Let's see your vintage baseball caps

[Chris-Counts]

Hi Mark, I hope all is well. Yes, these are definitely pro model caps from the late 1940s and early 1950s. I'm finding there's a lot to learn about caps, and there's also a lot of misinformation out there. I started this thread in part so I can learn more about them ...

[David Atkatz]

Art Jorgens 1929-30




Marty McHale 1913:

[Dewey]

Great thread idea. Hope to see more photos. Those are some cool lids!

[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.

[CarltonHendricks]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

Art Jorgens 1929-30




Marty McHale 1913:

really like the Marty McHale 1913...what a classic...

[Chris-Counts]

After collecting just about everything and anything baseball-related over the past half century, I can't think of any genre of collectable I find more satisfying collecting than caps. In the three years since I started this thread, my collection has grown by leaps and bounds, but I'm still making new discoveries, and the competition isn't too fierce — unlike pinbacks, for instance.

Here are a few of my more recent pickups, along with a link to gallery of all my caps. Included below are the early 50s Fort Worth Cats (worn by Rex Barney), the late 60s Asheville Tourists (Reds farm club), a late 40s Oakland Oak kids cap and a late 50s White Sox cap (one of the last MLB caps made by Spalding). The White Sox cap was the final one I needed to get all 16 of the original pre-expansion MLB caps.

https://chris-counts.pixpa.com/galleries/gallery-31

[perezfan]

Wally Post
Hank Foiles
Dave Concepcion
Barry Larkin
Pete Rose (Rookie)
Vada Pinson
Johnny Bench
Tony Perez (image cut off)

[perezfan]

Mickey Vernon
Roy Sievers
Early Wynn

[perezfan]

Preacher Roe
Jim Hearn

Ted Klu
Unknown Red Sox

Unknown Pilots
Unknown Boston Braves

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

After collecting just about everything and anything baseball-related over the past half century, I can't think of any genre of collectable I find more satisfying collecting than caps. In the three years since I started this thread, my collection has grown by leaps and bounds, but I'm still making new discoveries, and the competition isn't too fierce — unlike pinbacks, for instance.

Here are a few of my more recent pickups, along with a link to gallery of all my caps. Included below are the early 50s Fort Worth Cats (worn by Rex Barney), the late 60s Asheville Tourists (Reds farm club), a late 40s Oakland Oak kids cap and a late 50s White Sox cap (one of the last MLB caps made by Spalding). The White Sox cap was the final one I needed to get all 16 of the original pre-expansion MLB caps.

https://chris-counts.pixpa.com/galleries/gallery-31

That Ft Worth cap is AWESOME!

[Chris-Counts]

Thanks Ben, it's sort of a poor man's Brooklyn Dodgers cap, right down to the white button on top. I don't suspect Rex Barney was too happy to wear it, though, back in 1951. I looked him up, and he pitched just 14 innings for Ft. Worth, and walked 39 batters. Considering he threw very hard and batting helmets were only beginning to be used, it must have been frightening to face him as batter.

[Huysmans]

While I can appreciate the MLB caps...
Does anyone have any 19th century pillbox or early-1900s specimens they can post?

.... I'd post 'em if I had 'em.