Brooklyn Dodger Caps

[Spirit of '55]

Friends:

As part of setting up my new (moved) law office, I have dedicated the vestibule to OUR Brooklyn Dodgers. It is incredible what a topic of conversation our beloved Bums are. A true icebreaker with clients.

Among my memorabilia, I want to collect the various caps worn by the team over the years. I have seen quite a variety on various websites---such as green and white, white and blue, blue and white, striped, windowpaned.

Does anybody have a chronology of the varying headgear? I know the familiar Royal Blue with White "B" dates between 1939 and 1957 (I'm wearing it as I type), but the listings have gaps in dates, there are Home and Road variations, etc.

One particular cap is White with a Royal Blue "B." I like the look of it, sort of an inverse of the classic cap, but I have no idea when it was worn and who might have worn it.

Somebody in my circle, being considerate, but not a Brooklyn Dodgers fan, brought me a hat from the West Coast National League Franchise: "It's the same team." "No. No it's not, thanks anyway," and I very politely refused to display it among the others. I guess it'll make a good potholder or some such thing. My poor friend got an impromptu history lesson, and gets it now, I think.

Any help on this would be very appreciated! :homeplate:

[BayRidgeBrooklyn]

Hello Spirit.

An outstanding resource is Marc Okkonen's "Baseball Uniforms of the 20th Century" (ISBN 0 8069 8491 0). This book offers year-by-year color illustrations of each team's uniforms, including caps. It's also useful for dating the exact year that photos were taken.

I also recommend www.dugout-memories.com to purchase very fine vintage cap, jersey, pennant, jacket, and reproductions by Mitchell & Ness, as well as other nostalgic items:baseball:.

You're right about these items being conversation starters. My English teaching office in Japan is decorated with them. I'm loinin 'em about dem Bums.

All the Best,

Charlie

[aqib]

Somebody in my circle, being considerate, but not a Brooklyn Dodgers fan, brought me a hat from the West Coast National League Franchise: "It's the same team." "No. No it's not, thanks anyway," and I very politely refused to display it among the others. I guess it'll make a good potholder or some such thing. My poor friend got an impromptu history lesson, and gets it now, I think.

Any help on this would be very appreciated! :homeplate:

That reminds me of 2 stories:

1) After the Browns announced they were moving to Baltimore before the agreement to leave the name in Cleveland, my brother wanted to get me a Balitmore Browns shirt and wondered why I wouldn't root for that team, contending its the same team. I would write what I said to him but Dodger Deb wouldn't appreciate the language.

2) When team Canada's hockey team lost in 98 to the Chech Republic (I lived in Canada for a while and have Canadian citizenship) this girl I was involved with went on a trip to Europe and said she thought of buying me a Chech Republic jersey. I asked her why she thought I would want one and she said "why not they won." I was like "you don't understand me at all" we didn't last very long after that

[Urbanshocker13]

A great site for historic Ballcaps is http://www.ballcap.com/ There is allot of Brooklyn Dodgers caps, they are very well made caps and are historically accurate. I have a 1910 NY Highlanders cap and love it, I want to pick up a Dodger's cap as soon as I can!

[Spirit of '55]

Friends:

Struggling as I've been with health problems, last night was sleepless. I did manage to make lemonade out of some very sour lemons, spending most of the night (between bouts of discomfort) researching the different ballcaps used by the proto-Dodger Bridegrooms, Superbas, and Robins, as well as our Dodgers.

What a history! Each successive cap says something new about the team, where it was psychologically, and how it related to the fans and to the other teams of the time. By the way, does anybody know the story behind 1937's green livery? It was the only time the Dodgers abandoned the celestial colors of blue and white. I was unable to pin down why.

Anyway, what came of this is a beautiful 8.5 x 11 three-panel display piece that I created on the computer, showing each cap, discussing its history, and summarizing the life of our Brooklyn team (with logos and graphics). As soon as I can, I'm planning on having each panel laminated and framed in tryptych, and hanging that alongside my growing cap collection.

If anybody knows anything about any particular cap (like the white cap with blue B that was the alternate headgear to the usual blue cap with white B in 1939), please let me know. Your contributions will add to the display, and even though only my law clients will see it, you will be immortalized and profoundly thanked by me. :homeplate:

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Look at this ugly one. IMO it has NOTHING to do with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

This B is so ugly.

[Spirit of '55]

Look at this ugly one. IMO it has NOTHING to do with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

This B is so ugly.

Yankeebiscuitfan & Friends:

Wow, ugh! That's definitely an inauthentic knock-off to be sold in places like darkest Indiana and the Amazon.com Basin. The B IS uggg-lyyy. THAT ONE will not make my collection. I promise.

I happen to like this one, but I have NO IDEA if it was actually ever used by the team in 1939---Does anyone know?

http://www.amazon.com/Brooklyn-Dodgers-Cooperstown-White-Franchise/dp/B000LO9Q5U/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1206281090&sr=1-11

:homeplate:

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Yankeebiscuitfan & Friends:

Wow, ugh! That's definitely an inauthentic knock-off to be sold in places like darkest Indiana and the Amazon.com Basin. The B IS uggg-lyyy. THAT ONE will not make my collection. I promise.

I happen to like this one, but I have NO IDEA if it was actually ever used by the team in 1939---Does anyone know?

http://www.amazon.com/Brooklyn-Dodgers-Cooperstown-White-Franchise/dp/B000LO9Q5U/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1206281090&sr=1-11

:homeplate:

I think that I have seen a photo of Babe Ruth as a Dodgers' coach, wearing a cap like that.

[JOVE23]

Hello folks,

I wanted to get your take on what the DEFINITIVE Brooklyn Dodger cap is. I was reading the Gene Hermanski sticky and a debate sprung up there about which cap most accurately reflects the real thing worn by the players. The cap I recently got from the Cooperstown Collection is nice, but then I look at pictures of the players' caps and go, "Ehhh, something's not right here."

What do you guys think?

[stejay]

Hey Jove23, put a pic of the cap on, and someone will decide.

[stejay]

Does this cap look authentic to you guys...
http://www.melissacwalker.com/blog/cap.jpg

[stejay]

I found this cool cap online too...
http://www.distantreplays.com/distant/assets/product_images/PAAAAABCMPAPEICJ.jpg
a 1917-1922 Dodgers cap

[JOVE23]

Hey Jove23, put a pic of the cap on, and someone will decide.

Alright.

http://www.baseballtoddsdugout.com/bobbymorgan.jpg

This link is to a fairly large picture of Dodger Bobby Morgan. You can make out the styling of the B.

The cap I and many others have is like the first one you posted, stejay. I found this one, which I think is an almost exact replica (but what do I know) signed by some guy named Sandy Koufax:

http://www.buyit-sellit.com/ebay01/auc71211/72389-1.jpg

To my untrained eyes, at least, the B looks spot on, but the color of the hat itself is too light.

What do you guys think?

[Spirit of '55]

Friends:

It's very hard to decide what's "definitive." Just look at the "classic" uniform of the late 40s and 50s:

In different photos of different players at different times, and perhaps in different seasons, the B appears thicker or thinner, and the color (in the old color photos) could be anything in the bright dark blue family. Uniforms seemed either pristine white or a light ecru. Or are my eyes playing tricks?

Does anybody know what company was officially licensed by the team to produce player clothing? They might have records identifying the authentic colors and shapes used.

I would suspect that some of the knock-off caps sold as Brooklyn hats nowadays are LA hats with a different device. Western Dodger Blue isn't Eastern Dodger Blue. What does the West Coast Franchise care about authenticity? They themselves are not the "authentic" Dodgers. :homeplate:

[Ralph Zig Tyko]

Does this cap look authentic to you guys...
http://www.melissacwalker.com/blog/cap.jpg
Not authentic, there is no white button.

[Brian McKenna]

Okkonen's database is on line:

http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org/dressed_to_the_nines/database.htm

[Spirit of '55]

Not authentic, there is no white button.

Ralph:

I missed that at first glance. Good call!

:homeplate:

[EdTarbusz]

I think that I have seen a photo of Babe Ruth as a Dodgers' coach, wearing a cap like that.

I think I've seen the same picture, but it's a different had that Ruth is wearing. His has Bule piping on it. I have a replica of that hat, but don't like it because the white material gives the hat a poor fit. I have the 1950s blue Brooklyn hat and that one fits fine.

[Spirit of '55]

Okkonen's database is on line:

http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org/dressed_to_the_nines/database.htm

Friends:

What a fascinating database. It looks like there were far more nominal variations in OUR DODGERS' uniforms in the late 40s and 50s than we notice in the photos.

Still unanswered: Why GREEN in 1937? Whose idea was that? If it had been '57, I'd understand---the Color of Money, that is, Wallet O'Money.

:homeplate:

[penncentralpete]

Ralph:

I missed that at first glance. Good call!

:homeplate:

I actually spray-painted my button white (Krylon flat white) on mine after taping off the rest of the cap! I own MANY Brooklyn Dodger caps....(most the 1937-1957 blue variation)..........all the various companies and their various styles (all claiming authenticity). I have a room full of them (along with Brooklyn jerseys, jackets, etc.). The best I ever saw were the Roman Pro and the McCauliffe.............. these are no longer in production, sadly.

[stejay]

Not authentic, there is no white button.

Thank god, i was going to buy it, glad I didn't now. I am going to get an authentic one.

[Spirit of '55]

Friends:

This is the White "franchise" cap. I like the look, but it's missing the blue button on top. Any way to match that shade? Maybe I'll spray paint mine, too.

Gawd, that sounded awful!:homeplate:

[penncentralpete]

Friends:

This is the White "franchise" cap. I like the look, but it's missing the blue button on top. Any way to match that shade? Maybe I'll spray paint mine, too.

Gawd, that sounded awful!:homeplate:

LOL.......go for it!!!

[JOVE23]

Hello again,

I THINK I've figured out that there were two different hat styles, one with the B that most of the caps have now, and the B like in the Koufax hat. Examples:

"Koufax" B (Don't shoot me for calling it a Koufax B, it's just a frame of reference!):

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/197/460105321_f34934e59b_o.jpg

The "modern" B (again, it's a misnomer but it's a frame of reference):

http://bp3.blogger.com/_wNFF3CNebIY/RujPq3Eur8I/AAAAAAAAAIU/2Xu0ObAhNJ4/s1600/3BD.jpg

So, I wonder: Which was worn when? Does anyone here remember the switch? Why am I ranting on and on about this?

Oh, and why does it seem that their hats are darker than the hats sold today?

[penncentralpete]

/

Oh, and why does it seem that their hats are darker than the hats sold today?[/QUOTE]

.......because they WERE darker than the ones sold today!! The "replica" B caps use the LA blue (much lighter). My family has home movies of the Dodgers at Ebbets field. The caps were a darker blue in Brooklyn than the "Lasorda blue" of Chavez Ravine.

[penncentralpete]

/

Oh, and why does it seem that their hats are darker than the hats sold today?

.......because they WERE darker than the ones sold today!! The "replica" B caps use the LA blue (much lighter). My family has home movies of the Dodgers at Ebbets field. The caps were a darker blue in Brooklyn than the "Lasorda blue" of Chavez Ravine.[/QUOTE]

dark Dodger blue........

[strummer]

That's not Koufax in that picture with Reese, Robinson, and Stanky; it is Spider Jorgenson. The picture is 1947 vintage, long before Koufax made his appearance in that hat or any other one, although he may have worn one that year while playing on the neighborhood vacant lot.

[JOVE23]

That's not Koufax in that picture with Reese, Robinson, and Stanky; it is Spider Jorgenson. The picture is 1947 vintage, long before Koufax made his appearance in that hat or any other one, although he may have worn one that year while playing on the neighborhood vacant lot.

Well yeah, I know that. I was just saying "Koufax" because the best picture of that style of B I could find was a cap signed by Koufax.

And pete, if you could get those old home movies digitized and placed on youtube or somewhere a little more private, that would be awesome for us youngin's who only got to read about Ebbets Field!


...

But back to the topic at hand, what's the best matched color for TRUE Blue instead of the Dodgerganger Blue? We should make reproduction Dodger caps (good ones) and sell enough of them to buy back the franchise.



I can dream, can't I?

[Spirit of '55]

Friends:

Today in the mail I received an "authentic" reproduction pennant celebrating the Miracle on Flatbush Avenue. It was a MUCH darker blue than any of my Brooklyn caps, really a step above indigo. From what I've seen, this indigo is the proper shade for Brooklyn Dodger Blue.

(I also received a T-shirt reading "Brooklyn 55" in logoscript and red numbering. It will become my favorite shirt after it's broken in.)

Any thoughts on Brooklyn Dodger Indigo?

