KNAPP-FELT

[DOUGLAS]

I have made too many mistakes to count. By those errors I have learned a bit more about my own taste and I don't know exactly what it is I see but when I do see "it" I know. I still make big judgement errors.
Ideaguy, You will be pleased to know that I am Continually grumpy,short tempered,and generally anti social but polite. I have few friends and I trust no one.

 

[ideaguy]

Aha! I knew it! Now I can give a fellow curmudgeon the same gift this year as
I did last...

thanks Douglas,yr OK.

 

[DOUGLAS]

Well I am glad I am not the only miserable SOB out there.

 

[ledsled]

Nice!

That hat looks SO comfortable. It's also in amazingly good shape. Your gut feeling & astute observation paid off Douglas!

Thanks Marc for posting those cool old postcards. Perhaps the male and female statues contributed to the risque reputation of that area? I never saw them before.

 

[DOUGLAS]

Here are some better more cheery photos of the hat which by the way Ledsled is VERY comfortable.

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Which looks better with the dents

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or without.

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[Baron Kurtz]

Very nice.

And if those lapels are not part of a 30s suit, they are very authentic repros.

bk

 

[DOUGLAS]

This suit is an old Brooks Brothers. It was my fathers. I think it can't be older than the late 50s or yearly 60s. I was hoping the hat would match but it is a shade off.

 

[DOUGLAS]

By the way BK, Have I missed your collection or have you not posted it yet? I can't wait to wrap my eyes around your hats,

 

[Arctichighlandr]

Short History of Crofut & Knapp

Thought you might be interested in a little history of this company per 'Hat Talk.'

"James Knapp first established himself in Danbury Connecticut, then moved to Norwalk. He had two partners, Andrew Crofut, an expert felt-stiffener, and Henry Gillam, an expert brim-curler. Together they built a large manufacturing company called Crofut & Knapp. It was through this company that a now more recognizable name surfaced, John Cavanaugh (famous for his Cavanaugh edge). Initially foreman for C. & K., he became general manager, and then president."

From what I gather it sounds like Cavanaugh merged C&K with Dobbs in 1928 and it became Cavanaugh-Dobbs. Which was bought by Hat Corporation of America in 1932 with Cavanaugh being made president.

A little history adds a lot to the provenance of a hat. Quite a history associated with this nice old hat!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Thanks Marc for posting those cool old postcards [of the Bond Clothes store].

Always a pleasure.

Did anyone note the presence of a giant digital clock? It may have been one of the first in existence:

 

[DOUGLAS]

Thanks Arctichghlandr for that bit of history. We love any history about hats and there origins. This type of collective assembled bits of facts and anticdotes are great. Most of it will be lost or forgotten so it is important to tell what is known.

I did see that clock Marc. I love the fact that it says people buy not shop and mens clothes and womens apparel. I love those tiny distintions in advertizing. That entire facade would be right at home now at the new and improved Times Square.

 

[M Hatman]

Circa 1915 or so.....