Yankee Cap

[Forever Young]

I bought this off the bay because I thought it was cool. Probably overpaid but it will make a great display piece I think. Unfortunately it is too small for my big heeed. I know nothing about vintage caps but would love to. Anyone know what year(s) this would be?

[perezfan]

Likely early to late 1960s. It was on my watch list forever, as I like the look more than the current Yankee Cap (with the larger/bolder "NY").

Seller was aggressive on his price, so I never actively pursued it. You can go to Baseball Almanac, and easily research who wore #40 between the years of 1960 - '68. That is the time-frame I would estimate for this Cap, based on style/tagging/etc.

Some additional background for you...

Tim McAuliffe, Leslie, KM Pro and Pro McAuliffe

Tim McAuliffe, founded in 1896, was a distributor of sports equipment, jerseys and caps. Jerseys were made under private label by Stall and Dean. McAuliffe caps were manufactured mainly by the Leslie Company, although during the latter 1950’s and the 1960’s New Era also made caps for McAuliffe. The Leslie Company was owned by Jack Kaufman. The KM Pro stamp on the sweatband almost certainly stands for Kaufman-McAuliffe. In the 1940's and early 1950's, KM Pro caps were distributed by Mitchell & Ness, but by the mid 1950’s all KM Pro caps were sold under the McAuliffe label. McAuliffe caps, along with Wilson, were the dominant brands used by MLB teams from the mid 1950's to late 1960's; as of 1972 all 24 MLB teams had used McAuliffe or KM Pro caps at some point. But by the late 1960’s Wilson and New Era had captured significant MLB cap business, so McAuliffe decided to focus exclusively on jerseys and equipment. The McAuliffe label disappeared from caps during 1969. The Leslie Company continued manufacturing caps into the 1970’s; pro caps had KM Pro tags, retail caps had Leslie tags, though you could buy a KM Pro cap if you wrote to the company. But with New Era increasingly dominating the market, KM Pro ceased operations after the 1976 season

Nice pickup!

[Runscott]

Ben, that's a beauty - I would love to have an Astros cap in that style.

[perezfan]

1960 - John Gabler
1961 - No #40 on regular season roster
1962 - Jack Cullen
1963 - No #40 on regular season roster
1964 - No #40 in regular season roster
1965 - No #40 on regular season roster
1966 - Lou Clinton
1967 - Bill Monbouquette
1968 - Lindy McDaniel and Bill Monbouquette wore #40

So it's likely one of the players listed above, or also could be a non-roster player who failed to make the squad in '61, '63, '64, or '65.

Hope this is helpful,
Mark

[Forever Young]

Thanks guys... I figured it was from the 50's or 60's. I just wish it fit. Who the F has a size 7 head?! haha

Scott.. why the astros?

Mark.. the buy it now was pretty pricy. What do you think it is actually worth/conservatively?

[perezfan]

Ben:

PM sent...

Seller was not crazy on his price... just a bit aggressive. I think you did just fine.

Yankee Caps from the sixties do not come around everyday, and it's definitely a Gamer!

[accidental]

The cap is from somewhere between 1963 and 1968. It could be a game worn/issued one but it could also be a retail cap, no way to tell.
These were available to the public throughout the 50s and 60s.

[Forever Young]

Originally Posted by accidental

The cap is from somewhere between 1963 and 1968. It could be a game worn/issued one but it could also be a retail cap, no way to tell.
These were available to the public throughout the 50s and 60s.

So basically the mantle game worm caps that sell for tens of thousands of dollars could simply be from a a scammer's basement ? All they would need to do is write the number 7 on it and create a brlievable story? Scary... I will make believe this one was mantle's . I just hung it on my old Yankee number 7 chair right under my mantle kreindler. It is sweet looking. Anyone know of anymore of these for sale? I would love a 20s Yankee cap.

[David Atkatz]

How about this one, Ben? Marty McHale's 1913 cap. (May be the oldest Yankee cap in private hands.)

[Forever Young]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

How about this one, Ben? Marty McHale's 1913 cap. (May be the oldest Yankee cap in private hands.)

Damn.. That is unbelievable David. As always.. You come out of nowhere with a crazy rare item in a category of collecting that I had no idea you were in. Your collection is incredible. I love the old caps.. They get cooler looking the older they get which is pretty funny.

[David Atkatz]

Thanks, Ben. I also have this one--Art Jorgen's 1929-30 cap:

[Forever Young]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

Thanks, Ben. I also have this one--Art Jorgen's 1929-30 cap:

I love this one! It looks gehrig and Ruthian anyone have one like this and want to sell , I'm your man! Thanks for sharing these David.

[perezfan]

Here's one from the "other" New York Team.... recently in Heritage.

And check out that sale price It was sitting at just $3K earlier on closing day...

http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleN...#1092410924270

[accidental]

Originally Posted by Forever Young

So basically the mantle game worm caps that sell for tens of thousands of dollars could simply be from a a scammer's basement ? All they would need to do is write the number 7 on it and create a brlievable story? Scary... I will make believe this one was mantle's . I just hung it on my old Yankee number 7 chair right under my mantle kreindler. It is sweet looking. Anyone know of anymore of these for sale? I would love a 20s Yankee cap.

Yes, absolutely! All game worn/issued McAuliffe and KM Pro caps could simply be retail versions with a number on the bill added at any point in time. I have seen several supposedly game worn/issued hats that clearly weren't and sold in the thousands.

[Nashvol]

Originally Posted by accidental

Yes, absolutely! All game worn/issued McAuliffe and KM Pro caps could simply be retail versions with a number on the bill added at any point in time. I have seen several supposedly game worn/issued hats that clearly weren't and sold in the thousands.

+1

[icollectDCsports]

I've seen some earlier, game worn Yankees caps have the last names of players stitched in cursive into the headbands. Anyone know the time period during which that was done?

[accidental]

This was done up until the late 40s. I own a 47/48 NY Giants cap that has an embroidered name.
Throughout the 50s and 60s it's something that is very seldom seen on caps.