:homeplate:

[penncentralpete]

Friends:

Today in the mail I received an "authentic" reproduction pennant celebrating the Miracle on Flatbush Avenue. It was a MUCH darker blue than any of my Brooklyn caps, really a step above indigo. From what I've seen, this indigo is the proper shade for Brooklyn Dodger Blue.

(I also received a T-shirt reading "Brooklyn 55" in logoscript and red numbering. It will become my favorite shirt after it's broken in.)

Any thoughts on Brooklyn Dodger Indigo?

:homeplate:

Hello: Hope you're getting your proper rest. Next, I would put in my 2 cents on "Dodger Blue". My older brother has the home movies of the Brooklyn Dodgers and I don't think I can get copies to post here.........HOWEVER.......I will state (again)......."Lasorda blue" from the west coast is NOT our original blue! Our original blue is very much darker than the west coast "variety". Don't allow time and the many money-hungry companies cloud your eyes........"Brooklyn Blue" is (was) darker than what we are offered by the various companies of today! Pictures ain't gonna really prove it, as pictures appear differently on everyone's PC. Dodger Blue was DARKER (and more beautiful) than what's offered today as "throwback" caps, etc. I've been actively searching for over 40 years for the "perfect" Brooklyn cap..............I'm CLOSE (many times).....but no cigar......either the color is correct and then the "B" isn't, and visa-versa. I'm gonna keep searchin'....................

[Bklyn Boy since 1936]

:cap:A good way to confirm authenticity would be to campare an "authentic" reproduction to the actual thing and, as penncentralpete has stated, "Pictures ain't gonna really prove it, as pictures appear differently on everyone's PC. Dodger Blue was DARKER (and more beautiful) than what's offered today as "throwback" caps".:cap:

:cap:However, there is at least one authentic cap that I know of on display at the BROOKLYN BASEBALL GALLERY/BROOKLYN DODGERS BASEBALL HALL OF FAME in KeySpan Park, Coney Island. In the photo is Joe Hatten's son Don along with Bil Phifer during a visit to KeySpan Park last summer. And in the background is the AUTHENTIC cap in the display.:cap:

:cap:This is not to make any comparisons between the "authentic" reproduction caps on Don and Bil and the AUTHENTIC cap in the display (even though the one on display does look darker), but to suggest to anyone who may have access to the KeySpan Park display to make their comparison up close and personal.:cap:

[JOVE23]

Well, that settles it. I guess it's up to us to make the only authentic Brooklyn Dodger cap!

Who's got some start-up capital?

[penncentralpete]

Which is authentic? Has time blurred our ability to select the TRUE Brooklyn Dodger BLUE?????

[Spirit of '55]

Friends:

My vote is for the bottom picture, but lighting and photo quality can throw you. However, the material seems heavier with a coarser hand, and that's generally a sign of better quality.

Am I right, pray tell? :homeplate:

[penncentralpete]

Friends:

My vote is for the bottom picture, but lighting and photo quality can throw you. However, the material seems heavier with a coarser hand, and that's generally a sign of better quality.

Am I right, pray tell? :homeplate:

I don't know if you're "right", but the bottom picture is of a wool cap with a leather headband...............and cost $48!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It appears to be a dark, indigo blue in person (on my big head). p.s. I got it half-price ($24) because it was returned to the Cooperstown Cap Co.

[JOVE23]

I don't know if you're "right", but the bottom picture is of a wool cap with a leather headband...............and cost $48!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It appears to be a dark, indigo blue in person (on my big head). p.s. I got it half-price ($24) because it was returned to the Cooperstown Cap Co.

Yikes, 48 smackers!

It seems to me like they got the color right. However, I don't think they got the B right. Again, I refer to the Bobby Morgan picture (large picture, click on the link):

http://www.baseballtoddsdugout.com/bobbymorgan.jpg

I would wager that this is the best replica of the B (as far as the font goes) that the aforementioned cap is shooting for:

http://www.bayou.com/~brooklyn/1923dod.jpg

Soo, all we need to do is get the color of the first and the B of the second and voila! I can finally stop feeling guilty for shelling out 30 bucks for the sham hat I bought! :rofl:

[dodger dynamo]

years ago I got a picture of the duke kneeling in ebbets field, the dodger blue, is darker blue, in the 80's I agonized that the repros were lighter, now on the 54 and 55 base ball cards, the blue is lighter, still not as light as the "other" team now uses. so it's possible that the dodgers used darker colors in the late 40's as I remember my cap was and lighter in mid 50's when I got a new one. I think the 3 distinct B's I recall are in this order, the one similar to the koufax autographed hat, it looks very much like the one durocher wore in whistling in brooklyn. These were darker. by the early 50's the B had changed but the hat was still a dark color. Then in 56 and 57 you see yet a different B with a slighty lighter shading than the 54-55 hats. usually on repros, If the B is correct on the hats it's a 56/57 cap. There is a white cap from the 30's with a blue B it has one blue stripe about an inch and a half on either side of the B from bottom to button this blue B has the rounded circles and looks like B number one only in blue. I'm sure there are a lot of other variations but these three seem the most familiar and authentic to me. now it could be just an old guy's eyes playing tricks on him also after being in the sun there's no doubt they fade some. battlin bake, the dodger dynamo

[Lprof]

Not authentic, there is no white button.
Also, the B looks too thick, I think.

[Lprof]

years ago I got a picture of the duke kneeling in ebbets field, the dodger blue, is darker blue, in the 80's I agonized that the repros were lighter, now on the 54 and 55 base ball cards, the blue is lighter, still not as light as the "other" team now uses. so it's possible that the dodgers used darker colors in the late 40's as I remember my cap was and lighter in mid 50's when I got a new one. I think the 3 distinct B's I recall are in this order, the one similar to the koufax autographed hat, it looks very much like the one durocher wore in whistling in brooklyn. These were darker. by the early 50's the B had changed but the hat was still a dark color. Then in 56 and 57 you see yet a different B with a slighty lighter shading than the 54-55 hats. usually on repros, If the B is correct on the hats it's a 56/57 cap. There is a white cap from the 30's with a blue B it has one blue stripe about an inch and a half on either side of the B from bottom to button this blue B has the rounded circles and looks like B number one only in blue. I'm sure there are a lot of other variations but these three seem the most familiar and authentic to me. now it could be just an old guy's eyes playing tricks on him also after being in the sun there's no doubt they fade some. battlin bake, the dodger dynamo

I don't recall their ever wearing a darker blue, but I don't remember the 40s. They didn't wear it in the 50s, however.

[skaukatt]

Great question, and one that I have asked here twice but never really got a definitive answer. Here are links to my original posts regarding which of today's replicas are closest to the real deal.

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=64472

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=48422

All I can tell you is that none of todays current replica offerings match any of the "B" styles that I have seen in the many, many historical photos of players in their caps. I purchased 3 caps from that Bbllcap.com and each one does not match any period photo of a Dodgers cap exactly. They are extremely well made - you pay a premium for that - but alas, they do not look like the "B" on the caps on player photos.

I have come to two conclusions, one, that if you want a current replica that matches identically to the various types of "B" styles worn on the original caps (and there were a few styles over their Brooklyn history) the best you could do is come close with some of the replicas offered today. You really need to have a good eye and be selective.

My 1957 replica from ballcaps.com is perhaps the closest thing to the real deal although, in my opinion, the "B" is way too big as compared to the period photos.

On an interesting note, and I have been unable to substantiate this, I ordered the 1955 (Championship Year) cap and when it arrived I was horrified! Of course, there are no photos of ballcap.com's Dodgers caps, only drawings, so prior to placing my order, I asked for a photo. I received a photo of a cap with a "B" that looke dpretty good. When the cap arrived, the "B" had NO diamond cutout that should be present on the spine of the logo at the midpoint where the upper and lower loops of the "B" meet!!! I was beside myself to say the least. When I called ballcap.com I was told that the 1955 Dodgers "B" cap logo had no such cutout. I was sent a picture of Johnny Podres in a cap that resembled mine but from the angle you could not make out whether or not there was a diamond cutout on Podres' cap. I was also told that the same cap was made and brought to LA when Podres was siging at a baseball convention. When Podres was presented the cap for autograph, he exclaimed, "How did you get my cap?" "It's exactly like the one I wore." - and this with NO DIAMOND CUTOUT!!!

Now, I ask, does anyone remember a 1955 original cap, let alone any rendition of the post 1939 Dodgers "B" cap logo that did not include the diamond cutout? I cannot find photographic evidence to suggest it. So I have this cap that is made with perfection, but in my opinion is historically incorrect.

And two, I believe that there is a copyright infringement policy on that original style 1940-1957 style(s) "B" placed perhaps by the Dodgers organization - I'm probably wrong but... why else would it be so impossible to find an exact match? I do not see this difficulty with other team caps from either today or yesteryear.

Now about the color of the blue cap itself, that's another matter for discussion...

I do wish that someone would jump in here and talk about this.

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

Hello Lou and all: I thought I was the only fanatic, raving about the faux throwback caps of the Brooklyn Dodgers!!! I'm glad I have company! I will attempt to round up some photos of the oldtime Brooklyn caps......and YES, there was a season that the Diamond cutout in the "B" did NOT exist! All of today's caps are way off in color and also the size and thickness of the "B"............terrible.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Hello Lou and all: I thought I was the only fanatic, raving about the faux throwback caps of the Brooklyn Dodgers!!! I'm glad I have company! I will attempt to round up some photos of the oldtime Brooklyn caps......and YES, there was a season that the Diamond cutout in the "B" did NOT exist! All of today's caps are way off in color and also the size and thickness of the "B"............terrible.

That is what I have said before too. I don't like that at all. Eventhough that cap comes closest to the original it is still not. No cap at that time had that kind of lettering on it. That is something they "invented" in 1995-1996.

I still have a Brooklyn Dodgers cap made by the Roman Cap Co. I bought it in 1990/1991 and it is quite worn off now. I want to buy a new one, but so far I can not find something that comes close to that quality. Furthermore, even American Needle put those thick B's on their caps.

[penncentralpete]

here are some Brooklyn caps WITHOUT the triangular cut-out in the "B":

[penncentralpete]

more pix of Brooklyn caps without the "cutout":

[skaukatt]

Ok, I have found my photos of the ballcap.com caps. The first photo is their 1955 replica that does not have the diamond cutout.

The second is the photo they sent me depicting a 1955 cap (a totally different logo that turned out to be ballcap.com's 1948 cap)

The third is the photo of Johnny Podres from 1955 that seems to depict no diamond cutout and the cap from ballcap.com. that was made for him to autograph.

The last photo is allegedly a real cap belonging to Pee Wee that looks like the cap he is wearing in the photo of him Jackie and Duke posted earlier in this thread.

I will post a photo of my ballcap.com 1957 version later as I cannot find it at the moment.

Let me know what you all think...

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

no triangular cutout in the "B":

[skaukatt]

Wow! I am so surprised that there was no cutout on those cap logos! Those photos seem to prove it. If that is the case then the 1955 ballcap.com cap logo comes pretty darn close, although the color of my cap is a darker blue than any replicas of today and is darker than ballcap's 1957 or 1948 versions. I am not sure how that stacks up to originals.

Keep this thread going, I've een waiting to discuss this for years here!!!

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

Hey Lou: You and I BOTH. This is important (to me). Some fans would say: "who cares?", but I really do. I sort of like that photo of the '48 cap myself. I just ordered one from ballcap.com. They said they would give me a break on the price ($36 instead of $48) because I am a repeat customer, and have not been satisfied with my earlier purchases. I will now own so darn many Brooklyn caps..........each one just a little bit "off"..........

[penncentralpete]

While we're on the subject of authentic replication of Brooklyn caps, let me interject another thing........................if Mitchell & Ness are gonna charge $250-$275 for a Brooklyn road jersey (gray, with "Brooklyn" in script across the front and the number 4 on the back), why not make it with a ZIPPER? The "real" ones had zippers...........

[penncentralpete]

While we're on the subject of authentic replication of Brooklyn caps, let me interject another thing........................if Mitchell & Ness are gonna charge $250-$275 for a Brooklyn road jersey (gray, with "Brooklyn" in script across the front and the number 4 on the back), why not make it with a ZIPPER? The "real" ones had zippers...........Oh, and STOP advertising them as Duke Snider jerseys.........it's a Dolph Camilli jersey!!!! Sheeeesh........

[Ralph Zig Tyko]

May I recommend Cooperstown Ball Cap Company. They aims to pleeze!!
http://pushpull.wordpress.com/2007/07/23/is-your-osenburg-soft-mine-is/

[skaukatt]

Ok sorry for the size of these, I hope it doesn't scerw anyone up but here are my Dodger caps. Like penncentralpete, I too have a bunch, each one slightly off. Here is the best I can do at depicting and describing.

