125. Vintage Stetson Hats
Creator: John B. Stetson Company
Original Price: $5 *
Value today: $100 to $1,000 *
The John B. Stetson Company is one of the finest hat manufacturers in America. In 1865, John Stetson headed West. With just US$ 100, he rented a small room and bought US$ 10 worth of fur. Stetson had a talent for making fabrics from skins without having tanned them, and, after making some sturdy hats for himself, he decided to found a business using his skill. In true American fashion, he created an empire out of nothing.
Original Stetson hats, known as “Boss of the Plains” hats, can cost up to US$1,000. Although Stetson produces 3.3 million hats a year, few Boss of the Plains hats exist, dating back to those early one-room days.