? Yes. Would I have used the ribbon width? Yes!! I make reproductions, but upgraded the felt and the parts. And there is no doubt that one day, an authenic hat will surface for our perusal. There is no way to get around that fact. And, the internet being what it is, everyone who wants to know, will know. I may be seeing a real screen used hat myself pretty soon.(or one made for the Raiders film) And, I will share, with COW members. My fingers are crossed, and my arms, legs, and even eyes!! Thanks again!! Fedora

Fedora, if you manage to see an actual Raiders hat in person, you HAVE to take pics with you and it!

Fedora: It's... so beautiful!

Owner of the hat: Fedora... Steve. Let it go, Steve.



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binkmeisterRick wrote:Fedora, if you manage to see an actual Raiders hat in person, you HAVE to take pics with you and it!

Fedora: It's... so beautiful!

Owner of the hat: Fedora... Steve. Let it go, Steve.



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Fedora: There is nothing you can possess which I can not take away...

Owner of the Hat: Fedora, your persistence surprises even me. You're going to give mercenaries a bad name!

You can bet if this works out, I will measure everything, and go over it with a fine tooth comb. I may even count stitches. But, I better hush. I may have said too much already. I will know for sure later on, when the lurker flys to Atlanta, with the hat. If it works out, I want Dakota there to examine it too. I need a witness!!! I can't think of a better one!! Our resident, although quiet, HJ expert. regards, Fedora

PS. Strangely enough, this viewing will cost me a AB. Well worth it though!!!

Man, I hope it is the plane scene or staircase scene hat!! Put this "grey" hat arguement to rest!



have a nice day.

You can bet if this works out, I will measure everything, and go over it with a fine tooth comb. I may even count stitches. But, I better hush. I may have said too much already. I will know for sure later on, when the lurker flys to Atlanta, with the hat. If it works out, I want Dakota there to examine it too. I need a witness!!! I can't think of a better one!! Our resident, although quiet, HJ expert. regards, Fedora

Wow!!! Thanks for including me. I tried so hard to get pics of Steve Ferguson's Raiders era hats, but he just wasn't interested. Now another chance rolls around. Now I have my fingers crossed too!

Dakota, I have talked to this fellow on the phone twice, and once it was set into stone, more or less, I was gonna give you a holler. I am glad you want to see it too. He originally wanted to order a hat, but dropped the bombshell before we got to that. So, I tell him we could do a trade. Yes, seeing a real Raiders fedora is worth paying for, at least to me. He is the owner of other movie props, but this is the only Indy relic that he has. I know how he got it, but he swore me to secretecy. The thing is, he has had it for a long, long time, stored in a glass case!! I wanted pics, but for some reason he is hesitant to do so. But, he did agree to let me/us view it and take pics. Bring the liquid handcleaner though. He says the hands have to be clean to handle it!!! Oh, he lives in Arizona. Fedora

If it's such an artifact, I'd suggest you take some cloth gloves like curators use in museums to handle it. Seriously. Regards! Michaelson

Funny. I bought some original Raiders stuff from a guy in Arizona who's son worked at Elstree. He also had quite a few props from other movies filmed there in the early 80's.

Whatever you do, Steve, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make sure you have a high quality digital camera to take these pics and at the highest resolution possible. If your camera (not saying it does cuz I don't know) suks, then PLEASE do your best to borrow one from somebody. Also, always, always take more pics than you ever think you'll need. As many as you possibly can. It would be nice to have something to lay it flat and spin it on so you can do a 360 dg and see it from every angle. It may even be beneficial to bring some sort of lighting set-up with you, such as a small halogen lamp or something.

Just trying to think of everything as I'm sure everyone here knows this is an INCREDIBLY rare opportunity.

Heck, take duplicate pics on a second camera, for that matter, even with a good film camera. That way there's less chance you'll lose pics if one camera malfunctions or decides to "purge" your images.

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