This is a fine quality western wear cowboy (or cowgirl) hat made circa 1950’s by the world renowned manufacturer “Bailey” located in Los Angeles, California who have made “cowboy hats for the stars” since 1922 when George Bailey started his company. The hat is in the traditional western wear “Cattleman’s Crease” style with the appropriate turnings to the brim, and the triple wells to the crown. It is a size (7) (see label); and in excellent and completely all original condition with no stains or “sweat fatigue” and is still in perfect rigid form; hardly ever worn. Markings on the inside interior leather sweatband are gold embossed; “7x’s Shantung” indicating 100% Shantung Formosan straw. The traditional “Bailey log is in gold and red and is stamped on the interior crown. There are three black ventilator eyelets to each side of the crown for air circulation. The 3/8” wide sterling silver hat band is outstanding and is of the highest quality with the appropriate “sterling” mark and “Mexico” embossed on the inside. Because of their relationship to the southern border, Bailey commissioned the silver work to be done by talented silversmith’s in that country, the “214” suggests Taxco, Mexico, where the most famous silver makers were located. Well known for their craftsmanship, it should also be noted that the silver Mexico silversmiths used was typically as good (92.5%) or, in most cases, better than that used in America at the time; up to (96.5% pure). This sterling band is in fantastic original condition with a striking design; consisting of “silver chasing” technique, resulting in an intermittent wavy rope, and what appears to be a 1950’s “Pontiac” logo, repeating pattern around the circumference. Remarkably, the small silver loop “keeper” (to place the belt tail) is still extant. The buckle is ornately decorated in typical western wear fashion using the same “chasing” technique. There are (7) penetrating “loop/line” cutouts to adjust the size of the belt to fit the hat crown. On the back side of the buckle is embossed “214” inside of the maker’s logo; and “Mexico, Sterling”. The Eagle logo indicates the highest standard of silver quality and workmanship as mandated by the Mexican government (used from 1948 through 1980) and the “214” is probably that of Fleming from Taxco; who later resettled in Bakersfield, California.
Dimensions:
15 3/4″ long x 13 3/4″ wide x 6 1/2″ high
brim measures 3 1/2″ to 4″ all around.
crown is 5″ high off of the brim
Inside dimensions of the hat well = 7 1/2″ x 6 1/4″ which when combined with the 22 1/2″ (57cm) circumference converts to a size 7 hat size (men’smedium); which would probably accommodate and be appropriate for many woman, for whom this hat would be very stylish.
In addition to its vintage mid century genesis, this hat is sought after by collectors for its tighter weave and fine quality in addition to the classic style, and sterling silver hat band.
Provenance: From my own collection of Cowboy and Western memorabilia; previously acquired from the estate of a former 1950’s and 1960’s deputy sheriff of San Mateo County in California to whom the hat is attributed.
Note: I am a second generation antiques dealer and have been in business, buying, selling, and collecting, for 50 years; I am also a member of several prestigious antique associations. Thus, I am well qualified to inspect and evaluate the products I offer for sale and I guarantee this to be authentic and as I have described.