#1. the 1957 version from ballcap.com
#2 the 1948 version from ballcap.com
#3 the 1955 version from ballcap.com NO CUTOUT
#4 1970's New Era
#5 1970's Annco
#6 1980's Roman Pro
#7 1980's Roman Pro 1938 style
#8 All caps for color comparison

So here goes...(I will post #6-8 in the next post) with some comments...

Lou, NY

[skaukatt]

#6 1980's Roman Pro
#7 1980's Roman Pro White 1938 Babe Ruth style
#8 All caps for color comparison

So, that is my collection and evidence of my attempts to find a cap that is close to the original. As penncentralpete says, each one seems a bit off in its own way. I really don't think any of them is an exact replica of, say, a 1955 cap.

OK, so now I want to hear from the old timers... which one is the closest to the original? My original post dealt with purchasing a cap that closely represented the cap from the 1955 Championship season, which one of these is closest?

Can anyone tell me why it is so hard for such companies as Cooperstown Cap Co. to replicate the original??? Is there some copyright law that exists? Youknow, there is a bar in Brooklyn that is called, the Brooklyn Dodger and there was a court battle brought by the idiots in LA because the bar was using the name Brookly Dodger (our name). That is why I would not be surprised to find out that there is some law that prevents the exact duplication of OUR Dodger "B" logo.

Can you believe that I was not even born before Ebbets was torn down but because of my Father and his oral history, this team means so much to me? I am not even ashamed to say that in the NY area, there was reapeated the other night the program, The Brooklyn Dodgers, The Ghosts of Flatbush and I was in tears. I think only Brooklyn fans and their decendants can really understand how this team affected its fans and their offspring. To me, this team IS my Dad.

Anyway, enough of my tounge in cheek sentiment, which cap is the closest?

I am so thrilled that finally this subject is being addressed by the group.

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

To me, it's obvious. The Roman Pro cap is the closest to my old eyes. Too bad they are out of business nowadays. I own that Roman Pro Dodger cap, but it has been through the wars and is in terrible shape. I tried washing it, etc..................but to no avail. BTW, while I'm on the floor here......one of my earlier posts complaining about the Brooklyn jersey with buttons....I stand corrected. The Brooklyn road jerseys in 1945 DID have buttons. Earlier years had zippers.

[penncentralpete]

Wow, Lou.......you mean I'm not the only "quack" with NUMEROUS Brooklyn caps? I have jerseys, jackets, undershirts (for uniforms), tee's......you name it! BTW, Lou: your caps look to be in excellent shape! I wear mine constantly, and they are a bit WORN (like me).

[skaukatt]

Hi Pete,

Yes, I am a quack when it comes to the Brooklyn Dodgers - thanks to my Dad.

Thanks, Pete, all of my caps are in mint condition. The Roman Pro model was worn during two years of softball seasons but I have an unworn cap in my collection as well.

I was never able to find just the right copy of the logo - still not sure why that is when cap makers are able to solidly replicate other teams' logos without issue, so I kept purchasing caps without any luck.

I had high hopes for ballcap.com but even though their caps are made per order and not mass produced and are quality caps compared to the other offerings these days, they still fail, in my opinion, when it comes to authenticity (based upon period photo comparisons) - why is that?

You know, I'll share this story as well. In 1971, my Father wrote to the then Director of Public Relations of the LA club asking him to make a Brooklyn cap for him. Well, needless to say, he dismissed my Father as a "quack" and said that there exists no such cap any longer and that the Dodgers were an LA team since 1958. Well, my Dad persisted and after a series of letters back and forth from NY to LA and back, one day, in the mail, arrived a cap from LA with a Brooklyn Dodger "B" on it. I remember tracing the logo and I still have that tracing buried in a box in the basement of my mothers house. It did resemble the Roman Pro version. But, I mention this as an example of the type of fan that my Father and his 5 other brothers were when it concerned THEIR BROOKLYN Dodgers. My uncle, his brother, tells me that it was a Bakersfield Dodgers cap, the farm club.

Was there a Bakersfield Dodgers team and was their caps exact replicas or "extras" from the days of Brooklyn??? Are there any photos of this farm club around today???

Anyone care to comment???

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

In 1968, the Bakersfield Bears switched affiliations from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Los Angeles Dodgers and took the Dodgers nickname. In 1976, Bakersfield and Visalia dropped out of the California League and the Dodgers switched affiliates to Lodi. In 1984, the Bakersfield Mariners switched affiliations from the Seattle Mariners to the Dodgers and again took the Dodgers nickname. In 1995 the Dodgers switched affiliates to the San Bernardino Spirit and Bakersfield became a co-op team known as the Bakersfield Blaze.

[penncentralpete]

I apologize for the lousy pix, but here is evidence:

[skaukatt]

Excellent! Great shots. I do have to say that those "B: logos do not look like the "B" that was on my Dad's cap in 1971.

I wonder how close to the Brooklyn "B", those Bakersfield caps were.

Can anyone make a comparison and comment.

Great work, Pete.

Lou

[JOVE23]

I think the 1938 B, although in the wrong color, is the best match to the B that we all know and love.

[Spirit of '55]

Friends:

Although I've tried not to wear my "display" caps, I do. I can't help it. It's too much fun!

Yesterday, I was in a Deli wearing my Brooklyn Blue. A customer, about 65, walked up and said, "Brooklyn Dodgers. This man knows." Today, I was out to lunch, and another patron came up and said, "Brooklyn Dodgers! Way to go!" Turned out he wasn't from Brooklyn, he was from Staten Island ("'s dat an island?") on the other end of, as he called it (and sorry for the lack of PC), "the guinea gangplank." Never heard the Verrazano called that before. Leave it to a New Yorker.

The Brooklyn Dodgers are alive and well in South Florida. :homeplate:

[penncentralpete]

Yes, the Brooklyn Dodgers ARE alive and well in New Jersey too! I was walking through a dept. store yesterday wearing my Brooklyn "stuff" and a YOUNG woman (30?) approached me and said: "Brooklyn Dodgers, right?"........astonishedly I stammered "yes" (even though I was actually wearing my Brooklyn Tip-Tops' jersey with a Dodgers' cap). The Tip-Tops played at Washington Park in Brooklyn for 2 seasons (1914-1915) in the Federal League. I wear something Brooklyn most every day, and most every day I get: "Hey, Furillo!" or a long story about how they remember Ebbets Field and how they hate O'Malley, etc. Cool stuff.

[penncentralpete]

Snider wearing the "solid" B cap (no triangular cutout):

[MSUlaxer27]

Turned out he wasn't from Brooklyn, he was from Staten Island ("'s dat an island?") on the other end of, as he called it (and sorry for the lack of PC), "the guinea gangplank." Never heard the Verrazano called that before. Leave it to a New Yorker.


I had a Italian-American boss who lived in Staten Island but was born in Brooklyn...she said she remembered the day the Verrazano opened...she and her family were lined up in traffic in Brooklyn waiting for the bridge to open so they could leave Brooklyn for the "fresher pastures" of SI (They were moving out). She said she wasn't the only Italian family in that line. That nickname (if still offense)for the bridge makes sense in that regard.

[Number 4]

Reading about and seeing the photos of BD caps is really very interesting. What years did the authentic BD hat have a diamond or a triangle in the letter "B" and what year(s) did the "B" have neither?

I guess I'm lucking according to the pros here. My only DB hat appears to be a Roman Pro in #6 of skaukatt's post of photos. It is autographed by Duke Snider across the bill. Needless to say, I don't wear it, but have it on display in my home office.

[skaukatt]

penncentralpete,

You are making some case for the no diamond cut out debate!!! Excellent photo illustrations. I have seen these photos but I have always dismissed not being able to see a cut out on camera angle, etc... but you have posted quite a few that depict the "B" without a cutout. This might be why the owner of ballcap.com told me that when Podres saw the cap he was so impressed and surprised that the cap looked so authentic.

That being the case, I still do not think that my ballcap.com '55 cap, sans diamond cutout, nails the original exactly (I'm speaking in terms of logo - color is another story). I am still not sure why a replica cap manufacturer, especially one such as ballcap.com, who makes each cap by hand, cannot nail the logo.

As I mentioned, the cap that my Father received from LA back in '71, from my recollection of tracing the logo, I was 11 years old, does resemble the Roman Pro version. Note that I have not seen that cap since he passed away in '97. I will have to dig out the tracing from a box in the basement the next time I visit my mother's house.

Again, I have been waiting so long on this forum for this discussion to take place. I appreciate all the responses and information here.

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

penncentralpete,

You are making some case for the no diamond cut out debate!!! Excellent photo illustrations. I have seen these photos but I have always dismissed not being able to see a cut out on camera angle, etc... but you have posted quite a few that depict the "B" without a cutout. This might be why the owner of ballcap.com told me that when Podres saw the cap he was so impressed and surprised that the cap looked so authentic.

That being the case, I still do not think that my ballcap.com '55 cap, sans diamond cutout, nails the original exactly (I'm speaking in terms of logo - color is another story). I am still not sure why a replica cap manufacturer, especially one such as ballcap.com, who makes each cap by hand, cannot nail the logo.

As I mentioned, the cap that my Father received from LA back in '71, from my recollection of tracing the logo, I was 11 years old, does resemble the Roman Pro version. Note that I have not seen that cap since he passed away in '97. I will have to dig out the tracing from a box in the basement the next time I visit my mother's house.

Again, I have been waiting so long on this forum for this discussion to take place. I appreciate all the responses and information here.

Lou, NY

Hi Lou and all: My first problem with ballcap.com is that I think their "B" is always too large. I also agree with you that their '55 version is NOT spot on. I've ordered their 1948 version, and should receive it in 4-to-6 weeks. When I was a kid (8,9,10 years old) we would buy a blue cap (.99) and a Brooklyn "B" (.25) for our moms to iron on the cap! They looked GREAT! The hobby shop sold baseball caps in all the colors and/or combinations (red with blue, etc.) and also sold all the MLB teams' logos as iron-ons. For $1.24, we were all set for the summer! And these caps looked fabulous! Nowadays, we shell out big bucks and get phoney-baloney! This bright "electric blue" the Mets are using is pretty, BUT nowhere NEAR original Brooklyn Dodger blue. Right now at this point of our search for the "real thing", I believe the old Roman-Pro caps were the closest thing to reality re: Brooklyn Dodger caps, in both color and the "B". Back in the '50's, the players wore "Tim McCauliff" caps (no longer in production). I think I spelled McCauliff incorrectly, but that was the manufacturer of MLB caps when I was 10.

[six4three]

Ballcap.com is flat-out terrible. Historical inaccuracies, and lousy quality.

I've ordered many caps from them, and been disappointed every single time.

[penncentralpete]

Ballcap.com is flat-out terrible. Historical inaccuracies, and lousy quality.

I've ordered many caps from them, and been disappointed every single time.

The problem is that not too many companies even are in the business of producing "throwback" caps. The ones that are, don't do a great job. Some companies make up their own versions of throwback caps that are way off-base, others (Ebbets Field Flannels) make only minor league and Negro League throwback caps and jerseys. The old-time caps and jerseys these companies produce run from the perfectly right-on to the bizarre. I truly cannot understand all of this. I suppose the older fellas (like me) aren't in the market for this throwback stuff, and consequently the companies don't give a hoot about accuracy; their money comes from all the present day caps and jerseys they are able to sell.

[dodger dynamo]

I think it might be their hoping for faded memories and people too young to really know the differerence. It's cheaper just to "make a fake" and cash in. There has to be some real vintage 40's-50's ball caps out there. Some company should get them, study them and reproduce them. Isn't it a sad statement about mlb that they let these things be made. They might as well put a y on a red cap. If it's not correct it's not really the team logo. Then again if it's close and it's all ya got, whadda ya gonna do. oh, well I think the blue B on the white cap is very close to the white version worn in the 40's. I'll try to get a picture from arscenic and old lace and whistling in brooklyn. A great film by the way for dodger fans. red running up to the rotunda, just great stuff. oh, by the way guys great pics. battlin bake, the dodger dynamo

[Spirit of '55]

Friends:

I guess this issue of historical accuracy brings me full circle to the pure white cap with the dark blue "B" that's being marketed as a "franchise cap," but is dated 1939 (on the back of the cap, no less). What IS a franchise cap, anyhow? Aren't they ALL franchise caps?

It's a great, eye-catching cap, a flip on the usual, and the VERY dark blue of the "B" might JUST be the blue of Brooklyn---but I've never seen a player photographed wearing one. So I am beginning to doubt it existed as such.

Two things:

First, does anyone know why the team went green and white in 1937? I can't find any info on that, and I have only seen one low-quality color picture in which the fuzzy player was probably wearing green.

Second, may I suggest that we Brooklyn Dodger fans adopt "Brooklyn Dodger Indigo" as the proper name of the team color to distinguish it from La Gorda's watered-down Lost Angeles "Dodger Blue"?

