Club Obi Wan

I recently aquired this 1972 Herbert Johnson. This is my first stitched-in liner. The stitching is anchored with a knot just about where the channel in the Raiders hat is. The next stitch is at about the front of the hat, but it's not knotted. There are 4 of these, and the thread can be pulled back and forth though them. The thread ends at the back of the hat with a second knot. (A second, shorter length of thread holds the other side of the liner in.) ----- So this big stitch is similar to what I've ben putting in my hats to get a channel. That thread could also get stretched when the hat is worn, and pull the felt in? ..or cinch the knot tighter? The thread could be too short, and a channel wouldn't be there on the finished hat, only showing it's self when a head pulls it tight..... The stitch is 3/4 inch above the brim to crown transition- Pretty much right where I put mine. You can just about see where the pleat is under the Raiders ribbon, but there's no stitch on the outside of the ribbon. I think there's a good chance a liner thread anchor stitch is pleating the felt.

That is indeed an EXCELLENT explanation 3k$!!! - Hat's off to that one. It seems 100% plausible and this is a theory I can back from the bottom of my heart AND mind!

It's a pity you got an HJ with the crappier vintage sweatband. I have one of this myself and don't like it really. I assume this one is ca. 1.2mm thick? - They did also use a version that was 0.9-1.0mm thick and made of really luxurious leather which was colored all the way through.

HIGH regards,

Marc

Thank you, Marc!! I've bought 2 HJ's in the last two weeks. The other was advertised as '20 or 30's vintage, and has a similar sweat thickness. It's not colored all the way through either. .... A 1990 7 1/4 Poet sold for $431.01 on e-bay a couple days ago. The one above is a size 7, unpounced, black. Poet style 5 1/2 inch crown with a 3 1/2 inch brim. Called a "Meteor". With some work, it could probably make a great Toht hat. - ...... Have you seen a similar liner attachment pattern in any of your H.J.s?

It seems 100% plausible and this is a theory I can back from the bottom of my heart AND mind!

Thanks again!

The crest is the same as on yours. But the way it's sewn together at the top is something I always believed to be a Bowler exclusive

On one of them the liner is lose and on the other one, the attachment is made differently. But just because MY HJs are different, doesn't spoil you theory.

I really support this theory 100%. If anyone wants this done on their hats (of course this can easily be done by everyone him- / herself exactly where you want it) feel free to let me know.

Well done 3k$. EXTREMELY well done!!!

HIGH regards,

Marc

Yeah, that does look like a very plausible explanation!

Is this the first time that anyone has seen these stitches in a Herbert Johnson? Could it be that they were added after purchase - a purchaser with ingenuity? Maybe someone who read 3k's site? I'd love to see other pictures of the rest of the hat.

JKL
Ron

Here's an auction pic. It has a 2 inch ribbon. I didn't come up with the theory untill after I got the hat. I don't think they even had hot glue guns in 1972. There is a paper tag with the HJ crest, glued to the liner in back that says "1952/1972 - 11.345 - Meteor - Black" Maybe the Toht hat has the same little blue shield on the liner.

Marc wrote:That is indeed an EXCELLENT explanation 3k$!!! - Hat's off to that one. It seems 100% plausible and this is a theory I can back from the bottom of my heart AND mind!

Excellent indeed.
Are you going to add this feature to your hats Marc?

It's offered as an option - just like the turn.

Regards,

Marc