The Cavanagh Club

[applevalleyjoe]

Great Cavanagh, David. I have one, but it's not as nice as yours.

What a steal!

 

[applevalleyjoe]

rescue 1
back from cleaning.

https://





lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U2jJqqrkPGA/T568r-MV59I/AAAAAAAAFj8/fun8VoOKFVY/s640/P1040511.JPG

5-3/4 crown and curvy big brim with some roll. Another sweatband that didn't survive a dunk despite looking decent. No data on original band anyway. Big, full 7-1/2 so no head shot.

What a beauty! Where did you get it cleaned?

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

Cavanagh - 1930's

Well, I now have two Cavanagh hats; one Milan and one felt. So does this mean I am officially inducted in to the Cavanagh Club??

Picked up a really nice Cav from eBay last week. Many thanks to the Professor for helping me date the hat. Based on the tag markings, stitching, and sweatband, this is a 1930's model. I am very stoked about that; I've always wanted a genuine 30's fedora, not to mention a genuine Cavanagh!

The seller stated that the quality of the hat was "good". I figured, "Okay, a few spots, loose stitching, re-blocking, new liner, etc." It was worth every penny. I was absolutely floored at the quality when the package arrived today! First off, it came with the original hat box; BONUS!! It is heavy and well constructed, complete with a leather strap. All packing material was still included. The felt is unbelievable! Pliable, soft, and super easy on the hand. I will probably need to re-block it, but that can wait.

The bow work is simple and typical. What's really nice is that the frayed edge is still intact; no pulls or tears!

The hat did not come with a liner, nor a logo stamped on the felt. I don't know whether this was made specifically without one, but it doesn't bother me! Upon further inspection, I found quality detail that is fascinating. The leather sweatband was not stitched in the typical fashion along the crown opening. Rather, it was fastened with a small washer / button / binding around the inside. Neat!

Not only is the felt in fantastic condition, the leather sweatband is still soft and supple. I could wear this during a hurricane and this thing ain't flying off!! The seam is not stitched, either. Given its age it was taped on the back side, along with the purple bow. Also very neat!

And finally, the one and ONLY Cavanagh Edge...

Hope you enjoyed the pics. I am so excited to post in the Cavanagh Club thread!!

 

[mikespens]

Congratulations David! A very nice snag. Can't beat getting more than you bargained for.

 

[alanfgag]

Excellent!! Cavanagh maintained many stylistic elements of their hats into the modern (1960s) era, but looking at your pictures, I can tell that this early example is a hat to get excited about. Congratulations on a great find.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Wonderful hat, and thanks for posting the great photos!

When I saw the eBay photos I figured it either had a Carter Sweatband or the sweatband was coming unstitched. I'm glad to see that it's Carter Sweatband. Otto Carter received the patent in 1934, but I Cavanagh seems to have used it mostly late-'30s, from all of the many examples that have come up. What I find interesting is that everytime I can remember seeing a Carter Sweatband, it's always on a Cavanagh hat. I don't seem to remember seeing it on any other Hat Corporation brands, so I wonder if John Cavanagh licensed or purchased the patent exclusively for Cavanagh Hats.

Brad

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

Thanks, Professor! Glad to know that some of these details were actually patented. I sell high end electronics, and many manufacturers are part of larger parent companies. For instance, D&M Holdings owns Denon, Marantz, and McIntosh Labs, in that order of quality and exclusivity.

McIntosh, therefore hand makes their components to the highest quality standards, and they have been for over 60 years. Many of their high end features are not offered in the mid and lower end components. It would make logical sense that only Cavanagh Hats used the Carter process as a "premium" feature that would differentiate their top end hats above their other lines.

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

Mike and Alan,

I really appreciate your enthusiasm over this hat! It's really sparked a lot of wonderful comments through the forums. It takes a special hat, and this is one of them.

 

[DJH]

AnA, I'm late to the party but your Cavanagh is fabulous.
What a cool find - enjoy wearing it!!

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

From one David to another, I thank you!

I will, indeed, enjoy this hat!!

 

[randooch]

AnA, I'm late to the party but your Cavanagh is fabulous.
What a cool find - enjoy wearing it!!

Plus One!

Super details. That little purple bow is the cat's p.j.'s! Great grab.

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

I think it's interesting how the bow was tucked behind the leather. Was this common in earlier hats? Professor?

 

[Brad Bowers]

I think it's interesting how the bow was tucked behind the leather. Was this common in earlier hats? Professor?

I've not seen that before, on any of my Carter sweats or any other sweat. I have no explanation for it, though I wonder if that might be a replacement, since there aren't any store markings on it.Brad

 

[JonnyO]

Never Worn Cavanagh Thirty

I won this Thirty a couple of days ago on ebay. In the description the seller noted that this hat may have never been worn. It is a dark chocolate brown with a 2" brim and ribbon. I was wondering if anyone could date this or at least help me date it.

Here is the original box it came in:

It came from Scott & Company in Boston. I hope someone can answer this for me, what are the 3 letters stamped in there for?

Not sure of what this stamp represents either:

And the tags to finish of this set of photos:

 

[danofarlington]

Letters stamped no doubt are the customer's initials. It was probably a swank businessman's hat when new, whenever that was, but now it's a hipster hat for you. Looks great. My guess as to the age is early 1960s because stingy brims like that were in then, but I really don't know.

Judging by the initials, I think the customer's name was "Electro Cardio Gram."

 

[Chepstow]

dano, hahah, thats good! " Electro Cardio Gram " rarely laughed so much!

Johnny, realy nice Hat. My Congrats!

 

[EggHead]

dano, hahah, thats good! " Electro Cardio Gram " rarely laughed so much!

Johnny, realy nice Hat. My Congrats!

Funny! Laughed so hard, I almost had a heart attack.

 

[rlk]

Early Cavanagh Silk Top Hat

In elaborate leather case and modeled in appropriate dress.

early owner General Babbitt

 

[mayserwegener]

Fantastic! Also great condition! The crown edge looks almost rounded which I really like.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Very nice! The "Cavanagh Make" is new to me.