[penncentralpete]

Friends:

I guess this issue of historical accuracy brings me full circle to the pure white cap with the dark blue "B" that's being marketed as a "franchise cap," but is dated 1939 (on the back of the cap, no less). What IS a franchise cap, anyhow? Aren't they ALL franchise caps?

It's a great, eye-catching cap, a flip on the usual, and the VERY dark blue of the "B" might JUST be the blue of Brooklyn---but I've never seen a player photographed wearing one. So I am beginning to doubt it existed as such.

Two things:

First, does anyone know why the team went green and white in 1937? I can't find any info on that, and I have only seen one low-quality color picture in which the fuzzy player was probably wearing green.

Second, may I suggest that we Brooklyn Dodger fans adopt "Brooklyn Dodger Indigo" as the proper name of the team color to distinguish it from La Gorda's watered-down Lost Angeles "Dodger Blue"?

Hello: I'm afraid "1939" and "franchise" are merely STYLES of caps within their company. This hat (solid white with the indigo "B") was never worn by the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Dodgers' white caps were with blue piping (see Babe Ruth, etc.). As for the green, I have yet to find any explanation for this one-year color, except that the ushers at Ebbets Field wore green jackets that summer (1937). I have two very good books on the history of the baseball uniform, and neither book explains why the Bums went green.

[skaukatt]

penncentralpete & Dodger Dynamo,

I agree totally, the Brooklyn Dodgers never wore that solid white cap. My 1938 piped version is pretty close to the "Babe Ruth" cap you mention.

Also, Dodger Dynamo, I agree with your statement as well when you say cap manufacturers are hoping to cash in on faded memories and no memories at all for those too young to remember the team (like me). But, unlike those youth, my memories have been instilled in me by the rabid fans that my Dad an his brothers, my uncles were.

I can't for the life of me understand why some company does not do exactly what you said, study the original and reproduce it.

I really appreciate this thread, you guys, I have been waiting to discuss this subject for years.

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

Hi Guys: Right now I think we are at a dead end. The old Roman Pro caps (no longer in business) were the closest thing to a REAL Brooklyn cap. The other versions of very old Brooklyn caps are all we have as far as good replicas go. I am talking about the 1932 two-tone blue cap, the 1937 green cap, and the 1938 "Babe" cap (also the blue cap with white ribbing and a red "B"). As far as the '50's cap (blue with the white "B"), they are awful.

[penncentralpete]

this WAS the best.....no longer available.....

[penncentralpete]

two more examples of the "uncut" B. Ed Roebuck and Erv Palica.

[skaukatt]

penncentralpete,

That would be the same as my Roman Pro, right? When did you purchase that cap?

As I said, mine was purchased in the early 1980's at the then Roosevelt Raceway Flea Market on Long Island from a female cap vendor. At the time I bought a few of them. One I wore while playing softball, the other is unworn and only worn when stepping out the other two, one is part of a tribute with a framed picture of the 1955 Champs and the other I gave (holding) to/for my 8 year old daughter to carry on the legacy to the next gen.

Lou, NY

[skaukatt]

...man, that uncut "B" really escaped me all these years. I did see these pics before but always attributed not seeing the cut out on the angle at which the photo was taken or, sun glare.

Also, I asked my uncle about it but his memory did not recall an uncut "B" but as we know, memories fade. He claims to have an original cap the he purchased at Gerry Cosby's in NYC in 1953. He and my Father went to the store to purchase caps, he bought the Dodger cap and my Father, who had Dodger caps already, purchased a St. Louis Cardinal's cap since he absolutely adored Stan "The Man" Musial. he also had a three fingered Stan Musial glove that he wore during his own ball playing days.

As a side note to that, I don't know if anyone here would remember an old Brooklyn sandlot team called the Mustangs, but my Father and his brothers played for the Mustangs throughout the 1940's and early 1950's. From what my Dad told me, there were many italian social clubs back in the old neighborhood of the north side of Brooklyn, one of which was the Mustangs. They had a baseball team and played other clubs in various leagues during the period. How I wish I had that glove!

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

penncentratpete,

That would be the same as my Roman Pro, right? When did you purchase that cap?

As I said, mine was purchased in the early 1980's at the then Roosevelt Raceway Flea Market on Long Island from a female cap vendor. At the time I bought a few of them. One I wore while playing softball, the other is unworn and only worn when stepping out the other two, one is part of a tribute with a framed picture of the 1955 Champs and the other I gave (holding) to/for my 8 year old daughter to carry on the legacy to the next gen.

Lou, NY

Hi Lou: The picture of my Roman Pro cap was taken long ago. I wish it was still in that shape. I wore it all the time from the late '70's (when I bought it thru the mail) and now it is in very rough shape. It has turned purple and is very dirty. I attempted to wash it many times, but still is pretty bad!

[skaukatt]

pete,

Do you think it is the same as my own Roman Pro that I submitted here? It looks very very close if not exactly like it.

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

...man, that uncut "B" really escaped me all these years. I did see these pics before but always attributed not seeing the cut out on the angle at which the photo was taken or, sun glare.

Also, I asked my uncle about it but his memory did not recall an uncut "B" but as we know, memories fade. He claims to have an original cap the he purchased at Gerry Cosby's in NYC in 1953. He and my Father went to the store to purchase caps, he bought the Dodger cap and my Father, who had Dodger caps already, purchased a St. Louis Cardinal's cap since he absolutely adored Stan "The Man" Musial. he also had a three fingered Stan Musial glove that he wore during his own ball playing days.

As a side note to that, I don't know if anyone here would remember an old Brooklyn sandlot team called the Mustangs, but my Father and his brothers played for the Mustangs throughout the 1940's and early 1950's. From what my Dad told me, there were many italian social clubs back in the old neighborhood of the north side of Brooklyn, one of which was the Mustangs. They had a baseball team and played other clubs in various leagues during the period. How I wish I had that glove!

Lou, NY
Hey Lou: You mean this ol' thing????? lol

[penncentralpete]

pete,

Do you think it is the same as my own Roman Pro that I submitted here? It looks very very close if not exactly like it.

Lou, NY

Lou: Like I said, I bought it many years ago thru the mail from Roman Pro. 1970's.................was GREAT for about 20 years, then it got really dirty and purplish..........I should have done what you did (buy a FEW), but who knew???? I thought I would always be able to purchase a great replica Brooklyn cap whenever I wanted more........boy was I wrong!

[penncentralpete]

I like this one, but it was from BEFORE the scripted "Dodgers" on the front of the home jerseys......

[penncentralpete]

I also like this cap, but it too was from BEFORE the team had "Dodgers" scripted across the jersey.

[skaukatt]

...you're a regular riot!!!

That looks very similar to my own old Sonnett shown here:


Is yours a Musial?

Lou, NY

[skaukatt]

pete,

Those two caps you posted, how close to the originals in terms of logos and colors?

i have seen these offered but I always passed on the buying opportunity. These, I guess were from the uniforms prior to 1936?

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

It's a four-finger Musial. I own a few old gloves. One from the '30's. I collect (to WEAR) old caps, uniforms, etc. (jackets, too). Here's an old-time Dodger jacket (with leather sleeves).........

[penncentralpete]

pete,

Those two caps you posted, how close to the originals in terms of logos and colors?

i have seen these offered but I always passed on the buying opportunity. These, I guess were from the uniforms prior to 1936?

Lou, NY

How close these caps are to the originals is anybody's guess (all the old pictures are black and white). Here's 2 more from waaaay back.....

[penncentralpete]

two more..........

[skaukatt]

Sweet jacket - very nice. I'd be proud to walk around with that!

I have seen pictures of originals that had tan or light brown sleeves - not sure why they used brown - had nothing to do with the team colors.

Nice jacket, pete. Wear it with pride, my Friend.

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

......and two more..........

[skaukatt]

Nice caps, too. My only white Dodgers cap is that Roman Pro purchased at the same time as the blue ones form the same vendor at that flea mkt.

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

Sweet jacket - very nice. I'd be proud to walk around with that!

I have seen pictures of originals that had tan or light brown sleeves - not sure why they used brown - had nothing to do with the team colors.

Nice jacket, pete. Wear it with pride, my Friend.

Lou, NY
Thank you, Lou.............I have a few different Dodger jackets............that's my favorite one.

[penncentralpete]

Here's a shot of Shotgun Shuba with my wife Linda. She's wearing a rhinestoned Brooklyn satin jacket and George is wearing a very old-time cap.

[skaukatt]

yes, that green one - what were they thinking?

Still a nice collection of our Dodgers history. Nice to see that there are others like me who still care and think about this team.

Can I even say "our" Dodgers history as I was not even born prior to the theft of the team???? Yet and still, I have so much of an oral history in my brain and my heart, it as if I lived the agony and the ecstacy along with him (my Dad).

Lou, NY

[skaukatt]

...great shot of your wife and George, I saw that one on the other board. Looks like it was a nice time for everyone. A reunion, of sorts?

It must have been an honor to be amongst those old time players.

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

yes, that green one - what were they thinking?

Still a nice collection of our Dodgers history. Nice to see that there are others like me who still care and think about this team.

Can I even say "our" Dodgers history as I was not even born prior to the theft of the team???? Yet and still, I have so much of an oral history in my brain and my heart, it as if I lived the agony and the ecstacy along with him (my Dad).

Lou, NY

Lou: You are not alone! I think and talk about the Brooklyn Dodgers most every day. I wear my caps, jerseys, jackets all the time. My family is used to me by now. The neighbors are shocked when I am NOT wearing a Brooklyn piece.............lol

[penncentralpete]

I also re-play all of the Brooklyn seasons on my Strat-O-Matic computer game. I've re-played 1941, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1955, 1956....and am in the process of re-playing the 1953 season as we speak! (don't get me started). lol

[skaukatt]

pete,

you are a true champion of our cause!!! I hear ya' loud and clear, my Friend...

How I wish my Dad was here to see this board and others like it - how he would have appreciated the interest that still exists for this team.

Keep the Faith!

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

This is an article from 1989 in the New York Times: When manufacturers and retailers of old-fashioned baseball caps talk about the soaring demand for their product, they describe the Brooklyn Dodgers' cap as the hottest item going. When they talk about reasons why, the name of a man who was born the year the Dodgers left Brooklyn for Los Angeles almost always comes up.

WHEN manufacturers and retailers of old-fashioned baseball caps talk about the soaring demand for their product, they describe the Brooklyn Dodgers' cap as the hottest item going. When they talk about reasons why, the name of a man who was born the year the Dodgers left Brooklyn for Los Angeles almost always comes up.

Spike Lee, the 32-year-old Brooklyn native who wrote, produced, directed and starred in the critically acclaimed film, ''Do the Right Thing,'' has apparently inspired a trend, according to some retailers, who say black youths are buying Lee's trademark Brooklyn Dodgers caps in large numbers.

''We have sold a great amount of Dodgers caps recently,'' said Peter Capolino, the owner of Mitchell & Ness, a major Philadelphia sporting goods store. ''Spike Lee has made it very popular, and several rap groups are also wearing caps. It's increased our sales tremendously.''

Lee is rarely seen in a film, commercial or interview without either his white Dodgers hat or more recent blue model, and he frequently wears old-style Dodgers jerseys. As Lee's popularity increases, so do the number of Dodgers caps showing up alongside Mets and Yankees hats on the streets of New York.

''Spike Lee was born in Brooklyn, and he believes you can make it anywhere,'' said Corey Pettie, a 19-year-old resident of the Bronx who owns caps of the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants. ''He's trying to tell the youths to remember where they're from, and they relate to that. More young kids are buying the old-time hats than they are the current ones.''

''I'm a fan of Spike Lee's, and I saw him wearing the hats all the time,'' said Kwyn Bader, a 20-year-old student at Columbia University who recently bought his second old Dodgers cap.

Although the Lee phenomenon has been most evident in New York, it has spread to cities across the country. Steven Valeri, product manager for Roman Pro, a company in Brockton, Mass., that has a contract with Major League Baseball to manufacture old-fashioned caps, said Lee is a main reason why Brooklyn Dodger caps are his company's top sellers.

''Of the 57 caps we sell to retailers, the two Brooklyn Dodgers caps are numbers one and two,'' Valeri said. ''We've made hats for Spike Lee's movies, and we've received a lot of visibility from that. Lee's effect on the hats is seen in all of our main markets.''

[Spirit of '55]

Friends:

I must be wearing Spike Lee's lid! Okay, so the pure white hat isn't authentic; I'll wear it anyway in honor of our Boys of Summer who are truly the guys in the white hats.

I think my family considers me quite mad when it comes to the Bums; I was born in 1960, so I missed them entirely, and MAYBE there was an unbroken brick of Ebbets Field still lying around on Sullivan Place. Maybe.

