Art Dealers Association of America Racks and Stands

This vintage California made cowgirl western style hat from the 1980's labeled "Scalia" is no longer made, and the attached tag inside identifies it as "Authentic" and "Hand Made Since 1921". It is very well made of heavy cream colored wool felt (100% wool label inside) and molded and shaped in typical western style, with the dimpled crown and curved up brim edges, guaranteed to wear...

Also known as a "hat block" these forms were used by milliners to shape a cowboy hat by heating the beaver pelt up against the mold and pounding with a wooden mallet. John Stetson used this process in making the first cowboy hat in the 1860s in his manufacturing plant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These wooded molds were hand carved rather than turned on a lathe so that different and unique styles could be created. As John Stetson said after traveling extensively across the western United States "a cowboy hat kept the sun out of your eyes and off your neck. It was like an umbrella. It gave you a bucket (the crown) to water your horse, and a cup (the brim) to water yourself. It made a hell of a fan, which you need sometimes for a fire, but more often to shunt cows this direction or that". That pretty much sums up the attributes of a cowboy hat. I purchased a "Stetson" collection years ago from a collector very near Philadelphia, so this could very well be a Stetson hat mold. I know of no other millineries in the late 1800s who were making western hats. Wooden hat blocks are to be found, but it is rare to find a western hat mold, especially with the two pieces together, the brim and the head body and crown. They would have become separated at some point in time over the years. My example is being held together by brass "L" brackets which makes a great "Stand alone": display, or can be hung on the wall to accommodate hanging a cowboy hat. Markings on the base are: 4 1/4 7 3/8 1931 and H.G. (see image). "7 3/8" probably suggests the hat size and "1931" probably suggests the style or inventory number; "H.G." suggests, perhaps, the actual name of the style. This hat mold is in very good and all original condition, very sturdy, and makes a nice presentation. Dimensions: (overall) 13" long x 11" wide x 7" high. I have included a Christmas, Santa Claus Stetson salesman sample box...

Designed by world famous fashion designer Adolfo Sardina, and "Made in America", this vintage brimless "Helmet" hat (circa 1970) was also referred to as...

Very unique cowgirl hat, with a ribbon tied around the base of the crown and faux cowhide to the brim and under brim (see images). Top brim and crown are made of a cream colored wool felt. Hat is molded and shaped in typical western fashion. Designed by Adolfo Sardina...