Crofut & Knapp Tales

[Brad Bowers]

fedoralover, your Gay Prince clone is late-'40s to early-'50s, depending on the factory label (if any). Just going by Gay Prince prices and brim widths, it's not much earlier than 1949.

Alan, love the curl on that Derby. Beautiful condition, too. What a fantastic find.

Brad

 

[hatophile]

Cool GP fedora lover.

 

[ofcoursemyhorse]

Turns out this lovely old brown bowler is actually a very early offering of Crofut and Knapp. I got confused after seeing the tipsticker, I thought it was a Knox hat because of the Moveo Et Proficio. It turns out both companies shared mottos for whatever reason at the time.

Either way its a lovely derby. It has a slightly tapered crown. Very thin and lightweight, sweatband is in amazing shape, zero blown stitches and the leather feels like it has another 100 years left in it.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Excellent find! Those earlier C&K hats are very rare, as I've been looking for years for one. I've never figured out why Knox and C&K used the same motto, but I know C&K used it at least as early as 1894, though it's probably been around longer than that.

Brad
~The Hatted Professor

 

[Brad Bowers]

First National Crofut & Knapp Advertisement

In 1904, Crofut & Knapp decided to adopt a national ad campaign for the first time in their history, an attempt to move from a regional company to a national one. To that end, they placed this advertisement in the Saturday Evening Post for the August 13, 1904 edition. This was the first of many ads in national publications, not as innovative their later campaigns would be, but significant nonetheless. From this point forward, C&K was on their way to becoming the second largest hat concern in the country.





Sadly, this is the only copy of this magazine I've found so far, and guess which page is the only page with a stain?


Brad
~The Hatted Professor

 

[hatsRme]

Fantastic research and find, Brad! Restrain your disdain about the stain!

 

[clintfisher]

Hey all, I'm super stoked to have my first Crofut & Knapp, she's in pristine condition and I dare say never worn before. I'd love to hear the consensus on dating.
5 1/2" crown and 2 3/4" brim

 

[Brad Bowers]

It's in fantastic condition. It dates between 1953 and 1960, but more likely toward the earlier side of that range because of the brim width.

Brad
~The Hatted Professor

 

[clintfisher]

Thanks Brad!

 

[clintfisher]

Totally off topic but I love you guys and am so glad we have a place like fedora lounge to share our passions

 

[mmbarnes]

I occasionally stumble upon a hat that (almost) leads me to simply throw up my hands and say "that's it! I am done." This one that came into my hands this past week is one of those. I have a "thing" for homburgs and this one simply takes my breath away (that I paid less than $40 for it helps ). The color and form... well... in my eye, they are just about perfect.

It is a C&K homburg that was sold through the Finchley Establishment. From what I read, that was a high end clothier headquartered in Chicago that existed from 1915 to 1963. Any ideas on the age of the hat?

It fits a little snuggly so I am working to VERY gently stretch it. I intend to then put it on my head and remove it only to sleep and shower.

Edit - here are some pics with a pinch, too.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

A diamond! Nothing else to say........
Which is the size?
Only to dream

 

[mmbarnes]

A diamond! Nothing else to say........
Which is the size?
Only to dream

Thank you Daniele. It is a 7. Although it fits more closely to a 7 1/8. I can wear either 7 1/4 or 7 3/8 comfortably. So, there is a little way to go. Any tips on effective, safe stretching (I would have to see a psychiatrist for an extended time if I damaged the hat)? I have a stretcher, but this is the first hat that I am compelled to use it on.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Looks good, and a beautiful color! It's a 1950s product.

Brad
~The Hatted Professor

 

[Frunobulax]

Thank you Daniele. It is a 7. Although it fits more closely to a 7 1/8. I can wear either 7 1/4 or 7 3/8 comfortably. So, there is a little way to go. Any tips on effective, safe stretching (I would have to see a psychiatrist for an extended time if I damaged the hat)? I have a stretcher, but this is the first hat that I am compelled to use it on.

Be careful. Treat the sweatband. Steam and stretch a little at a time, with emphasis on the brim break and the back of the hat wear the sweat meets. If it's already been stretched a bit, going to 7 1/4 can put a hurtin' on your sweat stitching. I don't usually try to go up more than a size, and I've ripped some stitching doing that.

Beautiful hat.

 

[mmbarnes]

Be careful. Treat the sweatband. Steam and stretch a little at a time, with emphasis on the brim break and the back of the hat wear the sweat meets. If it's already been stretched a bit, going to 7 1/4 can put a hurtin' on your sweat stitching. I don't usually try to go up more than a size, and I've ripped some stitching doing that.

Beautiful hat.

Thanks Jim. Good tips. I'm going to be very patient. Blessedly, the leather and stitching are in like new condition. I'm hoping that will prevent tearing at the brim break.

Be well and enjoy.

Matt

 

[belfastboy]

Totally off topic but I love you guys and am so glad we have a place like fedora lounge to share our passions

That Krofut is a stunner, great find!

 

[clintfisher]

I just wanted to give you guys and gals an update 1 month into my C&K.

I've got 24 lids and so far this C&K has become my daily driver. The felt is exceptional quality and it holds its shape superbly. If a C&K comes across your radar, without hesitation pick it up, you will not regret it.

 

[buler]

Window display of Knapp Felt straws.

B

 

[RJR]

Hey all, I'm super stoked to have my first Crofut & Knapp, she's in pristine condition and I dare say never worn before. I'd love to hear the consensus on dating.
5 1/2" crown and 2 3/4" brim

Very nice acquisition.