Hats - Cleaning and Blocking

[Frenchie]

Evening, all. I have two hats that need to be cleaned and blocked and I'm looking for advice. One is a genuine Stetson 3X Beaver that also needs a new band and the liner put back in. The other is a Civil War-era "Stevenson" private purchase type.

I got the name and address of a place in Texas that does this work from Carol's Western Wear down there in Glen Burnie. I wrote an actual ink-jet on paper letter to them, for Pete's sake, but have heard nothing for quite a while now, so I've given up on them.

Then I searched for other places that do this work and dang if they don't all seem to be in Texas or Montana or some other foreign country like them, so now I'm wondering if I should take the hats back to Carol's and ask them to send the hats since maybe the Texans will not ignore them. Other possibilities are finding someplace closer, or even cracking a Web page or a book or three and learning how to do it myself.

So anyway, thoughts, advice, etc. are all welcome. Merci beaucoup en avant.

[Dakota Dan from OZ]

I had a hat cleaned and blocked while in the US in June this year,it was while we were in Cody Wyoming  can'nt remember his name but his shop was on the left of the hwy coming into town from Yellowstone N/P.

Hope this may be some help.

Dakota

[Piedra Kidd]

Frenchie, here is a hatter in Baltimore.http://www.hiphats.com/
Hope this helps.

[Jubal Starbuck]

   You might give River Junction Trade Co. in McGregor ,Ia a try.

[Frenchie]

Piedra Kidd, that's about perfect! Now why didn't they show up when I did a search? I think this computer hates me... 

I'll try the local folks first, then River Junction (didn't know they did that). Many thanks for the responses, gentlemen.

[Delmonico]

I am starting a series of threads on "The Old Fashioned Way" the child board off od The Historical Society on working on hats.  I will add more as I get time.

Edit: I should say I'll add as I get hats to work on at work that are suitable to doing threads.