The Cavanagh Club

[Brad Bowers]

No makers or retailers marks on the sweat?

No, but that's not unusual. On some Cavs I've seen, the only thing stamped on the sweatband is "Cavanagh Edge." Since this hat doesn't have one, it's blank. It would have been nice to see something on it, as it looks really plain.

Brad

 

[rlk]

That almost looks like a different hat from the listing[huh] Interesting though. Glad you ended up with it.

 

[Brad Bowers]

This is perhaps the first-ever Cavanagh advertisement. The shop opened in November 1928 (Sorry, I don't have the actual date yet), and this ad was published November 24, 1928.

Brad

 

[S. Beagles]

Great Cavanagh Info here

Brad you have posted a lot of useful and extraordenary information on the Cavanagh Company and these fine old hats that is priceless. Since purchasing my first Cavanagh a few weeks ago I've been reading through this thread for more info than I have yet to find anywhere on the internet. Have to admit that I'm becoming parcial toward Cavanagh. But looking on EBay doesn't turn up many prospects. Figuring I was lucky when stumbling up on mine unwittingly. Nevertheless, I can see an addiction in the making.

 

[jamespowers]

Those ads are very nice. They position Cavanagh right where we expect to find them from the very beginning.

 

[Brad Bowers]

This is a series of cleverly done ads that tease you along. Each month's ad draws you deeper and deeper into the sumptuous Old-World elegance of the Cavanagh shop, until, in the final ad, we get a glimpse (only a glimpse!) of the hats we so want to try on. And then the ads stop! The only thing left to do is hop on over to Park Avenue and see for ourselves.

Ah, the Cavanagh mystique!

December 29, 1928:

January 26, 1929:

February 23, 1929:

March 23, 1929:

April 27, 1929:

Brad

 

[jamespowers]

ok, where is it located so I can go to get a few?

 

[Brad Bowers]

Here's an interesting Cavanagh liner that I've never seen before. I'm guessing it's circa 1970. I wonder what their thinking was? Usually the "A Product of Hat Corporation of America" was on printed on the sweatband during this time.

Also, note on the shield that the blue covers both halves!

Brad

 

[jamespowers]

Here's an interesting Cavanagh liner that I've never seen before. I'm guessing it's circa 1970. I wonder what their thinking was? Usually the "A Product of Hat Corporation of America" was on printed on the sweatband during this time.

Also, note on the shield that the blue covers both halves!

Brad

Definitely 1970s. Didn't HCA drop their Resistol dress hats in 1968? After that they did a decent job of consolidating everything. Mallory made by Stetson etc. Cavanagh made by HCA would be just an extension of their thinking at the time. [huh]

 

[Brad Bowers]

HCA never had Resistol. They didn't fall under the same corporate umbrella until 1972, when HCA sold their brands to Koracorp, who owned Resistol.

They don't appear to have jettisoned any brands before 1972, though there are several that I call the "Forgotten Brands," such as Byron, Berg, Crofut & Knapp, and Dunlap, brands that had all but disappeared by 1972. They still made them, just not in any great quantities, like Dobbs, Knox, Cavanagh, and Champ.

Brad

 

[jamespowers]

HCA never had Resistol. They didn't fall under the same corporate umbrella until 1972, when HCA sold their brands to Koracorp, who owned Resistol.

They don't appear to have jettisoned any brands before 1972, though there are several that I call the "Forgotten Brands," such as Byron, Berg, Crofut & Knapp, and Dunlap, brands that had all but disappeared by 1972. They still made them, just not in any great quantities, like Dobbs, Knox, Cavanagh, and Champ.

Brad

That's right!:eusa_doh: Koracorp bought Resistol in 1968. It only took a few years to be under the same management though. [huh]
I suppose Dunlap and Knox were really duplicates of each other. They were both higher end hats. It makes sense that one would have to go but they still kept Cavanagh for a while so.......

 

[rlk]

Cavanagh Hairy Homburg-ish

Quite soft and furry, not stiff. Requires clockwise brushing on underside. Thick but soft black sweatband with United Hatters...Union label on reverse of gold size tab. The liner is glued in currently and A.E.Percy of Napa California has written his name and zip code on the liner under the sweatband. 1960's?

 

[Dreispitz]

Quite soft and furry, not stiff. Requires clockwise brushing on underside. Thick but soft black sweatband with United Hatters...Union label on reverse of gold size tab. The liner is glued in currently and A.E.Percy of Napa California has written his name and zip code on the liner under the sweatband. 1960's?

Very nice specimen of a - I guess - Lord´s Hat. And ..... it is a Cavanagh! Lucky you! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Brad Bowers]

Quite soft and furry, not stiff. Requires clockwise brushing on underside. Thick but soft black sweatband with United Hatters...Union label on reverse of gold size tab. The liner is glued in currently and A.E.Percy of Napa California has written his name and zip code on the liner under the sweatband. 1960's?

Very nice! Glad you won it.:eusa_clap

Yes, mid- to late-'60s. Is that a raw edge, or is there a Cavanagh Edge hiding inside the curl?

Brad

 

[rlk]

Very nice! Glad you won it.:eusa_clap

Yes, mid- to late-'60s. Is that a raw edge, or is there a Cavanagh Edge hiding inside the curl?

Brad

Thanks Brad. Its a raw edge. Felt quality is of a high standard, but requires regular grooming. Interesting they reproduced a much earlier style[huh]

 

[Brad Bowers]

Thanks Brad. Its a raw edge. Felt quality is of a high standard, but requires regular grooming. Interesting they reproduced a much earlier style[huh]

I guess what's old is new again. Looks sharp for a hat from that period. Good ol' Cavanagh.

Brad

 

[ScottF]

Thanks Brad. Its a raw edge. Felt quality is of a high standard, but requires regular grooming. Interesting they reproduced a much earlier style[huh]

How does the felt compare to that fuzzy Austrian one you have?

 

[rlk]

How does the felt compare to that fuzzy Austrian one you have?

Its a "hair" longer and finer(in size) fiber but similar overall effect. The Austrian has that somewhat resilient almost plastic quality I associate with beaver fur fibers while I suspect the Cavanagh is Rabbit/Hare or blend.

 

[mayserwegener]

Cavanagh Fedora

I traded a large size P. & C. Habig to a friend of mine for this Cavanagh.

 

[rlk]

I traded a large size P. & C. Habig to a friend of mine for this Cavanagh.

Great looking and a very adventurous ribbon color for the conservative Cavanagh.:eusa_clap :eusa_clap