Crofut & Knapp Tales

[Brad Bowers]

This is my Crofut & Knapp Forty. It has a 3" brim with a Cavanagh edge brim.

The hat itself is in pristine condition. The only flaw I can find is that the base of the ribbon has a little discoloration. I will probably replace that.



Despite many searches, I have not found any info or ads for the Forty on the web. The liner suggests to me that it was made in the fifties.

Matt

Beautiful C&K Forty, Matt! You're right, it looks like a '50s hat, though only the factory label would tell us for sure. That liner crest was the most common C&K liner in the '50s and '60s, though a variation of it was reportedly used as early as 1943; I've yet to see one surface. I'm surprised that a Forty isn't a Knapp-Felt De Luxe hat, but it's possible the Knapp-Felt designations were phased out by then, as C&K was relegated to a minor brand within the Hat Corporation hierarchy by that time. I've recently seen photos of a Knapp-Felt De Luxe that I suspect came from late-'40s or the '50s, but don't know with any certainty. In any case, your Forty is a rare hat!

Brad

 

[mmbarnes]

Beautiful C&K Forty, Matt! You're right, it looks like a '50s hat, though only the factory label would tell us for sure. That liner crest was the most common C&K liner in the '50s and '60s, though a variation of it was reportedly used as early as 1943; I've yet to see one surface. I'm surprised that a Forty isn't a Knapp-Felt De Luxe hat, but it's possible the Knapp-Felt designations were phased out by then, as C&K was relegated to a minor brand within the Hat Corporation hierarchy by that time. I've recently seen photos of a Knapp-Felt De Luxe that I suspect came from late-'40s or the '50s, but don't know with any certainty. In any case, your Forty is a rare hat!

Brad

Thanks for the great info, Brad.

I will take a look at the factory label to see if I can gather more origination info.

Also, does "Knapp-Felt" signify a particular felting process or is it just a branding and marketing name?

Matt

- A day without a hat is like night.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Thanks for the great info, Brad.

I will take a look at the factory label to see if I can gather more origination info.

Also, does "Knapp-Felt" signify a particular felting process or is it just a branding and marketing name?

Matt

- A day without a hat is like night.

It was a quality-level designation. As was common to many hat companies in the late-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, C&K used terms like "Excellent Quality" and "Superior Quality" to distinguish their different levels. Starting in 1906, they went with three quality designations: Crofut & Knapp ($3 hats), Knapp-Felt ($4 hats) and Knapp-Felt De Luxe ($6 hats). They kept these same designation at least into the 1940s, though the prices obviously crept up from inflation.

Brad

 

[besdor]

The dating seems to be right for the Crofut 40. That is a nice hat!!!

 

[hatsRme]

I'll bet you're happy to have stopped into the Lounge, Matt!

 

[mmbarnes]

Absolutely!

Matt
- A day without a hat is like night.

 

[randooch]

Stumbled upon this today while wine-tasting in Hopland, CA. Spotted a few hat boxes on a high shelf in the tasting room. One wasn't empty. Superb felt, supple sweat, and just enough moth tracks to convince me to keep it. I needed a beater. Seems like a shameless knock-off of Dobbs' Gay Prince, but a bit less flamboyant.

 

[TheDane]

As if wine-tasting in Hopland wasn't enough! I can't see the moth tracks, and to me it looks gorgeous! Congratulations.

 

[hatsRme]

Sweet one, Randall. Congrats!!

 

[Chepstow]

As if wine-tasting in Hopland wasn't enough! I can't see the moth tracks, and to me it looks gorgeous! Congratulations.

Sweet one, Randall. Congrats!!

I agree with both, lovely hat Randall!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[randooch]

Thanks, gents. For $22, I felt i couldn't go wrong.

Oh, as a side note, the liner is in great shape and is up for grabs. I removed it and am happy to mail it to someone who needs it. PM me if you could put it to good use.

 

[ManofKent]

Alcohol and a hat all in one sitting - definitely a good trip

 

[Brad Bowers]

From the Knapp-Felt Spring 1930 catalog:





Brad

 

[buler]

Knapp Felt 1930/1931 brochure

Click to enlarge:

 

[Garrett]

Great stuff, Bill - I've been looking for a an ancient bow design to copy for an upcoming project and you just delivered it on a platter!

 

[Brad Bowers]

Click to enlarge:

View attachment 12112

Guess whose house it's currently enroute to?
I've got the Spring 1930 catalog and the Spring 1931 catalog, so this fits nicely in between. Also have a 1926 catalog on its way.

Brad

 

[buler]

Glad to help Garrett!

Brad, glad you got it. It was relisted several times and I was hoping the seller would lower the price....

B

 

[Garrett]

Looking forward to shots from the '26 catalog when it arrives, Brad!

 

[Brad Bowers]

Yeah, I watched it also waiting for the price to drop and it didn't. Finally, I decided someone else might snatch it up, so I put in the bid. Sure enough, someone else bid, but not much over the opening bid. Pretty pricey, but sort of irreplaceable information.

Garrett, I'll be sure to post photos.

Brad

 

[Huertecilla]

Found a whole lot about the Crofuu & Knapp to Dobbs factories/brands on a genealogy site about the Dobbs family:

http://boards.ancestry.com/thread.a...rtham.usa.states.northcarolina.counties.dobbs

Just scroll down a wee bit.