But, racing in on 50 with my parents aging, my memories of living in Brooklyn almost 40 years old, having to "Press 1 for English," being bombarded by Britney Spears, Columbine, Nine-Eleven, a faltering economy, illegal immigration, and the overwhelming rudeness and uncouthness of modern America, the Brooklyn Dodgers represent a kinder, gentler America where people of all shades of skin and opinion didn't much mind sitting shoulder to shoulder in a ballpark without a revolving restaurant to watch a team that might lose. But there was always next year!

So I watch the old games on tape and disc, buy prepackaged memorabilia, bid on ebay for torn ticket stubs, wear replica hats, absorb Brooklyn Dodger history and trivia, and talk to others who remember and those who don't:

"Nice Boston Red Sox hat? BROOKLYN Dodgers? The Dodgers were in BROOKLYN? When? They were the archenemies of who? The Yankees? Now THAT I like! Wait! The GIANTS were in New York too? Oh, wow. I didn't know that!"

Doing my best at keeping the Spirit of '55 alive. :candle: :homeplate:

[skaukatt]

...very nicely put, Spirit of '55.

i was born in '61 and like you, missed them completely. As I have stated before, the Dodgers that I came to know where from the rich oral history that was instilled in me by my Father, my Grandmother, and his brothers (my uncles). They lived and breathed it and as luck would have it, I was the beneficiary of those memories which I treasure.

I cannot think of that team without thinking of my late Father and vice versa. I hang the '55 team photo over my desk at work. I am constantly reminded of those by gone days that you speak of.

As you said, "keeping the spirit alive" is how I see it.

Nice post,

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

My first Brooklyn Dodger game was when my dad and his brother (Uncle Herman) took me to Ebbets Field in 1954 (I was 7 going on 8). Duke Snider homered against Lew Burdette and that was it! I was a Duke/Dodger fan from that moment to this very minute! My uncle bought me a Dodgers' cap ($1.00) and I haven't found another that close to the real thing since!!!

[six4three]

Hi Guys: Right now I think we are at a dead end. The old Roman Pro caps (no longer in business) were the closest thing to a REAL Brooklyn cap. The other versions of very old Brooklyn caps are all we have as far as good replicas go. I am talking about the 1932 two-tone blue cap, the 1937 green cap, and the 1938 "Babe" cap (also the blue cap with white ribbing and a red "B"). As far as the '50's cap (blue with the white "B"), they are awful.

Mitchell and Ness also used to make some excellent caps, true to the period, but they've abandoned that market in favor of making modern designs....

[penncentralpete]

Mitchell and Ness also used to make some excellent caps, true to the period, but they've abandoned that market in favor of making modern designs....

Yes.......the key words here are "USED TO"....................

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Mitchell and Ness also used to make some excellent caps, true to the period, but they've abandoned that market in favor of making modern designs....

Even with Cooperstown replicas they tend to put the thick letters on the caps. Not only with the Brooklyn caps, but also with the Pirates pill box cap. An outrage.

[six4three]

Yes.......the key words here are "USED TO"....................

Yeah, it's been about six or eight years. I still buy every one in my size when they hit eBay....

[EasilyFound]

Great thread. I love the passion for finding the authentic hat. I live in Bklyn and purchased this hat from Amazon, which I gather, from the info in this thread, is not authentic because the button is blue instead of white, and the "B" has the triangle cutout:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JC1FMVFGL._SS400_.jpg

And I suppose the color is probably too light.

So a true replica would have to be a darker blue, with a white button, and a "B" with no triangle cutout? Is that correct?

Now where can I find one?

[penncentralpete]

Great thread. I love the passion for finding the authentic hat. I live in Bklyn and purchased this hat from Amazon, which I gather, from the info in this thread, is not authentic because the button is blue instead of white, and the "B" has the triangle cutout:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JC1FMVFGL._SS400_.jpg

And I suppose the color is probably too light.

So a true replica would have to be a darker blue, with a white button, and a "B" with no triangle cutout? Is that correct?

Now where can I find one?

Not entirely correct.....the triangular cut-out was NOT on the '55 nor '56 caps........however it was there in all the other years.............BTW, I own the cap you pictured above, and taped it off to spray white flat paint (Krylon) on the top button. It came out nicely.

[six4three]

The cotton caps tend to have washed colors, so I wouldn't worry about that one.

And Franchise caps don't have the contrast buttons:

http://mlb.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pMLB2-1291815dt.jpg

Not to mention that it appears the button was occassionally blue in the 1940s, as seen in the below cap, sold at auction at Leland's.

Man, the more I see that logo, the more I regret MLB's adopting it as the "official" throwback logo.

[EasilyFound]

Great. So it seems, after all, that my cap is an accurate replica of a 1939 or 1940's Bklyn Dodger cap sans the washed out blue color of a cotton cap. Suits me fine. Thanks for the info.

[six4three]

Well, more or less.

I'm still not 100% sold on the logo.

[EasilyFound]

Well, more or less.

I'm still not 100% sold on the logo.

Based on what I've read on this thread, I agree 100%. At least the other two -- button and triangle -- are accurate.

[six4three]

The idea of a triangle, yes.

But the triangle should be an organic part of the design, created by the rings and vertical bar. Not just tacked on top of a Bostonian "B".

At least the Cyclones got it right. It really bothers me that the official Brooklyn Dodgers B isn't more like this:

[penncentralpete]

Hello all: I don't mean to "beat this subject to death", but, I've been searching for the "perfect" Brooklyn cap now for the past 25-30 years, and have been disappointed over and over again. As I have stated in past posts, I own MANY Brooklyn "throwback" caps (actually a rediculous amount). Some are closer than others in both color and graphic. Sadly, as time marches on, the Brooklyn caps get more and more bogus. Some of my caps have a nice "B", but the color is way off. Some have the true Brooklyn blue, but the "B" is off. In the '60s and '70's Roman Pro made the best (IMHO) Brooklyn cap...............but alas, they are now gone. The few Brooklyn caps I own that are really nice (very close, if not EXACT), are now worn to death, and look raggedy. Before the questions begin, I'm talking about the Dodger cap(s) from 1939 through 1957.........BLUE with the white "B" and white button on top.....not the very old ones (white, green, etc.).

[penncentralpete]

This is the best throwback Brooklyn cap ever re-produced (IMHO)........no longer available...........

[six4three]

Still has that bad "B"...

For my money, the best Brooklyn Dodgers throwback cap ever produced was the old Mitchell and Ness version:

[penncentralpete]

Still has that bad "B"...

For my money, the best Brooklyn Dodgers throwback cap ever produced was the old Mitchell and Ness version:

I also love that old Mitchell-Ness cap!! Again, not so crazy about the color.....................

[six4three]

That photo's a little light - the actual cap is a very deep royal blue.

[EasilyFound]

FWIW, I stopped into my local Barnes and Noble and browsed through several books on the Brooklyn Dodgers. I did not see any caps that without a white button on top. Most pictures were in books for years 1947-1957. I did find one book on the 1939 Brooklyn Dodgers, and it included a picture of Leo Durocher, and he wore a cap with a white button on top.

[sean138]

I broke down a bought a cap from Cooperstown Ball Cap Co. I got the 1948 Brooklyn. I love the quality of the cap and the color but the "B" leaves a lot to be desired. If we could get the "B" from the M and N cap on the 48 CBCC cap, we could have a winner. My Giants cap has a great "NY" on it. I have no idea who made it though. No tags? It's on my avatar.
Sean
P.S. Mel Ott Rules

[six4three]

I'm sure that Cooperstown Ballcap makes that style, but I doubt their version of the logo would be that good.

For my money, that looks like the one made by New Era about six years ago - they briefly had their own Cooperstown line (the Yankee version is below).

Thicker, rougher wool than the 59fifties, low profile, some great graphics (and some not, like the Yankee version). The Giants one was beautiful - unlike everybody else, they didn't just recolor the Mets logo, but went back to the amazing earlier logo.

[sean138]

After a bit of searching on ebay I found one like mine and you are correct. It is a New Era. It is my favorite because of the thick rough feel and the well done logo. The same seller has some Brooklyn hats but the logo is ugly. The Giants "NY" logo and the black and orange were used 1933-1936 and then again in 1947-1949. 49 is when the "NY" changed to the one the Mets copied. Also an ugly logo.
Sean

[dodger dynamo]

We all buy these caps, right?, sometimes even the bad ones, albeit reluctantly, because we can't get any others. Don't they realize if the made a great "authentic" cap we'd buy the daylights out it and give them away as gifts to family and friends. We'd also horde a supply all our own so when one wore out we'd have another! They'd sell loads. The old m and n B is the b I'd choose, the 56 and 57 caps looked different, more like the cap Pete showed above, which I do have, a nice logo for 56-57. the Koufax auto graphed hat if it were really much darker, would be peerrrfect! white cap button is a must.
battlin bake, the dodger dynamo

[six4three]

After a bit of searching on ebay I found one like mine and you are correct. It is a New Era. It is my favorite because of the thick rough feel and the well done logo. The same seller has some Brooklyn hats but the logo is ugly. The Giants "NY" logo and the black and orange were used 1933-1936 and then again in 1947-1949. 49 is when the "NY" changed to the one the Mets copied. Also an ugly logo.
Sean

Terrible quality photos, but you really get a sense of the thicker wool they used in that line.

I'm with you on the Giants/Mets logo - I think they chose the wrong one. There's something about the original that's much more elegant. Maybe it's the asymmetry.

[JOVE23]

That B is from some Minor League franchise or something. I know I've seen it somewhere, just not on a Dodgers cap.

[six4three]

Check out this post (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showpost.php?p=1172350&postcount=58) from earlier in the thread - it was used in the 1980s by the Dodgers' farm club in Bakersfield.

That having been said, I wouldn't doubt that the Brooklyn Dodgers might have used it briefly - as this thread demonstrates, they had a lot of variety in their cap logos, and sometimes the ones used very briefly become enshrined as the "official" version.

[six4three]

Bumping this thread - I was doing some research on an unrelated topic (Eddie Gaedel), and I stumbled on this game-worn Babe Ruth coach's cap (http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2008/10.html#photos) from 1938 that recently went up for auction.

Absolutely stunning. So's the winning bid.

[skaukatt]

I'm so glad to see this thread still generating some interest. I started this thread a few times in my attempts at finding "the" perfect replica, but alas, it was not possible.

You can tell from the photo that I have just about exhausted all options. The attached photo displays a lineup of all my Dodgers Caps (I posted this in an earlier reply in this thread).

I wear a few that look better than others. I agree with what was said that if only some maker would make a "good and authentic" replica, they would clean up with us Dodgers fans.

Keep the faith,

Lou, NY

[JOVE23]

I'm so glad to see this thread still generating some interest. I started this thread a few times in my attempts at finding "the" perfect replica, but alas, it was not possible.

You can tell from the photo that I have just about exhausted all options. The attached photo displays a lineup of all my Dodgers Caps (I posted this in an earlier reply in this thread).

I wear a few that look better than others. I agree with what was said that if only some maker would make a "good and authentic" replica, they would clean up with us Dodgers fans.

Keep the faith,

Lou, NY

I have to say, the 2nd and 3rd ones from the left are the cream of that crop. Are they old Roman Pros?

[skaukatt]

Hi Jove23,

Thanks for the reply!

Actually the 2nd from the left is the 1948 version from ballcap.com and the thrid from the left is the 1955 version from ballcap.com, notice that there is NO DIAMOND CUTOUT where the loops of the "B" meet on the spine. These ballcp.com caps would be great if the logo were only accurate which I think they are not - way too large. The caps themselves feel a bit flimsy compared to todays caps which are way firmer and stiffer but the flimsy feel could be more period correct - I just do not know about that.

The Roman Pro cap is #6 in the lineup just to the left of the Babe Ruth style white cap. I bought this cap in the early 1980's along with the Ruth cap.

If I were to choose a "pick of the litter" my money would be on #4, 5 or 6 from the left - but I only know the logo from photos not the real deal as some can remember. #4 and 5 were given to me by my father - or I just cannot remember where I got them but they are old, perhaps from the 1970's since I know that they have been around for a long long time in my family and I didn't purchase them personally so they must have been my dad's. They are made by New Era and the other, Annco.

If you look at page 4 of this thread you will see all the cap descriptions from when I first posted them.

Thanks again and,

Keep the Faith,

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

Re: the lack of a "diamond cutout" on the Brooklyn "B"..............I have posted pix here proving there was NO CUTOUT in the '55 nor '56 caps. Check it out.

[skaukatt]

Hello Penncentralpete,

I have seen many photos where the cap logo is perhaps distorted or unclear due to camera angle, lighting etc... that it could appear that there is no cutout but I would agree with you that the '55 and '56 caps appear to have NO CUTOUT.

When I showed my uncle, who practically lived at Ebbets with my late Father, the alleged '55 cap, he laughed at at. He said he never saw a Brooklyn cap with such a logo (solid "B" - from the modern era, that is). But perhaps his memory is faded and is just not recalling it.

