mug shots!

[K.D. Lightner]

Yes, speaking of old mug shots, here's another guy on the other side of the law, with one of his fedoras, maybe the kind that Karpis mentioned. Yes, and that is his pal or partner, Clyde Tolson with him. Nice hats.

karol

 

[jamespowers]

Originally posted by Matt Deckard
You better start parting your hair on the left Rob so we can take you down to Hollywood and get you into some auditions for the part!

I'll be your agent for a straight fifteen percent. LOL

Regards to all,

J

 

[jamespowers]

Look at those high crowns with the shorter brims! Their hats do not even fit in the picture. I need one of those.

Regards to all,

J

 

[K.D. Lightner]

James -- I was wondering what those hats were. I thought they were Panamas at first, maybe they're felt?

What do you think they were? They look the same, matching fedoras?

karol

PS Thanks for putting that photo on, easier for people to see than the way I do it. -- kdl

 

[K.D. Lightner]

Not sure if these are the same hats....

 

[K.D. Lightner]

Here's a good one of Clyde. Shows off the fedora nicely.

 

[jamespowers]

Originally posted by K.D. Lightner
James -- I was wondering what those hats were. I thought they were Panamas at first, maybe they're felt?

Yeah, I am guessing that they are felt as well. They appear to be straw due to the grainyness of the photo but I doubt they would actually have worn panamas in that configuration and I think I see a Cavanaugh edge on Hoover's hat.

Originally posted by K.D. Lightner
What do you think they were? They look the same, matching fedoras?

karol

PS Thanks for putting that photo on, easier for people to see than the way I do it. -- kdl

I don't think they were the same kind of fedoras but they are the same style. The ribbon on the other guy's hat looks to be just a bit narrower but I could be wrong. Interesting how their hats tilt at complimentary angles though.
The photos are not that hard to post. The file type just has to be converted to Jpeg.

Regards to all,

J

 

[jamespowers]

Originally posted by K.D. Lightner
Here's a good one of Clyde. Shows off the fedora nicely.

I think that hat Clyde has on is the same as the one in the previous photo with him and Hoover. Interesting. Thanks for posting it.

Regards,

J

 

[Brad Bowers]

Great photos! What year were those taken, any idea? I really like light colored hats like those.

Brad

 

[K.D. Lightner]

Hi, Brad --

I checked back at the website where I downloaded the photos and the text for the photo of the two G-men standing together stated it was taken in 1936. I am guessing that the single one of Tolson was taken about the same time and the photo in which they are both sitting had no date on it, but judging from their looks, it was in the same time frame, maybe a little later, but not much.

I wonder what kind of hats those are.

Maybe I can research it and find the answer.

karol

 

[Wild Root]

They could be cream or very light gray or white felt. Don't look too much like straw. Most straws then had the Optimo block and also the good old boater.

Those are very high crowns! I love them! I got to find me one!

Lots of men wore them in the 30's. It was the hat of choice I have noticed. Like Ball caps are today. They once were very common. Now, good luck on finding one.

Well, so I look like "Old Creepy". I now know how to scare any one that might want to try and pull any thing. Any way, I was having a rough day that photo was taken! The girl I was seeing was giving me a hard time the night before and so, I wasn't doing to good. I like that photo because I really did capture the feel of a thug like, I have Tommy and he's going to do all the talking! They weren't happy people at all! Some men then chose a life of crime just to eat and have some nice things. But, the price tag was to be chased and hunted by the law.

This has really been an educational topic.

Thanks,

Root.

This is an Optimo straw hat K.D. just if you were wondering. Not made by Optimo, it's just the name of the style of straw hat.

 

[up196]

Speaking of Tommy (gun) . . .

When my son was small, 3rd grade I think, he spent the day with several other school pals at the home of one of his classmates. The boy's father is a professional musician and had instruments from all over the world in the house, many of which he demonstrared for the kids. He asked if anyone's parents played any instruments, and junior replied "My daddy can play the clarinet, the guitar and the Chicago Piano."

 

[jamespowers]

Originally posted by K.D. Lightner
Not sure if these are the same hats....

Actually, I think the hats worn by Clyde in the two different pictures are the same one. If we look at them side by side in this comparison picture I think they look very similar if not identical. The timeline is correct and my eyes seem to tell me they are the same hat. Even the tie looks the same. What do you all think?

Regards to all,

J

 

[up196]

Probably taken within minutes of each other. He looks like he's wearing the same tie, too.

 

[jamespowers]

You are right. It is the same tie and probably the same suit. They were likely taken the same day and within a very short time. Looking at the hat on his head, it is even tilted the same way. LOL I think we have our hat. Arrest it and send it to me. LOL

Regards to all,

J

 

[up196]

Pretty sharp, eh?

With such keen powers of observation, I should be a detective. Hey, wait a minute, I AM a detective . . .

 

[Scandinavia Jones]

Wild Root wrote:

This is an Optimo straw hat K.D. just if you were wondering. Not made by Optimo, it's just the name of the style of straw hat.

The ridge is what makes it an "Optimo crown", right?

 

[SHARPETOYS]

The ridge is what makes it an "Optimo crown", right?



Yes that is correct!

 

[K.D. Lightner]

Re: Optimo straw hats: Are they all styled with that ridge or can you get them restyled?

Also, how expensive are those straws. That looks like a tight weave in the photo.

karol

 

[Wild Root]

Re: Optimo straw hats: Are they all styled with that ridge or can you get them restyled?

Well, like I mentioned before, this style of panama is called Optimo. Optimo is the name of this style of Panama hat. Optimo hats in Chicago (The hat store) can make a variety of different styles of panama hats! You don’t buy an Optimo panama and try to take the crease out. You buy the Panama hat that fits your style.

Root.