1953 War Department Newsboy Cap (!)

This is a very odd fish indeed. My most recent purchase in Hastings a couple days ago. I’ve never seen another quite like it. It’s made of the softest flannel, black and dark grey warp and weft yarns. The belt at the rear of the bill and large-ish buttons are a distinctly uncommon touch for a British cap. I really love the awful placement of the snap – nowhere near to being centred – a very War Department quality control touch. And the fact that this cap was made by the War Department, presumably for issue to someone in the armed forces, or under contract to the WD? Anyone know anything about these caps? It ended up in the BBC wardrobe department in Birmingham.

Another Belted Back Suit for the Auction Block

This is a suit I found in London, though it’s American. It has a 1936 Union Label, so dates from 1936-1940 or so. Made by Wickfield and sold from Berger’s Store in Great Falls Montana, this suit is a lovely shade of chocolate brown serge wool, and has red and black overchecks. The double breasted proportions are, in my opinion, perfect. The rear features a half belt with 2 pleats above it on either side of the centre. The front patch hip pockets are also pleated and flapped. A nice touch.

British Workwear Leather Jacket – 1930s A1

What an amazing jacket. The style has come to be known as “A-1”, after the American Air Corps jacket with that designation. But really, this is just a very practical workwear jacket with two large waist-level patch pockets. The leather is a heavy-ish lambskin (commonly referred to as capeskin) and surprisingly for a British jacket of this era is in fantastic condition, with just one scuff to one of the front pockets. It is aged nicely with a wonderful patina caused by rubbing and stretching at the “high” parts. The buttons are made of corozo in a lovely caramel-y orange colour that highlights the classic corozo ripple effect. The zipper is a work of art. A very old (30s) brass Lightning with folded metal slider and stopper box and U-shaped top stop teeth. It’s made by Ledux, a brand I haven’t heard of before. The only other thing I’ve seen from them was a very long motoring leather jacket of similar age to this one.

Don’t Get No Respect

And then there was this monstrosity. I’m pretty sure this cap is from the 1930s, but it’s the kind of thing you can see Rodney Dangerfield wearing in Caddy Shack and similar films. The chap who acted as my agent in buying it from the US, also a very well seasoned collector, was likewise of this opinion on its age. It’s made of a fantastic lightweight cotton, rayon or linen … very much a summer weight cap. Very floppy, unstructured, and way too big for my flour can! I’ve had to reattach the sweatband … good practice. The printed flags leave no doubt that this was a cap for playing golf!

Venty-Cumf: 3 Strides Ahead

It’s been a wee while since my last post, so here’s a special cap for your viewing pleasure. Made during WWII (probably, it has the CC41 mark) in the UK, the fabric is an awesome dark brown and cream rough tweed with lots of red flocking. The shape/style is classic British golden era. I really love the label in this one – very much of its time. The bill of the cap features a patented ventilation system of a porous breathable material at the part of the bill next to the head. The “Three Strides Ahead” golfers are great …