So, from correspondence with ballcaps.com about this, they substantiate this '55 cap by using this photo of Johnny Podres as evidence. You can see that the cutout is difficult to observe, if it is there at all. Also, the owner of ballcaps.com told me that she made this cap and took it to LA where Podres was appearing at a book signing or memorabelia show, intending to get his autograph and she claims he said,"How did you get my cap?"

The same claim (can't make out the cutout, and it appears as if it is not there at all) can be made of this photo of the Duke and this alleged 1956 Pee Wee original that was on some auction site. However, here's also a shot of Pee Wee where clearly the cut is visible - looks to be '57?

I just don't know...

Lou, NY

[skaukatt]

Hi penncentralpete,

You were substantiating the fact that there really was NO CUTOUT on the '55 and '56 cap - I then would have to agree with you as evidenced by my submitted photos as well. You and my photos have convinced me.

Sorry for my confusion!!!

So, I guess there really was NO CUTOUT on the '55 -6 season caps. I do maintain, however, that the ballcaps.com logo is way too large. Which is a shame.

What do you think?

Lou, NY

[six4three]

It's also worth remembering that the Dodgers' cap logos were very inconsistent, and varied from year to year and even player to player....

[skaukatt]

...without a doubt, just check out just about any team photo, even the '55 Champs team photo, or group shot over the years of the team.

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

Hi penncentralpete,

You were substantiating the fact that there really was NO CUTOUT on the '55 and '56 cap - I then would have to agree with you as evidenced by my submitted photos as well. You and my photos have convinced me.

Sorry for my confusion!!!

So, I guess there really was NO CUTOUT on the '55 -6 season caps. I do maintain, however, that the ballcaps.com logo is way too large. Which is a shame.

What do you think?

Lou, NY

Hello Lou in NY: How are you? The Dodgers returned to the "cutout" (in the "B") in '57. There was NO cutout in the "B" in '55 nor '56. I hesitate to re-post all of the many photos to prove this fact. If you are feeling energetic, you can peruse all of my posted photos from the past showing the solid B. This post is typed with all due respect to other members' fathers, uncles, grandfathers, etc. who do not believe this fact, working from memory alone. I do not want to appear didactic on this subject, but (once again) it's a proven fact. BTW, yes, I agree that ballcap.com got the solid "B" correct for the '55 and '56 caps, but the "B" is much too large. Their color blue might be "off" a bit as well. As time marches on, these Brooklyn caps will only become stranger and stranger (incorrect). Sad, but probably true.

[JMC Bomber]

You can see a hole in this one. When was this?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3239/2722395561_fd0987f1e6_b.jpg

[penncentralpete]

You can see a hole in this one. When was this?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3239/2722395561_fd0987f1e6_b.jpg

That's Casey Stengel.............so it ain't 1955 or 1956 that's for sure........

[penncentralpete]

The 2 years the Dodgers had no "cutouts" in their caps (modern....after circa 1936) were 1955 and 1956.

[penncentralpete]

Stengel managed the Brooklyns 1934-1936. That's the era that photo is from......

[dodger dynamo]

I guess the guy's all got new caps every year with the "new logo" I also would guess if you had a particular hat you felt was lucky from a prevoius season you might wear it. So that can add to the confusion. assuming o'malley didn't want you to turn it in at the end of the season as he once did (from what I've read elsewhere and not on the site) with the 53 nl championship ring. In order to off set the cost of the word championship ring won in 55. Sure sounds like him. Battlin bake, the dodger dynamo

[JMC Bomber]

Stengel managed the Brooklyns 1934-1936. That's the era that photo is from......

Thanks. Please tell me that wasn't the standard issue undershirt, or was that just Casey being Casey? :noidea

[JMC Bomber]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2682680979_82cca668ac_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/false_profit65/2682680979/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/2473844127_3bf5bde1f9.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnalex/2473844127/sizes/m/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/2554701429_377f00b658.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/prole1917/2554701429/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/2417319942_86e5bd4096_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12437344@N04/2417319942/

[EasilyFound]

Stengel managed the Brooklyns 1934-1936. That's the era that photo is from......

So it looks like we have found a photo of a Bklyn Dodger cap with a blue button as opposed to the ubiquitous white button. I guess they wore caps with blue buttons on top up to 1939, which is the date on the back of my cap, which has a blue button.

[penncentralpete]

So it looks like we have found a photo of a Bklyn Dodger cap with a blue button as opposed to the ubiquitous white button. I guess they wore caps with blue buttons on top up to 1939, which is the date on the back of my cap, which has a blue button.

I own that cap too. I taped off the top and sprayed the button white!!!! LOL. Looks MUCH better..............

[Ralph Zig Tyko]

Terrible quality photos, but you really get a sense of the thicker wool they used in that line.

I'm with you on the Giants/Mets logo - I think they chose the wrong one. There's something about the original that's much more elegant. Maybe it's the asymmetry.
The Mets logo is close, but not identical, to the 1957 Giants logo. Ugly? Most certainly not. Either one.

[six4three]

I never said the Mets' NY was ugly, only that the previous one is much more elegant and pleasing to my eye.

It has more historical import to boot - the one the Mets adopted (and, as you note, adapted several times early in their history) had a relatively brief spell on their caps. Just like the Dodgers, to keep this on topic - the official "B" logo enshrined by Major League baseball was barely a blip in the course of Brooklyn Dodger history, overlooking a much more elegant and beautiful logo with decades of history behind it.

[six4three]

Here's another beautiful 1930s-1940s cap I found at auction (same place as that Babe Ruth cap above).

[aqib]

I never said the Mets' NY was ugly, only that the previous one is much more elegant and pleasing to my eye.

It has more historical import to boot - the one the Mets adopted (and, as you note, adapted several times early in their history) had a relatively brief spell on their caps. Just like the Dodgers, to keep this on topic - the official "B" logo enshrined by Major League baseball was barely a blip in the course of Brooklyn Dodger history, overlooking a much more elegant and beautiful logo with decades of history behind it.

Has anyone else noticed that some of the current Red Sox caps (I say some becuase every team seems to need 15 caps these days) look a lot like the old Brooklyn caps. I saw someone a couple of weeks ago and I thought he was wearing a Dodger cap, from 10 feet away the B was very close and it was a similar shade of blue.

[penncentralpete]

Has anyone else noticed that some of the current Red Sox caps (I say some becuase every team seems to need 15 caps these days) look a lot like the old Brooklyn caps. I saw someone a couple of weeks ago and I thought he was wearing a Dodger cap, from 10 feet away the B was very close and it was a similar shade of blue.

I agree. Not only do MLB teams nowadays have MANY different caps (home, away, batting practice, etc.), but most companies make caps to their own specs, therefore "ruining" the style(s). Although these caps are all "licensed" by MLB, they are NOT all "correct" in style/color. MLB doesn't care, as long as they get their "cut" ($$). Don't ever be fooled by the tag which states "officially licensed by MLB" on caps or jerseys..........this means very little.

[aqib]

I agree. Not only do MLB teams nowadays have MANY different caps (home, away, batting practice, etc.), but most companies make caps to their own specs, therefore "ruining" the style(s). Although these caps are all "licensed" by MLB, they are NOT all "correct" in style/color. MLB doesn't care, as long as they get their "cut" ($$). Don't ever be fooled by the tag which states "officially licensed by MLB" on caps or jerseys..........this means very little.

As a Jays fan I was ticked off when they changed their caps and (whole uniforms) 3 years after winning the World Series (the jerseys grew on me but I hated the caps) then they had an alternative cap that was tolerable, but a couple of years ago they junked everything, but still bring back the classic stuff for Friday night home games so that they can have throw backs.

I get that we need to have 18 different uniform combos to boost marketing revenues but the Boston hat bothered me. The Sox have their own tradition don't try and steal from another one.

[BornthedaythebumswontheWS]

Like you all, I am a student of Brooklyn caps. I am convinced that the flanges on the left side of the "B" were "straightened out" a bit by 1955. (Earlier, they were bent over more.) There are no really good reproductions (of the '55 caps) that I have ever found. I do have an excellent 1938 reproduction (by Roman Caps--no longer made). A good '55 pic is found at: http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2006/1031.html#photos

Personally, I would like Twins Enterprises to make a '55 "Franchise" cap--with the accurate "B," and with "1955" on the back.

[penncentralpete]

Like you all, I am a student of Brooklyn caps. I am convinced that the flanges on the left side of the "B" were "straightened out" a bit by 1955. (Earlier, they were bent over more.) There are no really good reproductions (of the '55 caps) that I have ever found. I do have an excellent 1938 reproduction (by Roman Caps--no longer made). A good '55 pic is found at: http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2006/1031.html#photos

Personally, I would like Twins Enterprises to make a '55 "Franchise" cap--with the accurate "B," and with "1955" on the back.

In my humble opinion, this cap would be a poor choice to replicate exactly. The Brooklyn Dodgers only played 2 years (1955 and 1956) with no opening (diamond cut-out) in the left hand portion of the "B"..........Many years they wore the caps with the cut out.

[BornthedaythebumswontheWS]

Good point. I didn't realize that about the two year hiatus (with no "diamond cut-out). Still, with '55 being such a great year--wouldn't it be neat to commemorate it?

[Mongoose]

I like the Cooperstown Ballcap Co. product. The logos aren't exactly perfect - but weirdly, nobody really does that "B" just right. What makes the Cooperstown Ballcap hats nice is they match the original period product much more closely in construction and materials than anything else out there now. They sit on the head like the older hats did. All in all, the Cooperstown Ballcap product is acceptable. Nothing like the annoying Red Sox caps some companies put out in Royal Blue and White, which are then marketed as Brooklyn Dodger caps.

The Cooperstown Ballcap "B" is sort of like a composite between the 1940s and late 50s logo. Only the most hard-core fanatic would know the difference... But, then again, this thread has gotten over 6,000 hits, so maybe demand is stronger than one would think.

The Brooklyn Dodgers 1923 Ol'Boy Cooperstown Collection Hat from American Needle is nice. It's got 8 panel construction and is cut to the standard of that period. The "B" is pretty good, too. It isn't melton wool, but it really is a nice cap.

There are people that do custom hats... If somebody wanted a perfect one made, it could be done... But would someone pay $100 or more for a perfect Brooklyn Dodgers cap?

Would you?

[penncentralpete]

It's sad really........Roman Pro (way back when) used to produce an excellent "throwback" Brooklyn Dodgers cap, but they are gone. No one seems to be able to replicate that great cap nowadays.

[Mongoose]

It's sad really........Roman Pro (way back when) used to produce an excellent "throwback" Brooklyn Dodgers cap, but they are gone. No one seems to be able to replicate that great cap nowadays.

Roman's "B" didn't really look anything like the one from the 1940s Dodgers caps. Compare and see. Nobody's really done a proper throwback of those.

[penncentralpete]

This is my Roman Pro cap from years ago. The blue color has faded to purplish, but the "B" is good:

[penncentralpete]

I suppose I could catagorize myself as somewhat of an expert on Brooklyn caps (only because I'm an old-timer). The above Roman Pro cap was (IMHO) better than the caps my Daddy started buying me at Ebbets Field and Roosevelt Stadium. My first Brooklyn cap was purchased for $1 at Ebbets Field in the summer of 1954 (I was turning eight).

[penncentralpete]

My latest purchases leave something to be desired............

[penncentralpete]

The diamond cut-out in the above cap is not a cut-out at all! It is a fill-in with blue thread!

[penncentralpete]

This one is a little too "boxy"......the bulging portion (by the cut-out) ruins this cap:

[BornthedaythebumswontheWS]

Why can't some company get these *exactly* right?? There really IS a demand for *real* reproduction Brooklyn caps, as per this site: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DEED61531F930A35754C0A96F9482 60

It sounds like Cooperstown Caps are the closest.

[penncentralpete]

We've been through this over 6,000 times, but no one seems to be able to get it "right"...........extremely frustrating for Brooklyn-geeks like me. I wear some Brooklyn throwback stuff mostly every day. I have uniforms, jackets, etc........all really cool, but the CAPS are always semi-cheezy.

[penncentralpete]

Brooklyn caps BEFORE the 1939-1957 (blue and white) can be pretty good. Here's an oldie.........circa 1932:

[penncentralpete]

....and here's a REAL Brooklyn cap.........

[BornthedaythebumswontheWS]

We've been through this over 6,000 times, but no one seems to be able to get it "right"...........extremely frustrating for Brooklyn-geeks like me. I wear some Brooklyn throwback stuff mostly every day. I have uniforms, jackets, etc........all really cool, but the CAPS are always semi-cheezy.
I completely agree. What do you think of that New Era '55 World Series commemorative cap, with the round logo on it (in which is the Brooklyn cap itself)? Is that logo accurate? Did they actually *have* an official WS commemorative logo?

