JFK's Cavanagh

[FedoraFan112390]

Perhaps it was more than the hat industry?
Maybe he liked wearing/carrying one once in a while?
I mean I doubt he'd wear one to visit Jackie in the hospital simply because some hat industry guys asked him to.
Or when he was getting dressed on his way to announce running for President--He wasn't even a major candidate yet, so I doubt the hat industry was chasing him as early as January 1960.

Jack was VERY concerned about the public perception of him. For example, he enjoyed smoking cigars greatly but very rarely allowed himself to be photographed smoking one---He was worried he'd be mocked in the press because of the negative, then active stereotype of the rough, cigar smoking Irishman.

Perhaps he liked wearing a hat sometimes but was afraid to be captured by the ravenous oress wearing one out of fear that he'd be perceived as being "old fashioned" (a lot was made of him being of the new generation, and most of his generation didn't wear hats), or like as simply being like a "typical Democrat" (since FDR and Truman were known for their fedoras), or stereotyped in some other way.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Jack was VERY concerned about the public perception of him. For example, he enjoyed smoking cigars greatly but very rarely allowed himself to be photographed smoking one---He was worried he'd be mocked in the press because of the negative, then active stereotype of the rough, cigar smoking Irishman.

Perhaps he liked wearing a hat sometimes but was afraid to be captured by the ravenous oress wearing one out of fear that he'd be perceived as being "old fashioned" (a lot was made of him being of the new generation, and most of his generation didn't wear hats), or like as simply being like a "typical Democrat" (since FDR and Truman were known for their fedoras), or stereotyped in some other way.

That's a good consideration. I was just repsonding to your question about his friends in the hat industry. Hatless Jack talks about the public perception - and the hatting industry's perception - of JFK not being much of a hat wearer, and many of the anecdotes in the book support that position. But these photos seem to imply that a hat played some role in his life, even if it wasn't always on his head. An unusual relationship, to be sure.

Brad

 

[FedoraFan112390]

It's ironic that JFK is the man popularly blamed for killing fedoras off and yet he was the probably the last President wear or carry one while in office.

Lyndon wore his cowboy hats and Stetsons, and among a large subset of America (especially in the South), to this day they are still rather popular and haven't died out. But I don't recall seeing any photos of him wearing just a fedora while President.

And while Nixon wore a fedora when he was a senator, I've never seen a photo of him wearing one as President.

 

[Hoyt Clagwell]

Brad, I would say the reason JFK is so often photographed holding his hat is a matter of protocall & ettiquette.Most of the excellent photos on this thread show him greeting very important people. Appearing "Hat in Hand" is a symbol of humility,and respect ,and it was very effective.
He could have appeared in these pictures without a hat, but the fact that he is holding one conveys respect, evident 50 years later as we view them. I wouldn't want to call the hat a prop, but rather a respectfull gesture.No hat = no gesture.As hats became less popular,these types of gestures have lost their signifigance.

It begs the question, though, "Why have a hat if you're not going to wear it?" It's not that the hatting industry had enough influence with him that they could convince him to carry one everywhere he went. Curious situation.

Brad

 

[150719541]

I think JFK was a proud user hat ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡

 

[FedoraFan112390]

bump

 

[FedoraFan112390]

Seems to me likely that he wore a hat like everybody else, except when it suited his purpose to pose without one to display his hair (so as to emphasize his "youthfulness" and "vigor") and that as usual the media reported the narrative rather than the facts.

Is it just me but is he wearing elevator shoes?

''Spring, 1957 - JFK’s gait evened out after he had a special lift crafted into left shoe by the cobblers at Church’s. His left leg was reportedly one-half inch shorter than his right (5)p.237''

 

[navarre]

I recall reading a story about John Cavanagh being a friend to the Kennedy family and that JFK carried a Cavanagh as more of a personal favor that any particular preference for the brand. Can any one chime in on that?

 

[Hoyt Clagwell]

I googled John Cavanagh, and found on Wikipedia that Al Webb VP of sales for Cavanagh, was a close freind of JFK,and accused him of killing the hat industry,so as a favour JFK began carrying around a Cavanagh hat with the label clearly visible.So much for my theory.But if you believe this, it is also easy to see how the legend of JFKs inluence on declining hat sales could take root.

 

[FedoraFan112390]

Yeah but to carry it around much of the time, and wear it on VERY casual and even intimate occasions (like going to visit Jackie at the hospital or at the ballpark)? He's photographed wearing a fedora in multiple instances over a year and 11 months...I doubt his friendship with Al Webb was THAT strong. The earliest photograph I've found of him in a fedora is from January or February 1960, the picture of him pulling up his coat. That was on his way to announce he was running for President. I doubt Al Webb was in his ear that early.

 

[Brad Bowers]

I recall reading a story about John Cavanagh being a friend to the Kennedy family and that JFK carried a Cavanagh as more of a personal favor that any particular preference for the brand. Can any one chime in on that?

I haven't run across any information that Cavanagh and the Kennedys were friends. John Cavanagh died in 1957, so he didn't have any influence during JFK's presidency. The only connection I've found is the Al Webb connection.

Brad

 

[FedoraFan112390]

JFK greeting Averill Harriman at Palm Beach airport, 1961:

 

[monbla256]

JFK greeting Averill Harriman at Palm Beach airport, 1961:

Your pic did not show.

 

[FedoraFan112390]

JFK on route to announce candidacy, January 1960:

President-elect JFK visiting Jackie, who had just given birth to John, Jr., December 1960:

On way to Inauguration, January 20th 1961:

JFK greeting PM Macmillian, April 1st 1961

JFK at Opening Day, Senator's Game, April 1961:

JFK with Ike, April 22nd 1961:

JFK with Indonesian Prime Minister Sukharno, April 24th, 1961:

JFK in Vienna, June 1961:

JFK with PM MacMillian, 1962:

 

[FedoraFan112390]

JFK with Harriman, 1961

 

[alanfgag]

Here's your chance to own one.

http://www.mcinnisauctions.com/antique-auctions/

 

[Brad Bowers]

Damn, I'd love to add that to my collection. It's a prize for sure. I can't even afford the opening bid! lol

Brad

 

[alanfgag]

It is a grail item for sure... the hat that killed hats? :eeek:

 

[Brad Bowers]

JFK's Cavanagh sold for $7,500, only $500 over the opening bid. That's a far cry from the $15,000 to $30,000 the auction house expected.

If any one is interested, my latest blog post is about Kennedy's inaugural top hat, along with some bits about his legacy with hats.

Brad