Crofut & Knapp Tales

[splintercellsz]

 

[Brad Bowers]

Great! It's in better condition than the one I have. What's neat about yours and most of the ones I have, is that even though they were sent to different places, from different associate retailers, they have the same handwriting. I'd like to know who at the factory or Fifth Avenue office spent their days writing these out.

Brad

 

[Brad Bowers]

1915-1917 Crofut & Knapp Derby

Lo and Behold, this Knapp-Felt De Luxe Derby showed up as a BIN for $80, so I jumped at it. It clearly shows that after the shop at 244 Fifth Avenue opened, the Dobbs crest had not yet morphed into the standard crest with the border outline and the different typeface. It is basically a reworking of the original crest updating the street number.

Until the 244 lone address shows up, we'll have to figure that the crest didn't change until after the addition of 620 Fifth Avenue in 1917:


It has a top hat band on it instead of a Derby ribbon. It's not tacked down, but fits well. I can't tell if there was ever a previous ribbon, or if this is original for some unknown reason.



Vellum Finish, as on my 1906-1909 Knapp-Felt De Luxe.


The Duplicate number is now on the same factory label as the block and size.


Brad

 

[splintercellsz]

Exquisite!!

 

[Brad Bowers]

No other information other than it was found in a home in South Norwalk. No idea of the age or its usage. The print in the bottom right says "Beetz Co." There was a P. F. Beetz hat store in New Haven, so could possibly relate to that. Could also be a sign-making company by that name, but I haven't found a record of one.



Brad

 

[Lotsahats]

Did it land in your hands, Brad? I can't imagine a better place for it!

A

 

[Brad Bowers]

Yep, the lady who found it in her nephew's home found me through a Google search and offered it to me first. If I didn't take it, it was going to eBay. I took it!

 

[mayserwegener]

Great find!

 

[besdor]

I wonder what else must be lurking in homes throughout Danbury CT and the surrounding towns. That's where most of the workers who workers for Hat Corp lived . I should start checking out estate sales there!!!

 

[alanfgag]

Knapp-Felt Derby

Mint condition, 5 1/4" crown

 

[hatophile]

Is that Charlie Chaplin there?

 

[hatsRme]

Incredible. What a find! Really does look like it just came form the store.

 

[1mach1]

Very nice, Alan. It looks mint!

 

[mayserwegener]

Alan, Fantastic! Great form and pristine condition.

I really happy to see all these great stiff felts!

 

[fedoralover]

Here's one I just got. The feathers gotta go though.





fedoralover

 

[mayserwegener]

Great find!

 

[alanfgag]

+1

 

[fedoralover]

Great find!

Thanks, any guess on it's age? Price tag under sweatband is $20.00 Don't know if any of the other numbers mean anything.


fedoralover

 

[besdor]

Looks to be from the 1940's. I've seen similar styles from Mallory on EBAY>

 

[ofcoursemyhorse]

Beautiful derby Alan, fell straight out of time it looks like. Interesting liner on that crofut "gay prince" style, almost reminds me of a Cavanagh.