[penncentralpete]

I completely agree. What do you think of that New Era '55 World Series commemorative cap, with the round logo on it (in which is the Brooklyn cap itself)? Is that logo accurate? Did they actually *have* an official WS commemorative logo?

That cap, I, personally, wouldn't buy. I TRY to be authentic in that I wear Brooklyn stuff that the players wore. Those "logos", etc. I might wear on a tee shirt with shorts to a BBQ.

[BornthedaythebumswontheWS]

That cap, I, personally, wouldn't buy. I TRY to be authentic in that I wear Brooklyn stuff that the players wore. Those "logos", etc. I might wear on a tee shirt with shorts to a BBQ.
I know what you mean. I have that "purist" streak, too. Hey, when you're talking about baseball's--nay, all of sports'--quintessential team (the Brooklyn Dodgers), you *cannot* skimp!

[JOVE23]

So what year did they switch from the older style B:

http://highbridnation.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/baseball_tout.jpg

To the B that is more commonly seen?

http://www.freewebs.com/iaan/jackie%20robinson.jpg

[penncentralpete]

Hello Jove23: It's really hard to tell anything concrete regarding the Brooklyn "B" and how it changed over the years. If you study the pictures in each Dodger yearbook, you'll find variances. MLB teams also sold an envelope of portrait pictures of the home team players at the ballpark. I own more than a few of these and can honestly say, the "B" was not consistent. It changed ever so slightly almost summer to summer. The biggest change was '55 and '56 when the diamond cutout disappeared (only to reappear in their final season of 1957).

[Mongoose]

This is my Roman Pro cap from years ago. The blue color has faded to purplish, but the "B" is good:

That's still not a 1940s "B". No reproduction caps I've seen get the 1940s "B" just right. I think the Cooperstown Ballcap Co. cap is best, but they don't get the 1940s "B" exactly right either.

[JOVE23]

I think this is a fairly good picture of the B:

http://images.google.com/hosted/life/f?q=World+Series+source:life&imgurl=2edbc58edc2a8d68

How hard would it be to make an exact reproduction of that?!?! I mean come on....

[dodger dynamo]

Since dressen is wearing it, I'd say it's a good picture. the round circles inside the B, still different from the 40's, but an absolute buy if I ran across it.

[penncentralpete]

Since dressen is wearing it, I'd say it's a good picture. the round circles inside the B, still different from the 40's, but an absolute buy if I ran across it.

I agree with you John. If I ran across Dressen's cap (from that photo) I would snap up as many as I could.

[JOVE23]

Alright ladies and gentlemen,

I have posed this particular conundrum to people who (I believe) are experts or close to experts on this particular topic.

Feel free to follow this thread:

http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?p=696483#post696483

If you want to relay any information to the folks over there, feel free to ask me to pass it along to them.

[kramer_47]

Here is my Dodgers hat made by American Needle, it is a little different then dressen's hat but I think it is close.

[penncentralpete]

If you stare at Dressen's "B", you will see a number.......38....check it out. BTW, Kramer, I have that very cap you posted. I wear it often, but it's not even close to being "real"................

[dodger dynamo]

on Dressens cap, the right side of the stitching closest to the cut out (the part that has the tails and middle back end point) goes straight down and doesn't interfere or encroach on the circles. the tails also seem less arched and not as long. also In dressens cap the circles inside the B are true circles.
The thing is it's probably easier or costs just as much to do it right versus doing it wrong and even if it's a little more expensive, they'd sell so many more they'd wonder why they didn't do it right in the first place. You could do one like Dressens, one without the cut out and one like the 57 cap.
Yes, I'd like to have two or three of each!

[dodger dynamo]

Here's Dressen's B up close, also notice the top of the tail, it seems to curve then almost straighten out and doesn't go beyond the top of the top circle, while the bottom tail sits higher than the bottom of the B circle, (could be that it's just pitched to the right some on Dressens head) yet it too seems to straighten out (less noticeably though) on the bottom side, Neither finishes in a sharp point. The top tail is thicker. The bottom one also seems to trail out a little more (an optical illusion?) why can't the manufacturers look at this and get it right?. Also unlike the 40's caps I can now see some straightening on the left sides of the inner circles.

[Ralph Zig Tyko]

It occurs to me that the year to year, subtle changes in caps for all teams back than may be due to the embroiderers. No computers in those days and hand sewing was the way things were done. Imperfect humans who didn't get it quite correct.

[penncentralpete]

DodgerDynamo: John....did you say Dressen's head comes to a sharp point? lol

[Mongoose]

This is the 1923 American Needle Ol' Boy cap. The "B" looks pretty good here... More Dazzy Vance and Wilbert Robinson than Carl Furillo, though.

[dodger dynamo]

DodgerDynamo: John....did you say Dressen's head comes to a sharp point? lol

from what I recall there was a joke that went something like this,
A little homemade book was put together for charlie by the players
it was called {Baseball, by charlie Dressen} or something something like that
and on every page was written the letter "I" . As a manager I liked Dressen, (although Burt Shotton was my favorite), Leo was the first I remember, but he always seemed to want to be "whole show" or a key part of it, let's face it he wanted just the attention. Oh, I've strayed off topic, yea, Charlie could probably have signed his name with his head, but I love ya, Charlie and I'm still wit cha'

[penncentralpete]

What's amazing to me is that the really OLD Brooklyn caps are MUCH more realistic than the "glory days" Dodgers (1941-1956) caps!!! Weird, that the companies can get Dodger caps "correct" for 1912, 1932, 1937..........but NOT after 1939 (blue with the white "B"). It boggles the mind.

[JOVE23]

The Fedora Lounge people have pointed me toward ballcap.com to do a custom cap. I wonder if anyone else would like to help me approach these people and get it absolutely right for once and for all?

[penncentralpete]

Hi Jove: I have purchased 4 ballcap.com's Brooklyn caps (all subtly different). All 4 are nice and I enjoy wearing them, BUT they are "off"......yes, all of them.

[Mongoose]

What's amazing to me is that the really OLD Brooklyn caps are MUCH more realistic than the "glory days" Dodgers (1941-1956) caps!!! Weird, that the companies can get Dodger caps "correct" for 1912, 1932, 1937..........but NOT after 1939 (blue with the white "B"). It boggles the mind.

A lot of the more historical caps are very inaccurate - but this new Ol' Boy series from American Needle is a winner. I'm very happy with mine. The NY Giants and St. Louis Browns caps look good, too.

(Nobody gets the old Browns fleur de lis logo right either - they copy the T206 baseball cards which are inaccurate - they need to reference old photos... but that's fodder for another thread in another forum.)

The Fedora Lounge people have pointed me toward ballcap.com to do a custom cap. I wonder if anyone else would like to help me approach these people and get it absolutely right for once and for all?

I love my Cooperstown Ballcap caps, too. If you can get past minor details with the embroidery, you'll be very pleased... And they'll try to work with you if you have any special requests... Give them a call.

[dodger dynamo]

What's amazing to me is that the really OLD Brooklyn caps are MUCH more realistic than the "glory days" Dodgers (1941-1956) caps!!! Weird, that the companies can get Dodger caps "correct" for 1912, 1932, 1937..........but NOT after 1939 (blue with the white "B"). It boggles the mind.
Pete old buddy I agree, the white one with the blue B is ok, the old roman pro version of that cap was good. I just shake my head when a "bad one comes out. The thing, is this is historical, so we're getting an incorrect version of history. Most younger people take it as the "real" thing, that bugs me. Not being able to get a "real" one to wear bugs me too, a lot.

[Ralph Zig Tyko]

DodgerDynamo: John....did you say Dressen's head comes to a sharp point? lol
No it didn't. Dressen's wife's head came to a sharp point, however.

[dodger dynamo]

and from what I gather she spent a lot of money, I know she was a "flashy" dresser, notice I didn't say, "sharp".

[BornthedaythebumswontheWS]

This is the best throwback Brooklyn cap ever re-produced (IMHO)........no longer available...........

I agree. I've never seen a better reproduction. It almost catches the elegance of the original.

[JOVE23]

Are these more of the same? Or an improvement?

http://cgi.ebay.com/BROOKLYN-DODGERS-ROYAL-BLUE-NEW-ERA-PRO-HAT-7-3-8-NEW_W0QQitemZ370129816925QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFootba ll?hash=item370129816925&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

[BornthedaythebumswontheWS]

Are these more of the same? Or an improvement?

http://cgi.ebay.com/BROOKLYN-DODGERS-ROYAL-BLUE-NEW-ERA-PRO-HAT-7-3-8-NEW_W0QQitemZ370129816925QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFootba ll?hash=item370129816925&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
Interestingly, those New Era caps, though not perfect, look like an improvement over these New Era caps, @ http://www.officialcap.com/new-era-59fifty-brooklyn-dodgers-cooperstown-royal-white-p-2655.html
The line on the left is straighter (in your pics). Strange. You would think they would be identical--both coming from the same company.

[penncentralpete]

That's the whole point. The Brooklyn "B" fluctuates. Even within the same company. They continue to dance around the Brooklyn "B", never quite getting it right. Simply mind boggling.

[BornthedaythebumswontheWS]

Does anybody know who makes this cap?: http://www.gracecollector.com/memorabilia/pee-wee-reese-autographed-signed-brooklyn-dodgers-baseball-cap.html
At first glance, it looks pretty good. Notice the stitching. I don't recognize that.

[penncentralpete]

Does anybody know who makes this cap?: http://www.gracecollector.com/memorabilia/pee-wee-reese-autographed-signed-brooklyn-dodgers-baseball-cap.html
At first glance, it looks pretty good. Notice the stitching. I don't recognize that.

That cap does look fairly good. I would buy it.

[Spirit of '55]

Friends:

I notice that the "B" fluctuates even within old team photographs, sometimes thinner, sometimes thicker, sometimes curvier, sometimes straighter. I have an autographed photo of The Captain, The Duke and Jackie where each of them is wearing a different cap. So what was "official" obviously varied from season to season or official supplier to official supplier, asnd that's assuming the boys were all wearing "official" caps. Like the koan about one hand clapping, the answer may be right in front of us and cleverly unobscured. :homeplate:

[BornthedaythebumswontheWS]

Friends:

I notice that the "B" fluctuates even within old team photographs, sometimes thinner, sometimes thicker, sometimes curvier, sometimes straighter. I have an autographed photo of The Captain, The Duke and Jackie where each of them is wearing a different cap. So what was "official" obviously varied from season to season or official supplier to official supplier, asnd that's assuming the boys were all wearing "official" caps. Like the koan about one hand clapping, the answer may be right in front of us and cleverly unobscured.
__________________
Spirit of '55

This is a good point. And when you add the fact that baseball players are notoriously superstitious, and will sometimes continue to wear older (prior year) caps--this only exacerbates the situation. (Even in these days, if you look carefully, for instance, at Jonathan Papelbon's cap, you can tell that he's using a pre-black under-brimmed one--his older style being replaced in 2007.)

[penncentralpete]

So I suppose we are all beating a dead horse. Wow, 6,000+ posts and here we are. The Brooklyn "B" fluctuates................jeeeeeeze. I used to look at all my Dodger caps and think they were all just a bit "off".........now I can look at them and think they're all "right-on", depending on the year!

[Mongoose]

I guess there's an acceptable range, but some are definitely wronger than others.

Most of the ones floating around today are outside that range.

[BornthedaythebumswontheWS]

I guess there's an acceptable range, but some are definitely wronger than others.

Most of the ones floating around today are outside that range.
Personally, I would be very happy with an *excellent* reproduction of the '55 cap (which was, I think, pretty much the same in '56). I know that those two years do not capture the overall essence of the Brooklyn "B," as it had persisted for so long. But, so far as I know, no one has even tried to do a reproduction of the '55 cap, with the "ropey," almost "sinewy" "B" look (lacking the diamond cut-out). '55 was a special year. I'd take it anytime.

[kramer_47]

How do we really know which "B" is really the right one, Dressen's hat is nice but i'm sure if we looked at photos of players from 1939-57 we'd find others that acceptable too.

[penncentralpete]

I guess there's an acceptable range, but some are definitely wronger than others.

Most of the ones floating around today are outside that range.

Yo Goose: You're right. Some are "wronger" than others. These are the ones we must eschew.

[penncentralpete]

How do we really know which "B" is really the right one, Dressen's hat is nice but i'm sure if we looked at photos of players from 1939-57 we'd find others that acceptable too.

Bob: You are correct it seems. I've seen pictures of Dodgers with a fat "B" IRONED on the hat (and half peeling off for God's sake). I think we can all agree that we are in search of the most realistic "B" we can find (along with the correct hue of blue). I own some caps that are better than others. The "others" I wear in the rain.......lol.

