Knox "Tom 'n' Jerry" arrives -- Wow! Way beyond expectations!

[Snrbfshn]

I cannot ever recall, upon the arrival of a hat, being stunned to the point I backpedaled -- until now. My Knox "Tom 'n' Jerry" is magnificent. In first-rate condition with absolutely no issues, and it fits! Described as navy blue, it is a rich, deep midnight blue. The felt is soft, lustrous and yielding to the slightest creasing suggestion. Here is the hat, as it arrived, original bash with only a brushing:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/jtban1/album/576460762392657274/photo/294928804267201700/6
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/jtban1/album/576460762392657274/photo/294928804267217139/1
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/jtban1/album/576460762392657274/photo/294928804267226070/0
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/jtban1/album/576460762392657274/photo/294928804267210176/4

The pictures don't do the color justice. Suffice to say, I've never, ever, seen a hat this color. Brim is 2 3/4"; crown 5 1/2" open, 5" bashed as shown. Ribbon is 1 3/4".

Instead of acetate, the liner shield is some sort of onionskin paper. The "Tom 'n' Jerry" liner art is not printed; it's embroidered into the liner with iridescent orange and flame red stitches, notably in the nameplate background, the roaring fire and the two drinkin' buddies waistcoats:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/jtban1/album/576460762392657274/photo/294928804267217219/2

In the pictures, the double-row stitching on the raw brim looks to be a lighter color, or even bi-colored:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/jtban1/album/576460762392657274/photo/294928804267201566/3

But it is a very shiny, almost metallic, vibrant blue thread, the sheen of which travels along the brim edge when you move your head side to side. Never seen anything like this.

The felt thickness, softness and quality are comparable to some thin-ribbon Borsalinos and Stetson Imperials and Playboys I've got, but the finish is smoother.

If I'd paid $1,000 for this hat, I'd feel like I stole it.

 

[cooncatbob]

Sweet: I'm envious. Bob.

 

[DOUGLAS]

WOW,WOW, AND WOW!!!!! I Am jealous but in a good way:eusa_doh: . Is there a to find out what year this could be from? Truely a beautiful Hat.

Snrbfshn, You are one lucky fella. It seems it has been a good day for hat collecting. Congrats, and if ever you want to give it up you know where to find me.

 

[rockyj]

"COOL"

YES! very nice.

 

[Stoney]

I saw one like it in my size, although black and passed on it for under $20.00.
Now I'm sorry that I did..

Awesome lid!
:eusa_clap

 

[Duck]

I like it!! You did very well!!!!:eusa_clap

 

[jimmy the lid]

Very nice!!!:eusa_clap

 

[RBH]

Very nice hat!

In my limited search of the available newspapers..
the earliest I found mention of the Knox "Tom 'n' Jerry" was 1941.The last I found was 1955.
Here is an ad from the Charleston West Virgina Daily Mail [01-05-1951] you might like.
<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/3659/51qi4.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

 

[AlanC]

Beautiful--congratulations!

 

[vonwotan]

That is one incredible hat and I love the liner. Great find!

 

[EricH]

Wow. That is a spectacular hat. I would have never normally considered one just by name. Guess there will be a lot of us adding "Tom Jerry" to our Ebay searches. Congrats. Eric

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Snrbfshn, you have no idea how close I was to bidding on it. Let's just say that I was ready to put more than $200 into the auction. Then, fate intervened. I wasn't able to bid after all.


The hat went to the right guy. You have a great collection, and it just got even better. Congratulations!!!

.

 

[besdor]

Another great find on Ebay!! I'm curious, what does the Tom and Jerry refer to.? It cant be the cat and mouse cartoon.


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Snrbfshn]

besdor - it's a hot holiday drink...

It uses brandy, rum, eggs, sugar and hot water or milk. Often mixed in a punchbowl. Apparently, I find out, it's been a popular holiday drink for 125 years. The original Tom 'n' Jerry were English drinking and carousing buddies. It is likely the cartoon cat and mouse were named after these characters.

Here's an earlier thread that gives more details:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=11522&highlight=tom%2Bjerry

 

[cookie]

T&J Hat

That IS a HAT... wow what a colour! That is so good to wear with most suits et al....

 

[Pilgrim]

LOVELY - Just lovely. :eusa_clap

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Hey, thanks for linking to my Tom 'N Jerry thread. it helps me make my point.

That is: Did any two Tom 'N Jerry's look alike? I mean, good god, these things seem to be utterly different each thread that's started.

Herein Dinerman's thread Re: his Tom 'N Jerry:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=16883

Long live the cult of the Knox Tom 'N Jerry . . . I suspect we've really driven the going price up on these bad boys, now.

bk

 

[Tango Yankee]

Wow.

That is one stunning hat! Congratulations!

Side note-I've been meaning to ask you about the stand you used to photograph it and the hats you sold on eBay. Would you post a photo and tell us about it?

Thanks!
Tom

PS Lucky Devil!:fedora:

 

[Dinerman]

That is: Did any two Tom 'N Jerry's look alike? I mean, good god, these things seem to be utterly different each thread that's started.

Completely different looking.

same liners on two, and a picture of another liner.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

haha, mine actually now has that liner too. I scavenged it from a dstroyed tom n jerry i picked up on the bay . . .

bk