Let's see your vintage baseball caps

[Chris Counts]

Here's a cap I'm curious about. It's a Brooklyn Dodgers cap that's made by Wilson. I've been told this cap comes from 1947, but it looks to me like it was made a few years later. I've also been told the Brooklyn Dodgers didn't use Wilson caps, so unless I see evidence otherwise, I'm going to assume it's some kind of salesman's sample. They seem to be fairly common among vintage pro caps. I'm seeking opinions on this one, in case anybody has anything to offer.

[accidental]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

Here's a cap I'm curious about. It's a Brooklyn Dodgers cap that's made by Wilson. I've been told this cap comes from 1947, but it looks to me like it was made a few years later. I've also been told the Brooklyn Dodgers didn't use Wilson caps, so unless I see evidence otherwise, I'm going to assume it's some kind of salesman's sample. They seem to be fairly common among vintage pro caps. I'm seeking opinions on this one, in case anybody has anything to offer.

Chris, this is an interesting hat indeed! While the logo is an earlier style Brooklyn Dodgers logo (pre 1948), I have not seen this particular Wilson style yet. Of note is the tag too, Wilson predominately used the "Wilson Professional Cap" tag on their on field caps starting in the later half of the 40s. In the early 40s Wilson did not use tags but printed their logo straight on to the sweatband (very rare).

There are two other known Brooklyn Dodgers hats by Wilson both featuring different style logos from yours. At least one of those was a style worn briefly by some Dodger players in 1951 but very infrequently and certainly not consistently.

My best guess is that it indeed could be a salesman sample from the 50s, or something made for an old timers game later on, or that it's actually an older cap that was refurbished (unlikely).

Two questions that could provide some more clarity:

- Does the cap feature the 3 letter Wilson code on the in- or outside of the sweatband?

- Can you provide an image of the complete inside of the hat?

[Chris Counts]

Thanks for your reply Fredy. Here's a better photo of inside the cap. There's no code visible. The Cubs cap pictured above is a Wilson that's dated November, 1953. Do you know when Wilson started using the code? Also, did Wilson use acrylic bands in the 1940s? It seems like all the pre-1950 caps I've seen have leather bands.

[accidental]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

Thanks for your reply Fredy. Here's a better photo of inside the cap. There's no code visible. The Cubs cap pictured above is a Wilson that's dated November, 1953. Do you know when Wilson started using the code? Also, did Wilson use acrylic bands in the 1940s? It seems like all the pre-1950 caps I've seen have leather bands.

Thanks Chris. Hmmm... the interior points to a 1950s cap, so the salesman sample theory starts to sound plausible. I’m not an expert on Wilson but as far as I know they started using the date codes in the 1950s. Concerning the fabric sweatband, it was used but VERY rarely up until the early 60s, thus also making it possible that this could be a refurbished cap but I’m unaware that Wilson did offer this.

Is the fabric under the bill satin or wool?
Is there by any chance a player number anywhere inside the cap?
Are there ‘pockets’ on the inside of the cap that could fit protective pads?

I personally own 3 Brooklyn Dodgers caps (1949 Don Newcombe Spalding hat, 1951 unknown player Rawlings hat, 1954 retail Tim McAuluffe cap). I’ve actually consulted with the Dodgers graphic designer on getting the 1955 logo correct.

[Chris Counts]

Fredy, I'll take another look inside the Dodgers cap when I get home tonight and see if I missed anything. The green fabric under the bill seems just like any other cap I have. By the way, the 1953-54 Cubs cap pictured above has a fabric band, as does a Reds cap I have from 1958. Both are made by Wilson. I'll compare the interiors of the three caps, and that might help me date the Dodgers cap ...

[seattlerainiers]

Adding a few PCL gamers to the mix:1940 Hollywood Stars, 1940s LA Angels, 1940s Oakland Oaks, 1940s Portland Beavers, 1950s San Diego Padres, 1950s SF Seals, 1948 Seattle Rainiers.

[Chris Counts]

Wow, those PCL caps are off the charts. I'm curious who the makers are. Thanks for sharing. If you ever decide to part with the Oaks cap, let me know ...

[accidental]

Originally Posted by seattlerainiers

Adding a few PCL gamers to the mix:1940 Hollywood Stars, 1940s LA Angels, 1940s Oakland Oaks, 1940s Portland Beavers, 1950s San Diego Padres, 1950s SF Seals, 1948 Seattle Rainiers.

Incredible caps indeed! I bet the guys at Ebbets Field Flannels would love to see these caps!

I guess these caps were made by the same manufacturers as the MLB caps, no? I own some Minor League caps myself, these were all made by the big manufacturers of the day.

[Chris Counts]

Here's are a couple new caps I've added to my collection. The first cap, from 1952 or 1953, belonged to Washington Senators pitcher Walt Masterson. The second is an Atlanta Crackers cap from the 1930s that was worn by shortstop Buster Chatham. When my dad was growing up in Atlanta during that time, this was the team he rooted for.

[baseball tourist]

Love these! Have to dig out my caps. Nothing this old or rare.