[penncentralpete]

BTW, remember the seasons that the Brooks wore those "felt" batting helmets? They had a very fat "B". I believe the Bums wore these in 1955-1957. I saw a reproduction helmet on ebay some while ago, but it was too small for my large coconut. Looked good and was relatively cheap ($50 or less I seem to remember). Alas, it was a size 7.......I take a 7 and 3/4 or 7 and 7/8.

[penncentralpete]

BTW, remember the seasons that the Brooks wore those "felt" batting helmets? They had a very fat "B". I believe the Bums wore these in 1955-1957. I saw a reproduction helmet on ebay some while ago, but it was too small for my large coconut. Looked good and was relatively cheap ($50 or less I seem to remember). Alas, it was a size 7.......I take a 7 and 3/4 or 7 and 7/8.

I was tempted to buy it and remove the padding band around the circumference, but decided not to.

[penncentralpete]

Here is the Brooklyn felt helmet with the large "B"................

[Mongoose]

Here is the Brooklyn felt helmet with the large "B"................

I'd rather wear a normal cap.

The "B" of the 1940s was basically two circles mounted one over the other, with the sort of "3" shape on the left. That was the main Dodgers "B". I don't know what's so hard to replicate about that. I've attached pictures.

The 1940s cap is on top. The 1955 "B" was different and is below.

Most caps available today miss both marks completely. It does indeed boggle the mind.

By the way... If you think Shirley Stoler would make a good on-screen Walter O'Malley, please vote for her in the poll I've posted.

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=85722

It would be a fitting tribute to the Hall of Fame owner.

[penncentralpete]

At last there might be some good news in the near future regarding a true replication of the 1940's style Brooklyn cap and that infamous "B". I'm currently working along with the art designers of a major baseball cap manufacturer in creating a "true" 1940's Dodger cap. The head of the art dept. is working on some mockups, and will contact me to tweak the final result/decision. I'll keep you posted.....................

[aqib]

I decided I wanted to buy one. So I went to lids.com adn found this one:

http://www.lids.com/pid/20126455

I am guessing thats not authentic

[penncentralpete]

I decided I wanted to buy one. So I went to lids.com adn found this one:

http://www.lids.com/pid/20126455

I am guessing thats not authentic

Close, but a bit "off".....................lol

[JOVE23]

At last there might be some good news in the near future regarding a true replication of the 1940's style Brooklyn cap and that infamous "B". I'm currently working along with the art designers of a major baseball cap manufacturer in creating a "true" 1940's Dodger cap. The head of the art dept. is working on some mockups, and will contact me to tweak the final result/decision. I'll keep you posted.....................

That's great news! I hope someone finally gets it right.

[penncentralpete]

That's great news! I hope someone finally gets it right.

I've got my fingers crossed as I await the mock-ups..................

[aqib]

Can you make those without the trademark police going after you like the Brooklyn Dodger sports bar.

[penncentralpete]

I'm not (personally) making the caps. I'm helping design the (1940's) Brooklyn cap for a well known company.

[six4three]

That's great news, Pete! Let us know when you're free to divulge the details.

[penncentralpete]

That's great news, Pete! Let us know when you're free to divulge the details.

I'm getting antsy myself. The last I heard they were working on the final product. The mock-ups they've sent me look very promising. You'll know when I know.

[penncentralpete]

This is what I asked for...............initially:

[penncentralpete]

This is what they started out working with..............(they're still working on it):

[CaliforniaCajun]

This is what I asked for...............initially:

It appears to me that the Dodgers tried to add some elegance to their cap logo, kind of like the effect that you'd see with a wrought iron decoration on a railing or fence.

It might be that it wasn't the Dodgers intention to vary from the original, but the manufacturer screwed up when they made up an order.

I remember years ago seeing imperfections in uniforms that you are less likely to see today. I remember for instance teams having players with different fonts for the numbers on the back. In those days I think ball clubs were more likely to let these things go.

[JOVE23]

This is what they started out working with..............(they're still working on it):

If that's what is going on the new caps, I'm sold.

(minus the target thingy but I'm sure that's for their purposes.)

How are we (or they, or whoever) going to resolve the question of color?

[Mongoose]

This is what they started out working with..............(they're still working on it):

This isn't quite right. The "8" part needs to be thicker.

Closer than most, though.

[CaliforniaCajun]

This is what I asked for...............initially:

If you get them to take the authentic logo I'll buy one.

[penncentralpete]

This isn't quite right. The "8" part needs to be thicker.

Closer than most, though.

That was EXACTLY my opinion, which I told them right away.

[penncentralpete]

If that's what is going on the new caps, I'm sold.

(minus the target thingy but I'm sure that's for their purposes.)

How are we (or they, or whoever) going to resolve the question of color?

That will be the final hurdle once the "B" is settled. I'm leaning toward a darker blue than most of the caps being sold today.

[penncentralpete]

Something in this neighborhood for the BLUE..................perhaps a smidgen darker........................

[JOVE23]

Something in this neighborhood for the BLUE..................perhaps a smidgen darker........................

I'd go a shade or two darker. There's plenty of color pictures to peruse.

[six4three]

Yeah, I'd go with something closer to what LA wears than what the Mets wear:

[JOVE23]

I think if you look through all the pictures hosted in this very forum of the Brooks in color you can get a fair idea of the color you should be using.

[penncentralpete]

My strong suggestion(s) will be towards the darker blue used in 1940's Brooklyn. I will try to make sure they don't get the "B" correct, and then mess up the hue of blue.

[Mongoose]

It won't mean much if they don't get the cut of the cap correct; it should be period authentic. It should also have a soft crown like the ballcap.com recreations of hats from that era.

And it should be made in the U.S.A.

[penncentralpete]

It won't mean much if they don't get the cut of the cap correct; it should be period authentic. It should also have a soft crown like the ballcap.com recreations of hats from that era.

And it should be made in the U.S.A.

It IS ballcap.com! It will be period authentic. It will have a soft crown. I'm optimistic that this will turn out to be the best retro-Brooklyn cap made, period. And yes, it will be made in the USA.

[Mongoose]

It IS ballcap.com! It will be period authentic. It will have a soft crown. I'm optimistic that this will turn out to be the best retro-Brooklyn cap made, period. And yes, it will be made in the USA.

Great news to me. My Brooklyn ballcap.com cap already gets the most head time anyway. It'd be a shame to retire it for a new one, but I think I could do it. Their old time Giants NY could use a revamp, too - the John McGraw era one. I love the caps and already think they're the best retro ones currently on the market, but the logos could use a tweak. It's good to know they're on the job pursuing perfection.

[penncentralpete]

Great news to me. My Brooklyn ballcap.com cap already gets the most head time anyway. It'd be a shame to retire it for a new one, but I think I could do it. Their old time Giants NY could use a revamp, too - the John McGraw era one. I love the caps and already think they're the best retro ones currently on the market, but the logos could use a tweak. It's good to know they're on the job pursuing perfection.

That's exactly what I'm doing: pursuing perfection. Whether or not I'll be successful is to be determined...............................

[penncentralpete]

Here is the cap I'm shooting for. Of course color cannot be seen, but I'm leaning toward a nice dark blue. The "B" is 1940's spot on, with a soft crown.

[JOVE23]

This looks like a 1940s or pre '55 B on a color photograph:

http://www.hollywoodcollectibles.com/autographed/memorabilia/sports/collectibles/authentic/Baseball/8x10%20Photos/Duke_Snider_Photo7_MID.jpg

[skaukatt]

Hi Jove: I have purchased 4 ballcap.com's Brooklyn caps (all subtly different). All 4 are nice and I enjoy wearing them, BUT they are "off"......yes, all of them.

Hi Pete,

Yes, I agree, the ballcaps.com caps are a it off. If you look back my post from circa 04/24/08 you will see the descriptions and photos of my caps, the first three from the bottom ae those from ballcaps.com - I attached the group photo here again. Here is the descriptions from bottom to top:

#1. the 1957 version from ballcap.com
#2 the 1948 version from ballcap.com
#3 the 1955 version from ballcap.com NO CUTOUT
#4 1970's New Era
#5 1970's Annco
#6 1980's Roman Pro
#7 1980's Roman Pro 1938 style
All caps for color comparison.

Lou, NY

[skaukatt]

If you get them to take the authentic logo I'll buy one.

Me too. Keep us posted...

Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

I will post all the final results as soon as I have them.

[CaliforniaCajun]

#6 looks like the authentic 1955 cap, and #7 looks like it has the authentic "B" used in the 1940s solid blue cap. The others look off.

I also think #6 and #7 look to be of the best quality. I wouldn't be surprised if those two capture the true shade of blue, either.

[penncentralpete]

#6 looks like the authentic 1955 cap, and #7 looks like it has the authentic "B" used in the 1940s solid blue cap. The others look off.

I also think #6 and #7 look to be of the best quality. I wouldn't be surprised if those two capture the true shade of blue, either.

The 1955 (and 1956) cap(s) had NO triangular cutout in the "B".............

[Number 4]

The 1955 (and 1956) cap(s) had NO triangular cutout in the "B".............

Just wondering PCP, what kind of cap is #6....one manufactured by a company that isn't quite authnetic? Is the color or B a true representative of any BD period? The reason I ask is it is like the one I have with Duke Snider's autograph on the cap's bill.

[penncentralpete]

Just wondering PCP, what kind of cap is #6....one manufactured by a company that isn't quite authnetic? Is the color or B a true representative of any BD period? The reason I ask is it is like the one I have with Duke Snider's autograph on the cap's bill.

Hello Number 4: Funny to talk to you over here...............Cap no. 6 is a Roman Pro. I have one and I like it. I got it off Ebay about a month ago. They are no longer made. It's a bit too "blue" (bright). It does not replicate the 1940's, but maybe close to sometime in the '50's.

[skaukatt]

Hello Number 4: Funny to talk to you over here...............Cap no. 6 is a Roman Pro. I have one and I like it. I got it off Ebay about a month ago. They are no longer made. It's a bit too "blue" (bright). It does not replicate the 1940's, but maybe close to sometime in the '50's.

Yes, PCP #6 in my photo is a 1980's era Roman Pro that is supposed to be the 1950's (1957) version.

I also agree with California Cajun when he says the my white 1938 cap (also a Roman Pro made model) features what appears to be a very close representation of the correct 1940's "B". I wonder why ballcaps.com could not produce a "B" as similar on their 1948 cap as depicted in cap #2 in my photo.

I also think, as I might have stated in one of these previous posts, and as someone else recently mentioned, that there might be some sort of copyright protection on the "exact" design of the "B". I say this because how can any ball cap producer of replicas upon doing research for a specific logo of a specific period get it wrong? I mean, look at the period photos and then produce a logo based upon that research, no? How could there be so many variations in these replicas? Granted, there were a bunch of variations in the originals but can't there be a replica produced that even matches one of these?

I think our quest for correct replicas both logo and color will go on and on until one of us true die hards produce caps!

Again, I have a great interest here so if anyone comes up with any new leads please share them.

Lou, NY

[skaukatt]

Here is another reported authentic cap. Have you seen this yet?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-1950s-Brooklyn-Dodgers-Game-Used-Cap-Hat-L-K_W0QQitemZ150338571716QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Defau ltDomain_0?hash=item150338571716&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1240|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

What is the consensus on this one? Does anyone recognize the cap maker, Coane?
Lou, NY

[penncentralpete]

Here is another reported authentic cap. Have you seen this yet?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-1950s-Brooklyn-Dodgers-Game-Used-Cap-Hat-L-K_W0QQitemZ150338571716QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Defau ltDomain_0?hash=item150338571716&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1240|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

What is the consensus on this one? Does anyone recognize the cap maker, Coane?
Lou, NY

Hi Lou: Nice to see you're still very interested in this. The above cap (link) being sold on Ebay has been re-listed more than a few times. No one ever bids on it. I have been in contact with the seller (back and forth) on this cap many times. I have NEVER seen a Brooklyn Dodger wearing this cap! I've told him (the seller) time and time again, that this cap is NOT an original. The only time you'll see this cap on a Dodger's head, is when they are at a baseball card show, and the organization that is running the show will provide this cap for the ex player to wear during his signing session. It is a New Era cap, and they are bogus.

[penncentralpete]

I realize the cap in question has "Coane" in the headband, but it's an exact rendition of the New Era cap "B"..................

[CaliforniaCajun]

Here is another reported authentic cap. Have you seen this yet?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-1950s-Brooklyn-Dodgers-Game-Used-Cap-Hat-L-K_W0QQitemZ150338571716QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Defau ltDomain_0?hash=item150338571716&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1240|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

What is the consensus on this one? Does anyone recognize the cap maker, Coane?
Lou, NY

1, 3, 4, and 5 have the same curvature of the stem. In 1, 3, and 5 the rest is too wide to match the ebay cap. In 4, the stitching isn't thick enough.