Depression-Era Hat Invoices

[Brad Bowers]

I stumbled across a online collection of invoices from Springer & Rose, "The One Price Clothiers, Furnishers and Hatters," in Port Huron, Michigan from the 1920s and 1930s. Scroll down and look at the invoices from the hat manufacturers, in particular, Crofut & Knapp 1929-1930, Mallory Hat Company 1929-1930, and Stetson Company 1930, 1936-1937. Note the colors of hats being ordered, as well as crown heights and in some cases, brim widths.

Most of the crown heights are around 5 ¬? inches, with one being 5 ¬æ. Didn‚Äôt see any 6-inchers. The brim widths all coincide with what we know about that period. Granted, this is a relatively small sampling of what was available, and only represents what was selling in Michigan in those years.

I love documentary evidence.

Brad

 

[DOUGLAS]

That is pretty wild stuff Brad. I feel I was born in the wrong time. Thanks for digging.

 

[Mr. 'H']

Those invoices look so stylish and elegant. Like the "brand".

 

[WEEGEE]

Cobalt Playboy

At 149.82 i'll take the lot.


thank you Brad,

WeeGee

 

[Brad Bowers]

Yes, the Playboys are quite interesting in their color choices: Marble Mix, Parchment Mix, Crystal Mix, Oxf[ord?] Mix, Rock Mix. Champagne.

I wonder what is meant by Mix? I can think of several things it might be. Maybe it refers to a blend of furs, since the Coney is specified in White Coney. Any other ideas?

Brad

 

[WEEGEE]

What is the 37 1/2

Brad,

I thought the mix was a mix of sizes on the Stetson orders though no

idea what the 37 1/2 was unless to specify that in the mix 3 of them needed

to be 7 1/2 ?

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Cool. Lots of familiar names like, Hart, Schaffner and Marx, Spalding, and Swank.
It's amazing how the boring mundane stuff of everyday life becomes historically significant after 50 or 60 years.

 

[Brad Bowers]

I thought the mix was a mix of sizes on the Stetson orders though no idea what the 37 1/2 was unless to specify that in the mix 3 of them needed to be 7 1/2 ?

I also wondered if it could mean a mix of sizes, since they don't really seem to be specified. It would be interesting to know for sure the most popular hat size back then.

Brad

 

[Brad Bowers]

Cool. Lots of familiar names like, Hart, Schaffner and Marx, Spalding, and Swank.
It's amazing how the boring mundane stuff of everyday life becomes historically significant after 50 or 60 years.

God bless the archivists, librarians, and curators!:eusa_clap

Brad

 

[RBH]

Thanks Brad!

Thats so wild to see info like this.

 

[feltfan]

One Mallory Radium, please

I wonder why Mallory described one of their hats as "radium".

I may have to take a geiger counter to my felts.

http://www.rootsweb.com/%7Emiporthu/Gaffney/Mallory_21JUL1930.jpg

More good detective work, Brad.

 

[astaire]

A dozen Mallory hats for $50.00

And I'll get 7% off if I pay within 10 days?

Brad, while i do not know what to say about the content of those invoices, you've shared alot of interesting valuable info with us in the lounge.

Keep it up, Mr. Bowers!

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

Excellent! Great find.

I was perusing one of the Crofut & Knapp invoices, and noticed the names "Dobbs" and "Cavanagh" on the subhead. I guess they were affiliated by 1930.

I also love the typeface used. I wish I could find a computer font that looked like that.

 

[jake_fink]

I don't know how I missed this when it was posted, but wow, this is just the type of thing that floats my boat.

Fascinating stuff. Documentary evidence is indeed loveable.

So, Brad, when are you writing your book?

 

[Brad Bowers]

I was perusing one of the Crofut & Knapp invoices, and noticed the names "Dobbs" and "Cavanagh" on the subhead. I guess they were affiliated by 1930.

About 1928, though I haven't got the exact date yet.

Here's something that might interest you:

This stock was cancelled October 31, 1932, most likely because it was replaced by Hat Corp. of America stock.

So, Brad, when are you writing your book?

Give me a few years.

Brad

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

Thanks! I have a Knapp bowler, a Cavanagh Homburg and several Dobbs Homburgs and fedoras, and they have that high quality feel.