$1,700 Dollar Harley Hat
#13
02-14-2017, 10:47 AM
I know some will think this is insane. But back in 2009 I found a Harley captains hat that I had to have. I owned two and this one was not only exceptional in size, color of brim, etc but it had an absolutely wonderful collection of pins dating back to the late 1930' to late 1950's. Two of the pins were Harley employee pins which led me to believe this was the real deal and assembled over years by an actual employee.
Well I got the hat for the bargain low price of $1,100.00!
My wife and riding friends thought I was totally insane. The hat alone had a value of $300.00 easy. I started researching the pins and found that two had values of over $300.00 each. I wore, displayed and enjoyed this hat for 6 years. I was approached many times by folks asking about it, telling me it was really cool and even asking if it was for sale without truly understanding the value. I was offered $500.00 for one pin by a guy at a state rally and my wife about had a hearth attach! I told you honey.
Long story short I decided to try and sell it on eBay back in 2015. I listed all the pins and the hat with actual individual itemized prices based on sales that could be documented and they totalled ove $2k. I set the reserve at $1700.00 and started the auction at $500.00. It shot up to $1100 in two days with four spirited bidders and died down. Then two bidders ran it up to $1650.00 but it stalled and did not sell. One of the bidders sent me a message and told me that he really wanted the hat and his internet went down the day the auction was ending and asked if I sold it. I told him no and the reserve was set at $1700.00. Long story short this old guy from Texas had the money to me in two days.
I could have split it up and sold everything individually for more money. But Like me this guy liked what it represented and was going to wear it and keep it as is.
My friends still cannot believe it. Turns out that one guy I knew was bidding on it and I did not know. But he bailed at $1000.00.
Thought I would share my wonderful experience with this hat. I often wonder who it belonged to, what they rode and where they rode to with this hat.
Well I got the hat for the bargain low price of $1,100.00!
My wife and riding friends thought I was totally insane. The hat alone had a value of $300.00 easy. I started researching the pins and found that two had values of over $300.00 each. I wore, displayed and enjoyed this hat for 6 years. I was approached many times by folks asking about it, telling me it was really cool and even asking if it was for sale without truly understanding the value. I was offered $500.00 for one pin by a guy at a state rally and my wife about had a hearth attach! I told you honey.
Long story short I decided to try and sell it on eBay back in 2015. I listed all the pins and the hat with actual individual itemized prices based on sales that could be documented and they totalled ove $2k. I set the reserve at $1700.00 and started the auction at $500.00. It shot up to $1100 in two days with four spirited bidders and died down. Then two bidders ran it up to $1650.00 but it stalled and did not sell. One of the bidders sent me a message and told me that he really wanted the hat and his internet went down the day the auction was ending and asked if I sold it. I told him no and the reserve was set at $1700.00. Long story short this old guy from Texas had the money to me in two days.
I could have split it up and sold everything individually for more money. But Like me this guy liked what it represented and was going to wear it and keep it as is.
My friends still cannot believe it. Turns out that one guy I knew was bidding on it and I did not know. But he bailed at $1000.00.
Thought I would share my wonderful experience with this hat. I often wonder who it belonged to, what they rode and where they rode to with this hat.
I remember when it was listed, I thought it was very interesting.
#14
02-14-2017, 01:41 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
#16
02-14-2017, 03:56 PM
#17
02-14-2017, 03:58 PM
A few months ago an "old guy from Texas" sold a hat identical to that one at a Sothebys auction. Size 7 3/4, everything. Apparently it had been owned by Elvis and he wore it in some movies. I think it sold for just under $300,000. He said it was the best $1700 investment he ever made.
just kidding, cool story, and a nice score, also a very cool garage.
just kidding, cool story, and a nice score, also a very cool garage.
#18
02-14-2017, 07:36 PM
Road Master
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jimjlips (02-15-2017)
#19
02-14-2017, 08:39 PM
I think I saw that hat. I was driving through some weird neighborhood in SF and there was a guy walking a chihuahua with pink leash. He was wearing some sort of shiny leather costume. For some reason his buddy he was walking with was wearing a dress. Not sure what that was about, maybe they were going to a costume party or something. Wish the GPS had an option to avoid weird neighborhoods.
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bigal51 (03-27-2024)
