1880s Baseball Pill Box Cap?
 

I am guessing this type of printing on a cap wouldn't have been able to be done 135 yrs ago?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1880S-Advert...item487f1ddab5


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It looks like it was printed on the material first when it was flat, then cut out and assembled. I say this because it appears the top letters of the graphic on the front are cut off and under the seam. Without seeing this in person to look at the stitching and printing I can't say if it is original to the 1880's. When I first saw it I thought it looked like someone took an old sack and cut it up to fashion into a cap. The typography looks like it is of the turn-of-the-century vintage.

I can't ever recall seeing one of these in an old photograph worn by an American delivery guy or store clerk but I suppose it is possible. The seller mentions a sign for this product in Dodge City, Kansas but to me this looks like something of English manufacture.

More importantly I don't think it is baseball related, but if real it's a really neat turn-of-the-century advertising piece.

advertising cap from the Period But I don't think it's related to baseball at all

We are having a great discussion on the card side concerning Bitters Advertising (though not this type) and T206s, with respect to their printing.

Leon, I have a few baseball postcards where guys are wearing advertising hats like this one. I always called them painters caps. Figured they got them at the hardware or dry goods store. I also have some that look like they are wearing train conductor hats. I guess for some of the pick up teams they wore whatever hat they could find. The guys in the white hats on the bottom pc are from a flour company. I believe they have the hats turned around so you can't see the bills. Of course the pcs are from the 1907-1910 time frame.

Hat is very old IMO though not sure to exact age

Thanks for the info guys....neat cap and I learn something new every day (or learn it again from forgetting it)...

great photo ref
 

Clint, Great photo reference...I'm not surprised to see it...to my, eye that cap looks like nearly a dead ringer for a baseball pill box cap...albeit, one which the Prickly Ash Bitters company had the good foresight to utilize as an advertising vehicle...I really like the way the advertising is laid out...whoever designed it did a remarkable job for back then...Now all that said...I think it's very cool...but nevertheless I don't think it has the eye appeal of a real pill box cap with stripes and all...but it's a great novelty...and in terrific condition...If I could afford every little nic-knack I liked I'd certainly get it...

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